Xbox 360 Rock Band Stage Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)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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Logitech Xbox 360 Vantage USB Microphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am not a singer but this is fun to use with Rock Band.I bought the game without the instruments and use my GH III wireless Les Paul.

This is a corded microphone.The fifteen foot length is plenty for most situations.It can plug directly in your console if you have a free slot or into a USB hub.

If you prefer black you can get the same Logitech Vantage model that's marked for the PS3 and PS2.That's what I did and it works fine with the 360.

The microphone also works on Windows Vista.Just plug it in and the driver will be installed automatically.

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Product Description:
A high-performance microphone for karaoke games.Licensed for PlayStation 3

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Guitar Hero World Tour Review

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(More customer reviews)I preordered this game from Amazon, but impatience got the better of me, and I bought it from Wal Mart on opening day.My review is based on that band kit, but I will be taking it back today.Why, you ask?

I played this game through two songs (Sweet Home Alabama and The Joker) and realized something wasn't right.I'm normally a 95% player on medium (On Rock Band 2) and a 90% player on hard.Yet I was scoring in the 60's on medium.After checking my calibration settings, I went over into the training mode, and realized that I couldn't even make it through the basic training because the red pad was not registering every time, and was not registering hard hits at all!

I switched over to the song recording mode, and it verified that the red pad was intermittent at best, thus the reason it's going back, and I will hope the one from Amazon is a better copy.

Now, let me say, overall, I give the feel of the drums two very big thumbs up.The pads felt much better, and they were much quieter than I was used to.However they get a thumbs down on quality.And before you think that this is just one bad experience, check around.There is a very big issue, first with the sensitivity of the pads (Apparently a program is coming out to allow you to change the sensitivity using your home PC) and second with the pads working intermittently.This second issue (Which I experienced) seems to be the most concerning, and from other sites, it looks like I am just the tip of the iceberg.I'm reading about people having to go through 2, 3, even 4 drum sets to get a good one.Many of the stores are not sold out, but are returned out.And this apparently stems from the wires to the drum pads simply being held on with silicone which is not holding everything together.

I really really can't wait until they get this set completely fixed, but since Activision is requiring YOU to pay for shipping if it's broken out of the box, might want to delay, at least for now.

Also, since I bought this game based on the promise of cross-compatibility, it should be stated that the drums do NOT work with Rock Band 2 at this point!Hopefully it's just a matter of a patch coming out, but it's a little disconcerting.

*******EDIT 11/10/08*******

As I was still having problems with a cymbal, I did contact the nice support people, who sounded quite exasperated, but immediately sent me out a tuning kit.This kit allows you to modify the sensitivity of each drum pad (Or cymbal, or pedal) to where you want it to be.Too sensitive, it may trigger when you hit another pad.Not sensitive enough, it may not trigger it all.

Now, I previously stated that some sites had talked about loose wires causing problems.In an effort to be thorough, and since my cymbal wasn't working, I did take apart the cymbal to look at the sensor.At least for my cymbal, I noted that the wires were definately SOLDERED.I was relying on information previously supplied by someone else in stating that the wires were not soldered, and I still do not know the condition of the wires on the drum pads themselves.As I said, this was my individual yellow cymbal.Since then I have sent it back through the RMA process, which, yes, did require me to send it (insured and traceable!) at my own expense.

Also, as of this date, the GH:WT drums are still not working with Rock Band 2, which is still a bit frustrating!

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Product Description:
Start a Band...the Guitar Hero Way

Guitar Hero World Tour transforms music gaming by expanding Guitar Hero's signature guitar gameplay into a cooperative band experience that combines advanced wireless instruments with online and offline gameplay modes including online Band Career and 8-player "Battle of the Bands," which allows two full bands to compete head-to-head online.The game features a slick redesigned guitar, an authentic electronic drum kit, and a microphone, as well as a Music Studio music creator that lets players compose, record, edit and share their own rock ‘n' roll anthems.

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Rock Band 2 Standalone Drums Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great game - I am in my late 30s, and definitely NOT a rocker at all (nor a gamer, either).I wanted just the drum part of Rock Band 2, and it's nice that this is available (I wasn't going to use the mic or guitar anyway, so why spend the extra money?You can always add it on later).Also, with the massive popularity of the full Rock Band 2 suite, this was much easier to find (this was in stock at Best Buy, and they told me they had been all sold out of the full Rock Band 2)Setup was easy, play is fun, here are a few things that I noted:

A) On the setup sheet, of course the first step is to lay everything out and make sure you have all the materials.One of the materials I saw that was listed looked to be 8 tiny screws.Again, there was only a picture of them, and I didn't see them in the box at all.And, there was no reference to them at all in the setup directions.Also, it didn't look as if I needed them, so I ended up not worrying about it.Perhaps it was one of those things that was planned to be included in the final product, but was pulled at the last minute?Or maybe I misread the directions?But again, due to the fact that there was no other reference to these screws or a place I could use them, I wasn't worried.

B) A Wii Remote does not have to be "implanted" into the drum kit (like Guitar Hero World Tour...?).These drums come with a built in transmitter.There is, however, a small gray box included that will plug into one of your two USB ports in the back of the Wii.This is how the drums communicate with the Wii.I did have to use a Wii remote at first when choosing the actual disc (from the main Wii screen)

After drumming for a total of about 6 hours so far, I definitely have a greater appreciation for the drum parts of songs!You remember drumming along to some of these songs ages ago, and then when you actually have the drum track in front of you, you find out that it's a lot more complicated!I thought I had the drums to "Hungry Like the Wolf" *down* when I was 17!This cool drum set (along with the software, sold separately) tells me just how wrong I was.

