Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Incident Tech's gTar gets teased, remains largely silent (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/incident-techs-gtar-gets-teased-remains-largely-silent-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/incident-techs-gtar-gets-teased-remains-largely-silent-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/incident-techs-gtar-gets-teased-remains-largely-silent-video/#comments
What you see above is the gTar, an upcoming electronic musical instrument from Bay Area-based startup, Incident Technologies. It's got what appears to be an iPhone docked in the pick-guard and it looks pretty cool lit up in the teaser video after the break. Beyond that, there's not a ton of information about the thing available online, but we did some digging and have pieced together a pretty good idea about the thing. The device made an appearance at South by Southwest earlier this month, and bits and pieces have made their way into the web by way of startup site AngelList and social networks like Facebook, Twitter and, of course, YouTube. A posting on the former describes it as "a consumer electronics device that enables an interactive music entertainment experience to anyone without any kind of previous musical knowledge."

From the looks of it, the thing is a little bit Guitar Apprentice and a little bit Tabber. Unlike the plasticky Guitar Apprentice, however, this device looks like a genuine guitar (strings and all), albeit one with a light up fretboard for Tabber-like educational purposes and a "docked mobile device." The guitar also makes it possible to share music socially, though it's not entirely clear whether this is accomplished via the docked smartphone or an external output like a PC, though given the company's connections to the developer community, we suspect that both will be options, be it through built-in functionality or available APIs. The gTar is also being positioned as a music creation device, rather than simply an educational tool (à la Tabber) or a simple overblown Guitar Hero-style controller.

Check out a flashy, if rather uninformative teaser after the break.

Continue reading Incident Tech's gTar gets teased, remains largely silent (video)

Incident Tech's gTar gets teased, remains largely silent (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple iphoneAppleIphonegTarguitarguitar heroGuitarHeroincidentincident technologiesIncidentTechnologiesmusicmusical instrumentMusicalInstrumentstartupvideoThu, 29 Mar 2012 17:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Guitar Hero to be resurrected, retooled, and launch reunion tour]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/23/guitar-hero-to-be-resurrected-retooled-and-launch-reunion-tour/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/23/guitar-hero-to-be-resurrected-retooled-and-launch-reunion-tour/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/23/guitar-hero-to-be-resurrected-retooled-and-launch-reunion-tour/#commentsGuitar Hero ResurrectionStop mourning wannabe rock stars -- Guitar Hero is coming back. We heard the rumors of its demise were greatly exaggerated, but now word has come straight from Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick that the game is currently being reinvented for a modern, more demanding audience. As he told Forbes, "we're going to take the products out of the market, and we're not going to tell anybody what we're doing for awhile... we're going to use new studios and reinvent Guitar Hero. And so that's what we're doing with it now." So there you go -- Guitar Hero's retirement was only temporary. Like any good performer it'll be back before you've even had a chance to miss it. Looks like the franchise will keep rocking out well past its prime. What's the console equivalent of playing a state fair?

Guitar Hero to be resurrected, retooled, and launch reunion tour originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 03:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Activisionactivision blizzardActivision-BlizzardActivisionBlizzardgamegamesgamingguitar heroGuitarHeroresurrectionreturnRhythmRhythm GameRhythmGameSat, 23 Jul 2011 03:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Guitar Hero said to not be dead yet, will continue to rock from beyond the grave]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/13/guitar-hero-said-to-not-be-dead-yet-will-continue-to-rock-from/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/13/guitar-hero-said-to-not-be-dead-yet-will-continue-to-rock-from/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/13/guitar-hero-said-to-not-be-dead-yet-will-continue-to-rock-from/#commentsGuitar Hero said to not be dead yet, will continue to rock from beyond the grave It was with heavy heart that we reported in February the Guitar Hero franchise was dead, done in by an addiction to half-baked sequels and a growing tolerance of commercialization. It felt like the series being put out to pasture was for the best, but maybe this old rocker still has some life in its leopard-print pants yet. Dan Winters at Activision sat down with gamesindustry.biz and clarified that "the brand won't go away," that the company just isn't going to release a new one this year. You know what that means: next year you'd better be ready to dust off those flimsy guitars and rock once again like it's 2009.

