BK-7m

Backing Module

BK-7m: Backing Module

A Band in a Briefcase

Features

Add a world-class backing band to your show with the new BK-7m, a state-of-the-art module that packs an interactive band into a sleek, slim package. No bigger than a book, the BK-7m is a dream machine for the entertaining artist or solo musician who needs a backing band onstage, in the studio, or at home. With hundreds of great Tones, Music Styles, and rhythms onboard — all quickly accessible with one-touch buttons — the BK-7m will make you sound like a pro ensemble onstage. Choose from the library of built-in styles or play your own music files directly from USB for play-along accompaniment. You can even record your performances directly to USB memory for distribution and archiving.

  • Portable backing module compatible with MIDI-capable pianos, keyboards, accordions, organs
  • 1,000-plus tones, 57 drum kits, 128-voice polyphony
  • Over 400 high-quality music styles, each with four one-touch settings
  • Over 900 Music Assistants covering every musical genre
  • SMF and audio file playback via onboard USB connector
  • Audio recording in WAV format directly to connected USB storage device
  • Cover function for SMFs and Music Styles
  • Composite Video Out to display Lyrics and/or Chord Symbols on external display
Sound Generator

The BK-7m is powered by a state-of-the-art Roland sound engine, packed with over 1,000 great Tones and dozens of drum and percussion kits. The module is able to handle 128 voices simultaneously, and is compatible with a variety of voicing formats, including GM2, GS, and XG Lite. Feed the BK-7m a quality Standard MIDI File, buckle up, and get ready for a great-sounding band. You can also use it as a high-quality sound module for a MIDI-compatible instrument such as a digital piano, V-Accordion®, organ or guitar.

Creative Control

In addition to playing MIDI Files with its internal sound generator, the BK-7m can also play and manipulate audio files. Play MP3 or WAV files via USB and use the onboard controls to change key signature and tempo to best suit your vocal range or performance style. You can also use the BK-7m’s Center Cancel feature to minimize the vocals from pre-existing songs to create instant karaoke-style sing-along tracks.

USB Compatibility

To expand the capabilities of the BK-7m, a USB port is provided for connecting to industry-standard USB storage devices such as a USB key or self-powered USB hard disk for playing and modifying/saving files. You can also use the USB port to record your performances as audio files (WAV, 44.1KHz/16-bit linear format) on a USB storage device.

Video Compatibility

The BK-7m’s composite video output can be connected to an external monitor, which allows the audience or other musicians onstage to follow the lyrics and chord symbols of the performed song. Turn your show into a multimedia experience!