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Product Description:
Add a new dimension to your rock experience with the all new wireless Rock Band 2 Drum Set.

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Universal Microphone Stand Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Okay, so this is a microphone stand.Plain and simple.The clips to hold controller are very useful, and the clip actually holds some older video game USB microphones, unlike other mic stands.The stand is made of plastic with mostly plastic connnections, which means that you can't get the adjustable parts as tight as you'd like.The main adjuster requires two hands on the lower part of the stand to tighten adequately, so if you go the wrong way, the mic will slide down and you'll have to reposition.If you want to hold the mic while you sing on the stand, it may slide down even when fully tightened.Also, the screw on the mic clip is loose, so expect to tighten it before you play with a Phillips head screwdriver.The clip is removable, so you could put it on a real mic stand if this one ever breaks.The major design flaw is that the controller clip for Xbox 360 does not let you hook up a plug and play charger to it while it's clipped on.So while I'd have loved to use this time to charge my batteries, I can't.

To sum it up: It's a cheap plastic stand with tightening issues, a great clip design for holding the microphone, and a controller clip that won't let you charge an Xbox 360 controller.If you can live with the above-stated problems, then you should be fine.I am satisfied, considering.

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Product Description:
Mad Catz- Microphone Stand for Rock Band features a slick, easy-to-use mic clip that allows for easy insertion and removal for those moments when you want to work the crowd.Constructed of durable aluminum with a wide-stance tripod base for stability, it-s also height-adjustable with a range of 38 to 53 inches. The stand also includes 3 unique controller clips that allow you to store your Xbox 360, Wii, PS3 or PS2 controller right on it, allowing you quick fingertip access for in-game navigation and setup. The included cable management clip will keep your mic-s cord from getting in your way when you-re belting out your favorite tracks.

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Logitech PS3 / PS2 Wireless Guitar Controller Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This version is a vast improvement on the first edition (red). The physical manufacturing and styling have slightly different elements that add up to a much greater guitar.

I bought 6 of the red editions and didn't get one that was acceptable. The major problem was that the neck experienced a lot of stress during play. The new version corrects this problem by using a tongue and groove design. This one is built to last.

Additionally, the coloring is slightly different for this version. Obviously, the guitar is black. The faceplate is also black. And, not immediately noticeable, the neck is a darker wood. The overall effect is a much sleeker style.

As far as play goes, the guitar is a dream to hold and use. The buttons are solid, easy to find without looking, and fast. The strum bar is actually a light activated device - rather than mechanical. The lack of mechanical parts means it will last for a long time.

The guitar works fine with Rock Band 2. It lacks the wammy style selector - but, this is no great loss. The timing matches RB guitars - so no worries there if you mix guitars.

The guitar has a star-power button that I find works better than swinging the guitar up to activate special powers. The other buttons are hidden in the design and don't get hit on accident during play.

Many have complained about the lack of Bluetooth. Not a big deal to me. The included dongle works fine. The wireless is accurate and the batteries last a long time.

My only reservation with the guitar is the weight. It gets heavy after a few sets - just like a real guitar. So, younger players may have some trouble.

Overall, it is a great addition to your playing experience. I recommend this version over the original.

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Product Description:

Unleash Your Inner Rockstar. Play on Guitar or Expand to a Band.


Another Saturday night. Another chance to flex your Star Power. Your band members are all there. The house lights are low. And you can practically hear the whistles and cheers from the sold-out crowd, as fans grow impatient waiting for you to take the stage.


You've been here before. But this time is different. The bar is set higher. There's more at stake. And the butterflies in your belly are real. Suddenly, this doesn't feel like a game anymore.


Then you step into the spotlight. You nail that first riff. And you're lost in the music. Your fingering is spot-on. Your timing, flawless. When it's your turn to take center-stage, it's you and your Logitech Wireless Guitar Controller. Because you're not playing, you're unleashing your inner rockstar.

Key Features

Authentic materials
This guitar controller's body is solid. Its neck is real wood. The frets and tuning peg handles are metal. And the fingerboard is rosewood.

Realistic size and weight
No plastic toy guitar, this guitar controller is designed to look-and feel-like the real deal.







Adjustable whammy bar
Play fast and loose or keep it stiff. You can adjust the tension on the whammy bar to suit your style.







The hottest hardware
The Touch Sensitive Neck Slider is color-coded to correspond with the fret buttons, and there's an easy-to-reach Star Power button just below the strum bar, so you can rock all the latest Guitar Hero features. (Games sold separately.)

PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 compatibility
You get a 2.4 GHz wireless USB receiver for PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2. Either way, setup is a cinch, and the connection is as steady as a drum beat.









Virtually silent controls
The Strum Bar is quiet as a whisper, and the fret buttons don't "clickety-clack." You'll hear more music and less controller.






Hundreds of hours of battery life
Two AA batteries give you enough juice to perform a festival's worth of hits, encores included.

Wireless range of up to 30 feet
Step forward for your big solo. Drop back when it's your friend's turn to shine. You're not tethered to your console, so you're free to go where the music moves you.