Guitar Hero said to not be dead yet, will continue to rock from beyond the grave originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionband gameBandGamedan wintersDanWintersfranchisegamegamingguitar heroGuitarHeromusic gameMusicGamevideogameWed, 13 Apr 2011 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision kills Guitar Hero division to the consternation of fake musicians everywhere]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/activision-kills-guitar-hero-division-to-the-consternation-of-fa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/activision-kills-guitar-hero-division-to-the-consternation-of-fa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/activision-kills-guitar-hero-division-to-the-consternation-of-fa/#comments
 Guitar Hero had its time in the sun as one of the most successful franchises in musical gaming. Still, it's been no secret that the once-respected brand, owned by Activision, has experienced pretty steep declines in the past few years, especially on the lackluster Guitar Hero 5. So, surprising or not, the announcement today that Activision would disband the Guitar Hero team and kill off development of the next title in the series is a sad bit of news to hear (though in fact, not as sad as hearing, say, Chinese Democracy). This announcement comes on the heels of larger-scaled layoffs at Activision, and more cuts are rumored in the DJ Hero division, as well. At least we still have Rock Band, right?

Activision kills Guitar Hero division to the consternation of fake musicians everywhere originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncutsgamesgamingguitar heroGuitarHerolayoffsvideo gamesvideogameVideoGamesWed, 09 Feb 2011 21:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Gibson's Rock Band lawsuit ends in settlement, one way or another]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/gibsons-rock-band-lawsuit-ends-in-settlement-one-way-or-anothe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/gibsons-rock-band-lawsuit-ends-in-settlement-one-way-or-anothe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/gibsons-rock-band-lawsuit-ends-in-settlement-one-way-or-anothe/#comments Back in 2008, Gibson Guitar hoped to cash in on the Rock Band craze with a slate of patent infringement lawsuits of dubious quality, and though the firm lost to Activision a year later, its suits against Harmonix, Electronic Arts, Viacom, and six major retailers stirred something in Nashville's rock gods. Though exact terms weren't disclosed, the parties reached a settlement in a Tennessee federal court this week, and plan to bring the lawsuit to an end by June 14th. Meanwhile, we hear Harmonix v. Konami is meeting a similar end; retailers should be able to sell cheap plastic guitars with a infinitesimally cleaner conscience in a little over three months.

Gibson's Rock Band lawsuit ends in settlement, one way or another originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAElectronic ArtsElectronicArtsGibsonGibson GuitarGibson GuitarsGibsonGuitarGibsonGuitarsGuitar HeroGuitarHeroHarmonixlawsuitlawsuitslegalMTVretailRock BandRockBandsettlementsettlementsViacomWed, 09 Jun 2010 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock axe gets the fingers-on treatment (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/guitar-hero-warriors-of-rock-axe-gets-the-fingers-on-treatment/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/guitar-hero-warriors-of-rock-axe-gets-the-fingers-on-treatment/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/guitar-hero-warriors-of-rock-axe-gets-the-fingers-on-treatment/#comments We saw this flame-adorned guitar imitator in pictorial form just a couple of days ago, but now the GH: Warriors of Rock controller has been investigated in full detail and on video. Notable changes include an easier to hit star power button, a flanged strum bar, and the replacement of the touch pad on the neck with a battery compartment (which will store the Wii Remote on that console's version). See if it lives to up to its promise of being a shredder's best friend in the video after the break.

[Thanks, Dan]

Continue reading Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock axe gets the fingers-on treatment (video)

Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock axe gets the fingers-on treatment (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360AccessoryaxpcontrollergamingGaming PeripheralsGamingPeripheralsGuitar HeroGuitar Hero Warriors of RockGuitar-HeroGuitarHeroGuitarHeroWarriorsOfRockhands-onps3RhythmRhythm GameRhythmGamevideoWarriors of RockWarriorsOfRockwiixbox 360Xbox360Wed, 09 Jun 2010 09:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Farmville and Guitar Hero announced for iPhone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/07/farmville-and-guitar-hero-announced-for-iphone/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/07/farmville-and-guitar-hero-announced-for-iphone/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/07/farmville-and-guitar-hero-announced-for-iphone/#comments
You knew it was bound to happen sooner or later -- Farmville is heading for the iPhone. But that's not all, Activision was also on hand at WWDC to announce an iPhone version of Guitar Hero, which packs classic rock from the likes of Queen and The Rolling Stones, and is available in the App Store today for $2.99. Check out a shot of it after the break, and look for Farmville to be available by the end of June -- or don't, it's up to you.

Update: Guitar Hero press release, with the complete tracklist and add-on packs, is now after the break.

Gallery: Farmville and Guitar Hero announced for iPhone



Check out more from WWDC 2010 in our liveblog!

