So what's the drum controller going to look like?

[Whiplash]

Thanks to Karaoke Revolution and Guitar Hero, we know what we're going to be getting to control the guitar parts and the vocals. The mystery, right now, is how the drum part will be played. I've heard people knock the idea of something similar to the DK Bongos around, but that seems kind of silly to me. At the bare minimum, I think you'd need something for a snare, something for cymbals, and something for the bass. If you had mock-ups of all three of those, plus sticks, the price might start to become a bit intimidating. I'm wondering, then, if the controller will simply be a pair of sticks and a pedal that can be struck against any surface to produce the "notes", with buttons that can be held down on the sticks to represent different snares or cymbals. The pedal would simply just need to be stepped on to play the bass parts. I'm probably pretty far off with this, but I'm excited to see what's going to happen with it. edit: Heh I guess this site is still kind of raw.  I'm shocked that I'm the only one up and posting, though!  Maybe people are still afraid this is a prank. 

[Kaboobi]

I demand a set of Neil Peart's drums made entirely out of Taiko Drum Master drums and half a dozen pedals (using the Microsoft Racing Wheel pedals).&nbsp; Without this the game will be an epic failure, for sure.<br>

[HMXWhitestar19]

A pretty impressive prank too!&nbsp; Welcome to teh forums!

[hmxsean]

<P>Nope not an April Fool's prank at all!</P>
<P>We can't really talk about the drums yet but here is what Alex Rigopulos (our CEO and co-founder of Harmonix) had to say in the <A class="" href="http://www.gamespot.com/news/6168388.html?action=convert&amp;om_clk=latestnews&amp;tag= latestnews;title;0" target=_blank>Gamespot article</A>-</P>
<P><STRONG>Rigopulos says the drum is "a really impressive piece of hardware. I'm a drummer myself, so we weren't going to settle for anything less than something that felt like a real instrument." Harmonix is still working out the details of how the peripherals will ship.</STRONG> </P>
<P>&nbsp;So that is basically where we stand at the moment though I can say it is turning out awesome.&nbsp; </P>

[fiddilydee]

This was pretty much my first question. Is the game going to come with all these peripherals, will it use old GH controller. How Much$$$ so many questions.<br>

[rspooky]

<P>Nope not an April Fool's prank at all!</P><P>We can't really talk about the drums yet but here is what Alex Rigopulos (our CEO and co-founder of Harmonix) had to say in the <A class="" href="http://www.gamespot.com/news/6168388.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;0" target="_blank">Gamespot article</A>-</P><P><STRONG>Rigopulos says the drum is "a really impressive piece of hardware. I'm a drummer myself, so we weren't going to settle for anything less than something that felt like a real instrument." Harmonix is still working out the details of how the peripherals will ship.</STRONG> </P><P>*So that is basically where we stand at the moment though I can say it is turning out awesome.* </P><BR/><BR/>That sounds awesome... <BR/>Lookign forward to this.<BR/><BR/>

[Dustjavo]

<font size="2">this would be a very awesome April Fools joke though. Making a website, post articles, give out news, pretty sneaky Harmonix!</font>

[Whiplash]

<p>Nope not an April Fool's prank at all!</p>
<p>We can't really talk about the drums yet but here is what Alex Rigopulos (our CEO and co-founder of Harmonix) had to say in the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/news/6168388.html?action=convert&amp;om_clk=latestnews&amp;tag= latestnews;title;0" class="" target="_blank">Gamespot article</a>-</p>
<p><b>Rigopulos says the drum is "a really impressive piece of hardware. I'm a drummer myself, so we weren't going to settle for anything less than something that felt like a real instrument." Harmonix is still working out the details of how the peripherals will ship.</b> </p>
<p> So that is basically where we stand at the moment though I can say it is turning out awesome. </p><p></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I can't wait to see what you guys came up with!&nbsp; Like fiddilydee asked, I'm also curious to know if you know yet/are allowed to say whether or not you'll be able to use the Guitar Hero controllers and save on some money or if you'll have to buy a new set of guitars.&nbsp; Thanks for your quick responses!<br></p>

[Smidget]

<P>I'm also a drummer and am really looking forward to this. For the peripherals, I'm expecting awesomeness from the Harmonix team. What I'm hoping it won't be similar to is the DrumMania hardware seen here:</P>
<P><IMG title=DrumMania style="WIDTH: 169px; HEIGHT: 240px" height=240 alt=DrumMania src="http://www.gameasylum.com/ebay/drum4.jpg" width=169 align=left></P>
<P>With increased&nbsp;spacing between pads, I wouldn't mind it as much.&nbsp;</P>
<P>What I'm also interested in is what type of drumset its being developed for: 4-piece, 5-piece, etc. It would be great to at least have the basic 5-piece with two cymbals but that&nbsp;could mean a rather larger perhipheral and increased cost. But since the music&nbsp;won't be&nbsp;DrumMania-esque&nbsp;with the songs&nbsp;being licensed rock&nbsp;songs, possibly many from an era&nbsp;when uber-large drum sets were common place, I think it would be necessary&nbsp;in order for the hardware to appropriately interpret the songs. If Alex is saying "<STRONG>a really impressive piece of hardware"</STRONG>, I'm going&nbsp;to guess its nothing near as simplistic and outdated&nbsp;as the DrumMania hardware.&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>To partially answer the question about using the GH2 guitar:</P>
<P>Taken from IGN: "One thing is certain, if you are about to buy Guitar Hero II on Xbox 360, the Red Octane instrument will not work with Rock Band. The peripherals for Rock Band are being created by Harmonix and will not be identical to the guitar recently released by Activision for 360."</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>

[MadMike]

Yes the drums could make or break this. Just going back throgh Guitar hero and listening to the percussion, it could be so much fun to do that part of the track.

[One_Rabid_Monk]

<P>1. I love Drum video games in the arcade.&nbsp; </P>
<P>2. I will drive an hour further or endure really bad pizza just to play these games.&nbsp; </P>
<P>3. Please bring that experience home so I can save the gas and my digestion.&nbsp; </P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp; BTW I finally get my hands on Guitar Hero 2 tomorrow, I held out and didn't buy a PS2 hoping it would come to the 360.&nbsp; I am cool with waiting if the product is good.&nbsp; So I have high hopes that the company behind Guitar Hero will make&nbsp;RockBand a game well worth the wait also.</P>
<P>P.S Not to seem stupid but what is Freq and Amp that keeps getting mentioned?</P>

[MrKlorox]

<p>My theories on the drum controllers are that they'll be sticks with gyros/accelerometers in them (like the Wii's nunchaku). I'd also suspect they'd have a rumble function for the tactile response of the hit (as well as perhaps a speaker).</p><p>The bass drum/floor cymbals would use accelerator/brake style pedals similar to what one would find with the higher quality steering-wheel controllers. These may or may not also contain a tactile feedback device.</p><p>That's what I would imagine at least.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>EDIT: Also Frequency and Amplitude are considered predecessors to the GH/RB series. Harmonix also developed them if I am not mistaken (I never owned a PS2 but got to play a demo of the first one).<br></p>

[CoWmAn]

Yes, Frequency and Amplitude are two PS2 games developed by Harmonix in the early 00's. Check em out, as they're probobly setting the template for how Rock Band will work.

[Slab_X]

OK, if this game doesn't support Guitar Hero controllers (I'm talking about the 360 version here), that would be the most ******ed thing ever and would make myself and thousands of others very angry.&nbsp; Other than that, this game sounds amazing and I simply cannot wait.

[CoWmAn]

Harmonix has no control over if it supports 360 controllers I would guess, as they don't own the patents to it.

[HMXWhitestar19]

All I can say&nbsp;are the drums are really fun to play.&nbsp; I don't get to play them enough!

[SA_Lekk]

<p>I wish I could hook up my electric drumset...<img src="http://www.rockbandgame.com/file/smile/sad.gif"></p><p>&nbsp;http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/rs/tn1/tn1_9111847.jpg</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[sa_nick]

<p>I wish I could hook up my electric drumset...<img src="http://www.rockbandgame.com/file/smile/sad.gif"></p><p> http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/rs/tn1/tn1_9111847.jpg</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Oh... My.... ah-God.... That'd rock if you could figure out a mod to do that.&nbsp;</p>

[SA_Lekk]

<p>Midi to bluetooth! <img src="http://www.rockbandgame.com/file/smile/biggrin.gif"></p><p>Unlikely... but it would cause me to have a bit of an advantage! <img src="http://www.rockbandgame.com/file/smile/wacko.gif"> <br></p>

[Edgehopper]

<p>
My theories on the drum
controllers are that they'll be sticks with gyros/accelerometers in
them (like the Wii's nunchaku). I'd also suspect they'd have a rumble
function for the tactile response of the hit (as well as perhaps a
speaker).</p><p>This seems unlikely.&nbsp; Have you played Rayman Raving Rabbids on the Wii?&nbsp; The percussion game suffers because the accelerometer register too many false hits.&nbsp; Hopefully the drum play will be a little more robust than that, and only register actual drum hits.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It definitely should come with a bass drum pedal :)&nbsp;</p>

[Smidget]

<P>
My theories on the drum controllers are that they'll be sticks with gyros/accelerometers in them (like the Wii's nunchaku). I'd also suspect they'd have a rumble function for the tactile response of the hit (as well as perhaps a speaker).</P>
<P>This seems unlikely.&nbsp; Have you played Rayman Raving Rabbids on the Wii?&nbsp; The percussion game suffers because the accelerometer register too many false hits.&nbsp; Hopefully the drum play will be a little more robust than that, and only register actual drum hits.</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>It definitely should come with a bass drum pedal :)&nbsp;</P>
<P></P>
<P>&nbsp;I was thinking this also Edgehopper but then I also thought about the responsiveness. I&nbsp;wonder if it would be accurate enough(?) I'm not knowledgeable enough&nbsp;with the tecnology to give an edumacated opinion though.&nbsp;For the rumble, it would have to be very slight as a heavy rumble would, I think, be a disturbance in the harder difficulty songs when there are more notes per measure as well as with whatever play mechanics they're throwing in there (rolls, drills, anything requiring repeating hits). Don't want my hands going numb/getting tired from too much rumble <IMG src="http://www.rockbandgame.com/file/smile/wacko.gif"></P>
<P>If this&nbsp;IS going to work as a piece of hardware with pads that get hit by sticks, I'm guessing the set is going&nbsp;to be something that will come in pieces and we'll have to put together. Reatailers don't want some huge box taking up all their shelf space. And yeah, bass drum pedal is a must. If they haven't already done it with this mix, implenting a double bass pedal in the next mix would be sweet.</P>

[DesktopMan]

I'm willing to shell out for some real hardware to get accurate game play, instead of a gyro based solution. Also, using a real digital drum set won't be that hard, at least not for ps3 / wii where the controllers aren't secured in any way. With a bit of technical knowledge and signal processing it should be done in a jiff :)<br>

[Ravan_dj]

<P>How about this for an idea.........</P>
<P>&nbsp;Drumsticks with 6axis sensors. Perhaps to work in conjunction with "wii style" technology.</P>
<P>Infrared sensors can distinguish the positioning of the tips of the sticks. And when the player snaps his wrist (as if to strike a drum or cymbal) then another sensor in the stick triggers (similar to the Rock Meter for GH).</P>
<P>As for bassdrums or hi hats, how about velcro straps that can be placed around the foot or shoe with a sensor to go under the foot. Also with a 6axis so that if you're using a hi hat, it can distinguish elevation for openning or closing the hats.</P>
<P>&nbsp;Just ideas I've had in mind ever since Sega had that funky octagon thing that never worked.</P>
<P>DAMN I wish I were part of the Harmonix team!</P>

[sa_nick]

<P>How about this for an idea.........</P>
<P>&nbsp;Drumsticks with 6axis sensors. Perhaps to work in conjunction with "wii style" technology.</P>
<P>Infrared sensors can distinguish the positioning of the tips of the sticks. And when the player snaps his wrist (as if to strike a drum or cymbal) then another sensor in the stick triggers (similar to the Rock Meter for GH).</P>
<P>As for bassdrums or hi hats, how about velcro straps that can be placed around the foot or shoe with a sensor to go under the foot. Also with a 6axis so that if you're using a hi hat, it can distinguish elevation for openning or closing the hats.</P>
<P>&nbsp;Just ideas I've had in mind ever since Sega had that funky octagon thing that never worked.</P>
<P>DAMN I wish I were part of the Harmonix team!</P>

A few ppl have mentioned the idea of the drum peripheral being similar to the wii-mote/nunchuck thingo. I seriously can not see how this would be any fun for playing drums. u want to be able bash something and have the sound emulated. It'd be much more realistic than waving around some sticks in thin air playing a non-existant drum set.

