Ion Audio shows off prototype of alternate Rock Band drum set at CES

The fine folks at Ion Audio are showing off a prototype Rock Band drum set complete with beefier drums and some cymbals out on the CES show floor. Apparently release is pending on customer interest, and there's no word on how much Ion's planning on charging, but we can say with much certainty that we'd jump at a chance to add this kit to the existing Engadget HQ collection of Rock Band paraphernalia. Check out Engadget Spanish for the full on gallery experience.

[Via Engadget Spanish]

[kojo87 @ Jan 8th 2008 8:51PM]

i was kinda thinking smaller was better when it comes to these things but i guess this is cool too.
i don't really get the cymbal thing either. they do the same thing i presume, so what is the point? but these do look like exceptionally better build quality than the stock drum kit.

[Fernando G. @ Jan 8th 2008 9:03PM]

i just want cheap midi drums

[therpham @ Jan 8th 2008 9:13PM]

Small problem: On some songs, red is also used as a cymbal, and there's no red cymbal.

(It's used for patterns like 1 on yellow as a snare then and-2-and-3-and-4-and on red as a cymbal, repeated for several measures.)

[Steele @ Jan 8th 2008 9:24PM]

no video?

[Jason Schloer @ Jan 8th 2008 10:53PM]

Looks like they took a cheap midi drum kit and just converted it for rock band use. Was wondering when someone would do this. Would only take a midi to (Rock Band) USB converter. As for which piece to hit when you could just make it configurable. i.e. midi keys 2 and 5 go to red, etc. Be interesting to see if they get enough interest to build it.

[johnporcaro @ Jan 8th 2008 11:13PM]

Chris Paladino from Xbox's official Gamerscore Blog posted a video.

http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2008/01/08/555720.aspx

[kpfeif @ Jan 9th 2008 12:10AM]

They are crappy MIDI drums. Here's a guess: that hardware alone will cost $100 - $150 or so. Add the pads and you're looking at $250 - $350 for the setup. If you really want a good "drum feel" then buy yourself some eDrums. Better yet, how about a MIDI-to-RockBandThing interface? That way you can make something like this and just hook them up.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/kpfeif/2179209337/

While you're at it, dump those terrible Rock Band sticks and get some decent ones.

[Rjay @ Jan 9th 2008 1:20AM]

.. better yet, just play real drums.

[Reader @ Jan 9th 2008 4:00AM]

Haven't you watched South Park? Real instruments are for old people.

[Rjay @ Jan 9th 2008 1:18AM]

Turn the Yellow pad into a make-shift hi-hat and then ill be impressed.

[Jorge @ Jan 9th 2008 9:39AM]

...better yet, just play real drums.

[ZeroCorpse @ Jan 9th 2008 1:43AM]

Yeah. Because people need to spend MORE money on Rock Band. It wasn't expensive enough as-is.

[Don @ Jan 9th 2008 12:06PM]

I don't know - I thought the $170 price for the game and all the pieces (minus one guitar) was a good deal, personally.

[Will Johnson @ Jan 9th 2008 7:41AM]

I was actually considering hacking up another drum controller and doing pretty much exactly what they did. If they sold this, I'd buy one.

[Zoglog @ Jan 9th 2008 12:10PM]

These would be Better

http://www.dj-dao.com/newsite/DM_updating.html

[s @ Jan 9th 2008 2:31PM]

do these designers know what a REAL drum set is supposed to look like when it's set up properly? or what?

[No Wheel Bicycle @ Jan 10th 2008 1:36PM]

What's up with some tard on every Rock Band related post anywhere piping up about how they should just play real instruments? Seriously, don't waste your keystokes, I don't know anybody who plays Rock Band or Guitar Hero really thinking they are musicians. Next lets mod an AK-47 so we can "Get Real" on CoD4.

[Louie0x80 @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:19PM]

I really wonder if a quality alternative drumset will every really take off. It would be nice if they made the drum quality better for the shipping version - one would think for ~$180. At least I put this mod on from http://www.drumpads4rockband.com/ to less the noise. A little more professional now.