Continue reading Farmville and Guitar Hero announced for iPhone

Farmville and Guitar Hero announced for iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionapplefarmvilleguitar heroGuitarHeroiphonewwdcwwdc 10wwdc 2010Wwdc10Wwdc2010zyngaMon, 07 Jun 2010 12:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision unveils gnarly new Guitar Hero axes for Warriors of Rock]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/07/activision-unveils-gnarly-new-guitar-hero-axes-for-warriors-of-r/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/07/activision-unveils-gnarly-new-guitar-hero-axes-for-warriors-of-r/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/07/activision-unveils-gnarly-new-guitar-hero-axes-for-warriors-of-r/#comments Some of you might be surprised that a game as simple as Guitar Hero is on the precipice of its sixth iteration, and others still will just want to know what the latest axe is going to look like it. Well, behold! Today we're witnessing the debut of the new "shredding-friendly" design, replete with cutaway sections in the body and an aggressive, modern look. The cutaways are possible thanks to an internal redesign concentrating the electronics into the neck and fretboard, which will also allow you to swap different bodies around the controller parts. Yes, that does mean you'll be able to play without any body appendages at all, if you wanna be all contrarian about it. Another design, a GameStop exclusive, is also on show, and you can see it just after the break.

Continue reading Activision unveils gnarly new Guitar Hero axes for Warriors of Rock

Activision unveils gnarly new Guitar Hero axes for Warriors of Rock originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 09:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoryactivisionaxecontrollergamegamingguitarguitar controllerguitar heroGuitarControllerGuitarHeromusicmusic gamemusic gamesMusicGameMusicGamesneversoftperipheralrhythmrhythm gameRhythmGameshredshreddingvideovideo gameVideoGameMon, 07 Jun 2010 09:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Omega GM-1 lets you bring your real drum set to Rock Band]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/01/omega-gm-1-lets-you-bring-your-real-drum-set-to-rock-band/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/01/omega-gm-1-lets-you-bring-your-real-drum-set-to-rock-band/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/01/omega-gm-1-lets-you-bring-your-real-drum-set-to-rock-band/#comments
We've already seen some mods for using a real drum set with Rock Band or Guitar Hero, but it looks like Omega Music Technology's new GM-1 system is the first off-the-shelf option, which should no doubt please the less DIY-inclined among us. Available on its own or bundled with a Pearl drum set, the system packs individual sensors that detect each drum hit with "speed and accuracy" and, most importantly for those not playing, support for mesh heads and a dampening system for the cymbals -- of course, if you opt for the drum set package, you'll also get some real drum heads. Omega is even going so far as to promote the system as an ideal way to learn to play the drums and, conversely, says that non-gamer musicians that tried it were able to start playing songs with ease immediately. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look at the complete kit, and look for the basic system to run you $249.

Gallery: Omega GM-1 lets you bring your real drum set to Rock Band

Omega GM-1 lets you bring your real drum set to Rock Band originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drumdrum setdrumsDrumSetgm-1guitar heroGuitarHeroomegaomega gm-1omega music technology gm-1OmegaGm-1OmegaMusicTechnologyGm-1rock bandRockBandMon, 01 Feb 2010 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Gambridge Z line MIDI guitars compatible with Rock Band, sort of sound like guitars]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/gambridge-z-line-midi-guitars-compatible-with-rock-band-sort-of/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/gambridge-z-line-midi-guitars-compatible-with-rock-band-sort-of/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/gambridge-z-line-midi-guitars-compatible-with-rock-band-sort-of/#commentsThere's always someone that will tell you that you can make the Rock Band experience more "realistic," as if there was something more realistic than pressing buttons on a piece of plastic that vaguely resembles a guitar. And believe us, there was no shortage of companies with Guitar Hero / Rock Band controllers at CES -- including Gambridge, whose Z line of dual game / MIDI guitars are full-sized instruments with built in sound modules that also function as game controllers, compatible with all major music video game titles. And, judging by what we saw at the company's booth, their industrial design assures that no one will ever dream of stealing one from you. Pricing and availability to be announced.

