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RockBand posts

Guitar Hero and Rock Band drums combine for ultimate MIDI kit (video)

by Darren Murph posted Nov 6th 2009 at 9:09PM

We've seen our fair share of Guitar Hero / Rock Band drum kit mods, but without exception, this one is our fav. Tipster (and tinkerer) Jordan has taken the time to wire up a Guitar Hero kit and a Rock Band kit in order to create the most bodacious set of MIDI skins this planet has ever seen. Using a combination of Osculator, JunXion Lite and Logic, he was able to rig up the Rock Band pedal to operate as a high-hat pedal, while reprogramming some of the heads to act as cymbals. We'd bother explaining more, but we'll just point you past the break and advise you to watch (head to 2:20 if you're short on time!).

[Thanks, Jordan]

Continue reading Guitar Hero and Rock Band drums combine for ultimate MIDI kit (video)

Laziness on the move: robot plays Rock Band on the iPhone

by Paul Miller posted Oct 31st 2009 at 7:36PM

Why confine your nerdy sloth to your living room, where large robots mime fake guitar and serve you sloppy mixed drinks? Take that zest for the sedentary life with you on the road by having one of your robot ninjas steal this iPhone Rock Band robot from its ingenious creator, Joe Bowers. The Arduino-based device uses ambient light sensors to detect the falling notes and then taps out the music with some conductive foam attached to some squeaky fake fingers. Joe did a fairly detailed write-up, and even uploaded his code, so there's presumably nothing stopping you from actually doing something with your life and building one of these with all that free time you've saved up by hacking your way through all the console-based guitar games. Video is after the break.

[Via Daily Mobile]

Continue reading Laziness on the move: robot plays Rock Band on the iPhone

Polk Audio's HitMaster: your own personal Rock Band stage monitor

by Darren Murph posted Oct 24th 2009 at 3:37PM

Sheesh. Just days after Altec Lansing shocked the gaming world with a dedicated stage monitor for Guitar Hero, Rock Band or any other gaming title you'd care to pump through a mini-wedge, Polk Audio has stepped in to do the same. As we witness the beginning of a curious, um, beginning, the HitMaster has stepped things up for anyone else thinking of joining the fray by packing 60 watts of RMS power, a pair of 2.2- x 5.5-inch horns, twin 1-inch tweeters and a booming 6.5-inch subwoofer. The whole cabinet weighs some 13 pounds, and aside from line level inputs and outputs, you'll also find a 1/8-inch jack for connecting iPods and the like. Oh, and did we mention that you can daisy chain these things? Because you can. Look for this one to rock your face off (or something to that effect) in early 2010 for $99.99.

[Via Hot Hardware]

Altec Lansing Stage-Gig monitor further enforces faux rock fantasies

by Darren Murph posted Oct 21st 2009 at 9:59AM

And you thought $300 fake guitars were too much? They ain't got nothing -- nothing -- on this. Altec Lansing, the outfit famous for making those tinny speakers slammed into your laptop, has just popped out what could very well be the most hilarious non-KIRF product of the year. The Stage-Gig is modeled after a traditional wedge monitor, complete with the perforated grille, white spray-paint logo and carry handle (for "authentic roadie portability"). Within, you'll find a 6.5-inch driver and a 40-watt amplifier, and the idea here is to plug your console's audio directly in, enabling the Rock Band / Guitar Hero axe-slinger in your life to feel as if they're "playing in a live concert." It'll land next month for $99.95, and despite the fact that we can't stifle our chuckling, we want one in the worst way. And so do you, Dr. Love.

[Via Electronista]

Mad Catz Rock Band Wireless Fender Telecaster 'Player's Edition' might just get Dylan to go electric

by Laura June posted Oct 7th 2009 at 9:44PM

If you're really, really into fake guitar playing, Mad Catz newest 'Player's Edition' Fender Tele might be just the thing for you. It boasts four ways to kick yourself into Overdrive (traditional tilting, a backtuning button, a touch sensitive pickup over the strumming bar, and a sold-separately Electro Harmonix pedal), plus some new fast action Shredderz fret buttons. Of course, the real draw here is aesthetic, and they've definitely hit all the right notes, there. The Rock Band Telecaster is available now, and it's going to run you $109.99 -- but you can make that in busking tips, right?

