Opens in a new window
Roland BK-7M - Backing Module
This product is no longer available.
The BK-7m Backing Module.
A Band in a Briefcase
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 on-board - 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 SMF's 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!
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
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.
A Band in a Briefcase
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 on-board - 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 SMF's 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!
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
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.
Q & A
There are currently no questions for this product.
Reviews
3.144.162.109
Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; [email protected])
A Great Band In A Box! 6 of 6 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store North York (Steeles), Ontario
I think the BK-7M has been underrated. I’ve been using one with a Roland FR-7X V-Accordion for about 3 years now. It’s an absolutely amazing band-in-a-box. I sound like a 4 piece band. I only use the sounds from the BK-7M. So the accordion is only acting as a MIDI controller. The left hand chord buttons in the accordion 120 bass section trigger the arranger much like your left hand does on an arranger keyboard. The right hand triggers the built in instrument sounds like Organ, Sax, etc.
The bellows on the FR-7X control the internal volume levels of the digital sounds just like a real accordion and the BK-7M recognized the volume control messages from the accordion. So I can control the volume levels in the BK from the accordion. No volume pedal needed.
The BK-7M has a very easy MIDI connection setup for most types of instruments and in the case of my Roland FR-7X accordion, it auto-detects it without any messing around. No fuss, no muss.
This is a great backing module and would recommend it to any one that does a one-man-band shtick. Unfortunately it seems that it might just be or soon to be discontinued by Roland. I certainly hope not though. I hope Roland is working on an updated version, soon to be released. This is, was, a great unit.
If you're thinking about getting one, I snap one up right away while they're still available!
Posted by Braden on Feb 19, 2016
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
Great Additions
Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| BK-7M - Backing Module | 335802 |