[sa_nick]

I seem to be double posting a lot.... oh well

So i was reading this just b4... http://au.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=25625124&om_act=convert&om_clk=gsupdates&tag=updates;title;1
Apart from Wii support and pricing it mentioned that the drum peripheral uses real drum sticks. This would be awesome, i couldn't stand it if they were light weight little plastic things. Hopefully this rumour has some truth to it.

NOTE: Remember that the things mentioned in the above article are rumours.

[RobbieMiller89]

Is there definitely going to be a Double-Bass in this? I don't think you could have a Rock Band without Double Bass!!!

[HeavyMetalSandwich]

Being a Melodic Death Metal Drummer and fan i would REALLY LOVE TO HAVE SOME DOUBLE BASS in this game. IM A LOYAL GH FAN AND I REALLLLLLLLYYY WANT TO SEE SOME DOUBLE BASS. PLEAZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Smidget]

Is there definitely going to be a Double-Bass in this? I don't think you could have a Rock Band without Double Bass!!!

haha, no word yet unfortunately. As sweet as it would be, it could also be a thing for HMX to save for the next mix rather than investing in it now (if it would mean more hardware).

[miketoast]

Double bass would be sick, but will it be in there? I dunno, they won't tell us anything!!

[SoraRikuVGM]

I just want to see the drums make it's way to the Wii. :/

[flclrocks07]

I really don't wanna shell out the dough for another next-gen console when I just got a Wii. Here's hoping that they release this bad boy for Wii.... that's a hint by the way HMX. ;)

[Urine_trouble]

OK I joined the forums here specifically to promote the use of an electric drum set in Rock Band. There are Midi to USB cables (just google Midi to USB for a bunch) already out there for hooking these things up so it just needs to be translated to the consoles - or make a combo midi usb hub that also supports all 4 controllers on XB360. I'm using a Yamaha DtXpress II kit that I would love to see transferred over to RB.

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/Images/Drums/Product/Main/DS9XPSII.gif

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail/0,,CNTID%25253D23186%252526CTID%25253D,00.html


...and Midi to USB peripherals = Synth and keyboards for whenever you do Keyboard *ero or Piano *ero or whatever you want to call it!

[vichnaiev]

OK, if this game doesn't support Guitar Hero controllers (I'm talking about the 360 version here), that would be the most ******ed thing ever and would make myself and thousands of others very angry.&nbsp; Other than that, this game sounds amazing and I simply cannot wait.

Q: Will my Xbox 360 GH controller work with Rock Band?

A: We intend on supporting the X-Plorer guitar controller, yes. We also intend on supporting any third party controllers that come out. We know that the fans want a choice of controllers to play our game and we have no desire to get in the way of that. That said - our Fender Strat controller is going to have some added features that bring some extra awesomosity to the table and the X-Plorer controller may not have the capabilities to utilize all these features, but you should be able to play the game unhindered.

From the OFFICIAL FAQ on this webpage. The news from IGN the other guy posted is not accurate. Sean (from hmx) also answered that a couple of times here in the forum, RB WILL support 360 controllers.

[Lowgain]

OK I joined the forums here specifically to promote the use of an electric drum set in Rock Band. There are Midi to USB cables (just google Midi to USB for a bunch) already out there for hooking these things up so it just needs to be translated to the consoles - or make a combo midi usb hub that also supports all 4 controllers on XB360. I'm using a Yamaha DtXpress II kit that I would love to see transferred over to RB.

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/Images/Drums/Product/Main/DS9XPSII.gif

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail/0,,CNTID%25253D23186%252526CTID%25253D,00.html


...and Midi to USB peripherals = Synth and keyboards for whenever you do Keyboard *ero or Piano *ero or whatever you want to call it!
I was actually just about to suggest this! Maybe they could do it the way Drummania did, and have their own controller, but optional USB support for a real drumkit

[Brock_Landers]

they also mentioned in the IGN Blowout that they're very much considering the possibility of supporting midi controllers

[bjorny]

If you have two pedals, one can be used to play bass drum and the other one to control if the hi-hat is opened or closed. They can be used to play double bass drums or percussion stuff as well depending on the song! But I bet you've already thought about that.

[foozalicious]

wait if there are actual sticks and your pounding on the set, if the drum is made anything like a GH guitar, wouldn't it break pretty easily. We'd have to pay alot if they used materials that wouldn't break right?

[Pacmanghost]

Hopefully, they'll have real drum pads, and not just sticks. That would be really cool.

[sa_nick]

I just noticed this thready became a Sticky. My heart started pounding at 150BPM because I thought Harmonix might have posted info and pics.... but no.... *sigh*

[peterandbeer]

This was pretty much my first question. Is the game going to come with all these peripherals, will it use old GH controller. How Much$$$ so many questions.<br>

i read something a while back that said it was going to be at least $60

[Sachrosis]

What I can see: bass drum pedal, snare, two toms, ride cymbal, hi-hat cymbal with pedal for the higher difficulties. Probably resemling an electric drum set.

[Kaboobi]

It's been said about 100 times so far that no prices have been announced.

[MurderSquirrel]

I'm really looking forward to hearing more about the whole drum setup, buuuut:

I don't have/can't afford/have nowhere to put a big huge, real-live electrical drum set like the ones being talked about here. Plus, if you're going to have four people standing around a TV playing together, a ginormous drum set takes up a lot of the prime gaming real estate.

That actually is one of my concerns for this game. Everyone has to see the TV, and they have to be able to see it WELL. GH is tough if you're way over to the side or have an obscured view. In addition to just fitting people infront of the TV to see it, what about enough room to rock out? When I play GH, half the time I dance around and knock stuff off the coffee table. Four people doing that at once might not fit in my basement.

Back to the drum controller though, I have faith in Harmonix to make something awsome. An awsome, little, tiny plastic drum set.

[drno830]

It looks like the six-axis/wiimote/etc. ideas aren't being used. From the new IGN article:
http://ps3.ign.com/articles/795/795323p1.html


IGN: What will the instruments be like for Rock Band?

Alex Rigopulos: It was crucial to the staff at Harmonix, many of whom are musicians in real rock bands of their own, that the Rock Band instruments have a more authentic and realistic look and feel to them than we'd seen with prior music games. As announced previously, we've partnered with Fender and modeled the guitar controller after the Stratocaster. Beyond that, all I can say now is that we're really pleased with how the peripherals are turning out. They're really gorgeous pieces of hardware.


IGN: Did you ever plan to have a peripheral that could mimic all the instruments?

Alex Rigopulos: No, we really wanted the play experience to be as accurate an emulation of playing music as possible, and to pull this off requires peripherals that are true to the real instruments.

IGN: How does the drum controller work? Is there a foot pedal, cymbals, etc?

Alex Rigopulos: Sorry, again that's something I can't talk about yet in any detail. I'll just say that I'm a drummer myself, so it was a priority for me that the drum controller be a real piece of hardware.

[sa_nick]

It looks like the six-axis/wiimote/etc. ideas aren't being used.

Thank God for that! I don't wanna be strumming a non existant guitar or bashing drums that i can't feel.

[zankfrappa]

what will be interesting with the drums will be how close to playing real drums it will be. Whereas with the guitars its just 5 buttons and a strum bar, the drums could be just like a proper kit, which could me it would be a lot more difficult to use for people who have never used them though, but could be used to actually teach people how to play, which would be really, really cool.

[Ardius]

what will be interesting with the drums will be how close to playing real drums it will be. Whereas with the guitars its just 5 buttons and a strum bar, the drums could be just like a proper kit, which could me it would be a lot more difficult to use for people who have never used them though, but could be used to actually teach people how to play, which would be really, really cool.

I agree with you in the sense that, yes, it may improve some of the skills required to play drums, BUT, they will never design it to be so close to the real thing that it becomes too hard (and, more importantly, no fun) for the average gamer (who doesnt play drums in real life and has no intention of doing so) to use.
The Guitar Hero controllers do still teach you some aspects needed for real guitar, e.g. Hand coordination, getting used to using your pinky, memorising rythmn patterns, etc. So, if thats what you mean, then yes I agree. If you are trying to imply that they could convert into a drum simulator, then no, I doubt that will happen.

[Brock_Landers]

My guess is that it'll be equal to guitar as in it'll have the same amount of onscreen "notes" to hit.. meaning a 5 piece kit (perhaps plus some kinda alternative function (open/closed hi-hat?), if they roll with an effects peddle for the gat)

I don't know much about drumming, so is a 5 piece kit substantial enough?

[zankfrappa]

My guess is that it'll be equal to guitar as in it'll have the same amount of onscreen "notes" to hit.. meaning a 5 piece kit (perhaps plus some kinda alternative function (open/closed hi-hat?), if they roll with an effects peddle for the gat)

I don't know much about drumming, so is a 5 piece kit substantial enough?

mm itll be the same amount of "notes" on screen, but it could get to co-ordinating the hi-hat, bass drum and snare. And obviously it wont be exactly the same as the drumming for the original song, but if you imagine a metal song, where all you have to do is say hit one drum in
eighths, its could be a bit weird. But im sure itll work.

[RedinTheSky]

Being a Melodic Death Metal Drummer and fan i would REALLY LOVE TO HAVE SOME DOUBLE BASS in this game. IM A LOYAL GH FAN AND I REALLLLLLLLYYY WANT TO SEE SOME DOUBLE BASS. PLEAZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Awesome. I enjoy At the Gates Children of Bodom Dark tranquility etc

[shokkerrokker14]

I think Harmonix would make the drums similar to the Guitar Hero guitar (not in the shape of a guitar, duh! lol), but they would make it easy to pick up, but hard to master certain stuff and beat harder settings. That one dude who had the idea of that drumset in the picture had a great idea goin, and I think Harmonix should do it like that, just to make it easy and fun at the same time.