Suggested games for the Logitech Wireless Guitar Controller for PS3 and PS2:


Works with Guitar Hero games for PLAYSTATION 3
Works with Guitar Hero World Tour games for PlayStation 2

What's in the Box

Package Contents

Logitech Wireless Guitar Controller
Wireless USB receiver for PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2
Guitar Controller Strap
Quick-start guide
2 AA batteries
1-year limited hardware warranty
* Game sold separately

System Requirements

PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system
PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system

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Rock Band 3 - Wireless Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller for Wii - Blue Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This guitar started out very quiet compared to the Rock Band 2 predecessor, but after 2 weeks of heavy use and breaking it in - it sounds just like the old one.

In function - it is identical to the older Rock Band 2 Strat but the Wii version of this guitar is missing the sound effects slider (can't speak for the other consoles).

It comes with the USB dongle and is backward compatible with Rock Band 2 (and I'd assume RB1 as well but cannot verify).

All in all - a decent replacement guitar, but nothing groundbreaking. If you liked the Rock Band 2 Strat - you will like this one.

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Product Description:
Break free from cables and add another guitar to your band with the Rock Band 3 Wireless Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller. Upgraded from the original, notable improvements include faster, quieter fret buttons-which promote the feel of actual guitar frets and allow sliding chords-plus advanced Overdrive deployment. Featuring an additional set of fret buttons on the base of the neck, now you can finger tap through the speediest solos without the need to strum.

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Logitech PlayStation 3 Vantage USB Microphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this originally for rock band on the ps2 because it was the only mic in stock.It worked for my PsII, even though it said PsIII mic.Then we got an xbox360 and i bought rock band for that as well and this mic worked just fine.All in all, it works for xbox360 which is all i really need it for.So if you're shifting between xbox 360and playstation consoles for games which require a mic, this one may be for you.

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Product Description:
A high-performance microphone for karaoke games.Licensed for Xbox 360

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Logitech Wireless Microphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been waiting for this microphone patiently since it was first announced by Logitech ever so long ago. While the $80 price tag seemed a bit steep, the desire of having a completely wireless RockBand set and $40 in Amazon.com gift cards I earned doing internet surveys made the cost a little more reasonable.

I decided to use Amazon's trade-in service to take care of the remaining $40, and free shipping ultimately made it free, other than the time I used to do the surveys and 5 games that I could care less about. The trade-in service is pretty hassle-free. You select the games that you want to trade, print out the invoice and the paid postage-slip, pack it up, and send it off to process. I took care of all that on Thursday (June 11). They were received, processed, and my account was credited on the following Monday (June 15). I purchased through a Marketplace seller, which saved a little more cash at the cost of a slightly longer time to ship it. The total (with shipping) came to $71.94.

Now on to business... The microphone itself is significantly larger than the normal RockBand microphone. It's closer in length to the SingStar microphone, with a windscreen that is about 1.5 inches in diameter. Despite the increased size, its weight is not that much more than the RockBand mic, and it feels well-balanced once the batteries are in. The remainder of the mic is about the same width as the RockBand mic, so it easily fits into the same clip on my mic stand. The box also includes a wrist strap (mine had 2 actually), which attaches at the bottom near the antenna and should be helpful for preventing accidental drops.

The receiver also acts as a miniature stand for storing purposes, and it comes with a fairly long cord. Excess cord can be wrapped around the bottom of the stand, which helps counterbalance the mic when it is set on it. I had hoped that it would also be used to charge internal batteries within the mic as well, unfortunately it runs off of two standard AA batteries instead. The booklet claims a battery life of up to 20 hours, so battery changes should not be too frequent at least. I installed some of those fancy Energizer Advanced batteries (the ones which used to carry DLC codes), so it'll probably last even longer.

On my first trial of the mic, I simply fired up RockBand and synced the mic and chose a song. The mic appears to amplify to a higher volume than the standard mic, and its sensitivity was dead-on with the same settings that I'd been using for the RB mic. It had no trouble picking up my voice at all, and I could do percussion sections with a mere tap of the windscreen.

Next, I tried a range test. The booklet claims that it works up to 30 feet, and unfortunately my condo is not large enough for me to get that far away. It could easily pick me up in my tiny backyard, which is at most 25 feet from the PS3. I then tried going upstairs while singing, and got to the furthest point away in the house. It had no trouble picking me up through the floor and two walls (door open).

All in all, this is a very fine wireless microphone that requires no modding of any kind. Its price tag is admittedly a bit steep, but I suppose they can get away with that since it is the first quality USB wireless microphone that I know of available in the US. It claims to be compatible with the PS2, PS3, and Xbox 360, and may be used on RB, GH:WT, GH:M, Boogie, Karaoke Revolution, or the Sing It! games. I'd recommend it if anyone wants their RockBand 2 setup to be fully wireless.

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Product Description:
The LogitechWireless Microphone (PS3/XBox360/Wii compatible) allows greater freedom while playing music games, and delivers high-quality voice reproduction. It features an authentic, professional design for a heightened sense of realism and a more immersive experience, as well as 20+ hours of battery life so you can perform encore after encore while minimizing the hassle of changing batteries. It works with most popular music games so you?ll have more fun, no matter which game is your favorite (SingStar titles not currently supported), and Logitech2.4 GHz wireless technology provides easy set-up via USB and a range of up to 30 feet.

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Rockband Rubber Tip Drum Sticks Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Just wanted to point out that these drumsticks aren't exactly rubber tipped - they COME with rubber tips, and the rubber tips are red rather than the white that is the tip color of these sticks.

