drums
Latest
First Look: dPad drum sequencer for iPad
I'm not a big drums person. I have no rhythm. I wouldn't know a drum kit if I tripped over one. Overly complicated interfaces confuse and scare me. Nevertheless, I thought I'd bring you this sneak peek video from Stu Helm, who ex-TUAWian Dave Chartier tells me is renown for "Agile and International Mac Podcast fame." I know that a certain subset of you (1) wear jeans with dark, rock & roll-themed tee-shirts, (2) do have some sort of functional relationship with music and rhythm, and (3) will actually enjoy playing with a dark, minimally designed, overly-complicated series of dots to build drum sequences. Although it's pretty feature-limited for an app that's supposed to debut at US$3.99, the developers promise to keep enhancing the app going forward. They are looking to add in-app purchases for drum sound packs, a left-handed use mode, sequence saving and loading (apparently you can make sounds now, but you cannot save them), and recording to audio files. Let me end by consulting my dictionary of "Hip Phrases for Young People(TM) " and adding, "Er,...rock on, good chaps, rock on."
Wiimote-controlled 'Jazari' robot percussion takes us back to our tribal, Nintendo-hacking roots
We've seen the hacker-friendly, Bluetooth-based Wiimote used for so many purposes by now that it's hard to get excited about just any amalgamation of accelerometer-based fun. Patrick Flanagan's 'Jazari' project breaks past the yawn factor with a veritable museum's worth of robotic instruments, which are all controlled from a pair of Wiimotes and some rather intelligent software. It all seems a little too complicated to be live-controlled, but as Patrick himself explains in true music nerd detail, there's pretty much a button or a twist or a tilt behind every bit of the wild djembe, bongo and cowbell stylings that make up Jazari's "steamfunk" (his term) music. Check out both videos after the break.
Omega GM-1 lets you bring your real drum set to Rock Band
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-84406%
Are Bloodlust/Heroism drums incoming?
If you're a shaman you're familiar with the "grar grar grar grar" sound of Bloodlust or the "ktang!" of Heroism, its Alliance counterpart. For a long time one of the complaints has been that you absolutely had to have a shaman along in order to gain access to this buff. Even when leatherworking drums and inscription scrolls were created for lesser versions of buffs like Blessing of Kings and Prayer of Fortitude, Bloodlust/Heroism were still a unique buff to the shaman class. Is that going to change? A discussion on the forums leads to Ghostcrawler revealing that yes, they are considering allowing Bloodlust/Heroism be a buff one can gain through an item. Now, I'm torn. On the one hand, NO! Keep your filthy crafter fingers off of my precious! My precious! I'll kill you! I'll kill all of you! But on the other hand, it really isn't fair at this point that Bloodlust/Heroism is pretty much the only buff we can't get a lesser version of through crafted items. A 25% speed increase for 30 seconds (or even 35) would be weak enough in comparison to real Bloodlust that you wouldn't have to worry terribly about being replaced by a drum kit. I suppose. Man, I don't want you to have my Heroism. Like I said, I'm torn. So what do you think oh why am I even asking we all know you want my precious. My precious!
GM-1 connects real drums to Guitar Hero, Rock Band
If you're the type of person who spends the weekend stuffing wads of cash into your Skeet shooter, only to blow 'em to pieces with your golden shotgun once they're airborne, then the $250 Omega Music Technology's GM-1 may be the perfect accessory to your expensive hobbies. The system is essentially an intermediary between Guitar Hero or Rock Band gaming drums, allowing you to play along with the games' drum tracks on the real thing ($500 drum set sold separately). As Ars Technica points out in a recent hands-on with the product, "It's an interesting idea, but you need to be willing to put some serious time and money into the project to get worthwhile results." Aside from owning a set of real drums, you'll need the "fake" ones, too -- the GM-1 sensors send feedback from your drum set to the attached Guitar Hero or Rock Band drums, which then send the in-game cues to the gaming console. Sure, it might work, but who's got the time and money? Oh, that's right, you, Mr. I Own the Biggest Music Game Peripheral Ever. Congratulations.