[Archangel_of_Light]

It's sort of obvious that is going to be rather simple. If they made it to hard, then not many people would want to play it. So might just do it like that picture. Make it a little bit more showy though.

[Nikali3990]

i think it might be something like this [URL="http://www.firebox.com/pic/p1573ex3.jpg"]

[benjamin]

i think it might be something like this [url="http://www.firebox.com/pic/p1573ex3.jpg"]

I do not believe that you need to format links, posting them will allow them to be clicked.

Though it might just be my Firefox.

[SoraRikuVGM]

Whoops. Sorry for that.

The drum will PWN, thats all that matters.

[JustINSANE]

well if they want something similar to guitars id have to say they'd at least color the drum set to match onscreen notes........but that was probably a given lol

i just cant wait to see what they come up with and im hoping they dont disappoint

otherwise ill most likely just keep to my fender

[sa_nick]

i think it might be something like this [URL="http://www.firebox.com/pic/p1573ex3.jpg"]

Hmm, probably not as awesome as that...

[relic81]

drums are hard for me and no one ever teaches me, :(

[Tendoza]

I really hope there will be a ride and crash symbol, in the BEMANI game, there's only one symbol.

[SoraRikuVGM]

From Game Informer:

DRUMS

The picture of the drum peripheral in the mag is not final.

It consists of four pads, a kick pedal and legs for the enire unit to stand on. Think of it as a TV dinner tray stand only cooler

Leftmost pad (red) is your snare drum, everything else doubles as toms and cymbals depending on the song.

A set of real wooden drum sticks will ship with the unit.

A piece of the stand can be taken off so that the unit can sit lower, or on a coffee table.

There is a kick pedal

If you play drums in this game on hard or expert, then you're really playing the drums. Apparently you could sit down at a real set and play the same songs.

[Brock_Landers]

since the final version will most likely be colored regardless what they do with them, I hope that it's just an outer ring of color with black for the rest of it.. giant pads of red/green/blue/yellow would look quite silly, you've got to admit.

[kencon]

I agree. Rings of color all the way. It would look real ugly with big red, blue, green and yellow pads.

[miketoast]

I agree. Rings of color all the way. It would look real ugly with big red, blue, green and yellow pads.

Agreed x2.................

[reverser]

I for one hope they add support for MIDI drum kits. As good as their peripheral is it could not possibly beat the Roland TD-20, any good ekit for that matter.

http://www.musiciansbuy.com/mmMBCOM/images/roland_td20sbk.jpg

Could it get any better :)

[miketoast]

That's awesome!!!!!





...but, please resize your pic, it's hugeness is killing me!!!

[bpaty22]

I demand a set of Neil Peart's drums made entirely out of Taiko Drum Master drums and half a dozen pedals (using the Microsoft Racing Wheel pedals).&nbsp; Without this the game will be an epic failure, for sure.<br>

I totaly agree and if you get that also put some good RUSH songs on

[bounchfx]

I totaly agree and if you get that also put some good RUSH songs on

hey, guess what? GH2 has Rush. go play that.

[TheRocker]

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/Miroku227/Drum.jpgThis Is What The Drum Controller Looks Like , P.s. This isnt the Final Design

[TheRocker]

I Guess Nobody Wants To Know How The Drum Controller Looks Like , Reminder This Isnt The RockBand's Final Design

[Tendoza]

Im looking forward to it!

[bounchfx]

Sick, can we get the rest of the pages? I wanna read it! and see the other pics.

[the_spike]

Sick, can we get the rest of the pages? I wanna read it! and see the other pics.

Look in the other active thread.

[zankfrappa]

that's not too bad i guess. fills could work quite nicely.

[xCHRISx]

No dedicated hi-hat pad really saddens me. Doubling one pad as a tom and hi-hat seems unnatural, imo. Being unable to adjust the position of the pads kind of sucks too, I like my kit fairly tight together, not spread out in a big horizontal line. Oh well, they could have been worse, I suppose. I really hope they add a 5th hi-hat pad though. I don't want to have to keep time on my friggin' leg!

[Maposaurus]

I already complained about it in MS Paint form. I don't think they'll add another pad, because they'd have to redo the entire UI and change all the note charts. However, like I said, if they change it to a square, it'll be much more natural than in its current iteration.

[sushi111]

Blue____________Orange
____Green___Red
_____ Y(pedal)
I hope the drums are set up like that. Easy could be just teh two front pads and the pedal. Medium Could be the same except with the blue pad (or just harder notes. Hard and eexpert could use all of them.

[Maposaurus]

I talked about why a trapezoid wouldn't work in my topic, but yes, it would be better than the current set.

[the_spike]

I'm still trying to get over how badass the guitar looks.

[sa_nick]

The guitar does looks awesome... i hope i can still slide my fingers easily, its the only way i can cope using 3 fingers.

Anyway, the drums.... When I saw the pic in the game informer scan I was so excited, then i looked at it some more and became disappointed. So I looked at it some more, then i liked it again. And now i still like it, more so in fact.

I'm not a drummer so I think i can handle the simplicity of the drum peripheral. I only just realized that when i air drum a long to a song i usually only imaginerily hit 4 things and 1 pedals, and all at the same level, arranged almost a straight a line. So pretty much exactly what the pic in game informer looks like.

[n0r3mac]

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/Images/Drums/Product/Main/DS9XPSII.gif

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail/0,,CNTID%25253D23186%252526CTID%25253D,00.html




the thing about that is its too big to just put in a box and sell it in a store

[sushi111]

Oh wait I get it! I thought the notes were going on screen like green red yellow blue orange! Now I get it!

Ok nvm, the drums are sick!

[WildWalker]

<P>I'm also a drummer and am really looking forward to this. For the peripherals, I'm expecting awesomeness from the Harmonix team. What I'm hoping it won't be similar to is the DrumMania hardware seen here:</P>
<P><IMG title=DrumMania style="WIDTH: 169px; HEIGHT: 240px" height=240 alt=DrumMania src="http://www.gameasylum.com/ebay/drum4.jpg" width=169 align=left></P>
."</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>

If the Drum Controller was like this I would be WELL IMPRESSED. To be honest, If I buy GH3, then I will already have two XB guitars, so will only need a Mic and the Drum peripheral (oh, and the game)

WW

[Maposaurus]

The drumset isn't as good as that one as far as playing it goes it seems (has less pads), but it's higher quality.

[Shattered]

Heres a thought. I dont know if this was posted or not, but after looking at the pic of the drumset in GI, do you think it would be possible that the red and green pads would be able to swivel around the yellow and blue pads? Although im not a drummer myself, I think that would make the set a lot more comfortable.

[Maposaurus]

Though that's probably the best thing they could do at this point, creating a sturdy swivel small enough to not increase the size of the box it ships in, plus a swiveling stand do make sure it'll be supported at all points of impact would increase the cost of the package by around five to ten dollars. Seeing as it's going to fall somewhere between the sixty to eighty range for the drums (an educated guess), that's kind've a big increase for an unnecessary feature. It would be much more intelligent to just change the shape from a line to a 2x2 square, possibly with the top pads tilted towards the player at about a 30-45 degree angle. That, or just have the stand tilt the pad at that angle.

[drno830]

Though that's probably the best thing they could do at this point, creating a sturdy swivel small enough to not increase the size of the box it ships in, plus a swiveling stand do make sure it'll be supported at all points of impact would increase the cost of the package by around five to ten dollars. Seeing as it's going to fall somewhere between the sixty to eighty range for the drums (an educated guess), that's kind've a big increase for an unnecessary feature. It would be much more intelligent to just change the shape from a line to a 2x2 square, possibly with the top pads tilted towards the player at about a 30-45 degree angle. That, or just have the stand tilt the pad at that angle.

If the drums are tilted at an angle, wouldn't that just be a waste of space, like you said a trapezoid would be?

[Maposaurus]

Yes, it would be, which is why I suggested the simpler tilt in the stand.

[sa_nick]

Thinking about it more it makes perfect sense for the hi-hat to be the second pad and the snare to be the first.

Think about how it feels when you play the actual drums. Your arms are crossed over, however because of the additional height of the hi-hat it isn't at all awkward. Hitting 2 pads both on the same height level and relatively close to each other would be hard to do with you arms crossed.

[TheTogfather]

Though that's probably the best thing they could do at this point, creating a sturdy swivel small enough to not increase the size of the box it ships in, plus a swiveling stand do make sure it'll be supported at all points of impact would increase the cost of the package by around five to ten dollars. Seeing as it's going to fall somewhere between the sixty to eighty range for the drums (an educated guess), that's kind've a big increase for an unnecessary feature. It would be much more intelligent to just change the shape from a line to a 2x2 square, possibly with the top pads tilted towards the player at about a 30-45 degree angle. That, or just have the stand tilt the pad at that angle.
Hmm, I just posted in the other thread, the one about all the new info, suggesting they add a few hinges, like the swivels described here. I realize that they would add to the cost, but didn't think it'd be up to 5-10 dollars per set like you mentioned. I dunno though, not an expert on such stuff. I still think lockable hinges would serve the set quite well...

[Maposaurus]

Hmm, I just posted in the other thread, the one about all the new info, suggesting they add a few hinges, like the swivels described here. I realize that they would add to the cost, but didn't think it'd be up to 5-10 dollars per set like you mentioned. I dunno though, not an expert on such stuff. I still think lockable hinges would serve the set quite well...

You'd be surprised. First off, either the hinges have to be very small or they'll increase shipping cost. If they're too large that's extra cost right there. They have to be very sturdy and not become unlocked when you're banging on 'em. More money right there. You have to make the entire base be adjustable on a second axis now, since if the pad isn't supported well enough, it's going to end up tumbling to the ground.

When you think about it, it isn't very illogical. They'll need metal hinges with bolt locks, and they'll need to add more metal to the base so that it can slide out. Seeing as the drums most likely aren't even going to hit 100, that's more than a 10% increase on price for a feature, which again, is totally unnecessary.

[Shadow778]

one symbol should be one color(look excacly like a symbol) and so should the other but a diffrent color... and the middle two should be like "bongos".

[Maposaurus]

Your post is incomprehensible. Are you trying to say that the notes on screen should be changed from disks to symbols to clarify what drum to hit?

[Shadow778]

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/3440/hattrixxdrumkitgw0.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a> thats how it should be

[Maposaurus]

Oh. No, it shouldn't, because the pad has to double as your snare and three toms and crash for fills.

[kilinor]

Not only what Mapo said, but how would Shadow's model allow for Ride cymbals, multiple toms, etc.

I also notice the snare is conspicuously absent from that rendition :)

[SwordofWhedon]

I'm sure you can rotate the whole bar to your desired angle. That's cheap enough to do

Please Harmonix include lefty flip. I play guitar right, but drums absolutely left.

[Shadow778]

ALL IM SAYIN IS THAT IT SHOULD LOOK TRADITIONAL NOT LIKE DONKEY KONG BONGOS... THATS GAY:mad:

[Maposaurus]

You said they should look like bongos in your first post.