If you're looking for drumsticks with a cool pattern that say RockBand on them, you'll like these - they're 5A's, btw.Otherwise you can buy rubber tips for your sticks at some online music stores.

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Product Description:
Replacement drumsticks with personality and flare.

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Ion Drum Rocker Premium Drum Set Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)For the serious Rock Band drummer, these drums bridge the gap between the video-game plastic drums and a real electronic kit.Each 4 pads and two cymbals (a third can be added, sold separately) can be adjusted, tilted, moved, and spread apart to feel more like playing a real drum kit.

PROS:
-Spot-on accurate with no missed notes or any kind of crosstalk between the parts
-velocity sensitive in Rock Band 2
-wide range of positioning of all main parts
-good build quality and solid for $300 e-drums (except *)
-assembly was quite easy, albeit intimidating and lengthy with the numerous parts (between hour and 90 minutes)

CONS:
-HATE the *kick pedal... noisy and cheap feeling.
-velocity doesn't have much dynamic range between light tap and hard bang -- minor point
-somewhat noisy, especially the high hat yellow cymbal
-customization/positioning can lead to confusion and frustration

On that last point:there's a reason the stock Rock Band drums are positioned the way they are... the 4 pads close together makes it easy to play the game, especially for non-drummers.This kit allows moving all the parts around, which is nice for creating the feeling of playing a real drum set -- but once back in the game, it becomes harder to play.Plus, adding cymbals makes additional (albeit optional) targets that take getting used to, so there some "swing and a miss" to overcome.Having a closed high hat cymbal "yellow" to the left of the snare pad "red" is cool to play crossed arms, but during the game yellow is always to the RIGHT of red.Also, the reach to hit "open high hat" on the blue tom is far from yellow cymbal, and it doesn't feel quite right.

There is a learning curve to get used to, and it takes a couple hours of playing and adjusting to get everything just right.Once all the parts were where I wanted and I replaced that awful kick pedal (a high-hat controller on other kits!...minus 1 star) with a Pearl "Omega Pedal" (mini to 1/4" jack needed), this kit becomes INSANELY FUN in Rock Band 2!!!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ion Drum Rocker Premium Drum Set

Product Description:
The wait is over for the next generation of musical gaming equipment. Whether you are an aspiring amateur, or a practicing professional, Ion's award-winning Drum Rocker Premium Drum Set for Xbox 360 lets Rockband players finally jam out with ease, letting your inner rockstar come out screaming.


The Ion Drum Rocker Premium Drum set can be customized to fit your drumming style. View larger.

Professional-grade design allows you to unleash your inner rockstar. View larger. The Ion Drum Rocker Premium Drum Set Features:

Completely customized set-up.
Ultra-quiet velocity-sensitive drum pads.
Sturdy, all-metal kick drum pedal.
Professional design from Alesis, one of the largest electronic drum manufacturers in the world.

Game Critics Awards Winner
Rockband, which took the gaming world by storm in late 2007, was followed by the highly-anticipated sequel, Rockband 2 that was released in September of 2008. With Rockband 2 came Ion's Drum Rocker Set, which quickly took the Game Critics Awards top spot in 2008's Best Peripheral/Hardware category.
Professional-Grade Aluminum Rack and Pads
While other drum controllers force you to use their configuration with a pre-molded, plastic array, the Drum Rocker's professional-grade aluminum rack lets you position your snare, tom and cymbal pads the way you want. Not only can you play your hi-hat with a right-hand crossover by placing your cymbals anywhere around your kit, but by mounting your pads to the drum rack with the included metal L-arm and clamp system, you can tilt, swivel, raise and lower the cymbals to whatever position you want.
Drum Rocker's velocity-sensitive drum pads feature an ultra-quiet playing surface and a more natural and consistent stick rebound than your average pad. The pad housing is made of a hi-impact plastic, which means that no matter how much you punish them night after night, they will always be ready for more.
The Drum Rocker's all-metal kick drum pedal is also designed to take abuse. It offers the perfect amount of tension to replicate the feeling of a real drum pedal. And keeping in line with its set-up flexibility, the kick drum pedal comes with Velcro and retractable spikes, allowing you to place it in the most comfortable position.
Go Beyond Gaming into Real Music
Built by the engineers at Alesis, one of the largest manufacturers of professional electronic drums in the world, the Drum Rocker Premium Drum Set delivers the most realistic drumming experience available to a gamer.
But when you're ready to move from playing the game to playing in a real life, you can swap the game controller module with one of the professional drum brains made by Alesis, such as their DM5 drum module, or any other drum brain that accepts a quarter-inch output. (Drum modules are sold separately.) And with the option of purchasing a third cymbal, you can round out your kit and move beyond gaming and onto the stage.
The Drum Rocker Premium Drum Set is compatible with both Rockband and Rockband 2 for the Xbox 360.



The Drum Rocker comes with cymbals, kick pedal, and drum pads.
View cymbal, kick pedal, and drum pad.
What's in the Box:
Aluminum drum rack, 4 drum pads, 2 cymbals, drum pedal, all mounting hardware and connecting cords, and 2 drumsticks.

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Rock Band 2 Standalone Drums Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This review will be mostly a comparison with the rock band 1 set, so I'll assume most people reading this are familiar with the game and/or the RB1 set. I'll also mention briefly the cymbal expansion and how it differs from the original play style. To start off, though, I'll list some of the features of this new set.