Rock Band Stage Kit won't smoke and strobe with The Beatles

by Darren Murph posted Sep 14th 2009 at 8:22PM

We get the feeling that few Rock Band Stage Kits were sold to begin with, but those who proudly plunked down a Benjamin on this when it originally shipped were probably stoked to use it with The Beatles: Rock Band. Unfortunately for "those people," such a scenario won't ever be possible... at least, not without some serious DIY tinkering on the user end. Harmonix has confirmed to our pals over at Joystiq that a compatibility patch won't ever be produced for the newest RB title, and when pressed about compatibility with future titles, the rep simply stated that the company "hasn't announced any future titles at this time." Looks like this party's over, folks.

Harmonix auctions off custom Beatles Xbox for charity, free publicity

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Sep 13th 2009 at 9:56PM

We're sure you've already heard about the kerfuffle surrounding the use of Kurt Cobain's likeness in a Guitar Hero avatar. Maybe it's a generational thing (or maybe it speaks to the difference between the temperaments of Ms. Ono and Ms. Love) but while the former members of Nirvana are not amused by their treatment at the hands of videogame consoles 'round the world, it's nearly unanimous in the Beatles camp: Beatles Rock Band is awesome. If you're looking to indulge your Fab Four fixation -- and if money's no object -- you might want to head on over to eBay and peep the first of fifty Xbox 360s being auctioned off for by Harmonix. Bidding started off at $780, but as of Sunday afternoon it's over $17,000 -- with over four days left to go! Designed by Passion Pictures (the kids responsible for animating Gorillaz), proceeds go to Doctors without Borders. Please insert your own Courtney Love joke here.

Gallery: Harmonix auctions off custom Beatles Xbox for charity, free publicity

[Via T3]

Logitech tests the boundaries with overpriced wireless guitar and drums for Wii

by Darren Murph posted Sep 9th 2009 at 5:37PM

You'd never know that we're still pulling out of a recession if you took one glance at the music peripheral market. The Beatles: Rock Band bundle costs more than some game consoles, and Mad Catz is charging $300 for a genuine Fender Stratocaster that controls Rock Band on the Xbox 360. Now, Logitech is joining the whole "rob gamers blind" movement with the introduction of the Wireless Guitar Controller and Wireless Drum Controller for Nintendo's Wii. Both products are licensed for use with Guitar Hero, with the axe boasting a maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and metal frets. Heck, there's even a "noise dampening strum bar and fret buttons," not to mention a touch-sensitive slider on the fretboard. The skins look all too familiar, with a trio of drum pads and a pair of cymbals to go along with the stainless steel kick pedal and its fancy adjustable spring. Naturally, you'll need to snap a Wiimote into each before mashing play, and more importantly, you'll need to empty $199.99 and / or $229.99 (respectively) from your bank account before snagging 'em this October.

[Via Joystiq]

Gallery: Logitech tests the boundaries with overpriced wireless guitar and drums for Wii

Mad Catz ships $300 Fender Stratocaster Rock Band guitar, disgraces real musicians everywhere

by Darren Murph posted Sep 4th 2009 at 9:01AM

We always knew something like this was a realistic possibility, but we had high hopes that it'd never really come to fruition. Today, what little hope we had left in humanity has been thoroughly crushed, as the introduction of a guitar controller that costs far more than many actual guitars has occurred. In an effort to truly milk the sector for all it's worth, Mad Catz has begun to ship the sunburst-colored Rock Band Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster, which is a 1:1 replica of the iconic axe that is constructed from genuine Stratocaster wooden blanks. Heck, even the tuning keys and bridge are built from genuine Fender metal parts and fittings. There's also a wireless module designed to function with Microsoft's Xbox 360, and just so you know you're getting your money's worth, the $299.99 asking price also includes a Fender guitar strap and a headset socket for online play. So, who out there is brazen enough to admit that they're buying one (or two)?

[Via OhGizmo]

Gallery: Mad Catz Fender Stratocaster Rock Band guitar

Rock Band Bar Nights encourages sloppy thrashing in watering holes

by Darren Murph posted Sep 2nd 2009 at 8:32AM

There are a few things you should generally avoid whilst inebriated in a bar: saying something offensive to someone larger than you is one, and attempting to play a song with any accuracy is another (see dude on left for proof). Regardless of the facts, MTV Games and Harmonix are looking to capitalize on the raging success that is Rock Band by introducing Rock Band Bar Nights. Said program hooks registered watering holes up with "everything from exclusive Rock Band product offerings to multiplatform marketing support," and venues that sign up will also have access to an exclusive e-commerce store. Finally, those that register prior to September 8th will get a five-song preview disc from The Beatles: Rock Band, giving you serious motivation to get your local pub invested in the initiative. Just be sure to avoid "Expert" after the eighth White Russian, cool?

