Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard for PlayStation 3 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)With the game 2 weeks away from release, the fervor that it's generating is at its peak as evidenced by the fact that Amazon is sold out of the keyboard (as of 10/12/2010 anyway).

I received both keyboard and stand (review for the stand is here:Rock Band 3 - Keyboard Stand for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii) last week.

Here are my initial impressions of the keyboard:

- Build quality is solid.It has a good weight to it and none of it feels flimsy.Battery compartment is snug and tight and there's no fear of anything running loose.
- The keyboard comes with its own strap should you feel inclined to "key-tar" it, 80s style.
- The keyboard has a touch pad at the end of the handle, on the top.Presumably you will be able to distort held notes, similar to a whammy bar on the guitar.
- The keyboard also has an overdrive button adjacent to the touch pad.
- The packaging notes that the keyboard will also be able to play guitar and bass parts as well; why you might feel compelled to do that is unfathomable, but it's available...obviously, it won't support Pro modes for stringed instruments.
- The keyboard dongle will allow you to plug in TWO peripherals.This may be key for those of us who own the PS3 slim and may not necessarily want to invest in a USB hub (I did, but that's just me) or any other attachment that allows for additional USB hook-ups.
- All of the other PS3 controls (Start, Select, PS button, etc.) are all there just like the Rock Band guitar peripherals.
- MIDI is supported ... again, I'm not sure why you might want a 25-key keyboard as a MIDI device when a full keyboard would do the job better, but there you have it.

Here is my only con thus far:

- Keys are not weighted.Granted, it's a relatively compact peripheral, so weighting the keys would have only required additional precious volume, but for something that is purported to be "velocity-sensitive", weighted keys would have been a benefit in this area.Oh well, you can't have everything.

So far - very excited.I will update my review once RB3 comes out.However, my initial impressions given the completed keyboard are very, very positive.

-- Edit forthcoming --

-- Edit 10/26/10 --

The keyboard responds very well in gameplay.Keys respond accurately and PRO Mode works as advertised.As a warning, Pro Mode will challenge you quite a bit if you're not experienced with a keyboard.But it's a blast -- enjoy!

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Product Description:
As a new innovation to rhythm gaming, the Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard ups the realism of the Rock Band franchise. Crafted after classic professional Keyboard designs, its versatile layout capable of use on a tabletop or strapped over the shoulder like an electric guitar incorporates an ergonomic sensibility that provides comfort to the casual gamer or seasoned musician. The Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard Is fully compatible with both standard and Rock Band Pro modes.Empowering you to rock outside the realm of videogames, the Wireless Keyboard also functions as a MIDI controller and boasts a two-octave, non-weighted, velocity-sensitive keybed ranging from C3 to C5. The MIDI output connector provides compatibility with MIDI software sequencers and hardware devices, while standard console-specific gaming controller buttons deliver seamless console integration.

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