+Wireless
+Sound dampening pads
+Velocity sensitive (the harder you hit, the louder the sound)
+Metal-reinforced pedal
+Cymbal expansion portsThe set out of the box is just as simple as the first one to set up, and even if you have not put one together before, it is fairly self-explanatory. Square peg goes in the square hole, as it were. It took me about 5 minutes to socket the pieces and get it to the appropriate height I wanted. My overall impressions of the set are that although it is made with more plastic than aluminum this time around, the frame itself seems sturdier, with less wobble because the base and sides are a bit wider. Three AA batteries are needed, so you might want to invest in some rechargable batteries if you plan on playing quite a bit.

When playing, I can hear quite a difference from the original pads, and the sound dampening is indeed doing its job. However, it doesn't soften the sound *as much* as the silencer pads that are sold separately, so if you ended up buying those prior to this set, you may want to hang on to them. In fact, because I don't have a surround sound system on my TV, I found it hard to hear the different noises coming from the velocity sensitive pads unless I turned the TV up uncomfortably loud. In other words, the pads are softer, but still have some clacking going on that may interfere with some people's playing.

Visually, I can see a difference coming from the velocity sensitive equipment, and it gives you an on-screen cue on the lights at the bottom to tell you if what you just did was a soft or hard hit (there isn't anything in-between soft and hard) The velocity sensitive angle strikes me as a nice addition to the franchise, but it's purely for show.

The pedal, meanwhile, is holding up like a champ. I've never been one to slam down on it very much, but the metal plate will give me some added comfort while I play. On the other hand, it is only a plate covering the (still plastic) pedal, and not a replacement for the hinge at the bottom of the pedal, which is where most people have a problem. Expert level players or people who tend to bang on the pedal might still consider a replacement kit to make sure nothing happens to theirs.

Lastly, I bought the 2 pack of cymbals to plug in the expansion ports, and although I won't review them here, I will talk about how they make the game different. The striking part of the cymbals are rubber, so in theory they shouldn't make much noise, but in practice, they are as loud if not louder than the sound dampening pads. Anyone with thin walls or parents they don't want to wake up should be aware that this might still be a problem.

In-game, I've found myself avoiding the cymbals to start off with, because of the added difficulty of switching from pad to cymbal, but also because there is no in-game indicator of which one to use. I suppose I should have known this going in, but I supposed that there would be a way to switch the note charts somehow in the game so that it knew whether the player was using a standard kit or one with cymbals, and changed the notes accordingly. As it is, I'm certainly no drum expert, so knowing instinctively when I should be using what (pad or cymbal) is somewhat of an exercise in frustration, and makes me think that I'm really just picking up bad drumming habits that I'll later have to break. What it comes down to is that if you know a song by heart, or play live drums, this won't be a problem. For everyone else, hoping that this would be something of a drum trainer, the cymbals come off as a tacked-on experience. (Yes, I realize the irony of saying an expansion is tacked-on, but still)

They work as intended, but not without the players knowledge of how to use them. Not even the in-game drum trainer will be much help here because there is still no visual indicator of which object to hit.

As a whole, the set is a spot-on practical improvement. They located problem areas and seem to have improved on them so that the consumer wouldn't have to. But for many of the spots where they tried to take things a bit further (cymbals, velocity sensitive), the experience feels extraneous. The average user can be content with their Rock Band 1 drum kit, given that it is still in playing condition. With 20/20 hindsight, $90 seems like a steep price to pay for the relatively small advancements that this kit allows you to do.

The bottom line: This kit is good, but I would say it's better for people who have not already bought a rock band drum kit, and want one that will last.

Edited 3/18/09: After a few months of play, I thought I would note a couple of other flaws that came up. First of all, the clasps used for the height rods are too loose on my kit, so when I raised the kit and clamped them down, they would come loose while I played, making the whole thing crash down to floor level in the middle of a song. Not good. I had to solve this by switching out the base of my RB1 kit for the RB2 one, but be aware that this can be a problem, and you may have to RMA yours if you pick one up. Secondly, the pedal, as expected, has begun to crack at the hinge, so in all honesty, it's still a question of "when" and not "if" the pedal will break, even on this second generation set. Unfortunately, it looks like the real bottom line is that customers have gotten the shaft as far as Rock Band is concerned. These issues combined with the price knock my review down to 3/5 stars.

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Product Description:
Add a new dimension to your rock experience with the all new wireless Rock Band 2 Drum Set.

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PSP 3000 Limited Edition Rock Band Unplugged Entertainment Pack - Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We've been a PS3 household ever since the 60GB version came about so, with two pre-teens in the house, we were ripe for a PSP adoption. We actually bought the Ratchet & Clank Pack a few months ago because one of my kids was a fan of the game. Now, with 2 boys and one girl in the house, one PSP turns out not to be enough. We're on Hold for the Hannah Montana edition for our little girl but we had no choice but get the Rock Band edition for the one who just turned 'teen' last week.

The bundle costs a few more than the 'clean' PSP-3000 but, in our case, the convenience of getting it together with the game AND a memory card AND a downloaded movie justified the extra expense because the kid REALLY wanted both the PSP and the game and, if you add up all that you get with the bundle, you come out ahead this way.

The 'Pack' includes the following:

- The PSP 3000 itself in black
- 4GB memory card
- The game on a UMD disk
- A downloadable movie voucher
- Manual, promos, registration card, etc.

