Rock Band Wireless Keyboard: is it any good?
Has any of you experimented with this device http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Band-Wireless-Keyboard-PlayStation-3/dp/B003RRTXLA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1305042292&sr=8-4 ? It looks interesting and packs a lot of punch for a $60 device. It has a midi interface, a lot of neat buttons and a touch sensitive bar! It would be especially cool if the computer could recognize it and all the keys as a joystick device so one could use it in a true wireless fashion without worrying about the midi adapter. I'm seriously thinking about buying one, but don't want to risk getting one just to find out that it won't work or has lot's of limitations... Thanks!
Hey Lucas,
On 10 May 2011 18:12, Lucas Zawacki
Has any of you experimented with this device
Not personally, but I've kept a eye on the developments there as I'm a big fan of adopting and adapting game interfaces.
It looks interesting and packs a lot of punch for a $60 device.
Agreed. Certainly cheaper than other key-tars which have been garnering some cult status and commanding matching prices second hand.
It has a midi interface, a lot of neat buttons and a touch sensitive bar! It would be especially cool if the computer could recognize it and all the keys as a joystick device so one could use it in a true wireless fashion without worrying about the midi adapter.
Here you go; http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/10/hands-on-rock-band-3s-keytar-a-surpris... So that's "yes" on all counts with the exception of the wireless bit where it's "maybe if you do some work". http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/10/hands-on-rock-band-3s-keytar-a-surpris...
I'm seriously thinking about buying one, but don't want to risk getting one just to find out that it won't work or has lot's of limitations...
Based on that article from the ever informative Peter Kirn I'd say there are remarkably few limitations. I believe it should simply work (including the game buttons) assuming you have a MIDI input on your PC. One of the nice things about MIDI is that it's a standard. I -of course- can't guarantee a thing but I'd be surprised if it didn't work. The guitars also look very nice for the price-point; http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/10/rock-band-3-fender-mustang-pro-midi/ & http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/16/rock-band-3-squier-stratocaster-plays-bot... http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/16/rock-band-3-squier-stratocaster-plays-bot...I'm not aware of many other ready-made MIDI controllers with tilt sensors. The "pro" one is especially remarkable in that it's also a "real" guitar (presumably in addition to signal analysis). Guitars with a MIDI output are quite rare and I'm not sure more "serious" models use Harmonic's strategy of having sensors in the neck. Hopefully that would get around some of the issues in the notoriously hard task of converting guitar notes into MIDI ones with low latency yet accurate pitch. I'm not sure any of the professional alternatives do that, it sounds clever to me. Yours, Kas.
Guitars with a MIDI output are quite rare and I'm not sure more "serious" models use Harmonic's strategy of having sensors in the neck. Hopefully that would get around some of the issues in the notoriously hard task of converting guitar notes into MIDI ones with low latency yet accurate pitch. I'm not sure any of the professional alternatives do that, it sounds clever to me.
It's a good idea. I have a Zeta Mirror 6 guitar (out of production) which has every fretwire connected to an internal computer. When you press a string to a fret it completes a circuit, and the guitar knows what notes you're playing before you pluck the strings. Works great. -C -- Craig Latta www.netjam.org/resume +31 06 2757 7177 + 1 415 287 3547
Amazing! Now I'm really pumped to get this baby and engage in some hardcore music hacking. Thanks Kas :)
participants (3)
-
Craig Latta -
Kassen -
Lucas Zawacki