Gambridge Z line MIDI guitars compatible with Rock Band, sort of sound like guitars originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2010Ces2010gambridgegame controllerGameControllerguitarguitar heroGuitarHeromidi controllermidi guitarMidiControllerMidiGuitarmusic makingMusicMakingrock bandrock band guitarRockBandRockBandGuitarMon, 11 Jan 2010 14:29:00 EST<![CDATA[You Rock Guitar spotted at CES, we shred on video]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/08/you-rock-guitar-spotted-at-ces-we-shred-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/08/you-rock-guitar-spotted-at-ces-we-shred-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/08/you-rock-guitar-spotted-at-ces-we-shred-on-video/#comments Surely you remember the You Rock Guitar from earlier this week. How could you forget, right? Well here on the CES show floor, we had the opportunity to rock out (gently, of course) with the lightweight, multitouch Guitar Hero / Rock Band controller -- which just so happens to be platform agnostic. It's got a plethora of settings and buttons, but it can actually double as a semi-legitimate guitar when plugged into an amp. For a music game peripheral, it's about as real as it gets, though it's hard to say if you're better off dropping 180 bones on this instead of a standard controller and a swanky new Squier. Don't take our word for it, though -- jump on past the break and mash play.

Gallery: You Rock Guitar hands-on

Continue reading You Rock Guitar spotted at CES, we shred on video

You Rock Guitar spotted at CES, we shred on video originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2010Ces2010controllerdemofeaturesgamingguitarguitar heroGuitarHerohands onhands-onHandsOninstrumentmusicnintendo wiiNintendoWiiperipheralplaystation 3Playstation3ps3rock bandRockBandvideowiixbox 360Xbox360you rockyou rock guitarYouRockYouRockGuitarFri, 08 Jan 2010 19:08:00 EST<![CDATA[HexoLight brings light shows to your videogame concerts]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/08/hexolight-brings-light-shows-to-your-videogame-concerts/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/08/hexolight-brings-light-shows-to-your-videogame-concerts/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/08/hexolight-brings-light-shows-to-your-videogame-concerts/#comments If there's one thing we're missing when we're jamming "Cool for Cats" on Rock Band, it's a Squeeze-worthy display of lights. That's all about to change, with the introduction of Rock Gear's HexoLight LED-lighting system, a flashing display of lights to the beat of your tunes. If transforming your living room (or bedroom, or dorm room) into a place that even Jools Holland would be proud to step into is high on your list of priorities, the HexoLight -- which boasts an audio sensor to sync up to the beat and is compatible with nearly any stereo source -- is probably something you're going to want to check out. HexoLight is available today for prices starting at $30. Full press release is after the break.

Continue reading HexoLight brings light shows to your videogame concerts

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HexoLight brings light shows to your videogame concerts originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamesgamingguitar heroGuitarHerohexolightledledslightinglightsrock bandrock gearRockBandRockGearvideo gamesVideoGamesTue, 08 Dec 2009 15:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Guitar Hero and Rock Band drums combine for ultimate MIDI kit (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/guitar-hero-and-rock-band-drums-combine-for-ultimate-midi-kit-v/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/guitar-hero-and-rock-band-drums-combine-for-ultimate-midi-kit-v/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/guitar-hero-and-rock-band-drums-combine-for-ultimate-midi-kit-v/#comments 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)

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Guitar Hero and Rock Band drums combine for ultimate MIDI kit (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diydrumdrum kitDrumKitdrumsguitar heroGuitarHerohackinstrumentkitmidimodmusicrock bandRockBandvideoFri, 06 Nov 2009 21:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Football Hero mod takes Arduino to the Kasabian-approved big leagues (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/football-hero-mod-takes-arduino-to-the-kasabian-approved-big-lea/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/football-hero-mod-takes-arduino-to-the-kasabian-approved-big-lea/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/football-hero-mod-takes-arduino-to-the-kasabian-approved-big-lea/#comments Some folks say less is more, but we'll bet they never saw Guitar Hero being played by kicking footballs against a giant wall. This epic undertaking will give your plastic axe a major inadequacy complex with its huge wall-mounted piezo vibration sensors and absurdly large fretboard projection. An Arduino acts as the conduit between the contact sensors and a PC running the freeware Frets on Fire. The outcome from such a relatively simple setup is pretty astounding, and you can check it out in the videos past the break, including some behind the scenes footage.