[Via HotHardware]

Video: Retractible wireless Rock Band / Guitar Hero controller perfect for the five-button shredder on the go

by Ross Miller posted Aug 31st 2009 at 9:53PM

Guitar Hero and Rock Band's plastic axes aren't exactly behemoths in their own right, but if you need something even tinier, little-known game accessories company NEXiLUX looks to have a more portable solution in the works. The video for its mini guitar isn't the clearest, but from we can see, the body is about the same size as the retracted neck, which expands from behind the touch-sensitive pads to reveal the infamous quintet of colored buttons. D-pad, navigation buttons, whammy bar, and pickup selection have all survived the compression, and to make each unit as universal as possible, there's a switch on the bottom for choosing between either Guitar Hero for Wii or Rock Band for Wii, PlayStation 2, and PS3. Both black and white models are seen here, but there's no mention either in-video or on the company's website of price or release date. See it for yourself after the break.

[Thanks, Floyd]

Continue reading Video: Retractible wireless Rock Band / Guitar Hero controller perfect for the five-button shredder on the go

Guitar Hero 5's drums getting a Rock Band makeover?

by Ross Miller posted Jul 6th 2009 at 3:47PM

Looks like that bulky Guitar Hero World Tour drumset might be getting itself an extreme makeover in time for the launch of Guitar Hero 5. According to our source, the blurred render above is the newest plastic percussion peripheral, and while functionality remains the same, it's moved the control console to the forefront, given the cymbals a more well-rounded existence, and done away with some of that body, particularly on the top and on the stand -- all in a all, a much more Rock Band look, if we do say so ourselves. The back of the unit contains three mini ports -- two for kick pedals, and one ever mysterious black mini jack. Yeah, Rock Band's drums have that mysterious unused port, too, and who knows what nefarious needs either will serve. What's suspicious is that it's two months before GH5's release and we still haven't seen this officially, whereas the previous set was ceremoniously unveiled almost six months prior to GHWT's launch -- not that we wouldn't put it past Activision to keep it under lock and key for now, but why not let its newfound beauty shine?

Xbox 360 Wireless Microphone ships this fall for $49.99

by Darren Murph posted Jun 23rd 2009 at 5:05PM

Remember that microphone that we peeked just before Lips hit and (subsequently fell off) the scene? Microsoft has just announced that a standalone version will soon be available sans a tether, giving owners of the aforesaid title, Guitar Hero Metallica, Rock Band 2, Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3: Senior Year and The Beatles: Rock Band the ability to carry a tune in a bucket right in the comfort of their living room. Too bad it'll run you $49.99 when it ships in the fall, but who knows, maybe there's some sweet Sennheiser diaphragm in there that we're not aware of.

[Via Joystiq]

The Beatles: Rock Band hands-on!

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jun 3rd 2009 at 10:02AM

We don't know if you're like us, but we've basically been waiting our whole lives to play The Beatles: Rock Band. Well, we got one step closer at E3 2009, as we were able to actually snuggle up close and personal with the full kit and see what was what (and show off our totally sick harmonies on "Here Comes the Sun"). We have to say, Harmonix has absolutely outdone themselves with this bundle -- from the Ringo-style Ludwig drum set to Paul's unmistakable Höfner Violin bass... it's all here, and it all looks brilliant. We took the boys out for a little spin (you can see our own Ross Miller on drums there), and captured just a few photos for your enjoyment. Hit the gallery below for all the goods!

Gallery: The Beatles: Rock Band hands-on!

Video: Beatles Rock Band books surprise gig at Xbox 360 meetup

by Ross Miller posted Jun 2nd 2009 at 7:10AM

Last night Microsoft held an E3 2009 post-press conference event, and while Natal wasn't anywhere within our reach, we did happen upon Harmonix's Beatles Rock Band stage, an appropriately cliché setup on the rooftop of The Standard Hotel. We'll be getting more thorough hands-on time with the instruments later in the week, but for now, enjoy a glimpse at the concert ensemble, blasting forth with (confirmed!) three-part harmony.