I couldn't discuss Rock Band myself because I don't really play Rock Band and my kid is still practicing so, see Rock Band Unplugged for absolutely EXCELLENT reviews from those who spent some serious time rocking on the PSP (I salute you). And here are the reviews for School of Rock (Widescreen Edition) (for the movie itself not for the PSN download).

Given the PSP's built-in Wi-Fi and its PS3 integration you can do quite a few things out of the box if you have Wi-Fi or a PS3 but, for a better gaming experience we ordered a 16GB memory stick and will be using the included 4GB on a camera because we are planning to store a few movies when taking it on the road. Movies take about 0.5GB.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
-------------------
I was surprised of how good and versatile and elegant this little console can be. It has most of the PS3 buttons, including one analog joystick, the display is large and bright, the resolution is good (480x272), and it responds quickly to controls. It appears to be solidly built. Unlike prior models, this one comes with a built-in microphone while the sound output can be either through the internal speakers or headphones (not included). After charging the battery, my kid was up and running and happy in no time. But, let me proceed with a more structured discussion.

STAND-ALONE OPERATION (DISCONNECTED)
----------------------------------------
The PSP 3000 will play games or movies delivered on UMDs or off a Memory Stick card. In addition, it will display photos and play music stored on the Memory card.

NETWORKING AND INTERNET CONNECTIVITY
--------------------------------------
The built-in Wi-Fi allows the PSP 3000 to access the Playstation Netowork and Playstation Store directly. Off the box, there is an Internet browser, a Search (the Internet) function, several Internet Radio applications and the ability to use the PSP as a Skype phone for as long as one has a Skype account and the PSP happens to be within the range of a Wi-Fi hotspot.

PS3 INTEGRATION
-----------------
After the PSP is paired with the PS3, the PS3 can 'push' video, photos, music and even PSP games downloaded from the Playstation Store when connected through a USB wire. When wireless, the PSP can basically take over the PS3 - actually display the PS3's own screen and display photos stored on the PS3, play music stored on the PS3. Movie play is not supported. Amazingly, you can access your PS3 remotely from anywhere in the Universe for as long as your PSP can access the Net via Wi-Fi.

When playing music, it's possible to play it on the PSP's own speakers/headphones or have the PS3 play it itself, the PSP therefore acting as a remote control device.

I suspect that additional capabilities exist that I am not aware of yet and we uncover new uses and new features all the time.

PC INTEGRATION
----------------
Through a USB connection, the PC will see the PSP's memory card as an attached drive. This will allow for music, photo or movie files to be transferred directly to the PSP.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
----------------------
The PSP 3000 comes very close to being the perfect portable game-playing (and more) machine, at least in the Sony universe. Perfection would be achieved if the 'keyboard' interface were improved - it's awful now - if it had touch screen capabilities and if file transfers from the PS3 were possible wirelessly. Also on the wish list, I hope that there were more legal 'digital copy' movies available for the PSP. And Bluetooth.

PSP-3000 vs. PSP GO
---------------------
The question begs itself: how about a PSP Go? Well, in our case, the Go was out of the question because it wasn't available for purchase on our kid's birthday, because the price is a little to high - we have 3 kids - and because, at this time, we would rather keep our games on disks so that they can be easily shared amongst our tribe and won't be depended too much on our memory card's limitations. Of course, our concerns may not apply to everyone.

MY RATING
-----------
For anyone into Rock Band, this is the perfect bundle. If Rock Band is not your game, then you are probably better off with a 'clean' PSP and then get your own memory card, games, movies, etc.

For what you get, it's a 4.5 stars plus, rounded up to 5.

________________________

Note:

It would be almost sinful not to protect your new PSP. We use PSP Logitech PlayGear Pocket - Slim. It doesn't have compartments to store UMDs or memory cards but it does wrap around your 3000 like a glove and, in my view, it provides the best protection.

Click Here to see more reviews about: PSP 3000 Limited Edition Rock Band Unplugged Entertainment Pack - Black

Product Description:
The PlayStation Portable3000 Limited Edition Rock Band Unplugged Entertainment Pack bringstogether the latest hardware revision of the PlayStation Portable (PSP),with the world of Rock & Roll like never before. The Bundle includesa "Piano Black" PSP-3000 system, a copy of Rock Band Unplugged onUMD format, a 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, and a "School of Rock" PlayStationStore downloadable movie voucher.*

Bring the fun of the Rock Band experience to the small screen.
Viewlarger. Rock Band Unplugged
Rock Band Unplugged creates a full band experience in the palm of your hand by combining key gameplay elements from both Rock Band and Rock Band 2 with new and unique features specifically designed for the PSP system. In addition, Rock Band Unplugged includes the first fully-featured in-game store for downloadable content on the PSP system in the North American market, leveraging the PSP system's Wi-Fi capabilities.

Download Jack Black's comedic ode to rockfrom the PlayStation Store.
Viewlarger.
A 4GB PRO Duo memory card included for all your digital content.
Viewlarger. "School of Rock" PlayStation Store Downloadable Movie Voucher
In the hit major motion picture, "School of Rock," hell-raising guitarist with delusions of grandeur Dewey Finn (Jack Black) has been kicked out of his band. Desperate for work, he impersonates a friend who is substitute teacher and turns a class of fifth grade high-achievers into high-voltage rock and rollers with their eye on capturing a battle of the bands title.