Guitar Hero and Rock Band drums combine for ultimate MIDI kit (video)
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]
iGOG VelAUcity brings velocity-sensitive drums to your humble iPhone
Mom / wife / building superintendent still won't let you get a drum set, huh? Well, you can show them, you can show them all with the new iGOG VelAUcity app, which for a mere $5 lets you do velocity-sensitive drumming on the iPhone. It works pretty great, too... to an extent. The technology appears to be based on the iPhone's built-in mic (VelAUcity doesn't work on an iPod touch), and the app recommends you use it with headphones, but not a headset with its own built-in mic, which would gum things up. In practice the drumming is really great, with multiple hit points on the drum pads and pretty good velocity sensitivity (for an iPhone app), but there are plenty of mic-introduced foibles like the potential for feedback or stray noises messing things up -- you basically would have trouble using this in a live application, though there are plenty of sliders so you can tweak things and give it a shot. Our favorite part perhaps is the mic trigger mode, which lets you do your fake drumming next to the iPhone, adding a whole new level of fake realness. Our least favorite part was the crashiness and the buginess -- part of which might've be blamed on our speed-strapped 3G. Don't say we didn't warn you. Video demonstrations are after the break. [Via Create Digital Music]
Swag Saturday: Guitar Hero 5 with Logitech Wireless Drums (PS3)
Ever dreamed of owning your very own ridiculously high-priced fake drum set? No no, silly goose, not that ridiculously high-priced fake drum set! The Logitech Wireless set, of course! For Swag Saturday this week, we're giving you (and consequently ridding ourselves of) a mammoth wireless drum set care of Logitech (only for the PS3/PS2, folks!) and a complimentary copy of Guitar Hero 5. All you have to do is leave a comment below telling us how you're going to celebrate your Rocktober. When the contest runs out tomorrow, we'll pick one lucky winner to receive the whole schebang. Leave a comment telling us how you're going to celebrate your Rocktober. You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec, mostly because of the accent) Limit 1 entry per person per day This entry period ends at 8:31PM ET on Sunday, October 4 At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive Guitar Hero 5 ($60 ARV) and a Logitech Wireless Drum Kit ($230 ARV) For a list of complete rules, click here
Band Hero's revamped drums coming in November bundle, very limited exclusive for Wii
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.
Logitech tests the boundaries with overpriced wireless guitar and drums for Wii
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]
Logitech's high-end Guitar Hero controllers headed to Wii
If you want to spend way too much money on game instruments, but don't want to buy the fancy Beatles: Rock Band box, Logitech has you covered. Following the launch of the Wireless Guitar Controller for PS3/PS2 and Xbox 360, Logitech is bringing the $199 peripheral to Wii in North America and Europe this October. The controller, which was black in its PS3 incarnation and orange for 360, will have a white body (with room to attach a Wiimote), and the same "maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and metal frets" that help justify the price of the other versions.Logitech is also introducing a Wii version of its $229 Wireless Drum Controller, which is designed to fold up easily, and features both drum pads and kick pedals that are improved over the basic Guitar Hero drums -- which, at that price, they'd better be.%Gallery-72285%
RedOctane unveils Guitar Hero 5 drums
We're guessing that of all the tiny plastic instruments you've collected in your den, drum sets are still the most uncommon. Therefore, you may be able to scrounge up a smidgen of enthusiasm for the image above, which depicts the drum peripheral that will come bundled with select versions of Guitar Hero 5 when the game launches this September.This revelation brings up two interesting points -- first, RedOctane is viciously taking the wind out of the sails of Logitech, who revealed its own cymbal-equipped drum peripheral yesterday at an unwelcoming price point of $229. Second, it looks like the leaked pictures and list of features we received earlier in the month were legit -- and as you surely know, every time a leak is proven legitimate, an angel gets its wings.[Via Engadget]
Guitar Hero 5 drum kit is faux real
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]
Logitech ups its skins game with the Guitar Hero Wireless Drum Controller
Have your World Tour drums lost their bounce, or the ability to register each hit of your sweet, smooth licks? You're not alone our rhythmically majestic friend, and Logi's here to bring your groove back, introducing the pretend drum kit with the no-nonsense name: Wireless Drum Controller. It's a Sony-only affair at the moment, using a dongle to connect to the PS2 or PS3 sans-tether, and some high-quality components to deliver a good feel without the annoying "whack whack whack" cacophony when you're unleashing your inner Animal. Each pad and cymbal is individually adjustable and the whole kit folds completely flat, just like that treadmill you bought last January, tucked under your bed, and promptly forgot about. It costs almost as much, too: $229, or about $60 more than you can get the entire Band Kit for. Nobody ever said rockin' was cheap, baby, and if you have the funds these should be rolling into domestic stores in the next few weeks -- Euro drummers will need to wait a month.[Via Welt Online]
Rumor: Guitar Hero 5 drum set to look an awful lot like Rock Band's
Is the drum kit above (to the right) what Guitar Hero 5 will be shipping with when it hits this September? We're not 100% sure, but a trusted source at our sister site Engadget sent in the blurry shot, leading us to believe it could very well be. The new set bears a strong resemblance to that other full band music/rhythm game -- hey, there's even a lower bar support where the kick pedal could possibly hook on! Additionally, as Engadget rightly points out, the system controls have been moved in front of the pads. The back of the set allegedly features two kick pedal jacks and a "mysterious black mini jack" as well. We've asked for comment from Activision for confirmation of the set and have yet to hear back.%Gallery-63471%
Guitar Hero 5's drums getting a Rock Band makeover?
