Mad Catz apt to release Rock Band instruments next week

Whoa, wait a minute -- Mad Catz signed on to produce Rock Band instruments? Sure enough, the deal was announced shortly before CES 2008 consumed our lives, and now we're hearing whispers that the first products from said agreement could hit stores as early as next week. We're talking a Fender bass ($69.99), Telecaster ($79.99), microphone ($59.99), portable drum kit ($49.99) and a premium drum set ($149.99). From what we can glean, everything listed above will be tethered, but we aren't writing off wireless versions just yet. Oh, and be sure you consult with the SO before you up and purchase a second kit for the den -- you can't afford for that first one to get defenestrated.

[TopaZ @ Jun 19th 2008 6:38PM]

I'd sure love to see a clear scan of that drum set! I wonder how the high hat pedal will work, considering there is no high-hat pedal notes in the game. Will it "switch" the red and yellow pads while the pedal is held down?

Also, these had better be rubber pads!

I'm very intrigued by this!

[Low Ranked @ Jun 19th 2008 7:35PM]

It may be a double-bass pedal.

[Low Ranked @ Jun 19th 2008 7:37PM]

Sorry, it IS a high-hat pedal but I would bet on seeing a double-bass pedal mod, which would be much more useful.

[mmendoza27 @ Jun 19th 2008 6:42PM]

I haven't honestly played a lot of Rock Band after the lag issues from the last update, it's pissing me off that they haven't fixed it yet.

[sonick @ Jun 19th 2008 6:52PM]

"...you can't afford for that first one to get defenestrated."

Looks like SOMEbody read Dictionary.com's word of the day today:
http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/2008/06/19.html

[Mr. S. @ Jun 19th 2008 6:55PM]

Hey Buzz, now you can be awesome just like you always wanted to!

[Some Kid @ Jun 19th 2008 6:58PM]

How would you use that premium drum kit
could you use the symbols instead of the far right pad?(forgot the color)
and $150 is a little steep for anything like that
but it is mad katz so......

[Some Kid @ Jun 19th 2008 6:58PM]

How would you use that premium drum kit
could you use the symbols instead of the far right pad?(forgot the color)
and $150 is a little steep for anything like that
but it is mad katz so......

[Some Kid @ Jun 19th 2008 7:00PM]

DAMN REPLY SYSTEM!
i HATE! you blogsmith
you suck!

[Cactus @ Jun 19th 2008 7:32PM]

Wouldn't it be the den - not the drum kit - that would get defenestrated? Unless this drum kit's got some windows in it...

(snark!)

[Zorque @ Jun 19th 2008 8:34PM]

Defenestration refers to what's getting thrown out the window, not to the room with the windows.

[bo sneb @ Jun 19th 2008 7:49PM]

oh great, if the first party peripherals just weren't flimsy enough for you, now you can get madcatz. woo

[donny @ Jun 19th 2008 8:31PM]

good use of the word of the day

[Greg @ Jun 19th 2008 9:13PM]

Any chance this drum kit would also be compatible with Guitar Hero World Tour or is that physically possible???

[Jomolungma @ Jun 19th 2008 9:40PM]

The super duper drum kit seems pretty close to what's been spec'd for the GH4 kit, so I hope it works with both games. If it does, I'll buy it in a heart beat and defenestrate the RB kit pronto.

[Jim @ Jun 19th 2008 10:16PM]

"I'd rather have Laser Catz!" - Admiral Spaceship

[Matt Keller @ Jun 19th 2008 10:21PM]

Jeez, I wish that drum kit was available now. I'm hauling my drum kit up to vermont, so as to play with my friends :P Gonna be sweet tho.

[Matt @ Jun 19th 2008 11:52PM]

Perhaps I'm the only one who remembers chucking his sega genesis madkatz controller across the room, after they'd stop working-- two days after purchase.

[Ryan @ Jun 20th 2008 1:58AM]

No kidding... MadKatz is the worst company and I really can't believe they make enough money selling shitty peripherals to continue making more shitty peripherals. Goes to show this country will buy any shit anyone makes, no matter what. Go us!

[SteveJ @ Jun 20th 2008 6:47AM]

What interests me more is the microphone - it has dpad and buttons on the mic. That's a great idea. The only problem is the price tag - too high. Indeed the price tag for all these peripherals is a bit ridiculous.

[Ikshvak @ Jun 21st 2008 9:19PM]

I don't get this product. How will the cymbals and the hi hat pedal work?The game doesn't have notes for these.

[Azien @ Jun 30th 2008 1:18PM]

Despite the low quality pic, there seems to be a yellow indicator bar on the High Hat pedal. It will likely trigger the yellow pad unless you set up lefty. They should look into allowing the kicks be moved freely instead of having them mounted to the framework. Having long legs makes it almost impossible to play comfortably. It does appear that you may be able to move the heads around like on a real electronic set, which is kinda cool if the bars are long enough.

[journey john @ Aug 6th 2008 2:08AM]

well i think this is kinda stupid and a waste of cash because well first of all it's mad catz like ya but they could be better at this product but i'm not sure, there reputation is very bad and 2nd of all, rock band 2 is coming out in september with premium drum kits and stuff lol, my as well wait untill fall eh paca