Don't be a goddamn flip-flopper, Mr. Kerry.

[SwordofWhedon]

Obviously Mr. Shadow has no idea how much it costs for something like he's proposing. Each CYMBAL costs about $90 at retail. Which means basically as much as the entire drumset is likely to cost.

Yeah, they're going to sell those in the numbers they need to.

[primate]

Shadow was obviously joking.

[iconicSLEAZOID]

Honestly, after being a Drummania player, I'm hoping to see a Hi-Hat, Snare, Hi-Tom, Low-Tom, and Cymbal. I remember in the latest Game Informer seeing how the writers did a rendition of what they remember the Rockband drums looking like, and it only had 4 pads. They also said that one of the pads was mainly used to activate a string of combos and what not.

Personally, I would be disappointed if the drums were only a 4 piece; it removes a lot of the realism this game gives, especially considering the fact that many of the songs that will be put in this game are more than a 5 piece set. Yes, cost does become a factor; however, the inadequacies of the mock up controller made by Game Informer stylized to what they saw does not satisfy my drumming needs. I'd rather spend around $150-$200 for a great controller than suffer the loss of a 5 Piece.

You can even use the Logitech Racing Wheel exclusive for Gran Turismo 4 as an example. That racing wheel was $150, and it sold fairly well, I even bought one to get the 900 degree turning ratio of the controller.

If all else goes to pot, I can always go back to playing drummania, and even pay $600 for a used Yamaha DTXPlorer so I can play the game semi-realistically at home. It'd be worth it in the end.

[L2-CaStLe]

Any news on the possibility of buying a MIDI-adapter, or a special cable, to plug into an existing Roland V-drum module, i.e. TD6?

[sa_nick]

Any news on the possibility of buying a MIDI-adapter, or a special cable, to plug into an existing Roland V-drum module, i.e. TD6?

In an interview on IGN they said they are looking into it.

[SwordofWhedon]

Shadow was obviously joking.

No, I don't think he was. If I'm wrong my hat's off to him because he's emulating forum jerks perfectly

[fragpirate]

hmmm, maybe theres a possibility that there will be an initial drum set up (four pads) then maybe they will have additional equipment for sale (extra pads, pedals etc) cuz really most of the songs that i REALLY wanna see in the game are nothing unless you have a double kick bass set.

[alucard89]

From what i have gathered from various sources <cough>(wikipedia)<cough> Alex Rigopulos is reported to have said that the drums will feature 4 pads and a bass peddle. Not sure if sticks are included. They might not have to be. You can prolly just go to a music store and but some sticks for however much they cost... or... just use your hands... <wink> lol


Something that would be cool is if the pads can sense different types of sticks when you strike the pads. That way when you hit the pad, it makes the sound it would really make in the real world. You know, if you used brushes, then the in-game drums would sound like they were being hit with brushes. Same thing would apply with thicker or thinner drum sticks. Btw, this was just a thought, not for real

[fragpirate]

idk,i still think that add ons would be the best bet, cuz then they could come out with double bass pedals and you get get more cymbals and that kinda stuff, i just think that they would be shutting off a MAJOR door if they dont at least make it possible in the future for the add ons.

idk, they did it with the gh II xplorer controller (the lil phone jack looking thing, my gess is for future pedals and stuff) so why not here?

oh and yeah, i think they come with sticks lol

[clintinho]

it showed a picture of the drums, mic, and guitar. the drums look a lot like an electrical drum kit. but it has four circles (all outlined in color, red, yellow, blue, green.) and it had a petal. all on a metal stand. there was a major article on it. and the drumsticks are pure wood. they said they have a few bugs to work out but other than that they wont change drasticly.

clintinho:)

[zankfrappa]

i can understand why some proper drummers are disappointed, but i think its probably been designed with non-drummers in mind, who will just be looking for something fun to play rather than something deadly realistic. Im sure the designers wouldn't release the drum set if there were any major flaws or if it wasnt incredibly fun to play. I think people need to have a little more faith in the developers who are frankly some of the most consumer focused developers i can think of.

[fragpirate]

hm,
the perfect drum set would be able to make a real drummer go "wow, this feels real" and still not scare off a person whos never even held a real drumstick.
in my opinion, five pads would be perfect and two pedals.

i know that seems like alot, but like in GH not everything would be used until hard or maybe expert (cuz duble kick bass aint easy, i tried once..... )

but maybe three or four pads on easy (snare, bass, cymbal, tom)
then five on medium (snare, bass, high hat, cymbal, tom)
then 6 on hard (snare, bass, high hat, cymbal, tom and some other one that i cant think of the name....)
then all pads on expert along with the extra kick pedal.

[zankfrappa]

i think if 5 buttons on a guitar can be used to represent about the 126+ frets you get on a guitar and still be fun. why cant 4 pads and one pedal be used to represent a 5-piece drum kit and not be deemed realistic enough?

[SoraRikuVGM]

i think if 5 buttons on a guitar can be used to represent about the 126+ frets you get on a guitar and still be fun. why cant 4 pads and one pedal be used to represent a 5-piece drum kit and not be deemed realistic enough?

QFT . You guys complain too much. That blog said he could play In Bloom. As long as I learn a little drums, I'm a happy camper.

[xHeadbang_X_Herniax]

@ guitar controller
I have the 360 X-Plorer controller, But I intend to go for the new, special rockband, guitar controller, Since it has 4 other special buttons to do special actions, which x-plorer wont..

@ drum controller
I think one of those pads would be awesome..tho I'm singer or guitarist in the game..

[dammen]

i think if 5 buttons on a guitar can be used to represent about the 126+ frets you get on a guitar and still be fun. why cant 4 pads and one pedal be used to represent a 5-piece drum kit and not be deemed realistic enough?

It's not just about the numbers you know, at least with the guitar you get some frets and something to strum on. With the drum kit you get 4 pads in a line and a pedal. There is nothing resembling a hi-hat or a cymbal. And it's all in a line.

I was actually psyched about this part of the game, especially after the interview where the president of the company or something said he was a drummer and was looking for a realistic experience but this is a total let down, especially since I'm a drummer myself.

[sa_nick]

I was actually psyched about this part of the game, especially after the interview where the president of the company or something said he was a drummer and was looking for a realistic experience but this is a total let down, especially since I'm a drummer myself.

Ya can't be sure until you've tried it man. Have faith. Wait a minute, maybe we shouldn't have faith. That way our expectations will be really low, then when the game comes out and we play it we'll realise how awesome it is and be even more impressed by it.

[SoraRikuVGM]

It's not just about the numbers you know, at least with the guitar you get some frets and something to strum on. With the drum kit you get 4 pads in a line and a pedal. There is nothing resembling a hi-hat or a cymbal. And it's all in a line.

I was actually psyched about this part of the game, especially after the interview where the president of the company or something said he was a drummer and was looking for a realistic experience but this is a total let down, especially since I'm a drummer myself.

Then mod if if you are so pissed. At least it will teach you drums.

[zankfrappa]

It's not just about the numbers you know, at least with the guitar you get some frets and something to strum on. With the drum kit you get 4 pads in a line and a pedal. There is nothing resembling a hi-hat or a cymbal. And it's all in a line.

I was actually psyched about this part of the game, especially after the interview where the president of the company or something said he was a drummer and was looking for a realistic experience but this is a total let down, especially since I'm a drummer myself.

yeah but hitting a drum is hitting a drum right? is it really a big deal where the drum is positioned? im sure hitting the circle pads with a stick will feel the same as hitting a drum with a stick, and have a bit of a imigination, PRETEND the pads are cymbals.

[fatman8788]

http://www.samash.com/images/items/RHD1XXXXX.jpg
i think that the foot pedals on this set would be perfect for the game. since you could probably use them for both opening and closing of the high hat and double bass. and instead of the cymbals on the set just if you hit the rim of the tom heads you get a cymbal sound.

[compton]

<P>I'm also a drummer and am really looking forward to this. For the peripherals, I'm expecting awesomeness from the Harmonix team. What I'm hoping it won't be similar to is the DrumMania hardware seen here:</P>
<P><IMG title=DrumMania style="WIDTH: 169px; HEIGHT: 240px" height=240 alt=DrumMania src="http://www.gameasylum.com/ebay/drum4.jpg" width=169 align=left></P>
<P>With increased&nbsp;spacing between pads, I wouldn't mind it as much.&nbsp;</P>
<P>What I'm also interested in is what type of drumset its being developed for: 4-piece, 5-piece, etc. It would be great to at least have the basic 5-piece with two cymbals but that&nbsp;could mean a rather larger perhipheral and increased cost. But since the music&nbsp;won't be&nbsp;DrumMania-esque&nbsp;with the songs&nbsp;being licensed rock&nbsp;songs, possibly many from an era&nbsp;when uber-large drum sets were common place, I think it would be necessary&nbsp;in order for the hardware to appropriately interpret the songs. If Alex is saying "<STRONG>a really impressive piece of hardware"</STRONG>, I'm going&nbsp;to guess its nothing near as simplistic and outdated&nbsp;as the DrumMania hardware.&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>To partially answer the question about using the GH2 guitar:</P>
<P>Taken from IGN: "One thing is certain, if you are about to buy Guitar Hero II on Xbox 360, the Red Octane instrument will not work with Rock Band. The peripherals for Rock Band are being created by Harmonix and will not be identical to the guitar recently released by Activision for 360."</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>


The GH 2 guitar will work

go read this and search the website for info

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/rock-band-guitar-shown-in-latest-gamestop-newsletter/

[DesktopMan]

The picture was a mock up by the magazine. By that note, I really do hope it has at least one extra pad, and the ability to adjust the height in a more natural position. I can't really understand people saying four is enough, I mean, just play on easy/normal then. Just give us the possibility to play on five (or more, won't complain about six either) as well :P

[sa_nick]

The picture was a mock up by the magazine. By that note, I really do hope it has at least one extra pad, and the ability to adjust the height in a more natural position. I can't really understand people saying four is enough, I mean, just play on easy/normal then. Just give us the possibility to play on five (or more, won't complain about six either) as well :P

The pic of the drums wasn't just a mock up, it was a recreation of what they remember it to be. I'm pretty sure they would remember if it had another pad. Also, in screens of the four player interface you can see theres only 4 "frets" for the drum "fret board".

On that note, is there an official name for the fret board for the drums? drums dont really have frets so yeah....

[DesktopMan]

Yeah I know it was based on the prototype. As for the screens though, that might just be a lower difficulty. Fat chance, but I still cling to hope :P

"Drum track" perhaps? hehe

[Slab_X]

That's a DAMN good drawing they come up with if it's done by 'memory'. It's obviously computer generated too.

[Rayzor7]

Im a drummer in RL, and this is what Im hoping for:

MANDATORY:
High Hat Pad
Snare Pad
High Tom Pad
Low Tom Pad
Crash Cymbal
Kick Pad

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:
Middle Tom
Double Kick
Ride Cymbal

[sa_nick]

Im a drummer in RL, and this is what Im hoping for:

MANDATORY:
High Hat Pad
Snare Pad
High Tom Pad
Low Tom Pad
Crash Cymbal
Kick Pad

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:
Middle Tom
Double Kick
Ride Cymbal

I think all of them except the Double Kick will be in the game. They won't each have their own pad dedicated for 1 sound, but its not like because theres 4 pads there wont be anyway to make the sound of hitting the Ride.

