1/09/2013

Xbox 360 Rock Band Stage Kit Review

Xbox 360 Rock Band Stage Kit
Average Reviews:

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I just picked this up after several weeks of considering it to be a very expensive novelty...$100 for an audio-sensing light show and fog machine?Heck...you can pick up a ton of stuff at a local Spencer's Gifts for that price, so why bother with this?It was only when I read that the kit actually SYNCS with the music in Rock Band 2 that I took a closer look.

This kit does NOT use cheap audio sensors to work, e.g. the lights aren't dependent on the beat to function like some cheap novelty light from Spencer's.Instead, each song in Rock Band 1/2 has a specific light show that has been specifically programmed to match, and the kit automatically senses and responds to the songs you've selected.The synchronization is UNCANNY.The strobe fires in JUST the right parts, and is used very sparingly so as not to diminish the effect.The timing of the fogger kicking on is also quite good.For example, it will automatically turn on a few seconds before a killer guitar solo so that you have a great cloud around you when it begins...NICE.

Pros:
1.Now that I have played RB with this kit, playing without it is NOT the same.I'm spoiled with this kit...it makes fake-rocking-out SO much more fun.The fun factor of Rock Band, which is great to begin with, goes right over the top with this kit.
2.Setup is fast and easy.Simply plug the LED unit into the fogger, then plug the fogger into the wall and power up the heating element.It takes perhaps 30 seconds or so to reach operating temperature.Plug the kit into one of the USB ports on the Xbox, and power it on.The unit will do the rest.
3.The fog that came with the unit seemed to dissipate pretty quickly, and was essentially odorless, however I have cathedral ceilings where the unit is used, so a smaller room would likely be much more concentrated in terms of the density of the fog.After about 45 minutes of playing, the entire lower level of my house had a nice haze, but it was completely dissipated after about 15 minutes or so.
4.Durability seems pretty good on the fogger.It seems to be solidly built and resembles the nicer foggers you see for sale around Halloween.
5.As stated above, integration with the game is EXCELLENT.Lots of different patterns with the LED kit, and once you've got some decent fog in the room, the lights really add an interesting dynamic to the game, almost resembling lasers when the lens is set to maximum focus.

Cons:
1.The container of fog solution that comes with the kit is perhaps a half-liter, and does not last long at all.I spent the entire bottle in under an hour, and some songs definitely use more fog than others.I'd recommend buying additional water-based fog solution (I have been unable to locate any official RB fluid locally) ASAP...you will go through the starter bottle very quickly.I ran out and now need to go to Guitar Center or a local party store to buy more.
2.The red and yellow LEDs in the unit are pretty underpowered, though the blue and green are quite bright.It would have been nicer had the red/yellow LEDs been brighter, but they still work quite well in a darkened room.(note - any significant ambient light in the room will heavily diminish the effect, so play in the dark!)
3.The fog machine is a bit noisy when it is firing, but that's nothing that turning up the volume won't fix.:-)
4.The cable that connects the fogger to the LED unit is ridiculously short, perhaps 3-4' max.This forces you to put the units rather close together...not a bad thing, but it limits some flexibility unless you get a longer cable.

Overall, this unit is a great addition to Rock Band 2 if you can afford the price.Were it not for the syncing of the music to the kit, I'd say it was overpriced, but now that I have the kit, I don't regret the purchase at all, and my kids absolutely LOVE it.

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Product Description:
Transform your jam session into a full-on rock show with smoke and light effects. Light and smoke automatically synchronize with music from the game. Synchronized light & smoke effect show for your Xbox 360. The kit includes: Fogger with built in strobe light, led array and a small bottle of liquid fog solution. Compatible with Rock Band and Rock Band 2 (Game Sold Separately).

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