Continue reading Football Hero mod takes Arduino to the Kasabian-approved big leagues (video)

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Football Hero mod takes Arduino to the Kasabian-approved big leagues (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arduinodiyfootballfootball heroFootballHerofrets on fireFretsOnFireguitar heroguitar hero modGuitarHeroGuitarHeroModhackhackingkasabianmodmoddingsoccerTue, 27 Oct 2009 06:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Polk Audio's HitMaster: your own personal Rock Band stage monitor]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/24/polk-audios-hitmaster-your-own-personal-rock-band-stage-monito/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/24/polk-audios-hitmaster-your-own-personal-rock-band-stage-monito/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/24/polk-audios-hitmaster-your-own-personal-rock-band-stage-monito/#comments 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]

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Polk Audio's HitMaster: your own personal Rock Band stage monitor originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoryguitar heroGuitarHeroHitMastermonitormusicpolkpolk audioPolkAudioportable audioportableaudiorock bandRockBandwedgeSat, 24 Oct 2009 15:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Altec Lansing Stage-Gig monitor further enforces faux rock fantasies]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/21/altec-lansing-stage-gig-monitor-further-enforces-faux-rock-fanta/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/21/altec-lansing-stage-gig-monitor-further-enforces-faux-rock-fanta/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/21/altec-lansing-stage-gig-monitor-further-enforces-faux-rock-fanta/#comments 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]

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Altec Lansing Stage-Gig monitor further enforces faux rock fantasies originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altec lansingAltecLansingampaudioDJ HeroDjHeroguitar heroGuitarHeroportable audioportableaudioRM3010rock bandRockBandspeakerstage gigStageGigWed, 21 Oct 2009 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Band Hero's revamped drums coming in November bundle, very limited exclusive for Wii]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/30/band-heros-revamped-drums-coming-in-november-bundle-very-limit/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/30/band-heros-revamped-drums-coming-in-november-bundle-very-limit/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/30/band-heros-revamped-drums-coming-in-november-bundle-very-limit/#comments
Guitar Hero drummers who wondered whatever happened to that revamped set we spied months ago can finally sleep more soundly at night, although while still probably tapping out "Sweating Bullets" in their dreams. The cats at IGN got some hands-on time with the new gear, and while there's no physical pics to show for it, they do report being happy with the overall design and its smaller, but still capable frame. The peripheral is reportedly due in a Band Hero Super Bundle for Nintendo Wii this November. It's a limited exclusive for the console, meaning the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 packages will include the standard Guitar Hero drums until "sometime later this year." That leaves at most seven weeks of lead time -- not too long, but in the precious time before Christmas, it's probably quite the coup.

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Band Hero's revamped drums coming in November bundle, very limited exclusive for Wii originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>band heroBandHerodrumdrum setdrumsDrumSetguitar heroguitar hero 5GuitarHeroGuitarHero5instrumentmusicmusic instrumentMusicInstrumentperipheralrhythmrhythm gameRhythmGameWed, 30 Sep 2009 02:44:00 EST<![CDATA[CE-Oh no he didn't! Part LXIII: Bobby Kotick says Guitar Hero going plug-and-play, developers kept in state of 'skepticism, pessimism, and fear']]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/15/ce-oh-no-he-didnt-part-lxiii-bobby-kotick-says-guitar-hero-go/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/15/ce-oh-no-he-didnt-part-lxiii-bobby-kotick-says-guitar-hero-go/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/15/ce-oh-no-he-didnt-part-lxiii-bobby-kotick-says-guitar-hero-go/#commentsGuitar Hero franchise going the plug-and-play route, its developers start listening to My Chemical Romance
You know those Atari controllers that let you play Atari games without actually having an Atari? That, it seems, is the future of the Guitar Hero franchise, with Activision CEO Bobby Kotick indicating that new titles from the company will be playable "independent of a console." It's perhaps a natural step, as the franchise's developers must surely spend half their time frantically porting games from PS3 to Xbox 360 to Nintendo DS to graphic calculator to... well, you get the picture. Kotick also said some wondrous things that will make those Activision coders slouch even further into their chairs, developers who already were surely fearing for their jobs, indicating that they live within a corporate environment of "skepticism, pessimism, and fear" with the hope of "keeping people focused on the deep depression," and that he wants to take "all the fun out of making video games." So, then, that My Chemical Romance edition of the series should be announced any time now.