I still think that 4 pads and a kick will suffice. Doubling up 1 pad to make different sounds wont matter. When your playing you wont even notice.... Unless you actually play the drums, lol

[sa_nick]

I just saw this screen shot (http://medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_181333.jpg) of the game interface for the first time in high quality. As you can see the red and yellow drumming icons are different icon.

I never knew that before and I think it's awesome. Even though some of the 4 pads will double up you'll still know what sound there gonna make when you hit them.

[masterx1918]

it seems like certain pads will double as different drum parts to conserve space and price

[JesusSilencio]

wait... in the screen shot, it only shows four spaces for the drums. Isn't there supposed to be a bass pedal plus four pads? Where does it show what you're supposed to play for the kick drum?

[sa_nick]

wait... in the screen shot, it only shows four spaces for the drums. Isn't there supposed to be a bass pedal plus four pads? Where does it show what you're supposed to play for the kick drum?

You'll know when to hit the bass pedal because a horizontal line will travel down the whole drum "fret board"

[A-Yo_Drummer_Follow]

I have both GH I and II and I can't get enough of them. I play drums in a band and I'm pretty curious george to find out what the drum controller may look like. If it looks similar to the DrumMania kit I will definately save my money and/or think twice about this game. What I'm trying to say is that people want the REAL feeling of an electronic kit. I don't mind the price as much as the feeling. One more thing i was wondering about, are double bass pedals available in game or double bass in general going to be used in songs. This would be much cooler in a game. Good luck with the game

[Paradiddlar]

I have both GH I and II and I can't get enough of them. I play drums in a band and I'm pretty curious george to find out what the drum controller may look like. If it looks similar to the DrumMania kit I will definately save my money and/or think twice about this game. What I'm trying to say is that people want the REAL feeling of an electronic kit. I don't mind the price as much as the feeling. One more thing i was wondering about, are double bass pedals available in game or double bass in general going to be used in songs. This would be much cooler in a game. Good luck with the game

I agree with you. I'm also a drummer and I would be pretty sad to see drums that looks like the donkey kong game for gamecube.

Something like this would be better: http://slagverkskompaniet.se/brands/roland/hd-1.jpg

All those high-tec stuff is not needed just so the set up looks kinda similair to real drumms and not just a straight line with pads.

Sorry for my bad english.

[A-Yo_Drummer_Follow]

http://slagverkskompaniet.se/brands/roland/hd-1.jpg[/url]

Definately what i had in mind. Plus I heard Harmonix has received money to make this game the best it can be so.. go big Harmonix!!!:D

[fatman8788]

here is a vid of the set and everything else in the game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ITe-Zk0M4w

[PDMChubby]

yeah, and based on the video of the old stuff, the drums look a lot like my quadropad:
http://www.vicfirth.com/product/gifs/sticks/Quadropad-small.jpg
so im totally pumped... unless they screwed it up... it could be better, i just hope they didnt make it worse cuz it looks tight as it is/was.

[dethklok]

Alright, im a drummer myself, and i am not dissapointed with the layout Harmonix has. That being said, i agree they should add double pedals, because without them, then most songs are out of the question for Harmonix. Also, people, think, if they had add-ons later, don't you think that the layout would have to change for the screen? The drums have limited space on the screen to fit in everything (guitar, bass, and vocals) and if more cymbals, or drums were to be added, then they would take more space on the screen and the guitar and bass tracks would look messed up. Now think about that.

[dammen]

I'm curios about the fills in the video, they seem to not have notes in them. Do you just play your own solos?

[holomik919]

I've heard a lot of requests for midi drumsets being used for the game, but I have heard nothing of the RB drumset being used for midi playing. I don't have a drumset, so I think it'd be pretty cool if I could use it as a basic midi drumset to screw around with half the time. Make it happen, Harmonix!

[nudrummer25]

<P>I'm also a drummer and am really looking forward to this. For the peripherals, I'm expecting awesomeness from the Harmonix team. What I'm hoping it won't be similar to is the DrumMania hardware seen here:</P>
<P><IMG title=DrumMania style="WIDTH: 169px; HEIGHT: 240px" height=240 alt=DrumMania src="http://www.gameasylum.com/ebay/drum4.jpg" width=169 align=left></P>
<P>With increased&nbsp;spacing between pads, I wouldn't mind it as much.&nbsp;</P>
<P>What I'm also interested in is what type of drumset its being developed for: 4-piece, 5-piece, etc. It would be great to at least have the basic 5-piece with two cymbals but that&nbsp;could mean a rather larger perhipheral and increased cost. But since the music&nbsp;won't be&nbsp;DrumMania-esque&nbsp;with the songs&nbsp;being licensed rock&nbsp;songs, possibly many from an era&nbsp;when uber-large drum sets were common place, I think it would be necessary&nbsp;in order for the hardware to appropriately interpret the songs. If Alex is saying "<STRONG>a really impressive piece of hardware"</STRONG>, I'm going&nbsp;to guess its nothing near as simplistic and outdated&nbsp;as the DrumMania hardware.&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>To partially answer the question about using the GH2 guitar:</P>
<P>Taken from IGN: "One thing is certain, if you are about to buy Guitar Hero II on Xbox 360, the Red Octane instrument will not work with Rock Band. The peripherals for Rock Band are being created by Harmonix and will not be identical to the guitar recently released by Activision for 360."</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>

I'm with Smidget, It has to be atleast a 5-piece, but i think one thing everybody is forgetting about is this. . .a DOUBLE BASS, this is a must have because of the metal music involved.

[msbgtenor79]

i think they just need to raise the high hat pad a little or better yet move the pads to what ever fits your style but id be happy with a simple lift of the high hat and hopfuly a double base but i guess i can do with out if they arn't putting in sweet songs with crazy doubble base like "one" metallica

[sa_nick]

I'm curios about the fills in the video, they seem to not have notes in them. Do you just play your own solos?

It would appear you just make up your own... which I'm not liking. It would be good if you could turn that function on or off depending on what gameplay your going for. Casual playing with a few friends and a couple of beers, sure its fine, but when I play competitively I want the solo's to be there in full.

[xCHRISx]

It would appear you just make up your own... which I'm not liking. It would be good if you could turn that function on or off depending on what gameplay your going for. Casual playing with a few friends and a couple of beers, sure its fine, but when I play competitively I want the solo's to be there in full.

Yeah, I agree completely. I want to be playing exactly what goes on in the song and without having the fill notes there you have to rely on guesswork. I hope the option is there as well.

As for all the people asking for double-bass, it's kind of unnecessary and I doubt they will include it simply because of the difficulty level. It's only usually used in metal/hardcore songs, which will probably only make up a small portion of the songs in the game, and even then it certainly isn't used in every song.

Using double-bass is also a huge step up in difficulty. I seriously doubt a non-drummer would be able to use it, with few exceptions. I've been playing drums for over 10 years and my double-bass skills are still only 'passable'. I'm sure there are some kids out there who would pick it up fairly quickly, but 98% of the people who tried it would just get mad they can't coordinate their feet enough to keep the rhythm and get frustrated, imo.

[PDMChubby]

It would appear you just make up your own... which I'm not liking. It would be good if you could turn that function on or off depending on what gameplay your going for. Casual playing with a few friends and a couple of beers, sure its fine, but when I play competitively I want the solo's to be there in full.

i was actually pretty glad they did that. making the fills so that you have to play them exact would probably not only be hard to see as it scrolls (for tougher stuff) and it would make drum gameplay too linear. i'm a drummer, too, so i was glad when i saw it like that. i guess if you made an option to turn it on and off would be fine, i just wouldn't use it a lot, if at all.

[copasetic]

One of the golden rules of game design; if you're not sure about a feature, make it optional :)

[sa_nick]

i was actually pretty glad they did that. making the fills so that you have to play them exact would probably not only be hard to see as it scrolls (for tougher stuff) and it would make drum gameplay too linear.

I want that toughness though. I'm not a drummer, I've only ever sat behind a drum kit once in my life, and I sucked. I was looking forward to having to go to practise mode slow it right down and go beat for beat learning drum solos, speeding it up until I can do it at full speed.

Think about how crazy some of the guitar solos are, they don't dumb them down by letting you do whatever you want.

[limguts]

i hope the drum design would be good.. i play drummania and real drums, so i would expect this drum stuff in rock band would be a blast.. and i hope the drum kit would be a good one.. :D

[PDMChubby]

I want that toughness though. I'm not a drummer, I've only ever sat behind a drum kit once in my life, and I sucked. I was looking forward to having to go to practise mode slow it right down and go beat for beat learning drum solos, speeding it up until I can do it at full speed.

Think about how crazy some of the guitar solos are, they don't dumb them down by letting you do whatever you want.

For sure, a lot of the drum fills would be intense, I'm just not sure it would be fun for me. On songs I know really well, though, like Paranoid, I'd want to play th exact fills (even though it's like one snare hit, it's such a kick ass "fill"). But with the songs I don't know as well, I want that opportunity to be able to play fills how I want, at least until I hear the song enough so that I know how it's goin' down.

[nudrummer25]

As for all the people asking for double-bass, it's kind of unnecessary and I doubt they will include it simply because of the difficulty level. It's only usually used in metal/hardcore songs, which will probably only make up a small portion of the songs in the game, and even then it certainly isn't used in every song.

Using double-bass is also a huge step up in difficulty. I seriously doubt a non-drummer would be able to use it, with few exceptions. I've been playing drums for over 10 years and my double-bass skills are still only 'passable'. I'm sure there are some kids out there who would pick it up fairly quickly, but 98% of the people who tried it would just get mad they can't coordinate their feet enough to keep the rhythm and get frustrated, imo.

True. But who said the double bass had to be used on medium and easy? They said that playing on hard and expert is just like sitting down at the trapset and playing the real song, so that means that most non drummers will get to the medium level and stick there, but the actual drummers would be able to move on to hard and expert to use the double bass.

Saying that i do realize it would be pretty ******ed to put the double bass on the set, so ig it could be an add on that you could buy, then the game could pick up if you have it connected or not and fill in the notes like that. that way everybody is happy

[rbunting89]

If there isnt a double bass pedal I wont buy this game. I'm not playing a whole setlist of Boom Chick, I need some EAR POUNDING METAL! GIVE ME ICED EARTH OR GIVE ME DEATH! EITHER BAND WILL SUFFICE! :D

See, you have to realize, the double bass isnt that hard to use, even though I am a drummer, all it requires is basic rhythm, much like you need to use the bass and snare at the same time, so you can't completely remove a NECESSARY set item just to facilitate all the noobs. They will play and they will get better. You cant assume that every person that buys the drum peripheral will be incapable of using a double pedal, that is insulting to the general public since you underestimate their abilities. I say give them the double pedal and let them learn and become better!