4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo
With 4GB of memory, the compact Memory Stick PRO Duo allows you to saveyour PlayStation Network downloads, as well as store your videos, photos,music and more.

About PlayStation Portable 3000

Now with Included Microphone and Brighter Screen
The latest PlayStation Portable revision, the PSP-3000, has everythingthe older PSPs had but now includes a built-in microphone, which letsyou take advantage of voice features in some games as well as the PSP'sbuilt-in Skype functionality without having to use a headset. The newPSP-3000 also includes an improved anti-reflective screen that offershigher contrast and clearer visibility in well-lit places and can evenbe used outdoors.

A Full Entertainment System in Your Hands
The PSP was designed to handle all varieties of applications and entertainment-- music, video, communication, wireless networking, and, of course, gaming.Users will enjoy topnotch 3D games with high-quality, full-motion video,and high-fidelity audio. The 4.3-inch wide screen display is bright andbeautiful, and works well under many different lighting conditions. Ifyou prefer, you can also connect your PSP to your TV. The PSP utilizesthe Universal Media Disc (UMD) for a storage medium, each of which holds1.8 GB of data. It can also be used to download content digitally overthe PlayStation Network.

Hundred of Games to Choose From
The PSP gaming library is hundreds of titles strong and covers a widevariety of genres. Whether you are seeking the hard hits of football,the strategy of a puzzle game, or anything in-between there's sure tobe many games for you. The PSP is capable of graphics quality that iscomparable to the PlayStation 2, but in a pocket-sized package that youcan take wherever you go.

Listen to Your Music Collection Anywhere
With the ability to play MP3, WAV, WMA, ATRAC3+, and MP4 files, you can easily use your PSP as an audio player. Simply place your music on a Memory Stick Duo, and you can navigate your collection using the PSP's XMB (XrossMediaBar) to select your song to play.

Show and Share Photos With Your Friends
With the PSP, you can show a slideshow of your photo collection with your friends by simply placing them on a Memory Stick Duo and accessing them via PSP's XMB. Additionally, you can beam photos wirelessly to friends who also have a PSP via the devices ad hoc wireless connection.

Built-in Wi-Fi allows for Internet Browsing and Online Gaming
With built-in Wi-Fi, you can access the Internet from any accessible hotspot.Once connected, you can surf the Web and download exclusive demos andcontent for your PSP from the PlayStation Store. The Wi-Fi also allowsyou to battle other gamers, both over the Internet and in your local vicinity(ad-hoc).

What's in the Box
The PSP-3000 Limited Edition Rock Band Unplugged Entertainmentsystem, includes a "Piano Black" PSP-3000 system, Rock Band Unplugged,a 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, and a "School of Rock" PlayStation Store downloadableMovie Voucher, AC power cord, AC adapter and PSP battery pack.

PSP 3000 Limited Edition Rock Band Unplugged Entertainment Pack.

* Movie must be downloaded from PlayStation Store. Voucher code expires03/15/10. PSP system, PlayStation 3 system or PC, USB cable (each soldseparately), and Memory Stick PRO Duo (included) and PlayStation Networkregistration are required for download. User responsible for all applicableInternet fees.

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Xbox 360 Rock Band Portable Drum Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got this drum because it's cheap and I thought maybe at least something about it would be fun to mess around with. I have an ion, but my pedal is too loud and I also wanted to get something I could take with me on the go to a friends' house. Well this thing worked as well as the other reviewers have said. The pedal in this kit is better and makes less impact noise than any pedal on the market, and if you can stick the pads down in one place, they seem to work perfectly as well. The only downside is that you pretty much have to use this with the included sticks, because the pads are too hard. The sticks in the box are rubber to compensate. Using wooden sticks on these is too loud to stand.

Another added perk of this kit is that the controller can be plugged in standalone and used like an NES controller for arcade games, as long as the games don't use the shoulder buttons. Also, people who are interested in modding projects can use the little controller part as the "brain" for a custom drum kit. People have used this to turn their nice electronic kits into RB kits!

Let me reiterate again that the pedal on this is better than the stock ion pedal in terms of noise and equal in function. Get a 1/4" to 1/8" converter and use it with your ion.

In every way, this product is worth your money if you're looking for any of the above features.

ADDITION: I am adding this to the review as a caution: the sticks that this comes with seem to be susceptible to breaking at the middle where they screw together. Now, I know that all drum sticks break eventually, but just be prepared to try to locate some rubber-head sticks as backups because you really can't play this too well with a wooden head.

UPDATE 6/29/09: The pedal for this is still working great, and I still use it with my expensive Ion drum kit. I play on expert now better than ever, and this pedal is very accurate and much easier to double tap to get those super-rapid beats. The official pedal I bought recently doesn't respond well at all to quick rapid pushes like this does. I even got a second portable kit just so I could have a spare, and the second one works just as well.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Xbox 360 Rock Band Portable Drum Kit

Product Description:
Mad Catz- full-featured Portable Drum Kit for Rock Band is playable on virtually any solid surface. Designed to withstand over 1 million strikes, the durable rubber construction ensures the drumheads will outlast your frenetic drumming. Featuring an ultra-thin navigation panel for easy in-game setup, a pair of soft-tip two-piece replacement drumsticks and a remote kick drum pedal, everything you need to play drums is included. Easy to assemble and play and even easier to fold away for quick storage, when you don-t have ample room to rock with the full-sized drum kit, reach for these tabletop drums and rock like there is no tomorrow.

