How do you change the band lineup!?!?

[mitchb2]

We're so infuriated by this game! We're wondering how people smart enough to make a great game like Rock Band could screw this up so bad.

Sometimes we have 2 players, sometimes we have 3, sometimes 4.
Sometimes I want to play drums, sometimes I want to play guitar, sometimes I want to sing.

Why can't we do this? Or if it's possible...HOW? And why so complicated?

For each of us, we created a character for each instrument (Mitch drums, Mitch vocal, etc.) But if I create the band with 2 players, it only lets in two players, no more. And if I create a band with 4 players, all 4 have to be there or we can't play.

Why? Why can't we just have one band, and be able to jump in and out, in any combination, with any number of people? WHY?!

[Teh_Nfsjunkie91]

Um, you don't have to have all 4 there. Only the band leader needs to be there, and you can even go to the band screen with only one player. You can't tour mind you, but you guys must be missing something.

[mitchb2]

But we want to continue the world tour.
So if one person can't make it that day, you can't continue with 3 players?

[Rotinaj]

No, you just need the leader, unless you did something stupid with the lineup.

[c3ntrfuge]

no, listen. I you start the band with the drummer being the leader, you have to have the drummer +1(other player of anykind, b/c you always need at least 2 ppl) to play the game. Whoever was the leader has to always play that instrument and can't play another instrument. get it?

[mitchb2]

Well, I created the band with the guitar as the leader.
But when we try to play with three (drums, bass, guitar) it won't let us continue unless we also join with the mic.

[Rotinaj]

Well, I created the band with the guitar as the leader.
But when we try to play with three (drums, bass, guitar) it won't let us continue unless we also join with the mic.
Yes, it will. You're doing something wrong/being stubborn.

[Frederf]

The OP seems to be running into both actual limitations of the game and fictional limitations of the game disguising his own incompetence (I say this with all respect, Rock Band will be convoluted at times).

In my experience the band line up (save for the leader, more on that in a second) is completely flexible and I have never had any problem with 2, 3, or 4 players on my one-and-only band.

Once you select the band from the list of bands you should be presented with the 4-panel sign in page. If the game has a problem with your leader not being present/correct it should tell you and gray out the option to play a gig. If you are unable to join during the 4-panel screen with some of the instruments then that would help a lot to know so we could help you troubleshoot.

Now I should mention the restriction on the band leader. Not only does that person's profile have to be the leader and the leader's instrument but that specific character.

Overall it would be really helpful to explain exactly what you are doing (and I do mean be specific/detail) so we can see what you are doing wrong and exactly what part of Rock Band is being troublesome.

[pippin65]

i know what the first poster is saying...it does seem balky and confusing...

[SSPWOLF]

There's also the search function, the F.A.Q. and about 30 other threads on this issue.

To more specifically adress your issue....

if you are on 360..

1) turn on the game
2) sign in to the xbox 360 profile that you created you BAND LEADER under
3) go to multiplayer/bwt
4) Select your band
5) Choose Select rocker and then select the BAND LEADER character you created
6) have 1, 2, or 3, person/people sign in whoever the hell they want
7) Continue

The feature goes even further, but apparantley it must be for "advanced users"

but you can set your initial line up as being "band members" and still have other people "tour" with your band who aren't members.

At any given time you can actually make anyone an official "band member" as long as they are logged in, from the practice space, by viewing the "band profile"

You can also kick people out of your band who aren't currently in the practice space with you.

The feature is quite rich, though the problem with "band leaders' and being inable to change a band member's instrument is, of course, glaring...

There's still more to the "BWT band members" feature than most people are letting on.

I personally have a lot of fun with it.

Example:

I started a band with my wife on vocals (band leader) and myself on drums.

I got injured IRL and couldn't play the drums.

So I started my guitar character. I plaid about 20 or 30 songs, then decided to make him an official member of the band.

once I started (IRL) feeling better, I created a new band with my drummer (band leader) and my wife on vocals.

The fun part was.. while we were playing.. we were talking and having fun about our "pretend" bands....

"Okay, the guitarist is good.. he can be in my band permanently now."

"Damn.. that drummer filling in for my injured drummer needs to get his wardrobe together, he just doesn't fit in! What will our fans think?"

"Okay. this is my drummers side project, you can sing as a special guest so the fans identify with it.. but eventually I'm gonna have to get a new singer so that people don't think our old band broke up"

Yes, I drink a lot.. but the "incidental roleplaying" is fun in itself.
;)

[Strieder]

Hah...roleplaying. We've already created two album covers on photoshop for our band, and decided that we've taken on a much more refined style. Our next album is likely Mozart songs turned metal.

We also all put on bandanas when we play :P

http://www.virtualmatt.com/images/squirrelhat3.jpg