[PDMChubby]

If there isnt a double bass pedal I wont buy this game. I'm not playing a whole setlist of Boom Chick, I need some EAR POUNDING METAL! GIVE ME ICED EARTH OR GIVE ME DEATH! EITHER BAND WILL SUFFICE! :D

See, you have to realize, the double bass isnt that hard to use, even though I am a drummer, all it requires is basic rhythm, much like you need to use the bass and snare at the same time, so you can't completely remove a NECESSARY set item just to facilitate all the noobs. They will play and they will get better. You cant assume that every person that buys the drum peripheral will be incapable of using a double pedal, that is insulting to the general public since you underestimate their abilities. I say give them the double pedal and let them learn and become better!

I am a drummer and my left foot lags severely. It doesn't make me bad, does it? I just don't play double bass style music.

I am interested to see if and how they will incorperate the drumming for metal/w/e else uses double bass. I am scared that it will be hard to see on the screen and hard to react. I won't know when I should use my left foot just by staring at how many bass hits are in succession. It'll probably be pretty intense, which I guess in a sense is okay if it's in harder difficulties.

I don't know, all I know is that I don't want to be playing blast beats all day, double bass or not, so don't put that crap in there.

[rbunting89]

I am a drummer and my left foot lags severely. It doesn't make me bad, does it? I just don't play double bass style music.

I am interested to see if and how they will incorperate the drumming for metal/w/e else uses double bass. I am scared that it will be hard to see on the screen and hard to react. I won't know when I should use my left foot just by staring at how many bass hits are in succession. It'll probably be pretty intense, which I guess in a sense is okay if it's in harder difficulties.

I don't know, all I know is that I don't want to be playing blast beats all day, double bass or not, so don't put that crap in there.

There's nothing wrong with the fact that you don't play music that incorporates a double bass, but even though your left foot is laggy, you will bring it up to speed the more you play. In fact I'm a lefty that plays on a right handed set! The left-brain right-brain thing goes insane with me! But I've managed, I pump out about 564 beats per 30 seconds on the double bass (it almost won me a Drumset at Ozzfest :D ) All you have to do is train your left leg up to speed, and surprisingly enough, a lot of non-metal music still uses the double bass. Many MANY Jazz players use it because it can allow them to be more technical and quick if they must be, so it's not a metal only thing, but personaly I think blast beats are fun, so at least one Deicide song will do :D

Otherwise, one of the easiest styles of music to play is punk, since its fairly repetitious and doesn't need much effort, so I'm predicting that there will be plenty of random punk songs in the game, hopefully from some of the ONLY good punk bands, like Dead Kennedys, Joy Division, or The Clash, for drum parts specifically.

[PDMChubby]

There's nothing wrong with the fact that you don't play music that incorporates a double bass, but even though your left foot is laggy, you will bring it up to speed the more you play. In fact I'm a lefty that plays on a right handed set! The left-brain right-brain thing goes insane with me! But I've managed, I pump out about 564 beats per 30 seconds on the double bass (it almost won me a Drumset at Ozzfest :D ) All you have to do is train your left leg up to speed, and surprisingly enough, a lot of non-metal music still uses the double bass. Many MANY Jazz players use it because it can allow them to be more technical and quick if they must be, so it's not a metal only thing, but personaly I think blast beats are fun, so at least one Deicide song will do :D

Otherwise, one of the easiest styles of music to play is punk, since its fairly repetitious and doesn't need much effort, so I'm predicting that there will be plenty of random punk songs in the game, hopefully from some of the ONLY good punk bands, like Dead Kennedys, Joy Division, or The Clash, for drum parts specifically.

Yeah, I know a lot of music I listen to uses double kick, and I never listen to actual metal (the closest I get is a love for metalcore).

Some DK would be great, too. Maybe some Black Flag or Suicidal Tendencies (even though the latter has been done).

[Arocker]

hey i had a rly good idea for a drum it could be like idk 1 snare drum 2 simbles and bass and one other drum... and for each thing exept the bass it could be like a bigg button and you hit the button with drum sticks like guitar hero by the color and for the bass use a pedal like a gas pedal for driving games...

[Tesmai]

I imagine that Drums would get repetitive, but then again so can massive solos... Wait... But really, I will buy the drums, I have DrumMania, love it, and I'm much looking forward to breaking the sticks that It comes with. I think that shelling out the $20-50 it will be will add another 40 hours plus to this game. In fact, I think that they will have to make a new catagory, 200+ hours game. Which, we all should know, were going to whore this game.

[Trojan883]

Yeah, I agree completely. I want to be playing exactly what goes on in the song and without having the fill notes there you have to rely on guesswork. I hope the option is there as well.

As for all the people asking for double-bass, it's kind of unnecessary and I doubt they will include it simply because of the difficulty level. It's only usually used in metal/hardcore songs, which will probably only make up a small portion of the songs in the game, and even then it certainly isn't used in every song.

Using double-bass is also a huge step up in difficulty. I seriously doubt a non-drummer would be able to use it, with few exceptions. I've been playing drums for over 10 years and my double-bass skills are still only 'passable'. I'm sure there are some kids out there who would pick it up fairly quickly, but 98% of the people who tried it would just get mad they can't coordinate their feet enough to keep the rhythm and get frustrated, imo.

Okay, let me set my piece on this: Double kick pedal, good idea for expert difficulty. This makes the game easier to learn, but much more difficult to master. As for the non-drummers who may find the double kick too impossible to play: I'm a drummer by trade and not a guitarist. How do you think I felt coming across some of the more impossibly difficult guitar solos in GH I & II? For example, Bark At The Moon, Freebird, Six, Breaking the Wheel. I started playing those songs after I got really good at the game and am still, to this day, heartbroken whenever the game decides that it's okay to beat me. That just a fact of life that some people can do it and others can't. Just cuz I can't do guitar solos really well now won't stop me from trying to get better at them. Just like a double kick shouldn't stop someone from trying to get better.

[DemonJester]

im curious though, what if someone gets really into the songs ( I know i do) and starts to hit the drums a little harder than normal? Is the drumset going to have some strength enough to deal with those kind of people?

[sa_nick]

im curious though, what if someone gets really into the songs ( I know i do) and starts to hit the drums a little harder than normal? Is the drumset going to have some strength enough to deal with those kind of people?

I think it'll be able to withstand the drumsticks pounding at it pretty hard. I can imagine it wouldn't be hard to break if you accidentally hit it full force with your hand.... but that'd be pretty hard.

[TheRocker]

The worse thing that could happen is at the end of the song you start trashing the drums , going crazy , lifting them up throwing them through the window

[Weebs43]

The worse thing that could happen is at the end of the song you start trashing the drums , going crazy , lifting them up throwing them through the window

To be honest, I know a few kids that would actually do that if they failed a song a few times in a row :p

[NitrosDragon]

They better be making a double bass kick attatchment or something, cuz just one peddle won't cut it for me or my friends.

And as far as price goes...

Holy shizzam. This is getting kinda complicated, as far as hardware goes. I thought buying GH2 new w/ guitar was expensive for gaming...

[TheRocker]

More Cowbell More Cowbell

[spokkeh]

:O If there was a cowbell we could play Little Sister by QOTSA!! A WINAR IS US.

[masterx1918]

at e3 I noticed the drum setup was a little different. It seemed like the middle 2 pads were raised up a little more.

[TheRocker]

http://kotaku.com/assets/resources/2007/07/IMG_3971WTMK.JPG


http://kotaku.com/assets/resources/2007/07/IMG_3977WTMK.JPG

[travmeatwad]

One more from IGN.

Click here. (http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/879/879549/img_4694121.html)

[xCHRISx]

Nice pics, thanks for sharing! :D

[dammen]

I hope you can adjust the angles of the pads.

[Emo_Reaper]

Well on the homepage to the right of Gameplay under instruments there is a drum section with a picture of what the kit will look like.Im not sure if that it is it or not,but I do feel you on the double bass. And as far as price, the Drum Kit Pre-Order is $79.99. And the durability should be fine,as Roland does take part in this =) Gotta love em.HAHA,one of the songs is Dont Fear The Reaper...oh man, cowbell would be great!

[1crazyboy7]

everyone, i was wondering what some songs might be for drums, and i ended up making a custom drum track in feedback for yyz.this is how i used the fretboard. 1.bass 2,3,4 and 5 and the 4 drums left to right.

heres a video(horrible quality though :()
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SzqUnLNfPZQ



edit: i dunno if i should of put it in this thread, but i think so. if not, tell me.

[spokkeh]

Looks like there ain't no double pedal in sight. It'll probably be something you can buy. (At least I hope..)

[fragpirate]

did any one else notice the lil prong looking extensions on the back of the two highest (middle) pads in the large IGN picture that was linked to in a above post?
they look like some sort of brackets that you may slot extra periferals onto (cowbell any one???)

[fragpirate]

did any one else notice the lil prong looking extensions on the back of the two highest (middle) pads in the large IGN picture that was linked to in a above post?
they look like some sort of brackets that you may slot extra periferals onto (cowbell any one???)

never mind my previous post, after looking at the pics that are actually posted on this page, i think their just places to put your sticks when not in use. lol mah bad.

[xcrissxcrossx]

Feels empty without a cymble.

[kindmortal]

Dude, the drums are on the homepage.

[Emo_Reaper]

Even without cymbals, we'll manage. And if your a real drummer missing the cymbals,just go play your set afterwards =].

[travmeatwad]

Dude, the drums are on the homepage.

Dude, this post was made way before the homepage was the way it is now.

[blackmarketpanda]

I just want to know about the drumsticks lol i'm a drummer myself so it doesnt really matter but i just wanna know.
Edit: I also want to know if lefty drummers (me) will be considered, i know there arent many but I seriously cant play if its set up for right handed people.

[Emo_Reaper]

Ummm Lefties can play set, this is no differant. I have a lefty friend and he plays set like me.You should be fine =] And the drum pack will include real wood drumsticks, and you could use the sticks you like.

[sanctified]

I seriously can't wait, that's all I have to say.

The drum peripheral is looking a lot better.. and a lot more comfortable than I thought it would.

:)

[CENACHAINGANG54]

Well being a pro drummer and having several different drum sets including an electric one from Roland, I bet it looks like an electric set. With Roland on board and Harmonix taking this game very seriously, I bet money the drums are going to look great. I am thinking something like was featured in the Game Informer article, and the ones that was used at E3. So here is what I am guessing. You will have your bass petal and atleast 4 drums that will act as electric drums. This meaning that one drum can double as another. For instance you middle tom can also act as a cymbal or cowbell. The other things is if they are made like real electric drum kits, then the rims of the drums can also be used. On and electric kit there are sensors that you can program through the electric drum module. So the rim of the snare and be a rim shot, and the rim of a tom can be a wood block or what ever you choose. Harmonix wants you to feel you are playing real instruments in a real band, so giving you something cheesy like a pair of sticks that has buttons to push to change sounds just would not cut it. Although the bongos used for Donkey Konga is great, they are just that bongos and would not work if you are suppose to play a whole kit. I think the end result is going to be AWESOME!!:D

[xcrissxcrossx]

I hope it can be taken apart easily because i dont have enough room in my house to store something that big.

