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Griffin StompBox pedal board brings authenticity to iPad rocking
Users of the iShred Live iOS app (no relation to this thing) now have a pedal board to do the job of, well, a pedal board. Up until recently, the app allowed players to connect their electric guitars to an iPhone or iPad, and use said device as an amplifier, with a near endless array of pedal effects at their fingertips. Looking for a way to make the experience more authentic, Griffin teamed with the folks at Frontier Design Group to create the StompBox, which, according to Griffin's website, "effectively recreates the experience of an actual pedal board." It features four separate foot switches, which can be assigned particular effects by the user, and connects to the iPad or iPhone with a 1-meter-long dock connector cable -- guitar connection cables are sold separately. Now the future Peter Framptons of the world can scale back on setup time and concentrate on making their guitars talk.
3D printed concert flute rapidly prototypes sound (video)
The world's first store for 3D printed goods just opened in Brussels, and while we imagine they've already got a fair selection of prototyped merchandise to choose, might we suggest they invest in a few production runs of this fabulous new flute? Amit Zoran of the MIT Media Lab -- yes, the same soul who helped dream up a 3D food printer early this year -- has now printed a fully-functional concert flute with a minimum of human intervention. Directing an Objet Connex500 3D printer (which can handle multiple materials at the same time) to spit out his CAD design, dollop by tiny dollop, in a single 15-hour run, he merely had to wash off support material, add springs, and assemble four printed pieces to finish the instrument up. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, of course, so how does it sound? Find out for yourself in the video below.
Eigenharp Alpha's biggest fan pens 11,000 word guide
Earlier this month, lucky musician Geert unboxed an Eigenharp Alpha for the whole world to see. Now he's jotted down a few thoughts on the 132-key digital instrument... oh hell, let's just call it a primer. Calling out years of musical study as proof he knows what he's talking about, the man delves into enough detail about the mind-blowing multi-instrument machine to teach Eigenharp 101. If you want to know whether dropping £3,995 on the musical creature would be worth your while, you'll find all you need to know at the source link, but be aware the sheer complexity here may serve to daunt some would-be casual learners. If you need to regain your enthusiasm afterwards though, there's no quicker way than watching an Eigenharp jam session -- we recorded one at the company's London HQ, and you'll find it after the break.
iPhone orchestra at the vanguard of smartphone music-making push
The relationship between cellphones and music has almost always been a quirky one, producing bouts of the surreal punctuated by an occasional flourish of the sublime. Latest to join the melodic fray are Georg Essl from the University of Michigan and his "mobile phone ensemble." Each of the participating students has designed a noise-making app for his or her iPhone, which is used in conjunction with the built-in accelerometer and touchscreen to make (hopefully beautiful) music. Though we may consider this a gimmick for now, Professor Essl is most enthusiastic about the future prospects of utilizing smartphones to make music with legitimate aspirations. The debut performance of this newfangled orchestra is on December 9, or you can check out a preview in the video after the break. [Thanks, Ry]
Pocket steel drums aren't made of steel, aren't really drums (video)
You'd be surprised how many requests we get for more gadgets that help our readers celebrate their love of the Caribbean culture and music. Luckily for us, the kids at Vat19 are now hawking a mini steel drum set that seems like it just might do the trick (that is, if the 'trick' can be 'done' by putting more red, yellow, and green-colored crap on your desk). By all accounts, this thing is pretty unexceptional -- it'll let you bang out an 8 note major scale, let you record your performance, and that's about it. Hell, it doesn't even really sound like steel drums! But the distributor did manage to get it to play Just A Friend by the incomparable Biz Markie -- and in our eyes, that's definitely worth a mention. All the same, we're rather have the Stylophone Beatbox. Yours for $18.95. Video after the break.[Via Engadget German]
Rock Band coming to the iPhone
It's true -- as leaked earlier this week and confirmed yesterday, EA is bringing Harmonix's Rock Band to the iPhone, and it's about what you'd expect: notes come down the screen set to popular music, you tap in certain places in time to the beat, and get a score based on how well you do. Truthfully, I'm a huge Rock Band (and Harmonix) fan in general, but this doesn't excite me much -- the big draw of Rock Band is actually playing with those instruments, and while yes they're plastic and tiny, when you get four people in the same room together playing them, it actually feels like you're jamming in a band.Fortunately, the iPhone version will have both online and bluetooth multiplayer, so you will be able to jam with people, but the gameplay is simply reminiscent of Tap Tap Revenge, which you probably already know about and/or have. It looks like they've gotten most of their songs from the actual Rock Band game; twenty songs with the purchase (no price yet), and then there will be 99 cent packs of two songs each coming out soon. The app's been submitted and it should be out in the store next week.
