Ion Audio shows off prototype of alternate Rock Band drum set at CES

[capitalfn9]

Haven't seen this posted anywhere before but check this out...

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/08/ion-audio-shows-off-prototype-of-alternate-rock-band-drum-set-at/

video here:

http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2008/01/08/555720.aspx

[ImacConvert]

Holy Crap!!!!

Those things are sweet!!! Where do I sign?????

[foolosophy]

It's on page one. It's like 7 threads down...

[capitalfn9]

oops im stupid, feel free to lock

[jdpkeeper]

found this over at engadget

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/08/ion-audio-shows-off-prototype-of-alternate-rock-band-drum-set-at/

I hope these become a reality!

[72tomahawk72]

Me want now!!

They look like they could be expensive but I'll sell something if I have too.

[jdpkeeper]

yeah, i second that, i would surely sell off some extra games/electronics to get a more realistic drum set.

[MuskyPenguin]

Although I can obviously see the appeal of a more realistic drum kit, I think adding the cymbols adds extra problems that really just aren't needed.

Firstly, from looking at the kit itself you can see that setting it up would be more time consuming than shipped kit. For those of us that simply don't have room in the house to keep the kit set-up at all times, it would be MORE of a pain to have to take apart the bigger kit than the original Rock Band kit.

While the cymbols are a nice addition, you can see from the video of the guy playing at CES that they really aren't neccesary since you can play the cymbol or the pad and get the same result. There are times in the video where he kinda loses himself because he was trying to hit the cymbol and still follow the game. In his comments he said he'd have to adjust the cymbols positions for his liking... can you imagine how much adjusting you'd have to do in a run of a night if you had some friends over? It's plain just get annoying.

I applaud their effort in trying to make more realistic game instruments, but I think it's unnecessary. What is the added benefit?

[72tomahawk72]

Although I can obviously see the appeal of a more realistic drum kit, I think adding the cymbols adds extra problems that really just aren't needed.

Firstly, from looking at the kit itself you can see that setting it up would be more time consuming than shipped kit. For those of us that simply don't have room in the house to keep the kit set-up at all times, it would be MORE of a pain to have to take apart the bigger kit than the original Rock Band kit.

While the cymbols are a nice addition, you can see from the video of the guy playing at CES that they really aren't neccesary since you can play the cymbol or the pad and get the same result. There are times in the video where he kinda loses himself because he was trying to hit the cymbol and still follow the game. In his comments he said he'd have to adjust the cymbols positions for his liking... can you imagine how much adjusting you'd have to do in a run of a night if you had some friends over? It's plain just get annoying.

I applaud their effort in trying to make more realistic game instruments, but I think it's unnecessary. What is the added benefit?

You wouldn't have to buy them if you didn't like them.

The added benefit is I can position everything where I want it instead of being forced to playing on pads that are in an arc in front of me.

[imagine]

I would buy that. And it looks as if they produce products in the U.S. They sell other drum sets at Bestbuy etc.


Now the tricky point is the price point.


The point is it's fun also the point is it's a challenge and it's even getting closer to a "real drum" set.

[Caspar0]

I would just ditch the green "pad" entirely and just have the cymbal there. You could also make a case for ditching the yellow pad to since it is usually the hi-hat, and the blue cymbal as well since it is the tom more often than the ride. So you could have a set up witht the bass pedal to pads and 2 cymbals. Would cut down on the expense and the real estate.

--c

[sa_nick]

I know it's only a prototype but the positioning of the snare and hi hat looks a little far to the left. I'd still consider buying it though... Unless a flawless midi converter comes out...

[MuskyPenguin]

I could see it being useful if the game actually required 7 pads, but in reality it's 4, and to have a drum kit with 7 pads, with 3 of those extra cymbol pads having the same functionality as the drum pads seems overkill. Perhaps if Harmonix incorporates cymbols into their next venture, but I don't think it's necessary right now. I'm sure Harmonix thought of this when they first started designing the game but opted out of it and kept with something basic and simple.

[Jixzer]

While the cymbols are a nice addition, you can see from the video of the guy playing at CES that they really aren't neccesary since you can play the cymbol or the pad and get the same result.

Could you add the link to the video, I couldn't find it. Thanks.

[Roflcopterrr]

those aren't realistic in the least. they could at least put a hi-hat all the way to the left of the rest of the drums, separated on a stand.

[defmonkey]

200 USD, Thats my estimate.

[MuskyPenguin]

Could you add the link to the video, I couldn't find it. Thanks.

http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21519

[Habeas]

As awesome as those would be, there's no way I could store those in any convenient fashion.

The drums I have now are BARELY out of the way while not in use....those would just be crazy to store.

[Ultrace]

I'm surprised no one has piped up to point out that this set doesn't appear to support a double kick bass. Given the feedback I've seen from players, I would have assumed that to be the first enhancement...

