I have one :-) Use it for personal fun only.

Got on some sale for cheaper price :-)

Thanks Vitaly, I am honored....

My approach is very simple... "keep IT simple" .... and hand on experinces are hard to substitute and hard to get.. and a little like Your strategy... "if you know something... dont be afraid of sharing", and finally you will not loose but winn by sharing..... like happines.. share it.. and it becomes even more.... ;-) unlike with money.. "is never gone, is just in the hands of someone else" ;-(

Btw, good deals for this module

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Roland-BK7M-BK-7M-Backing-Module-Free-Ship-/160973658992

Very good software - BK Partner

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/bk-partner/id591061937?mt=8

This software application for iPad let you browse, select, and control the sounds ("Tones") and musical accompaniments ("Rhythms") of your Roland BK-series instrument.

When using BK Partner you can:

• Play your BK-series instrument while using your iPad as a duplication of its front control panel. This provides fast visual access to the BK's main functions, Tones, and Rhythms.
• Work with Core MIDI or Roland Wireless Connection (if supported by BK Instrument)

Note: The BK Partner can only display English texts.

@markussen

Sad thing that it is not for Android.

@markussen

Btw, tablet application make us ask why we need arranger part in the module or keyboard at all?

It can have sound generator and be midi control surface, and it is enough.

@markussen

Tell them to make it as module. Personally, I'll never buy another keyboard. Enough is enough.

I most like to play on Microstation even :-) Doubt that Roland make such keybed :-)

I just added a small review to the 1.07 FW in combination with the BK-Partner iPad app... feel free to add further advices/comments

Have fun and be creative ;-) Kurt

the short review:

Hi to all Roland BK-7m users,

Hamburg February 06 2013

In addition the the review I did write on the www.roland-arranger.com summer 2012, I do here add my observations, my personal opinion, about the newly released update on 1.07 firmware, und especially in the combination with the released BK-Partner software installed on an iPad. One of the major complaints I had previously about the BK-7m was the user interface, especially the tiny display and missing users manual. The BK-Partner app do give you a lot of more easy ways to control/program you BK-7m, but is it really usable?..

The GOOD:

The app is FREE, and for owners of iPads, it is a must to use!! Sad to say, owners of non Apple brands of tablets (windows, android based) are left alone! For the pro/semipro musician an app with iPad will add functionality, and for the beginner the module is still very affordable. YES… you get a lot of more easy handling, for free if you own an iPad already, otherwise, you need to invest in a used iPad. (In Germany you can buy from EUR 150,-- on online marketplaces) The optimum usability you get by using the combination of the keys on the iPad and the keys on the BK-7m. It is a lot more easier to change tones/rhythms on the fly. Still not ready for live performance changes, but much easier. The programming is many times faster! You can change active parts, turn active part on/off, change TEMPO directly You can save your new performances very easily after altering the parameters Easy to alter and write OTS (OneTouchSettings) Easy to change the NAME of a Performance by using the keyboard on the iPad. The "favorites" function gives you your choices direct by hand, by family (only) or by name (all)

The BAD:

WHY only for iPad?? What about the rest of the world not suffering directly from the limitations of Apple? And the iPad is the most expensive of all Tablets! Make it OpenSource. Do I demand too much? But why not make the user interface iPad able to handle the further settings? (MFX, global, midi, almost ALL is missing!) The names of Performance which are user created/write will not be displayed on the iPad The update time needed if you change performance list can be quite long. There is NO overview of you settings on the iPad, Tones in OTS 1-4, Rhythm, Tempo, parts muted on one page, but to be found on different pages ( tones-rhythm-performance) , instead you will find midi commands listed which really has no use while playing. The combination with the BK-7m "octave" will give you some substitute for the missing. The design at first is beautiful, BUT here is a tool and not a colorful show! You load a performance, and will alter the OTS or create new. The MyStyles will contain a file with the original name of the Rhytm, and NOT with the user created new name! Load a performance from the USB, and by writing, you will be asked if you want to write to USB…. WHERE else???..

in General:

YES. This is a huge step forwards, this is really great after trying to use the wheel for renaming performances.. Thanks Roland!!! BUT…. Justs to program a users interface is not enough! Before you do so, concider what is needed by the users! I see it in many, way to many, different guides and manuals, that the programmer did not understand the need of the user, and in this special case, the display area is partly misused by showing nonsense informations. What is really needed is missing ;-( This is a great attempt to serve the costumer, I absolutely honor and respect the approach, and it is good marketing! I am sure that there will be certain update for the BK-partner in near future (I really HOPE!!) and soon a serious musician will be able to alter and save his creative work easily, and newbies will have a much more easy way to get started. And these multiplicators will be the ones selling the next and next modules… or like at the time being, advising people NOT to buy, coz it is too complex. Even dealers have this opinion! I did mention in my former review, that many, really many users are frustrated and overwhelmed by the many possibilities, which is partly positive, but these users are left alone by confusing interface design combined with almost completely missing manual describing "HOW TO" setup and use arranger modules.

I now do own a Roland BK-7m, and I do confront myself with the setup, making performances, adjusting all to my preferences. It is very time demanding, and an app which would cover further settings would be of a huge advantage. I did spend thousands of hour playing life music on stage, and I do really attempt to use this module for this purpose again!

Thank You Roland, do not stop swimming in the middle of the river!

Thank You reader, for showing interest in this small "add-on" review Have a great day, enjoy being creative!

Kurt Markussen

www.facebook.com/kurtmarkussen
www.roland-arranger.com

Of course….. this is MY HUMBLE OPPINION only, at the time writing, and I did only use the app on a borrowed iPad for a few hours before writing. I do not claim to be correct in my statements, nor being knowing about all isues, but I did my best!! Thanks for bearing!

@Vitaly_Kiselev NO! just a simple user.... like with GH cameras ;-)