[primate]

i wanna know what material the pads are made of if its plastic its gonna break like a fishy stick

[Terranova]

Ok for those that are requesting a second kick pedal there are such things as a single kick pedal with duel beaters that allow for double kick without the need for a second kick drum. i have been using one for a while and it's great much eaiser to use and pick up than playing a Standard double kick drum setup, that's how i see Harmonix doing the double kick in that one push of the pedal produces a double kick sound.. a second kick pedal isn't needed.

Here's a link to the pedal i use. I can tell you you can play 16ths and triplets just as good as with a double kick drum setup without having to think about timing with the left leg there is even video on the site that shows how this is done.

http://www.theduallist.com/double.html

[MrtyMcfly]

I believe it was in the Game Informer article that the drum heads are a type of foam and are extremely durable. They have almost a bouncy effect as you hit them, but not too much so that you fumble on rolls.

[sa_nick]

Here's a link to the pedal i use. I can tell you you can play 16ths and triplets just as good as with a double kick drum setup without having to think about timing with the left leg there is even video on the site that shows how this is done.

http://www.theduallist.com/double.html

I'm not a drummer at all, I've only ever say behind 1 drum kit in my life and it just so happened to have the double kick pedal you mentioned. Until all the crap started on these forums I didn't even know the other kind existed.

I'm more than happy with the 1 pedal.

[SlavedHeart]

Second Kick pedal is required for splashing the hats... or controlling the choke on em... or riding the hats for a beat and using the other three limbs to play out patterns... I vote big for the second pedal, but it's impractical for the standard user... Plus, anyone know that not being able to adjust the width of the pedals apart would make some people CRAZY mad.

[sa_nick]

Second Kick pedal is required for splashing the hats... or controlling the choke on em... or riding the hats for a beat and using the other three limbs to play out patterns... I vote big for the second pedal, but it's impractical for the standard user... Plus, anyone know that not being able to adjust the width of the pedals apart would make some people CRAZY mad.

It is possible to slide the pedal along and choose where you want it. But yeah with 2 pedals I can't see how you could get it over to the side enough.

If there was a second pedal I'd want it to be for the Hi-Hat, not double bass... unless it could change between the 2? hmm, or not...

[XxMayhemxX]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Band_%28video_game%29

Drumset for Rock Band

[JerFlip]

Is the drum set going to have a double pedal? If not, come on. Wake up, Harmonix.

[ThePaska]

Is the drum set going to have a double pedal? If not, come on. Wake up, Harmonix.

As of now no, it has only one pedal, and there has been nothing said about there being an additional one. Many people like yourself have brought this up though, and the question has yet to be answered of what they will do with songs that the drummers use two.

[thegame696911]

Is the drum set going to have a double pedal? If not, come on. Wake up, Harmonix.

I think when u can master the drums on expert..... u can then demand a double pedal. Cause i think its gonna be hard enough. Even Alex Rigopulos said he still can't master expert and he actually plays the drums.

[ParliamentFunkadelic]

I think when u can master the drums on expert..... u can then demand a double pedal. Cause i think its gonna be hard enough. Even Alex Rigopulos said he still can't master expert and he actually plays the drums.

I agree, but Alex is a self-admitted "****ty drummer"

[BenGmanUk]

How do you know when to hit the pedal? I only see the 4 circles red yellow, blue and green...

I'm probably blind.

:)

[lithiumkc]

How do you know when to hit the pedal? I only see the 4 circles red yellow, blue and green...

I'm probably blind.

:)

Orange bar marked on the beat lines :)

[thegame696911]

I agree, but Alex is a self-admitted "****ty drummer"

I think u and i both know Alex is a much better drummer than he lets on, im sure he's just being modest.

[Phrank-E]

Orange bar marked on the beat lines :)

Four circles? I hadn't noticed.... Then why no Hi Hat?

[Phiromos]

Four circles? I hadn't noticed.... Then why no Hi Hat?

well the four pads play multiple roles..in some songs the pads are different drum parts

[lithiumkc]

Four circles? I hadn't noticed.... Then why no Hi Hat?

Not the circle, the actual line the circles are sitting on. Most are white, bass hits are marked by orange bars. Hi hat has its own note

[BenGmanUk]

Orange bar marked on the beat lines :)

Ah gotcha nice one.

I get the feeling the drumming is going to be nowhere near as hard as drummania for some reason. I can't wait to see some expert runs and hopefully prove me wrong!

[Phrank-E]

Not the circle, the actual line the circles are sitting on. Most are white, bass hits are marked by orange bars. Hi hat has its own note


Yeah, Bit isn't the Hi Hat a pedal?..... See where I'm going with this?

[Terranova]

Yeah, Bit isn't the Hi Hat a pedal?..... See where I'm going with this?

It can be for some styles of drumming..for metal/Rock tracks when using the double kick the hi-hat pedal doesn't get used and the hi-hat is fully open come to think of it even some single kick tracks use open hi-hat meaning.. any way i think some are missing the point.. the sounds that are produced don't come from the kit they come from the notes on the screen we just react to them by hitting the required pad or pressing the pedal, each note would have a different sound depending on what is required so some hi-hit notes would have the closed, others half open or fully open hell they could even alternate every other note if required, all we would be required to do is hit the hi-hat pad at the right time.. i don't get where people think they are playing an actual electronic kit and require double pedals etc your not take the controller away from the game and the only sound you will get is sticks hitting pad no drum sounds this isn't the Roland V drums or any thing.

[XxMayhemxX]

It can be for some styles of drumming..for metal/Rock tracks when using the double kick the hi-hat pedal doesn't get used and the hi-hat is fully open come to think of it even some single kick tracks use open hi-hat meaning.. any way i think some are missing the point.. the sounds that are produced don't come from the kit they come from the notes on the screen we just react to them by hitting the required pad or pressing the pedal, each note would have a different sound depending on what is required so some hi-hit notes would have the closed, others half open or fully open hell they could even alternate every other note if required, all we would be required to do is hit the hi-hat pad at the right time.. i don't get where people think they are playing an actual electronic kit and require double pedals etc your not take the controller away from the game and the only sound you will get is sticks hitting pad no drum sounds this isn't the Roland V drums or any thing.

Yeah hes right...remember we are going to only hit the green when a green comes up.. hitting the yellow when a yellow comes up, and using the pedal when the line is orange, and so on and so forth.... What sounds those make depend on the song... Their wil be highhats, cymbals and all the drum noises that are in each song... the drum sounds of the song in the game play as you hit. So it wil be diff sounds each song. Besides maybe a typical bass and tom.

Moral of the story is, the pads and the pedal dont make sound.. they will make the drum sounds in the songs come alive.. like the guitar.
That'd be like wanting a guitar with actual strings and a pick...(prolly could be done..note for the future), just not realistic

So wanting another pedal or cymbals is only cosmetic and wil raise the price to an already expensive game with all the periperals. Game and guitar- $80, drumset- $80, extra guitar- $20-40, microphone- $20 maybe wil come with game and first guitar. Yeah, lets add another pedal and cymbals and raise the cost 40 bucks, even tho the drumset "buttons" we have now wil make every drum note come alive in each song already. Right....

[BenGmanUk]

It will be interesting to see how they structure the different packages. I can't imagine how they'd do it really as there as so many combinations.

Standalone game
Guitar + game
Drums + game
Mic + game
Bumber pack with everything etc.

Hmm

I'll want the game, guitar and drums and hopefully use the mic from singstar I have...

[Drummerskillz]

Well hopefully the drums will work out fine, but I'm gonna end up getting Game + Guitar until I wait and see how drums workout, and get the money to buy the drums.

[Phrank-E]

Yeah hes right...remember we are going to only hit the green when a green comes up.. hitting the yellow when a yellow comes up, and using the pedal when the line is orange, and so on and so forth.... What sounds those make depend on the song... Their wil be highhats, cymbals and all the drum noises that are in each song... the drum sounds of the song in the game play as you hit. So it wil be diff sounds each song. Besides maybe a typical bass and tom.

Moral of the story is, the pads and the pedal dont make sound.. they will make the drum sounds in the songs come alive.. like the guitar.
That'd be like wanting a guitar with actual strings and a pick...(prolly could be done..note for the future), just not realistic

So wanting another pedal or cymbals is only cosmetic and wil raise the price to an already expensive game with all the periperals. Game and guitar- $80, drumset- $80, extra guitar- $20-40, microphone- $20 maybe wil come with game and first guitar. Yeah, lets add another pedal and cymbals and raise the cost 40 bucks, even tho the drumset "buttons" we have now wil make every drum note come alive in each song already. Right....

(sigh)... I wasn't claiming that it was an electronic drum.. I'm just saying IF the main kick is represented by an orange line and the drum section has four rather than five notes coming at you like the guitars do.. Then they had an available spot to use for a hi-hat/double kick option without upsetting the current model of five notes.

Also I am surprised they didn't include open notes.. Or did they??????
A palm mute button along the length of the bridge woulda made it stand out against the GH series as well.

[XxMayhemxX]

i watched a video of the in-studio team playing it.. i didnt watch the drum part close enough.. i'll look again

[XxMayhemxX]

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xd3E8zgqJM4"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xd3E8zgqJM4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

Drums are the middle section on the game screen.
As you can see, 4 drums and a pedal on the device
...and on the game screen,
4 buttons , and the lines.. for the pedal
no fifth button, Why they didnt have 5 buttons and another drum piece of some sort.. who knows..
But every percussion sound in every song... will be played... and we wil hear it.. if you dont miss any notes.

Heres another, that shows the drum section a little better.
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LkOkFahBqAA"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LkOkFahBqAA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

[XxMayhemxX]

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5hQk8_SUivU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5hQk8_SUivU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

[Terranova]

(sigh)... I wasn't claiming that it was an electronic drum.. I'm just saying IF the main kick is represented by an orange line and the drum section has four rather than five notes coming at you like the guitars do.. Then they had an available spot to use for a hi-hat/double kick option without upsetting the current model of five notes.

Also I am surprised they didn't include open notes.. Or did they??????
A palm mute button along the length of the bridge woulda made it stand out against the GH series as well.

It's still 5 notes regardless of how it is represented on screen in this case a orange line rather than a circle most likely to avoid confusing some in thinking it was another pad to hit.. so they can't add another note where the pads are for a hi-hat / double kick pedal as that would make it six notes which is more than what the game is structured around they also have to make it the same as the guitar.

[BenGmanUk]

It saves a bit of room on an already packed screen too...

[MrtyMcfly]

Don't worry. Once they come out with Drum Hero, we'll all get what we want ;)

[BenGmanUk]

Don't mean to go off topic but is it just me or does 'instant email notification' not work on thread replies? It seems as bad as the GH2 forum this one... :(

[Phiromos]

don't EVER say that....GH forums are horrible..these are great

[Phrank-E]

It's still 5 notes regardless of how it is represented on screen in this case a orange line rather than a circle most likely to avoid confusing some in thinking it was another pad to hit.. so they can't add another note where the pads are for a hi-hat / double kick pedal as that would make it six notes which is more than what the game is structured around they also have to make it the same as the guitar.

...and GH on easy was structured around three notes.. Not to say they couldn't have gone six. With five plus one.. It woulda remained consistant looking at least. Just seems an odd choice.

