Guitar Zeros rock out with Guitar Hero axes

Making music with today's newfangled controllers is nothing new, but the Guitar Zeros are taking things a step further by actually forming a band that uses non-modified Guitar Hero controllers and a good bit of programming to please crowds. The San Francisco-based four-piece utilizes a standard drum kit and set of pipes, but opts for a much more digital approach to the guitar and bass. Both guitarists use Guitar Hero axes that are hooked up wirelessly to a Windows XP laptop, and thanks to some serious coding efforts within MAX/MSP, the controllers are able to emulate acoustic sounds, electric wailing, and mind-blowing lead lines without being plugged into a game console. Of course, the end result is purely a matter of taste, but the science behind the strumming is what's really impressive. So if you're interested in seeing a music video, just click right on through, and be sure to hit up CNET for a more technical look of how the magic happens.

[Via CNET]

[Frogstik @ May 18th 2007 7:55AM]

Finally... I can now stop playing drums and slack my way onto the front of the band... without learning pesky chords and stuff! Wooooooo

[Chris Wells @ May 18th 2007 8:17AM]

The moral of the story is: If you want to be a musician, better have a back-up like programming.

Cool nonetheless.

[hazard @ May 18th 2007 8:47AM]

that rocks .. but they really need a girlfriend.

[Night_Rider @ May 18th 2007 9:43AM]

Lame... learn to play real instruments and music theory.

[Josh @ May 18th 2007 10:05AM]

Because successful bands always have a firm grasp on music theory and don't just wail on power chords for 5 CDs straight.

[Shteevie @ May 18th 2007 11:43AM]

Yes, because 'local musicians for garage band with guitar' is a more rare, and therefore more newsworthy story. Did you know that you were reading Engadget?

The article didn't say they were good, or that they have a gold single. Just that they are making music with gadgets. Particularly geeky and ironic gadgets, but gadgets nonetheless.

[McGinley @ May 18th 2007 10:51AM]

All guitar related engadget posts make me cringe as they generally are full of guitar related cliches...

[Von @ May 18th 2007 12:08PM]

Whatever happened to dedicated rock musicians who are excellent instrumentalists/composers and writers? I haven't heard this "band" but if they're pretending to play their instruments then it's just crock music.

[Brett Kelley @ May 18th 2007 12:26PM]

...so the drummer is the only real musician in the band? I know, I know, I shouldn't be so critical since I haven't produced any albums since 1989...

[stu @ May 18th 2007 1:32PM]

I've spent the last 25 years learning to play music (drums, guitar, piano) and have always been amazed at what people consider "music". Virtually (pun intended) every pop, country or rock band is electronically corrected. Think Britney can really sing? Ever notice how the tempo of every song on the radio is absolutely perfect?

Its called Pro-Tools (http://www.digidesign.com) and pitch shifters... You've been scammed this way for a long time. Now at least the somebody is openly pretending, instead of claiming they are musicians. Though that claim will be next....

[d8thstar @ May 18th 2007 4:47PM]

how quickly you all point fingers. i know these guys (and their girlfriends). not only are they accomplished musicians (yes, they play real instruments and rather well). they also understand something about music that pretentious folks who play instruments and look down on others don't seem to understand, that music is fun and that they don't things so damn seriously.

don't be so quick to point fingers folks, go check 'em out should they play again, it's a fun time out.

[Matt Rix @ May 20th 2007 4:42PM]

First of all, I play real guitar, and guitar hero, and I also make electronic music...

These guys would have to know something about music theory to turn the 5 buttons of the GH guitar into real music that sounds good. All of you music "purists" need to get off your high-horses. Music theory boils down to basically just learning some facts and ratios. It's actually fairly easy to learn. Stop treating it like it's art.

It takes skill to make a good pop song, even a Britney Spears one. Sure, Britney may not be the brains behind it, but there is a producer who has to mold it into a good catchy song. It's not easy. As far as I'm concerned, that's the art of it.

[G5Man @ May 27th 2007 6:50PM]

Not sure what I think of this whole guitar hero craze. I too am an amateur musician. I have worked hard over the past several years to accomplish a competant level of playing. I personally would rather see kids learning to play an instrument than endlessly pressing buttons under the pretense of creating music. On the other hand it is a blast to play the game. Maybe Guitar Hero will launch more kids toward a path of music discovery. That's what I'd like to see anyway. There is so much pride in really learning and understanding your instrument.

[JT @ May 20th 2007 1:05AM]

It doesn't matter if "you want to see more kids playing real instruments". What matters is what the kids want (and adults, don't be so quick to judge). And if a kid wants to dedicate his time to playing video games, giving them a music-playing game lets them learn a little bit, and roll with it.

If someone wants to dedicate the time to learning an instrument, guitar hero isn't going to stop them. It is another option for people who don't want to LEARN how to play an instrument, and just want to play a game.

You did know it was a game, right?