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Mad Catz: Rock Band 3 MIDI Pro Adapter shipping

Ready to turn your totally sweet keytar into a totally sweet game controller? Mad Catz announced that the PS3 and Wii versions of the Rock Band 3MIDI Pro Adapter, which allow use of MIDI keyboards, drum kits, and, eventually, the Rock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster, are headed to retail now. The Xbox 360 version, according to the announcement, is expected to ship "imminently" in limited quantities, to Best Buy stores.

However, Amazon still shows the release date for all three versions as December 26, and Best Buy shows only the PS3 version in stock. We've asked Mad Catz to help clear it all up for us, but it's likely most of you won't need one of these until the March release of the Stratocaster controller anyway.

Update: Mad Catz tells us that the release date confusion is just part of the nature of accessories: retailers obtain stock at different times, unlike the hard release dates software has. And Best Buy will stock the 360 adapter first simply because it'll be the first retailer to receive its shipments.


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Mad Catz® Announces Shipping of the Rock Band TM3 MIDI PRO-AdapterTM

Official Accessory Allows Gamers to Use Rock Band 3 Squier® by Fender® Stratocaster® Guitar and Controller, MIDI Drum Kits and Keyboards When Playing Rock Band 3

San Diego, December 03. 2010

Mad Catz® Interactive, Inc. ("Mad Catz" or "the Company") (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider today announced that it has begun shipping the Rock Band 3 MIDI PRO-Adapter, being released under the Company's Mad Catz casual gaming brand.

Shipping now on PlayStation®3 and Nintendo® Wii™ video game platforms, with the Xbox 360® version expected to ship imminently to Best Buy (limited quantities available) the MIDI PRO-Adapter has been designed exclusively for use with Rock Band 3, and allows musicians to use most real MIDI keyboards and MIDI drum sets when playing the game. In addition, the MIDI PRO-Adapter will work in conjunction with the forthcoming Rock Band 3 Squier by Fender Stratocaster Guitar and Controller, a fully functional, full-sized, electric guitar with strings that also functions as a game controller for Rock Band 3's innovative Pro mode game play.

Plugging directly into the console via USB, the MIDI PRO-Adapter works as an interface between the console and MIDI instrument, converting the MIDI messages into console controller data which the game translates into on-screen action. The MIDI PRO-Adapter features a velocity sensitive adjustment for MIDI drums designed to reduce cross-talk during play. A full D-Pad and standard gaming controller buttons are located on the PRO-Adapter to deliver seamless console integration and navigation of the game menus. The MIDI Pro-Adapter ships with a removable clip which allows gamers to attach to a belt or rest on a table top or similar flat surface.

Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, "The Rock Band 3 MIDI PRO-Adapter bridges the gap between music rhythm games and performing on real guitars, keyboards and drums. Aspiring musicians can learn to play an instrument and veterans can enjoy Rock Band 3 with actual MIDI musical instruments. When used with the Squier Guitar and Controller, MIDI keyboard or drum set, we are confident that the MIDI PRO-Adapter will prove a hit with Rock Band fans of all skill levels."