[Via Joystiq]

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CE-Oh no he didn't! Part LXIII: Bobby Kotick says Guitar Hero going plug-and-play, developers kept in state of 'skepticism, pessimism, and fear' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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

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Logitech tests the boundaries with overpriced wireless guitar and drums for Wii originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drumdrum kitDrumKitdrumsexpensiveguitarguitar heroguitar hero 5GuitarHeroGuitarHero5instrumentlogitechluxurymusicnintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiirock bandRockBandwiiwirelesswireless drum controllerwireless guitar controllerWirelessDrumControllerWirelessGuitarControllerWed, 09 Sep 2009 17:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Retractible wireless Rock Band / Guitar Hero controller perfect for the five-button shredder on the go]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/31/video-retractible-wireless-rock-band-guitar-hero-controller-p/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/31/video-retractible-wireless-rock-band-guitar-hero-controller-p/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/31/video-retractible-wireless-rock-band-guitar-hero-controller-p/#comments 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

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Video: Retractible wireless Rock Band / Guitar Hero controller perfect for the five-button shredder on the go originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guitar Hero 5 for Wii can stream downloaded songs directly from SD card originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 04:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You've heard that saying "so close, yet so far away," right? This, folks, is why that very quote exists. The obviously brilliant team over at OpenChord has designed a system that enables an honest-to-goodness guitar to sync up with Nintendo's Wii in order to play Guitar Hero. You simply plug the Wiimote into the axe and use the bona fide strings and frets in place of those plastic buttons you're so used to using. The only problem? Guitar Hero wasn't designed for use with six strings and 22 to 24 frets, and man, does it show. Hop on past the break to have a listen, and yes, your dreams of actually taking advantage of this will be shattered. Bet on it.

[Via Joystiq]

Continue reading OpenChord allows actual guitars to play Guitar Hero, sound atrocious

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OpenChord allows actual guitars to play Guitar Hero, sound atrocious originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holding out for the family-friendly Band Hero on your Nintendo DS Lite? That wait just got a lot tougher. In a move obviously made to tease those already leaning towards purchasing the title when it hits shelves later this year, Activision has pushed out a smattering of renders that show a drum kit covering (ahem, Drum Grip[TM]), guitar fretboard and even a pick to strum the touchscreen. Not much to go on, sure, but it's definitely good for keeping our attention while the dog days of summer drag on. The full, brief announcement is after the break.

[Via Joystiq]

Gallery: Band Hero's Nintendo DS Lite peripherals get pictured

Continue reading Band Hero's Nintendo DS Lite peripherals get pictured

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Band Hero's Nintendo DS Lite peripherals get pictured originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoryactivisionband heroBandHerodrum gripDrumGripdsds liteDsLitefretboardgamingguitarguitar heroGuitarHeronintendoNintendo DSNintendoDspickThu, 23 Jul 2009 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Guitar Hero 5 drum kit is faux real]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/16/guitar-hero-5-drum-kit-is-faux-real/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/16/guitar-hero-5-drum-kit-is-faux-real/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/16/guitar-hero-5-drum-kit-is-faux-real/#comments Aaand it's out, the first official shot of Guitar Hero 5's redesigned drum kit thus confirming the pic and presumably, the specs we received last week. While no additional details are listed, this rig stands in stark, simplistic contrast to the overbearing GH kit launched by Logitech yesterday and will certainly cost less (much less) than $229. One more shot after the break while we wait for official pricing and specs in the run-up to the September launch.

[Thanks, Juan]

Continue reading Guitar Hero 5 drum kit is faux real

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Guitar Hero 5 drum kit is faux real originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[Via Welt Online]

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Logitech ups its skins game with the Guitar Hero Wireless Drum Controller originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 07:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've already noted drum alterations and turntable possibilities for Guitar Hero 5, so lets complete the set with some info on the new axe. The first major change is an utterly unnecessary but all the same appreciated white pick guard, which is paired up with a moody red paintjob for the body. Internal signaling has gone digital to minimize latency, while the strum bar has been tweaked for the sake of reliability. Ease of use has also been addressed through the addition of colored dots to the neck of the guitar and slight reliefs on the top, middle, and bottom fret buttons to allow full sensory awareness of the pseudo-guitar at all times. Eager rockers can get it alongside their annual copy of Guitar Hero this September.

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Guitar Hero 5 axe takes an evolutionary step forward originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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?

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Guitar Hero 5's drums getting a Rock Band makeover? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Third-party wireless guitar controllers for the Xbox 360 have been disappointingly hard to come by to date, but Logitech has now come to the rescue with a new Guitar Hero-licensed controller that's similar to its PS3 and PS2 offerings, with the exception of being orange, and Xbox 360-compatible. Otherwise, you can expect the same wood neck, rosewood fingerboard, and metal frets as before, along with a touch-sensitive slider on the neck, strum bar and fret buttons that are "virtually silent," and a promised range of 30 feet. Unfortunately, the guitar also packs the same hefty $199 price tag as its PS3 counterpart, but if that's not too big a deterrent, you can look forward to picking up one of these up in August. Head on past the break for a quick video overview.