Audio & Video

Video

Specs

Display type
Display
128 x 64 dots, graphic LCD
Sound generator (Conforms to GM2/GS/XGlite)
Max. polyphony
128 voices
Sounds
1,092 tones, 57 Drum Sets
Multitimbral parts
real-time parts (UP1, UP2, LWR, MBS) + 16 Song parts
Master tuning
415.3 Hz to 466.2 Hz
Key control (Transpose)
–6 to +5 in semitones (for audio/MIDI data
Tempo change
Quarter Note = 20 to 250 for SMF and Music Styles, 75 to 125 % for mp3 and WAV files
Part mute functions
TRACK MUTE: Music Styles, SMF, CENTER CANCEL: mp3, WAV, AUDIO INPUT signals
Effects
Real-time parts (UP1, UP2, LWR, MBS)
reverb: 12 types, chorus: 6 types, MFX: 84 types, parametric EQ: 6 presets + 1 User, multi-band compressor: 6 presets + 1 user
Music Style/SMF section
reverb: 8 types, chorus: 8 types, MFX A, B, C: 84 types each, parametric EQ: 6 presets + 1 user, multi-band compressor: 6 presets + 1 user
Music Style section
Music Styles
433 in 10 “Rhythm” families
One Touch memories
4 per Music Style
Style Cover
30 presets
Style Makeup Tools
Instrument-oriented editing
Songs
Real-time player
SMF (Format 0/1), KAR, mp3, WAV
Song Chord Extractor
Automatic chord detection for SMF files
SMF Makeup Tools
Instrument-oriented editing
SMF Cover
30 presets
Performance memories
Performance lists
Unlimited number (storage on USB memory), 954 Music Assistant (Internal on BK-7m)
Performance memories per list
Max. 999
Finder
Quick location of Performance memories
Demo
Demo
Yes
Recording
USB recorder
Records audio files (WAV, 44.1 kHz/16-bit linear format)
Video
Lyrics
SMF and mp3/WAV
Panel controls
Knobs
VOLUME, AUDIO IN, BALANCE
Rotary encoder
Data dial with push switching function
Connectors
Headphone jack
stereo 1/4" phone type
Audio inputs
INPUT L/MONO, R jack: 1/4" phone type
USB connectors
USB Host (data storage), COMPUTER (reception and transmission of MIDI data)
MIDI IN/OUT connectors
MIDI IN, MIDI OUT (V-LINK function)
Video output jack
composite (PAL or NTSC, selectable)
Audio outputs
OUTPUT L/MONO, R jacks: 1/4" phone type
Pedal and footswitch jacks
SWITCH/EXPRESSION jack (programmable), FC-7 jack (programmable)
Other
Power supply
9 V DC, supplied AC adaptor
Current draw
900 mA
Included accessories
Owner’s Manual, AC adaptor, Sonar LE DVD-ROM, 4 screws (M5 x 12)
Options
USB Flash Memory: Roland M-UF-series, Amplifiers: Roland KC-series, Stand: Roland PDS-10, SS-PC1, Pedals: Roland FC-7 Foot Controller, Roland DP-series/BOSS FS-5U footswitch, Roland EV-series expression pedal
Size and Weight
Width
303 mm
11-15/16 inches
Depth
194 mm
7-11/16 inches
Height
101 mm
4 inches
Weight
1.7 kg
3 lbs. 12 oz.
In the interest of product improvement, the specifications and/or appearance of this unit are subject to change without prior notice.

Accessories

Downloads

Brochures & Catalogs

BK-7m Brochure

Updates & Drivers

BK7m System Update Version 1.07

This is the latest operating system for the BK-7m. Please refer to the "BK-7M_System_Update_Procedure.pdf" document for the update procedure. Refer to the "BK-7m v106 Addendum.pdf" for more information about this update. Both documents are included in the download.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To upgrade to version 1.07, you MUST currently have version 1.05 installed. If you have an earlier version, you must update to version 1.05 first BEFORE you update to version 1.07.

BK7m System Update Version 1.05
This is the latest operating system for the BK-7m. Please refer to the "BK-7m_ update instructions.pdf" document for the update procedure. Refer to the "BK-7m v105 Addendum.pdf" for more information about this update. Both documents are included in the download.
Roland Arranger Driver Ver.1.0.0 for Windows® 7 64-bit Edition
This driver supports the BK-7m, JM-5, JM-8 and BK-5.
Roland Arranger Driver Ver.1.0.0 for Windows® 7 32-bit Edition
This driver supports the BK-7m, JM-5, JM-8 and BK-5.
Roland Arranger Driver Ver.1.0.0 for Windows Vista®
This driver supports the BK-7m, JM-5, JM-8 and BK-5.
Roland Arranger Driver Ver.1.0.0 for Windows® XP
This driver supports the BK-7m, JM-5, JM-8 and BK-5.
BK-7m SONAR Instrument Definition File
This is the SONAR Instrument Definition File for the BK-7m. This allows you to select a patch or rhythm in the BK-7m using a friendly name within SONAR software.

Support

If you have questions about operating your Roland, BOSS or Cakewalk product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.

You can also contact our Product Support department by phone or email.

In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference. If Support Documents are available for this product, they will be listed below.

Product Manuals