Rock Band Bar Nights encourages sloppy thrashing in watering holes
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]
Unearthed Circuits' Drone Machine could replace your Dalek band
If you like your music -- and we mean you really like your music -- with plenty of beeps and buzzes, the gang at Unearthed Circuits have a little something that'll be right up your proverbial alley (especially if your name is La Monte Young and that alley is in New York City, ca. 1963). The Drone Machine is a synth that allows you to control each of four oscillators via the joystick. It's got pitch knobs, photo-resistors, a strobe circuit, and a handful of effects, including: overdrive, fuzz, and a ring modulator. Ready to get your avante-noise band off the ground? You've been talking it up for years now. But first, check out the video of the thing in action after the break.
Logitech releases another gorgeous (fake) guitar
We're not positive, but we think we're over high-end fake guitars. Check out this Logitech Wireless Guitar Controller for PS3 and PS2 that's going to arrive in the U.S. this month. That's lovely. The company kept the metal tuning pegs and rosewood fingerboard from the last model with "a few minor construction updates." No complaints here, not even with the $199.99 price tag, which is pricey, but not outrageous.No, even with a gorgeous guitar like this we find ourselves curiously ... unmoved. It's puzzling, but it could be because our den already looks like the rehearsal space for a dwarf version of the Polyphonic Spree. It's hard to say.%Gallery-63234%
Video: Theremin-esque digital synth sure to get Brian Wilson up in arms
The theremin is just one of those instruments that nerds can't stop digging and modding. This newest iteration, the Squaremin, resembles the much-loved instrument in that you don't touch it to play it -- rather you move your hands about to control the octave and output of notes. The Squaremin was made using an ATmega168 chip, and boasts two infrared sensors to measure proximity -- one to control the note played, the other to control the octave which is played out of the front speaker of the instrument. Check out the video after the break.[Via Make]
Speak n' Spellbinder makes your ABCs a little bit creepier
Mysterious music man A.J. Gannon's put together this wild Rock Band guitar / Speak n' Spell hybrid for use on his upcoming album. Calling it the Speak n' Spellbinder, the letters are individually mapped to the buttons on the neck of the axe and it boasts tons of really insane effects. The result is something a little grating, if totally, randomly awesome. Just further debunks that myth about video games making you lazy, doesn't it? Check out the video demonstration after the break, and be sure to hit the read link for many, many more insane instruments made by Gannon. [Via Make]
Beatles Rock Band bundle will boast Höfner bass, Ludwig-branded drums
Not really surprising to hear, but exciting none the less... according to a teaser email sent out to people on The Beatles: Rock Band mailing list -- the special edition bundle will include a custom branded Höfner bass and Ludwig drums. The email also mentions other "custom" content, which we are hoping will be either a Rickenbacker guitar like the one Lennon often used or a gigantic Harrison-esque moustache / beard combo. We're just going to have to wait it out together guys -- it's not expected until September 9th -- so let's chill and enjoy the video after the break.
Arduinocaster MIDI pseudo-keytar sure to entice Bob Casale
We see all sorts of instrument-mods around this part, but most of them are trying as hard as they might to look like regular, every day instruments. That's why the Arduinocaster is so fascinating -- it's got no interest in looking normal -- just like us! An Arduino-based MIDI instrument that makes use of switches and LEDs to control the "strings," and an opto reflective switch for strumming. Hit the read link for further details and check the video of it in action after the break.
The Beatles come to 'Rock Band,' instruments and all (update)
Do you love the Beatles? Do you love Rock Band? Are you ready to totally lose it? If you said yes, that's good -- because MTV Games and Harmonix have just announced a partnership with Apple Corps, Ltd. to bring the band's music and instruments to the Rock Band universe. According to the PR, the game (which apparently lets you do all kinds of awesome Beatles-related rocking) will also premiere with a set of new hardware "modeled after instruments used by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr throughout their career." Right now they've just got a holder page up with a launch date of September 9th, but as soon as we get our eyes on the gear, we'll let you know.Update: Here's some more information to cleanse your pallet. The game, known henceforth as The Beatles: Rock Band, will be sold software-only for $60 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii (note the extra Hamilton over the usual Nintendo pricing). The standalone guitars will be sold separately for $100, and if you're opting for the Limited Edition Premium Bundle, featuring the game and all instruments, it'll set you back $250. No word on pricing outside of US just yet. Despite the Rock Band branding, it's considered a standalone title and no one is talking right now about any connectivity, downloadable content or transferring of songs between Beatles and other RB games. According to Joystiq, you'll be able to rock out to 45 songs from the band's 1962 to 1969 EMI catalog. Full press release after the break.
Make a video with Cat Piano, win a DS
It's probably time for me to lay off of Smule -- I've said that their Ocarina app might be the silliest musical app in the App Store, but we have a new winner: Cat Piano is just plain loony: a piano made up of cats meowing, like those old Christmas recordings, but playable. There are a few different cat sounds to play (from "Furball" to "Housecat"), and even a regular piano if you just want to tickle the ivories a little bit. Most of the reviews on the App Store say people are using it to mess with their cats, but there's definitely a musical instrument here -- if Ocarina can be used as an instrument, the Cat Piano can, too.And in fact, the developers are challenging you to prove it -- they're giving away a Nintendo DS (interesting choice of prizes -- an iPod touch might be more apt) to the person who makes the best video using Cat Piano. I don't know if you could beat that Jingle Cats video, but you can certainly try. The contest starts on Thursday, and goes until March 20th, so you've got a little over a month to get the cat sounds down.Ocarina, you'll remember, also turned out some watchable videos, so we're interested to see what comes out of this contest.