[Spandrel]

I wish there was a way to route my Roland TD-10 kit through the game, but the problem is that they dynamically assign which pad triggers which drum throughout the song, so it can never be.

[Scott1620]

Looks pretty sweet, but yea having 7 pads when 4 matter is an issue im sure people would choose the easier way just like with the lower frets on the strat...

[Crash]

I'd buy them, depending on cost - just for the adjustability of each drum. The U shape of the basic kit leaves positioning off for me a bit. The cymbals are up for debate - I like having the option of using the cymbal but think they could cut down on the number to get the cost down. I can't imagine this shipping below $200, which is where it would need to be to get a large volume of sales. So, in a nutshell, if they get the kit below $250, with higher quality, adjustible drums, and they are much quieter and realistic to play - I'm in like flinn baby...

[SuperDull]

Yea i wonder how you can let them know that the public is interested...

[barbasol]

I'd like to see the just the cymbals as an add on to the stock RB drums.

It'd be especially awesome if it patched the game to show all the cymbal notes as a different shape or something. In fact, that might be the only way I'd actually shell out $$ for them. Who knows though, they look like they'd be pretty awesome.

[AVC808]

i doubt i would pick these up because of space, and it still doesnt seem practical. it just looks like a souped up version of a kid's toy drumset.
what a developer needs to do is find a way to allow peoples home electronic drum kits to work with rock band or create a set that works with or without the game.
the only way id see people buy this is if theyre the type that thinks it "looks cool" or it's priced affordable and proves to be durable (the blogger claimed it seemed sturdy and quiet, both pluses) enough for people to buy if their original set breaks after the warranty period.

[AdamWill2]

all you'd theoretically need to use a regular electronic drum kit, btw, would be a custom midi -> USB converter which produced the correct USB signals to be recognized as the RB controller. This should not be hard to design or produce if the signals are known. Has anyone figured them out yet?

[SSPWOLF]

I'd buy these in a heartbeat.

I had to "teach" myself how to play Rockband's drums and when I'm playing on expert, even after 2 months, from time to time when I get in the groove I still find myself going for a cymbal that isn't there.

I guarantee any real drummers would be able to up thier scores instantly with the purchase of this.

Plus.. for the social aspect, it just looks cooler to rock out and go back and forth on 7 drum pads (even if there are only 4 parts)

I can already see the party challenges to see who can rock the coolest using the four notes and the seven pads.

I'll buy one. Now please!

[LZ_69]

I'm surprised no one has piped up to point out that this set doesn't appear to support a double kick bass. Given the feedback I've seen from players, I would have assumed that to be the first enhancement...

None of the songs for RB are designed for double kick bass, it be pretty useless. Besides, the thing looks like it's gona be expensive enough as it is.

btw, awsome avatar you got there!! it pretty much sums it up for me too. lol:D

[Project_Mercy]

all you'd theoretically need to use a regular electronic drum kit, btw, would be a custom midi -> USB converter which produced the correct USB signals to be recognized as the RB controller. This should not be hard to design or produce if the signals are known. Has anyone figured them out yet?


That was in my list of crap I wanted to see in the "wish-list" sticky.

Having spent more time thinking about it (and pondering making it myself), I think it would be cheaper in the long run to do what they're doing and just have some C/V inputs. Otherwise, you're somewhat at the mercy of the drum brain on how it decides to interpret the drum signal. Sometimes (especially on cheap kits) it may decide to send 4 64'th notes when in fact it was a simple snare hit that was near the rim or whatever.

Conversely, you could just make an 8-trigger box that converted C/V to a non-velocity signal and jack it into the xbox controller signal (they'd have to get that from harmonix or reverse engineer it, but they'd have to do that either way).

There's a LOT of configuration and intelligence in most drum brains to take a voltage signal from a pad and attempt to model an actual drum sound with it. Most of that would be contrary to how rockband wants to play.

[AdamWill2]

project_mercy: true. Drummania's home versions support Yamaha DTX kits using a standard midi-USB converter, though. Perhaps it has kinda "reverse drum brain" code in the game itself.

[Project_Mercy]

project_mercy: true. Drummania's home versions support Yamaha DTX kits using a standard midi-USB converter, though. Perhaps it has kinda "reverse drum brain" code in the game itself.

Well, I was reading your synopsis of how DM works vs how Rockband works last night, and I think it would be more conducive to a MIDI->DM than Rockband would be. (I think the thing that surprised me most about that article was that people didn't know that was how Rockband worked. It makes more sense given that, why people don't understand calibration and Mic/Fill lag).

The yamaha brain isn't that bad though. I'm talking about really cheap brains (like I can only assume that Ion brain is for $250). I mean, I have V-drums in my kit, but I don't use a Roland brain. I use an old Alesis DM Pro, because it has 16 triggers and is configurable as hell. I use Battery to synth the sound, so all I need is a good MIDI converter (which it is).