Continue reading Logitech debuts wireless Guitar Hero controller for Xbox 360

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Logitech debuts wireless Guitar Hero controller for Xbox 360 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've already seen a bit of guitar in DJ Hero, but apparently it might not just be a one way street: Neversoft (developer of the Guitar Hero franchise for Activision) hinted to Eurogamer at E3 that they're interested in bringing the DJ Hero turntable to future versions of Guitar Hero. They also aren't ruling out the possibility of bringing drums to DJ Hero -- which seems to us an even more exciting prospect -- and we're sure in a few years time you'll be able to direct wire Activision to your bank account and fill you living room to the brim with more-or-less interoperable pretend instruments.

[Via Joystiq]

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Neversoft interested in bringing turntables to Guitar Hero, making large amounts of money originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With just days to go before the gaming world goes wild at E3, the hotly anticipated DJ Hero is now spinning on its very own website. Granted, a few of the sections are still labeled as "coming soon," but we're given a few more sneak peeks at the hardware, the gameplay and even a duo of handy links to pre-order it. According to listings on both GameStop and Amazon, the software and turntable are slated to ship on October 27th, with the bundle priced at $119.99 for all four of the major consoles (yes, new games are still being made for the PS2). Better still, the latter e-tailer has the Jay-Z Special Edition Bundle listed for Sony's PS3 and Nintendo's Wii, though neither of those are accompanied by MSRPs or expected ship dates. And to think, those are just two of our 99 problems...

[Thanks, Joey]

Read - DJ Hero official website
Read - GameStop pre-order page
Read - Amazon pre-order page
Read - DJ Hero game trailers

Continue reading DJ Hero website and pre-orders go live, Jay-Z Special Edition seen in the distance

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DJ Hero website and pre-orders go live, Jay-Z Special Edition seen in the distance originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 May 2009 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionamazonDJdj heroDjHerogamestopgamingguitar heroGuitarHerojay-zmusicon saleOnSalepre-orderturntablevideo gameVideoGamewebsiteSat, 30 May 2009 11:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Guitar Hero 5 hits the streets September 1st, one week before the Fab Four]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/29/guitar-hero-5-hits-the-streets-september-1st-one-week-before-th/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/29/guitar-hero-5-hits-the-streets-september-1st-one-week-before-th/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/29/guitar-hero-5-hits-the-streets-september-1st-one-week-before-th/#commentsYeah, you heard it right: another volume of Guitar Hero -- the game you either love to hate or love to love -- is making its debut on September 1st. This one, Guitar Hero 5, promises a bunch of features that are party friendly, such as the ability to play through sets with no players actively playing, allowing anyone to join in at any time -- because we all know how many ragers are built around GH, right? It's probably no coincidence that the release date comes exactly one week before that other music game, The Beatles: Rock Band. So, which one are you buying?

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Guitar Hero 5 hits the streets September 1st, one week before the Fab Four originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 May 2009 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alright, so you know Guitar Hero 5 is on the way -- that's all fine, well and good. But, did you realize that the birth of that game will also enable you to destroy your den by making room for four drum kits? Yes, we're serious. GH 5 promises any kind of musician mix 'n match you can dream up, enabling gamers to play with three singers and a drummer, four bassists (imagine someone cloning Sting and replacing the other Police with artificial Stings) or four skin slammin' drummers. With possibilities this endless, you know things are bound to get savage.

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Guitar Hero 5 makes room for four drummers, axe slingers or screamers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 May 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"After viewing the special edition bass for Rock Band: Beatles (and longing for a true lefty guitar), I noticed that no one has asked which aftermarket guitar for either (or both) game(s) works better than the standard -- especially for those of us who play like Hendrix. So I put it to you, which is the best RB or GH axe out there with price being no issue?"

First off, big ups to the fellow southpaws out there. Secondly, which third-party axe really is the best to rock out with? Don't be afraid to place your modded Squier at the top of the charts, either.