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Logitech Wii Vantage USB Microphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We bought Wii Sing It for our three kids for Christmas.I'd read reviews stating that some of the microphones available did not work right with this game.Several reviews stated that the Logitech USB microphone worked right and that is absolutely correct.We plugged it in and away it went!Our kids are ages 8 and 9 and they sing duet with the Sing It game.We've never had any problems and they love it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Logitech Wii Vantage USB Microphone

Product Description:
A high-performance microphone for karaoke games.Licensed for Wii

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Logitech Xbox 360 Wireless Guitar Controller Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)That was my first thought upon unboxing Logitech's Xbox 360 Wireless Guitar Controller.The second thing I noted, as I lifted it out, was that it is very heavy.This is no cheap plastic toy!This is a solid, well-constructed, replica guitar.And the quality shows.

Inside the box, the guitar is well protected for shipping with bubble wrap and cardboard spacers.Of note is the fact that this is a one piece unit.This completely eliminates the connectivity issues between the neck and body, as sometimes seen in guitar controllers that come boxed as two pieces.The guitar measures 33.75 inches from tip to base, with a slightly larger body than my Guitar Hero World Tour guitar, which measures only 31.25 inches in length (see the photo I posted with this review).This extra length pushes the fret buttons up a little bit, but I did not find this to be an issue.I store my guitars on a stand, but if you use a guitar bag or case, be aware that it might not fit.Rounding out the included accessories are a user manual, a quality strap, some batteries to get you up and playing fast, and an adapter for older style Xbox 360 headsets.

IMPRESSIONS
The guitar itself is modeled after Guitar Hero guitars, with the raised fret buttons and the neck slider feature.Keep this in mind if you are someone who prefers the look of the Rock Band guitars, with their in-line fret buttons.The chrome detailing, including tuning pegs and bridge, and use of real screws in the white pick guard lends an authentic look, effectively disguising the Start (bridge) and Star Power buttons (pickups) while keeping them functional.There is even an authentic looking nut between the headstock and the neck. The Star Power button sits right under the ball of your hand, so it's easy to press down on while strumming (you can also still rock Star Power with a neck tilt).The strum bar is the best I have ever seen on a guitar controller.It has exactly the right tactile feel, and is responsive yet quiet.One of my fret buttons makes a bit of a clickety-clack when I hit it, but I am hoping this goes away as it wears in.Overall, this is a quiet guitar, allowing for more enjoyment of the music.

COMPATIBILITY
I have tested this guitar with the following Xbox 360 games that I own:

* Band Hero: Yes
* Guitar Hero Van Halen: Yes
* Guitar Hero 5: Yes
* Guitar Hero World Tour: Yes
* Guitar Hero III: Yes
* Guitar Hero II: Yes
* Rock Band The Beatles: Yes
* Rock Band 2: Yes
* Rock Band: Yes

CONCLUSION
This is a quality guitar controller that I would recommend to any serious gamer who wants to add authenticity to their music games.It is a joy to play.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Logitech Xbox 360 Wireless Guitar Controller

Product Description:
The Logitech Wireless Guitar Controller lets you unleash your inner rockstar. Its solid body, wood neck, metal frets and tuning peg handles, and rosewood fingerboard provide a realistic experience. Licensed for Xbox 360 , so setup is a cinch. The contro

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Cohesion BandBox Gaming Storage and Furniture Ottoman (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Feet look MUCH higher in the photo than they do in person.I actually thought at first that they'd forgotten to ship the feet until I found these small plastic spacers.Oh well...

But...that's the only minus.It fits my Guitar Hero 4 equipment...and extra guitar...AND...all of my other Wii accessories.It's so NICE having them all in one place.I put two Wii wheels...two guns...all of my controllers...plus classic controllers...in with the band stuff...along with my Samba Maracas.Sweet!

The padding on top of the ottomon is nice.The synthetic material seems to be a good quality too.It doesn't look "shocking" black...and the profile along with the slightly lower height actually looks better in my living room than the old storage ottomon it's replacing.(Which couldn't hold my drums.)

For the Guitar Hero drums...the support is actually a little sturdier than the manufacturer supplied support.I'm glad they finally made a more "universal" rhythm game ottomon.

All in all...I'm thrilled.As an "adult" gamer (over 30) I'm usually disappointed with "game room" accessories.They usually look like they belong in a 13 year old's bedroom.Not this.It blends in with my traditional furniture just fine.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cohesion BandBox Gaming Storage and Furniture Ottoman (Black)

Product Description:
Hide the band by keeping your instruments neatly and stylishly stowed with this gaming storage ottoman from Cohesion.

Keep your instruments organized and accessible. The black synthetic leather exterior offers a sleek appearance that will be suitable for any room in the house. The ottoman opens to reveal generous storage space for your instruments so they're always organized and accessible. The ottoman measures 35 inches long by 19 inches wide by 16.35 inches tall when closed.
Features:

Doubles as handy storage and stylish furniture
Storage space for drum set, gaming guitars, foot pedal, and microphone
Drums attach to a telescoping support for height adjustment
Compatible with both Guitar Hero IV and any Rockband version
Black PVC faux leather looks sleek and stylish in any room of the house
Measures 35 inches long by 19 inches wide by 17.35 inches tall
Assembly required

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