Rock Band drum kit modded for beatbox control

The Rock Band drum kit continues to attract modders of all stripes, and we're loving the crazy directions people are taking it -- like this beatboxing kick drum mod from Kevin Child. It's a simple hack -- Kevin simply used a Thumper vocal-percussion mike to activate the pedal trigger -- but it's pretty sweet in action, responding to nearly any noise he makes. We'd love to see this thing filtered through a computer with the different pads assigned to various frequencies so you could straight up bust out like Rahzel in your living room, but we'll take what we can get for now. Video after the break.

[Alijah @ Mar 4th 2008 5:53PM]

Sort of cool, but I don't see why you'd just use the kick pedal.

Rock Band is kinda lame anyway in my personal opinion.... Sort of like Massively Multiplayer Online Karaoke

[Philippe @ Mar 4th 2008 6:11PM]

Nice accessibility mod for wheelchair players.

[Alijah @ Mar 4th 2008 9:00PM]

Oh true, I didn't think about that :)

[Azayzel @ Mar 5th 2008 7:49AM]

Pretty sweet mod considering the problems people have been having with the kick-drum in Rock Band. Also pretty cool comment regarding the accessibility use; I didn't even think of that until reading the comment. Nice!

For all the haters, it'w quite obvious you haven't even played RB, otherwise you'd see the mod for what it is and you wouldn't be trying to bag on it either. Anybody can see how great the game is simply based upon its popularity, the number of hacks, the simple fact that most stores can't keep it in stock, etc. Stop being lam3 and go back to your Nintendo 64 is better than the Saturn arguements.

[allonblack @ Mar 4th 2008 5:55PM]

I don't know about the rest of you, but when I woke up this morning I thought to myself "Man, I sure wish there was a way I could look even nerdier while playing Rock Band!".

;)

[cromas @ Mar 4th 2008 10:35PM]

On the contrary, compared to most of the uber-nerds that create and youtube these kind of projects, I thought this guy was refreshingly confident and non-creepy. Yay for the mainstreaming of nerdiness!

...wait...I wonder if that's really a good thing.

[kint @ Mar 4th 2008 5:59PM]

rock band is lame OMG i rather use 4 bottles as drums lol what a shameeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Goatee Man @ Mar 4th 2008 11:12PM]

Your comment was lame, dude. "Oh, look at me, I'm going to make fun of people on a blog and completely ignore grammar! I'll also throw in some classic Internet gibberish to make myself look like even more of a douchebag! LOL!"

Shut up.

[Crayola @ Mar 4th 2008 6:00PM]

He needs a shave and a tan... Too much video game

[phanbouy @ Mar 4th 2008 6:01PM]

those bangs have got. to. go.

[JoshuaO @ Mar 4th 2008 6:00PM]

I never really liked rock band

[engadgetier @ Mar 4th 2008 6:03PM]

YUP

[Chrono951 @ Mar 4th 2008 6:11PM]

"There's no point crying over every mistake, you just keep on trying until you run out of cake!"

Sorry, I'm just getting prepped from that oh-so-sweet DLC coming soon.

[umm....hello??? @ Mar 4th 2008 7:05PM]

pssst....the cake is a lie!!

(but the song isn't!...am looking forward to it too)

[albi @ Mar 4th 2008 6:14PM]

it must be annoying always hearing monotone sticks banging on the plastic drums. lame

[The Dude @ Mar 4th 2008 6:18PM]

Weaksauce. He ain't got shit on Bruce beatboxing.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7pkt_k2t7Rk

[OneLove @ Mar 4th 2008 6:48PM]

Now I know why he has a sheet covering the window. guitar rock hero band playing douche bags get a life! no more please. (just saying)

[hatekillpuke @ Mar 4th 2008 9:51PM]

And engadget commenters have any room to talk?

[OneLove @ Mar 5th 2008 4:05PM]

call of duty 4...ever

[aztekguy @ Mar 4th 2008 6:55PM]

ur a shame to to all beatboxers..and u did the crap vid on iMovie

[majortom @ Mar 4th 2008 7:06PM]

no speaking Russian or I tell Moose and Squrrell!!

[Sam @ Mar 4th 2008 7:38PM]

reminds me of the "clap notes" in donkey konga
took me about 5 minutes to figure out you could just make any loud noise instead of taking your hands off the bongos to clap

[Jordan @ Mar 4th 2008 7:52PM]

Couldn't then you essentially hook up a system to play Rock Band with a real drum-kit?

[Nilay Patel @ Mar 4th 2008 7:56PM]

We pick ones we think people will like.


Right. Are you kidding? It's totally because I'm a lawyer.

[Bucky @ Mar 4th 2008 9:26PM]

@ whiny crybabies. Leave the game alone, no one cares that you think it sucks. No one really cares what you think at all. It's just cool that he has made this mod, at least Philippe was able to see it for the opportunity it is.

[kay0s @ Mar 5th 2008 11:34AM]

it's funny that all of you guys who think this game is SOOOOOO lame still decided to click on the article and watch the video...

go back to high school.

[Neel @ Mar 5th 2008 3:54PM]

Someone already did AND it was featured on Engadget: http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/11/use-real-drums-as-rock-band-drum-controller-how-meta/

[neelradhakrishnan @ Mar 5th 2008 3:56PM]

That was meant to be in response to Jordan, but Engadget hates me.

[Chris Ziegler @ Mar 5th 2008 3:58PM]

What about me?

That's right, Sakamano, I'm talking to you. Is the Engadget Mobile crew not good enough for you?

Chris

[Dante Cesa @ Mar 5th 2008 4:02PM]

Hmm... Had you asked me (the intern), I might have revealed the process...

Instead, I'm just going to sit here fuming. :)

[JohnZ22 @ Mar 5th 2008 4:18PM]

Very cool - the video is pretty sweet. Here is another recommended mod - http://www.DrumPads4RockBand.com

[bob sakamano @ Mar 5th 2008 4:22PM]

sorry

but engadget is my first love

if you guys want me you are going to have to try harder then that!

[Rodrigo Guido @ Mar 5th 2008 7:20PM]

Good and all but this guy no sence of timing!