Joystiq finds Rock Band 2 instruments really are quieter

Harmonix has already boasted that its Rock Band 2 instruments are quieter than their original counterparts, but the folks at Joystiq understandably weren't quite ready to just take 'em at their word, so they put the instruments through their own "semi-scientific" tests to see which rock the quietest. After some careful experimentation, they found that the new instruments were indeed quieter all around, with the guitar receiving the biggest improvement under normal playing conditions. Somewhat curiously, the drums were actually a bit louder when struck as hard as possible, but the added springiness makes it easier to play them quietly. Be sure to hit up the link below for the complete breakdown.

[xcrunk @ Sep 15th 2008 3:07PM]

Does anyone really care?

(cue the crickets chirping)

[Ignatius @ Sep 15th 2008 3:25PM]

Um, yeah, some actually do care. I for one am tired of hearing the drums signature plunk of annoyance.

[Snooze @ Sep 15th 2008 3:37PM]

I care a lot. I've had several complaints from neighbors, when I turned up the volume in order to actually HEAR the drums in the game. I am certainly going to buy the RB2 standalone drums, since most reviews indicate they are more quiet.

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 15th 2008 3:40PM]

Guys, look at the results of the tests. If you were horribly annoyed by the noise of the original instruments, these aren't going to change your opinion. They're still loud.

But hey, when you are covering songs in a pretend band with plastic instruments in your living room, you have to crank it to 11 sometimes to impress the ladies, am I right?

[Chuckles McGee @ Sep 15th 2008 4:00PM]

God forbid that instruments make noise.

[niemassacred @ Sep 15th 2008 6:49PM]

We Care A Lot.

[Tony Bowman @ Sep 15th 2008 3:19PM]

good news and all, but has anyone tested the GH: World Tour Instruments? My plan is to buy just the Rock Band 2 disc, and not the bundle, and get the GH: WT bundle, since the instruments from GH:WT and RB2 are fully cross-compatible, and all fully compatible with all RB1 and GH2/3 instruments. Hence, less clutter in the living room for both new games.

and xcrunk: your comment means less than nothing. it's not even remotely witty or à propos. And hell, you've even invalidated it by posting it. If you care enough to post, then you cared enough to read the post, and therefore, someone does care.

[Andy Anonymous @ Sep 15th 2008 3:38PM]

Nice. I already picked up the game -- which I'm loving, by the way (I've had Eye of the Tiger running through my head all today) -- and I'll be getting a guitar and drums when they release in stores around here tomorrow. I'm looking forward to trying them out.

[Farris @ Sep 15th 2008 3:41PM]

"Quieter?" What does this word mean???

I thought this is ROCK Band, not "Smooth Jazz Band!"

[James @ Sep 15th 2008 3:51PM]

Apparently with the old drums it was more like Toneless Plastic Thunk Band.

I call dibs on that band name, btw.

[a ham sandwich @ Sep 15th 2008 3:59PM]

lol. plus one internets to you good sir.

personally, i rock so hard i broke my rock band 1 drums TWICE!

[jordan @ Sep 16th 2008 6:49PM]

@a ham sandwich

Or, and probably much more likely, you broke them because you hit the plastic surrounds so much you damaged the set and/or sensors.

The drums don't break because you rock; they break because you break the sensor off of its mounting in your senseless pounding. I can take a bat to the drums and hit them REAL hard, but that doesn't make me any good at the drums.

[Kyle @ Sep 15th 2008 4:47PM]

Seriously, knock the shit off...

[Ian @ Sep 15th 2008 4:47PM]

well i dont know about everyone else but when i played rockband it was actually annoying how quiet the guitar was.. i had a hard time with the timing while strumming. Of course i started out on guitar hero, so i got used to the click with every strum. its just hard when you cant hear your strum

[jordan @ Sep 16th 2008 6:51PM]

Agreed.It's especially tough when I'm trying to keep my timing because the current drummer CAN'T. :/

[Neebs @ Sep 15th 2008 6:05PM]

I wish I knew what set of drums he used.

[Don @ Sep 15th 2008 6:48PM]

I'm surprised that no one is really talking about the un-release of Rush Moving Pictures - the only reason I was going to dust off this game to begin with. It's 3 weeks since they un-released it! No mention of it anywhere - somebody oughta make a stink about it!

[jordan @ Sep 16th 2008 6:53PM]

If you would check the website, they actually explained the problem at one point, I'm pretty sure. Also, if you checked the forums, you'd see a thread or two about what people thought the real problem was (problems with YYZ).

[technopimp @ Sep 15th 2008 6:58PM]

At least they have a set...no one around these parts can get the instruments yet, and stores are giving conflicting reports, ranging from "We were supposed to get them last week, but didn't, and have no idea when we'll have them" to "We have them but won't sell them to you because they're street-dated October 26th" to "There are no new instruments coming out, you are mistaken and anything you think you know is wrong...please go away".