great MIDI controller for your Korg arranger keyboard

johnsmies · Post by **johnsmies** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:49 am

After first having experimented at large I can now safely say that the acquisition of a Behringer BCF2000 Midi Controller is an absolute must for anyone with an arranger keyboard with the possible exception of those owing a Tyros or PA3X.

I just finished experimenting on my Yamaha PSR-S750 and already did some on my KORG PA800. The results are absolutely stunning.

For those owing an arranger keyboard without sliders etc. you can now directly access ALL volumes even while playing thru the 8 sliders ( big ones !) and the 8 rotary knobs.
The sliders are even motorised which means that if you choose a new registration/performance that you have already made the sliders automatically zoom to those positions , GREAT !!!
And that is not all. You can save these settings on the Behringer as PRESET number one. Then I continued doing the same under preset number two with feeding all the REVERB values of the seperate voices. Again save them and behold:
while playing you simply adjust the reverb of each part.
I have assigned the Korgs 8 acc. tracks to the sliders, and the upper voices and lower to the rotary knobs. And it works like magic. Seems to me that in particular for the new Korg PA600 and for the Micro without no or few sliders for direct control this is a great addition. Incidentally, there is a LEARNING function on the Behringer which makes programming all that I said dead easy.
Drawbacks ? Well on the downside I can manage that it is somewhat bulky and the weight is 2.5 kilos. And of course the price. Most shops on the continent offer it at a price that ranges inbetween 150-195 euros, but there are quite a few to be found on Ebay etc. Basically people get one to use it with their computer and get frustrated hence the large amount on offer. But believe me it works like a treat on your arranger keyboard !!

regards
JOhn

peterkorg · Post by **peterkorg** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 1:12 am

Thanks John
Having recently purchased a Korg Microarranger (and your styles, by the way) I took your advice and purchased a Behringer BCF2000 through ebay which should arrive in a few days. I found it frustrating not to have easy access to various parameters and hopefully this will solve the problem. I enjoy your styles, so thanks for those too.

johnsmies · Post by **johnsmies** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 9:48 am

PeterKorg

That is great. You will be the first to do so I think. I am looking forward
to your findings. Could you please mail me a private mail and I will give
you a headstart, I hope.....

greetings,
John

pasounds@zeelandnet.nl

Rockitman · Post by **Rockitman** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 7:48 pm

Greetings,

I have a Pa800 and after reading have decided to get the BCF2000 also.
It should arrive in a few days. These seems like a great Idea.
I wonder if I can apply it to the Digital Drawbars too. I'll have to try that.
The other thought that comes to mind is mutes for accompany channels. Maybe buttons can be assigned for the mutes.

jac38 · Post by **jac38** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 5:59 pm

I got the Pa600 and after reading this found a used BCF2000 and bought it. I will have it in a day or two. It sound realy great and I saw a short review at youtube and it only made me even more intressed. My only worry is that programming it isn't as easy as I need as a compleate newbie to this...

peterkorg · Post by **peterkorg** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:07 pm

Hi
Programming was my concern too, until I tried it. It's really very simple. I haven't even bothered with the LEARN function. I've set it up to control many parameters for both Style and Keyboard tracks. It works really well with my microarranger. I have the BCR2000 which doesn't have faders but same principle.
How do you like your PA600? I've been considering trading in my microarranger.

jac38 · Post by **jac38** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:35 pm

Well I had the MicroArranger myself for about 11 moth and then I traded it back to the shop and accually got 350 Euros for it when I bought the Pa600. I thought the MA was tricky to get into all menus and didn't realy get to know it. The Pa600 is another world! Tutchscreen, color and menus are SO mutch eisier to navigate through. Ok, it is more money but it is worth it!!

peterkorg · Post by **peterkorg** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:45 pm

Great, thanks for the info. If you need help with your BCF2000, let me know.

jac38 · Post by **jac38** » Thu Mar 14, 2013 3:34 pm

I have finaly understod how this works as in midi in channels and programming, at least in theory. I have peterkorg to thank for learning mutch of it. I have programed track control channel 1-16 but I have a question.

I would like to program the "track control" button on the Pa600 so I can switch from track 1-8 to 9-16 both in keyboard and on the BCF2000 at the same time. What "Midi data type" do I use and what midi control number do I use to program this fuction?

I also want to know if any of you know how to reset the whole BCF2000? I bought it used and there are a lot of things programed that I'm not sure I clear when adding new stuff...

Regards
Jacob

david7685 · Post by **david7685** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:15 am

I have had good success following John Smies' different recommendations for additional hardware for my MicroArranger. I bought the variety package of beefed-up styles and sounds from John also. Could not be more happy.

Korg Forums

great MIDI controller for your Korg arranger keyboard

great MIDI controller for your Korg arranger keyboard

BCF2000

BCR2000

Also happy I followed John's advice.