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?
Bongo drum t-shirt: how did you ever live without one?
We've seen and ridiculed music-playing clothes before, but that doesn't seem to have discouraged the makers of the electronic bongo drum t-shirt. This party-rocking piece of geek chic comes with four distinct sounds and can be had for the low low price of $49 plus shipping. Then you can pair it with your special edition Guitar Hero peripherals for the ultimate in instrument-free music creation.[Via OhGizmo!]
Today only: get Guitar Hero Smash Hits with drum, microphone for $99
If you already have a Guitar Hero guitar sitting around (at this point, it's statistically likely), RedOctane is offering an opportunity to finish your band kit and get a new(ish) game for a great price. The company's website is selling a pack containing a copy of Guitar Hero: Smash Hits, along with a drum set and a microphone for $99.99, with free shipping. That's the exact same price the company is charging for just a drum set!This package is, inexplicably, only available for Xbox 360 and Wii, and is only available today, so you don't have too much time to think about how weird it is to sell a Guitar Hero bundle with everything but the title instrument.
Video: Beatles Rock Band trailer, screenshots, Ludwig drums unveiled at E3
Today at E3 some seriously awesome Beatles Rock Band awesomeness was unloaded upon the world. In addition to getting a look at the full band set-up, confirming that you will, in fact be able to perform multiple vocals (read: harmonies), Harmonix also showed off the general in-game madness we can expect. We're filled with glee to see that no corners were cut here, and we agree with Ringo's estimation: the game is good. The Beatles: Rock Band will be released simultaneously for XBox 360, PS3 and Wii in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories. Check out the totally rad trailer, our first shot of the Ludwig drums and another screenshot after the break and in the gallery below.
All the World's a Stage: So you want to be a Leatherworker
This installment of All the World's a Stage is the thirty-fourth in a series of roleplaying guides in which we find out all the background information you need to roleplay a particular race or class (or profession!) well, without embarrassing yourself. At the outset of this series on how to roleplay one's professions, Leatherworking struck me as the most difficult profession to write about, even more than skinning, herbalism, or mining. This was in spite of (and in fact maybe because of) the fact that it was the first profession I ever chose in WoW. My very first character, who was a druid, wanted to choose leatherworking in order in order to make her own armor as well as prevent the dead bodies of all those animals she had to kill during her quests from going to waste. At that time I didn't know a whole lot about roleplaying, or how to play the game, and I knew even less about the background lore behind everything I was seeing. I originally roleplayed with my friends that my night elf had been born in Darnassus, only later to find out that would have made her about 3 years old -- a fact none of us had known, because WoW was our first exposure to the lore of Azeroth. This was actually my inspiration for writing these articles, so that our readers wouldn't have to go read pages and pages of books and websites or play old and (to me anyway) less enjoyable games.As I played the game more and more, the leatherworking armor seemed less and less useful and seemed more and more difficult to make. I also started imagining what skinning all those animals and then stitching together parts of their dead bodies would actually feel like, and suddenly I felt more like a kind of Dr. Frankenstein than a peaceful druid. It turns out, however, that I knew as little about leatherworking back then as I did about the game itself.