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Ask Engadget: Best Guitar Hero / Rock Band axe? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 May 2009 00:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askask engadgetAskEngadgetaxecontrollerfeaturesguitarguitar heroGuitarHeroinstrumentrock bandRockBandFri, 15 May 2009 00:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Logitech's $199 Black Edition wireless Guitar Hero controller shreds like cheddar]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/12/logitechs-199-black-edition-wireless-guitar-hero-controller-sh/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/12/logitechs-199-black-edition-wireless-guitar-hero-controller-sh/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/12/logitechs-199-black-edition-wireless-guitar-hero-controller-sh/#comments Check it poseurs, Logitech's Wireless Guitar Controller Premier Edition for Guitar Hero is back and ready to take on international pretenders shredders. The new Black Edition prop for the PS3 and PS2 still features the same rosewood fingerboard, wooden neck, and metal frets and tuning peg handles of the US-only original. However, it now carries a lower, $199 price tag (was $250 at launch) and "minor construction updates" based on user feedback. Oh, and it's now black... black like the heart of Chuck Schuldiner. If that sounds like a "a great value" as described by Ruben Mookerjee, Logitech's director of product marketing for gaming, then by all means, have at it when it ships to the US and Europe in June.

[Via BLogitech]

Gallery: Logitech's $199 Black Edition wireless Guitar Hero controller shreds like cheddar

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Logitech's $199 Black Edition wireless Guitar Hero controller shreds like cheddar originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 May 2009 05:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Activision just confirmed a whole lot of heroes: the long-teased DJ Hero being the most notable among them. Many trivial humans had conjectured what a "Hero"-style DJ controller would look like, and at last we have our first look (above, and there's another shot after the break). Sure, we have no idea how we're supposed to play it -- where's the whammy bar, for instance? -- but we're sure once we tape a couple of our mom's Perry Como records to the sides we'll start to get the picture. Music genres include "hip-hop, R&B, Motown, electronica and dance," and the game will allow turntablists to create "original mixes" of songs. Additionally, Activision is also prepping a family-friendly Band Hero game, and a Guitar Hero 5 followup to its flagship title, with all three new Hero games hitting sometime this fall.

Continue reading DJ Hero announced at last, along with Band Hero for the family and Guitar Hero 5 for the face melters

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DJ Hero announced at last, along with Band Hero for the family and Guitar Hero 5 for the face melters originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 May 2009 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A crafty Guitar Hero DIY-er has built a little project with possibly startling implications. The includes ambient light sensors in front of the television which are triggered by the light of the notes on screen during Guitar Hero gameplay. The sensors trigger an Arduino to turn on LEDS on a nearby setup. In the video (which is after the break) you can see the entire thing in action -- which maker Joe says can eventually lead to a rig which plays the game for you. The horror!

[Via Make]

Continue reading Guitar Hero arduino note visualizer lights our fire

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Guitar Hero arduino note visualizer lights our fire originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No, you're not being mercilessly attacked by an unyielding feeling of déjà vu for no good reason -- we really have seen something eerily similar to this happen before. This go 'round, we've got a totally innocent ten year old boy who was given Guitar Hero for DS prior to even owning a console; as the mother finally ended the tease, she handed him a shiny new DS handheld for him to unwrap. Unfortunately for everyone involved, all that was tucked inside was a couple of stones, a Chinese newspaper and boatloads of disappointment. After the Walmart store from which she purchased it referred her to the Big N, she furiously admitted the following: "They don't want to do nothing. They want me to keep the box of rocks. I'm not buying a box of rocks for $138." Thankfully, Wally World finally refunded her and threw in a $20 gift card for the trouble (after being hounded by a local news station, mind you), but the real damage -- losing all hope in humanity -- will never be undone. Ever.

[Via plugged in]

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Birthday boy gets box of rocks instead of Nintendo DS originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not that we haven't seen nerdy wedding bands before, but for those who aren't really enamored with networking, we've stumbled upon another option that's just too awesome to pass up. Granted, the sound wave bands have been around a finger or two, but really, how awesome is a wedding ring with an EQ interpretation of "I Do" engraved in it? We'll tell you -- really awesome. Moving on, we've got the 1981 Atari ring, a solid piece of kit sporting an original Atari chip splashed with gold or silver. Lastly, we've got Cufflinks.com's latest, a set of Guitar Hero links that will undoubtedly make the faux rocker in your life grin from ear to ear. Dig in below for more details, but don't expect to purchase any of 'em but the last, and at $50 per pair, you should probably think twice.

Read - Guitar Hero cufflinks
Read - Atari ring and EQ wedding bands

Gallery: Nerd jewelry roundup: Guitar Hero cufflinks, gilded Atari ring and EQ wedding bands

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Nerd jewelry roundup: Guitar Hero cufflinks, gilded Atari ring and EQ wedding bands originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[Via OhGizmo!]

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Zivix's Headliner guitar lets you rock the real and virtual stage originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[Via Hack a Day]

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Ben Heck fashions breath-controlled kick pedal for Guitar Hero originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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