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You Rock guitar now compatible with Rock Band 3 Pro mode
In addition to the Mad Catz Mustang guitar controller and the upcoming Fender Squier Stratocaster, there is now a third option for realistic shredding in Rock Band 3, thanks to a firmware update for You Rock Digital's You Rock guitar. The You Rock guitar is similar to the Mustang in that it has real strings for strumming, though they don't stretch along the full length of the guitar. Unlike the Mustang's many, many buttons, the You Rock features a touch-sensitive fret board. The You Rock also functions as a MIDI instrument and includes many built in sounds and effects. Those wishing to use the You Rock for Rock Band 3 will need to download firmware 1.2 from the You Rock website. Like the Fender Squier, the You Rock requires the Mad Catz MIDI adapter for use with Rock Band 3. The guitar is compatible with all versions of the game and, in addition to pro mode, it can be used to play standard modes as well. That's what we call a two'fer.
Swag Sunday: You Rock Guitar
Ever since Guitar Hero and Rock Band made it big, there have been dozens of guitar peripherals released on the market. But, what makes You Rock Guitar different? It's actually a fully functional MIDI guitar, so you can use it as a real electric guitar when paired with a computer -- it also includes a built-in training mode, meant to teach you how to play guitar. Coupled with Rock Band 3, you might have a fighting chance at actually learning an instrument! With the included swappable cartridges, you can also turn it into a guitar controller compatible with PS3 and Wii. To enter this giveaway: Describe what you will do once you learn how to play a guitar. Open a band? Get a girlfriend? Fight demons? You must be 13 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). Limit 1 entry per person. This entry period ends at 12:00PM ET on Monday, October 4. On Monday, October 4, we'll randomly select two winners to receive a You Rock Guitar with swappable Wii and PS3 cartridges (ARV $200). (This allows you to use the guitar as a controller on either system.) For a list of complete rules, click here. What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.
You Rock Guitar spotted at CES, we shred on video
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-82129%
You Rock Guitar now on track for February at $180, rockin' still in question
Last we heard anything about ezGear's You Rock Guitar it was on track for a launch in "either Q2 or Q3" (of 2009) and would supposedly pack a price tag in the neighborhood of $150. Well, it seems that another year and another CES can make quite the difference, as the company (now known as Inspired Instruments) is now promising that the not-a-toy guitar will launch in February of this year, and that it will sport a slightly higher price tag of $179.95. From the looks of things, however, that's about all that's changed with the guitar, which still packs the same USB connectivity, MIDI functionality, and iPod or MP3 player connectedness as before. The company is even going so far as to reuse its tried and true promotional video -- see it after the break.
ezGear's You Rock Guitar packs multi-touch and ultimate babe magnet
If ezGear's last guitar wasn't quite complex enough for you, check out it's latest product -- the You Rock Guitar. Compatible with both Guitar Hero 2 and Rock Band: World Tour for Wii, and your PC or Mac, the You Rock has a full multi-touch fretboard which simulates a "real" guitar with six strings instead of five buttons. You can hook this bad boy up with a standard .25-inch connection, or plug in your iPod or MP3 player through the mini-stereo jack to rock out to your own private collection of Metallica. The folks over at ezGear promise a SDK for even further expandability by Spring, and expect the $150 device to be available in either Q2 or Q3.