[sporkBrigade]

I would just ditch the green "pad" entirely and just have the cymbal there. You could also make a case for ditching the yellow pad to since it is usually the hi-hat, and the blue cymbal as well since it is the tom more often than the ride. So you could have a set up witht the bass pedal to pads and 2 cymbals. Would cut down on the expense and the real estate.

--c

Green notes are floor toms at times, so it's hard to justify making it only a cymbal. Once you start playing Expert, there are a lot of songs where you are doing a roll on the high hat while still keeping the backbeat on the snare. On these songs, Red becomes the highhat and Yellow becomes the snare. Run to the Hills, Orange Crush, and many others do this. In this case, removing the yellow tom/snare option would make these songs extra hard and extra unrealistic, sort of counter to the whole point of the set.

Fact is, with what they have to work with, this is a pretty damn nice effort. I'd certainly consider it if the price is right. Of course I still have a buddy trying to work out a way to use drum triggers for my acoustic set...

[SaltyDawg]

I'd buy one of these in a heartbeat. I hope we see them for sale soon...

[Liger_Trainer]

I think the problem, as said above, is the dynamic assignment of drums/cymbals to pads.

The solution to this of course would be "custom configurations" just like for other games where you can say you would rather shoot with LB rather than RT.

Odds are this would be something they could look at for future versions of Rock Band...

[Loozinit]

yea, i'd say those could easily go for $70-$100 w/o any problem.
naturally, you could still use the OG kit.....but this one def adds a little more realism, and hopefully a bit more support/stability.
overall......they look sweet

[sparky7474]

OK guys here is my two cents, since everyone else has given theres'. First and foremost, I think Ion's drum kit, for the Rock Band are an excellent option for those who want them. I would diffently get them, like most poeple said, if the price is right. For those who stated the kit isn't practicle and that it was to big, well drums are big.

But remember there are a lot of us that are ex-drummers or still drummers, who want to drum out with our buddies, who have no instrumental talent but want to experience it any how. Its about the experience.... That's what Harmonix is trying to promote. They could of allowed you to just use the xbox controller instead.This is why they created a guitar with buttons on it so that you get some idea what it is like to play the guitar. (A very small idea)

The basic drum kit that they are selling in the bundle is a good idea for those who have little or no experience on a real drumset. But for those who have a lot of experience, want something that feels more realistic, and I think Ion's Drum Kits gives a better feeling of a real drum kit. Now granted I think there has to be some modification in regards to the color scheme. My opinion I think they need to just add more colors to the drumset, and have Harmnoix audio engineers break up the music more to accomodate the extral pieces to the drum set. (The symbols) Now for those who think it would be to complicated to play all that, well this is where I think Easy, Medium and Hard and Expert come in to play. When you play the song on easy you only have to use the the four drum pads (No symbols are involved or kick drum), Medium should consist of all four drums and then impliment the kick drum. Hard should impliement all four drum pads, the kick pedal and one symbol, and obviously on expert, in coroporate all the items. (Four pads, the kick drum and all the symbols)

Anyways thats my two cents, I am all for it, and I would buy them in a heart beat. I think it would be a great option for those who want to experience the feel of what its like to be behind a more realistc drum kit.

[sparky7474]

Hey you know what, maybe becasue I didn't do my research, Ion makes a lot of drum kit stuff, like the modules for real drum kits as well as real drum kits, so I don't think in any way these thigns are going to be cheaply made. I am sure they are going to have really good quality stuff. Fot hose who said that the wires are hanging down from the crash symbols, and that you might break it, did you at how think that cable is, and alsmost all REAL drum kits have wired crash symbols, so I say again, OI am sure this is going to be high quality stuff.

Cheers and happy drumming.

I can't wait until these become available! WOOHOO!

P.S Sorry about the double post!

[TheBigK]

Although I can obviously see the appeal of a more realistic drum kit, I think adding the cymbols adds extra problems that really just aren't needed.

Firstly, from looking at the kit itself you can see that setting it up would be more time consuming than shipped kit. For those of us that simply don't have room in the house to keep the kit set-up at all times, it would be MORE of a pain to have to take apart the bigger kit than the original Rock Band kit.

While the cymbols are a nice addition, you can see from the video of the guy playing at CES that they really aren't neccesary since you can play the cymbol or the pad and get the same result. There are times in the video where he kinda loses himself because he was trying to hit the cymbol and still follow the game. In his comments he said he'd have to adjust the cymbols positions for his liking... can you imagine how much adjusting you'd have to do in a run of a night if you had some friends over? It's plain just get annoying.

I applaud their effort in trying to make more realistic game instruments, but I think it's unnecessary. What is the added benefit?

I disagree, from a drummers point of view, repositioning the cymbals is a better thing. the highhat (yellow pad) should be on the left of the snare (red pad). I have a hard time only having 4 pads and some are re-used for different drums. When listen to the music you want to hit the cymbal that isn't there.