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Playing Guitar Hero could make you want to do something besides play video games
Sure, some studies have shown that excessive gaming can lead to less interest in things like studying and doing homework, but it turns out that, pretty unsurprisingly, playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band might actually lead children to want to learn... to rock out on real instruments, anyway. That's right, according to a truly shocking report in The Times of London, roughly half of the 3 to 18 year-olds in the UK have played a music game, and one fifth of them have been motivated by their playing to give a real instrument a try, which has led to 2.5 million new budding Ted Nugents (or Jared Letos) springing up. So it's true, the kids aren't exactly studying, but at least they're doing something that could maybe eventually lead to them standing up or... something. School's out forever, dude.[Via TechDigest]
How would you change Guitar Hero: World Tour?
Interestingly enough, a lot of the gripes you readers had with the original Rock Band were addressed by Activision in the rivaling Guitar Hero: World Tour (cymbals, anyone?), but we're pretty sure the picky ones out there still have something to complain about. And seriously, when dropping upwards of $180 to $190 for the full-on band kit, you absolutely have a right to nitpick. Now that you've hopefully rocked through a few set lists, how are you enjoying things? Are the revamped / new instruments to your liking? Are the sensors accurate enough? Do you wish there was a freestyle mode in order to give real drummers free reign over what beats they play? Is your equipment holding up under the intense pressure of rockin' it all night long? Grab a mic and spit your feelings (in rhyme or prose, whatever) below.
Zoybar open-source DIY guitars for Steve Vai-types only
If you've ever thought about building a guitar for one second, you know that it's so insanely complicated that it's almost not worth the effort. The Zoybar kits aim to reduce a lot of those complexities -- the components are all open-source, extremely customizable, and modular. They boast seemingly endless options for the guitar (or whatever you choose to build), not to mention the possibilities of the special effects displays. It looks like it's going to be pretty simple to get creative with the kits, but it's a little hard to tell. There's no word on what the components or kits are going to cost, but they claim to be launching in December. Looks like we know what we're getting cousin Yngwie for his birthday! Hit the read link for several insane videos of the extremely wild, ingenious results.
Breakfast Topic: Best Northrend zone music
So how many of you have been playing Wrath of the Lich King with the in-game music on? I will tell you right now, if you haven't, you are missing a whole lot. The music, instead of being a low background murmur, really comes to the forefront with bold instrumentals that speak to the scenery of the zone they're in and don't hide. It feels like the composers are using more and bigger instruments too. I don't think I've heard a piano used in WoW until Wrath, at least not to the effectiveness it's used in the Dragonblight music, while the Mountains of Thunder music is by turns mysterious, heart-rending, and majestic. Overall, while I have loved snatches and pieces of music from past WoW efforts, I can say without reservation that this complete Wrath of the Lich King soundtrack is a cut above what has come before, and enjoyable, well-crafted music in its right. My personal favorite is probably the Howling Fjord music, if only for one reason: Uilleann Pipes. I'm a sucker for them, and the music of the Howling Fjord uses them to incredible effectiveness. The stirring notes set the mood for the soaring vistas and majestics forests of the zone, as well as the struggle with the native Vykrul. Grizzly Hills comes in a close second in part because it has those same pipes being used to similar effect. What about you? Have you been listening to the new music? If so, what's your favorite music so far?
Report: Some Guitar Hero World Tour peripherals not functioning properly
Many of us will find it easy to imagine the following scenario, having lived it a little over a year ago with the release of an alarmingly similar title -- hordes of rhythm game junkies returned home last night from midnight launch parties at various retailers, cumbersome Guitar Hero: World Tour bundles in tow. Shortly after failing "Eye of the Tiger" for the third time in a row, an upsetting discovery is made -- one (or more) of the bundled instruments doesn't work as intended. The rocking is abated! Hearts are broken! Hands are wrung! Teeth are gnashed!Sadly, such a scenario has reportedly been experienced by many a concerned forum poster, as threads stating issues with the game's peripherals have sprung up like discontent weeds. Their complaints are many -- one GameFAQs thread includes reports from players with unresponsive cymbals and, less commonly, drum heads; some posters decry their guitar's inability to register every strum; and some complain of faulty fret buttons.We should point out that there are a number of forum posters who have stated complete satisfaction with their newly acquired fake instruments -- still, Activision has been quick to direct those with busted periphs to their customer service page, where information on how to get warranty replacements from RedOctane is given. We certainly hope the replacement process is a speedy one -- not that you don't already have a gaggle of fully functional instrumentrollers strewn across your den.[Thanks, Neb.]
