Silverlit VBeat Air Guitar and Air Drums are better than the real thing

Face it, nobody has time these days to learn a real instrument with "strings" and "sevenths" and these "quarternotes" we hear tell of. That's why all music recorded from 2002 on has been 100% sampled: it's just better that way. The next step in this natural evolution, of course, is instrument-less instruments. Silverlit provides just such a future with the VBeat Air Guitar and Air Drums. Building upon Tomy's groundbreaking Air Guitar Pro, the VBeat instruments include "free style" and "easy go" modes, the latter of which allows for playing you fakestrument to pre-programmed rhythms -- a synergy of layered samples and a metronome, simply stunning. There's also a step-by-step learning mode called Pop Academy, but only losers need apply. These should sell for about £29.99 ($60 US) a piece, no word on availability. Action video is after the break.

[Via Coolest Gadgets]

[Wayne @ Mar 10th 2008 12:25PM]

Why pay $60 for a two piece air guitar when your original model is free, invisible, and totally rocks?

[Flippant Jibilla @ Mar 10th 2008 12:53PM]

Why, because we want to appear in a low-fi early-90's-Avid-effects-laden and terrible-synth-soundtracked commercial, of course. You clearly aren't thinking.

[amber @ Mar 10th 2008 12:39PM]

are you serious why would you do that
amber
st.marys ga

[BluesK1d @ Mar 10th 2008 1:42PM]

Clearly sarcasm is lost on some.

[fischju @ Mar 10th 2008 12:26PM]

Can you smash these into amps?

[applefreak @ Mar 10th 2008 12:26PM]

hey, the ability to play the piano is a wonderful thing. A REAL piano, I mean.

[imacmatt09 @ Mar 10th 2008 12:34PM]

Hmm... Piano Hero anyone?

[applefreak @ Mar 10th 2008 2:53PM]

that would be sooooooo awesome !!!!!!!! :)

[Seoultrain @ Mar 10th 2008 10:25PM]

it's kinda been done, though I mostly only saw it in Korea almost a decade ago.

It was called beatmix '98 (and likely had other versions), had 5 piano keys (3 white, 2 black), a turntable, and a pedal. Pretty fun game, and watching people play 2 player by themselves (2 keyboards, 2 turntables, and 2 pedals) was pretty crazy.

yeah, this was the predecessor to DDR, Pump, Guitar Hero, Rock Band, etc. Same basic idea, but a lot more versatile due to different types of actions, as opposed to being limited to stomping/strumming/drumming. I was sad when I never saw it catch on over here.

[Joe @ Mar 10th 2008 12:34PM]

Go learn a real instrument already you douchebags!

[Devin @ Mar 10th 2008 12:56PM]

I've been playing several instruments ever since grade school and it pisses me off to see 'real' musicians bitching out people who play guitar hero and rock band. People aren't playing for money or rock star status. They're doing it for a fun way to pass time and hang out with friends without having to spend years learning an instrument. Quit giving actual musicians a bad reputation as far as attitudes (generally, we're a pretty chill lot). Grow up or GTFO.

[LOLWHUT @ Mar 10th 2008 1:48PM]

Something for confused grandmothers to buy for birthdays and Christmas, followed by the rage and waterworks from the kids receiving it.
amber
st. marys ga

[Auras @ Mar 10th 2008 12:50PM]

Fake instruments are for wannabes

[ethana2 @ Mar 10th 2008 1:21PM]

Don't bother. Use software. More flexible.

Rosegarden FTW

[Stiv @ Mar 10th 2008 12:51PM]

Real guitar=chick magnet.
Pretend guitar=chick repellent.

Any questions?

[wrong! @ Mar 10th 2008 4:20PM]

Real guitar=real girlfriend
pretend guitar=pretend girlfriend

[Ian @ Mar 11th 2008 1:46AM]

wow you really should rethink that lots of girls i know love playing guitar hero.. even dated one for awhile before i went back to college. so yea no you lose

[Adam @ Mar 10th 2008 12:54PM]

I play guitar with real strings!
Its the best feeling not some shitty airguitar crap

[Jeff @ Mar 10th 2008 1:07PM]

If the music in the video is any indication of the music you'd make with the "instruments" I'm very, very scared.

[sinerasis @ Mar 10th 2008 1:08PM]

Hmm... on the other hand, the guy in the video never showed his face for some strange reason...

[w00t @ Mar 10th 2008 1:14PM]

To be honest if I was doing something that made me look as stupid as that I wouldn't want my face shown either :)

[stardash @ Mar 10th 2008 1:10PM]

V-beat, the sure fire way to keep your V-card!

[ch4s3r @ Mar 10th 2008 2:14PM]

I am pretty positive I saw virtual drum sticks like that like a decade ago. except in yellow minus the foot sensor. What is so virtual about the experience? It doest simulate you flailing about like a fool.

[Michael @ Mar 10th 2008 6:40PM]

Mine were red and it was well over a decade ago.

[Kurian @ Mar 10th 2008 2:45PM]

And I thought Guitar Hero was lame...

[OddyOh @ Mar 10th 2008 3:35PM]

Holy shit, that's absolute garbage...

[Deathalo @ Mar 10th 2008 3:58PM]

Notice they don't show their faces, probably out of fear of being mocked by all their friends who can play real instruments.

[Nick @ Mar 10th 2008 5:05PM]

This is so lame. It kills me. Since when was it that hard to learn how to play guitar. You can buy a playable one for a hundred bucks and song tabs are free online. It is soo much more satisfying. Guitar Hero and rock band are at least video games that encourage teamwork and cooperation. This is just stick waving and awkward knee slaps.

[m98 @ Mar 10th 2008 5:44PM]

The drummer looks like he's spanking the monkey...

[Paul @ Mar 10th 2008 5:50PM]

"Better this way"? (sampled) You are having a laugh aren't you? A big one too...

(A real musician)

[drumhero @ Mar 10th 2008 6:04PM]

there's no hiding not having rythmn....hope it lets you do paradiddles!

[Josh F @ Mar 10th 2008 11:46PM]

An air guitar that is not an air guitar? Whaaaaaaaaat?

[Stan @ Mar 11th 2008 12:13PM]

i like my personal air guitar, dont need to tune it or change strings !! saves me so much money ... and i never miss a note !!

[kemfonok @ Mar 12th 2008 2:39PM]

"Face it, nobody has time these days to learn a real instrument with "strings" and "sevenths"..."

yes, sure, this is why i only listening to jimi hendrix, all other can f* up with there virtual music and such...