It was just yesterday when we learned all about Rock Band 3’s new instruments and game modes. One day later comes even more news about the highly anticipated music game from developer Harmonix and peripheral maker Mad Catz. Here’s what we know so far: RB3 will feature a new game mode beyond the Expert level called “Pro”. Pro mode aims to actually teach you how to play an instrument. If you’re asking to yourself, “How can plastic toy guitars teach me how to play the real thing?” I’ve got a definitive answer that might just blow your mind.
In addition to the redesigned standard guitar that will ship alongside the game, Mad Catz is also manufacturing two new guitars that will resemble real life guitars. The Wireless Fender Mustang PRO-Guitar Controller ($149.99) contains 102 buttons in total, including 17 frets along a button-based neck and a 6-string strumming area which allows for discrete picking of each string and a touch-sensitive string box which allows players to mute or ‘cut-off’ notes when pressed. This thing is so authentic that it operates as a fully functional MIDI guitar; a MIDI output connector provides compatibility with MIDI software sequencers. A six-string Fender Squier Stratocaster is also in the works but has yet to be detailed.
The Wireless PRO-Cymbals Expansion Kit ($39.99) will bring the drums setup into Pro mode territory. The kit will attach to the standard drums setup and add three new cymbals to the mix: hi-hat, crash, and ride. The cymbals will feature enhanced responsiveness, quieter sound with noise-dampening rubber, and permanently rest at a pre-defined 10° angle.
Next up is the MIDI PRO-Adapter ($39.99) which allows you to hook up your own keyboard or electronic drum set to a console. This conversion box will act as mediator to allow for MIDI to USB to console. It features a velocity sensitive adjustment for MIDI drums and a full D-Pad plus standard gaming controller buttons so you can properly navigate on-screen menus.
And last but certainly not least is the Wireless Keyboard Controller ($79.99), the latest addition to the party. The keyboard/keytar instrument includes 25 keys and features a two-octave (C3 to C5) range and non-weighted, velocity-sensitive key bed. Just like the Fender Mustang, the keyboard has a MIDI out port allowing you to use it as a real keyboard with MIDI software sequencers and hardware devices. It’s also been confirmed that it can be used to play the lead guitar and bass in the game. (Note: A RB3 + keyboard bundle will sell for $129.99.)
So, if you’re one of those people who has been playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band games for years now but you’ve been craving a more realistic experience, all signs point to Rock Band 3 on delivering and satisfying your quench for a new challenge. Or if you’re the casual type RB3 has some good news for you, too. Three-part vocal harmonies have been ported from The Beatles: Rock Band, bringing the grand total of potential simultaneous players to seven: guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and three vocalists on mics (or however you decide to divvy it up). Also, every game mode support player drop in/ drop out, meaning players can come and go as they please, new instruments can join and difficulty level can be changed on the fly. House parties are about to get a whole lot more fun.
Rock Band 3 is expected to release this holiday season for all major consoles. Look in the gallery below for some in-game screenshots. After the break catch the newly release game trailer and an image of the Fender Squier Stratocaster.
