WNAMM11: Billy No-Mates Gets His Own Band

US Roland releases the BK-7m Backing Module 14/01/11

Roland has announced the new BK-7m, a portable backing module that can connect to any MIDI-compatible instrument, such as a keyboard, digital piano, or digital accordion. They say that, with hundreds of accompaniment styles, high quality sounds, and an easy-to-use interface, the BK-7m is the perfect companion for any entertainer. Here's the details from the Roland press release...
Equipped with a top-level sound engine, the BK-7m includes 128-voice polyphony, an SSC Sound Engine with over 1,000 sounds and 57 drum kits, some of which include Roland's acclaimed SuperNATURAL® technology. The BK-7m also includes over 400 accompaniment arrangement styles in 10 different rhythm families, allowing for a broad range of music styles. Each accompaniment style has four variations that can be accessed with the touch of a button, each assigning the most suitable tones and effects to the real-time parts depending on the selected musical style.
The BK-7m is not just an arranger, it is a multimedia player as well. Backing tracks in SMF, KAR, MP3, and WAV format can easily be accessed from the USB memory key input, and audio can also be instantly recorded in WAV format to a USB memory key. For easy connectivity to any external MIDI compatible keyboard or controller, the BK-7m includes a MIDI wizard, so performers can plug in their MIDI device and start playing right away. The BK-7m also includes a composite video output so the audience or musician can follow lyrics and chord symbols while an SMF or KAR song is being played.
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