[lithiumkc]

...and GH on easy was structured around three notes.. Not to say they couldn't have gone six. With five plus one.. It woulda remained consistant looking at least. Just seems an odd choice.

Im pretty sure it's because the kick drum is played with your foot. I mean.. it's just easier to see 4 drums represented by 4 notes, and the kick drum under them.. its a visual representation of the drum set. If they had 1 more note to make 5 in a row it'd be more complicated imo.

[pure_rocker]

i dont have any complaints about this game it all looks like a great game but i kinda dont get the way the singing is gonna work like can you actually miss notes?

[lithiumkc]

i dont have any complaints about this game it all looks like a great game but i kinda dont get the way the singing is gonna work like can you actually miss notes?

Well.. You know how it sounds when someone can't sing? If you can't sing, if you sing off pitch or the wrong note, you miss the note and probably lose a combo. You might sing at the right time, and the right words, but if it sounds wrong it wont count.

[pure_rocker]

ya that makes sense

[IOIHUMMERIOI]

Why is this even a sticky anymore? I mean, just go to the RB homepage and bam, it's there.

Unsticky and move on to bigger and better things....like pricing! :D

[XxMayhemxX]

Guessing the price.....
Game and guitar- $80,
drumset- $80,
extra guitar- whatever a single guitar costs now
microphone- $20-$25 but maybe will come with game/guitar package.

[krzrgator]

They should allow you to clamp the pads to a desk to save a bit of room, just have the pedal underneath, just like the steering wheel does.

Even if they don't, it's still gonna rock!

[GrenadeJumper]

i had never thought of this but when i looked at the drum picture again i noticed how the button pad is right in between the drums. I could just see myself accidentally hitting it and bam! broken drum set...

[ababypenguin]

They should allow you to clamp the pads to a desk to save a bit of room, just have the pedal underneath, just like the steering wheel does.

Even if they don't, it's still gonna rock!
I agree, I am also wondering if the height of the drums is adjustable. I am assuming that the drums don't come with a seat, so different people are going to be using different sized chairs. In my gaming room I have a desk chair that is adjustable, which would work perfectly for the drums. But I also have two gaming chairs that are very low to the ground, how would the drums work for those? Or if a person is sitting on an irregularly sized sofa?

[Terranova]

Looking at the pic on the rock band website the frame does seem to be adjustable although it's hard to tell completely , but i would guess that it would be the game is aimed at all ages and sizes and such would need to be adjustable for all to be able to play just as the guitar straps are.

[MrtyMcfly]

Hmx has said that the drum set could be taken apart, for instance the top part of it comes off, so that it could sit on top of a coffee table.

Looking at the poles or whatever, there's the black pieces that you probably tighten or loosen to adjust. Much like on a mic stand. At least that's what I'm guessing.

I'm sure it will be adjustable, if we're thinking about this, I'm sure the designers did when they first created the prototype.

[SuprJoinT]

Being a drummer, I cant see buying this now. I hate how the pads are all right next to each other, how will you play the high hat with your right hand? I like my high hat to the left of my and my snare in front of my lap, how can that be acomplished with this controller??? Try playing Tom Sawyer or some of these other songs, especially when you can dl a whole metallica record with NO double kick, impossible. They need to show me alot more info before I commit 200 bucks for this.

[ababypenguin]

I think it will be okay. I am not a real drummer, but I think the drumming experience will be pretty realistic. Obviously not exactly like playing a real drum set, but I don't think it has to be SUPER realistic to be fun. I see what you mean about the double bass pedal, but having the snare in front of your lap? you don't hear the guitarists whining about getting a sixth fret. I think the drumming game will be fine, and I'll bet if you had a chance to try it you would too.

[Terranova]

Being a drummer, I cant see buying this now. I hate how the pads are all right next to each other, how will you play the high hat with your right hand? I like my high hat to the left of my and my snare in front of my lap, how can that be acomplished with this controller??? Try playing Tom Sawyer or some of these other songs, especially when you can dl a whole metallica record with NO double kick, impossible. They need to show me alot more info before I commit 200 bucks for this.

it's not impossible why does every so called drummer that comes here say it's impossible to play with only one kick pedal. i'm a drummer myself have been for 20 years or so and even i understand how it works and why you don't need one.. i have explained it before but i'll do it again.

Your not playing a real drum kit your hitting pads and pressing the kick pedal in time to what is being presented on screen all the sounds are recorded within the notes on display so for double kick a double kick sound can be recorded and used on the single kick track so when you press the kick pedal instead of hearing one kick drum sound you hear the double.. there are also actual single kick pedals that use dual beaters so you don't need a double kick drum or pedal i use one myself so Harmonix could have used such a pedal to record the double kick sound, here's the link to what i use.

http://www.theduallist.com/double.html

also your point of how are you going to play the hi-hat on the controller, the snare pad is the far left one that doesn't change the one next to it is hi-hat so you will be hitting the snare left handed and the hi-hat right, your just not playing cross handed.

[MrtyMcfly]

Terranova, who knows how many times this whole double kick thing has to be explained :mad:

They're going to have to come out with a Rock Band for Dummies book to explain the double bass, how the vocals work, and that yes, the goddamn GH guitars WILL work for Rock Band!

[JesusSilencio]

Being a drummer, I cant see buying this now. I hate how the pads are all right next to each other, how will you play the high hat with your right hand? I like my high hat to the left of my and my snare in front of my lap, how can that be acomplished with this controller??? Try playing Tom Sawyer or some of these other songs, especially when you can dl a whole metallica record with NO double kick, impossible. They need to show me alot more info before I commit 200 bucks for this.

Honestly, I don't understand why everyone is complaining about the hi-hat being to the right of the snare rather than the left. I'm a drummer also, and crossing your hands to play hi-hat isn't really any different than not crossing your hands. If you really want to use two hands to play the hi-hat, just play left handed, but Tom Sawyer is slow enough that you can use one hand.

Tom Sawyer does have a small amount of double bass, and I do wish the drums had two pedals, but I don't think it would be that bad if you just hit the pedal once for every two hits on the double bass parts.

[ParliamentFunkadelic]

Honestly, I don't understand why everyone is complaining about the hi-hat being to the right of the snare rather than the left. I'm a drummer also, and crossing your hands to play hi-hat isn't really any different than not crossing your hands. If you really want to use two hands to play the hi-hat, just play left handed, but Tom Sawyer is slow enough that you can use one hand.

Tom Sawyer does have a small amount of double bass, and I do wish the drums had two pedals, but I don't think it would be that bad if you just hit the pedal once for every two hits on the double bass parts.

I'm a drummer as well. the whole cross-handed hi-hat thing is a complete non-issue. :cool:

[JarethLegend]

I've been drumming my whole life and I've been thinking about this whole issue and it won?t matter where the hi-hat is located. As long as all of the drums are on the same level there will still be all sorts of problems. If the hi-hat was located on the left hand side there would still be just as many if not more problems as the drum is positioned lower and on the same level as all the others. I think their choice, is at least, the best choice for right handers considering the setup of the drums. As for lefties, they are probably more screwed by this decision. I for one was hoping since Roland jumped on to make the peripherals that their new HD-1 would be a more expensive version of what they would make for this game. Sadly it isn't and they've decided on this setup and we'll have to live with it. Luckily I own a few drum sets including multiple electronic sets and own midi-to-usb converters already so I'm hoping they support it in the game.

When it comes to double bass I do feel they should have an expansion port built into the drum set as I do feel it will be necessary if they at some point choose to include more difficult music. Not only will it allow for complicated hi-hat play, but also complicated double bass rhythms. As for now I don't think there is any song that couldn't be played with one pedal. I can play Tom Sawyer with only one pedal and it isn't difficult.

For those that argue against the double pedal saying the game can play the other notes or the game doesn't have to be that realistic; you are wrong. There are multiple difficulty levels and as a real drummer I want this game to allow me to play every single beat at least on the most difficult level which I will play from the start. I don't want notes filled in for me and I don't want free-form fills. I want to play fills exactly the way they are on the songs no matter how complicated. You may say well this game isn't for people like me, but again who are you to say that? If I were creating this game I would want to cater to everyone. That is what difficulty levels are for. You can go ahead and have fun on easy, while I enjoy Expert or even better a Real mode or Original mode where I can play every single beat exactly the way it is.

As for the dualist, I can't believe someone actually uses that. I'd rather work on real single and double bass techniques. I believe someone mentioned things such as playing heal-toe using Axis pedals. Axis longboards are great for that and I own the ones in my picture (http://www.axispercussion.com/classic_black.html). You don't need longboards to play heal-toe though. Many professional drummers play heal-toe with traditional pedals. I can list names if anyone wants to know more.

[onlyrob]

Your point is definitely valid. However, guitarists are also reduced to five brightly-colored buttons. Despite all of the amazing techniques a guitarist could use with strings, the hardcore rocker has to grow accustomed to the big buttons.

I'm not dismissing your point by any means, but I don't think that Harmonix, or any assisting peripheral provider, will find this case worthwhile until they see software and hardware sales. If the sales of drums are through the roof and Rock Band 2 (apparently in the initial stages after the software's release) becomes more complicated, this might be plausible.

When the game sells enough copies and there are drums sold out everywhere, that would be the best time to make a case. Three months from consumer release? Not going to do much.

[JarethLegend]

Your point is definitely valid. However, guitarists are also reduced to five brightly-colored buttons. Despite all of the amazing techniques a guitarist could use with strings, the hardcore rocker has to grow accustomed to the big buttons.

I'm not dismissing your point by any means, but I don't think that Harmonix, or any assisting peripheral provider, will find this case worthwhile until they see software and hardware sales. If the sales of drums are through the roof and Rock Band 2 (apparently in the initial stages after the software's release) becomes more complicated, this might be plausible.

When the game sells enough copies and there are drums sold out everywhere, that would be the best time to make a case. Three months from consumer release? Not going to do much.

I completely understand where you are coming from, but as the guitars for GH2 for the Xbox 360 came with an expansion kind of port even when there is no existing expansion at the moment, I feel that adding one to the drum set for an extra pedal would be a decision well made. I have no idea whether they have already produced the drum sets at the moment, but if not then I would think implementing it, if it hasn't already been done, would be worthwhile. Sadly I have a feeling that if it hasn't been done by now, it won't be done at all since hardware, I'm sure, costs a lot more to change than software. Luckily I can play almost all double bass stuff with one foot, although the game will probably only ask me to play half of the notes which is a bit depressing.

[MrtyMcfly]

About your concerns, because of the way the drums are set up, it's not realistic in the least bit. It just kind of gives you the feeling that you're drumming. Sort of like pretending to play the guitar.

It's funny, my cousin plays guitar (extremely well), he plays GH like crazy, and he says GH actually makes him worse at the guitar lol. Not completely, obviously, but it doesn't help at all.

I can only imagine that the same thing applies to the drums. Playing these Rock Band drums excessively for a while without playing the real thing, might actually make you extremely rusty at real drums when you go back and sit down at them :eek:

[BenGmanUk]

It's funny, my cousin plays guitar (extremely well), he plays GH like crazy, and he says GH actually makes him worse at the guitar lol. Not completely, obviously, but it doesn't help at all.

I'd imagine it would do as it's altering his muscle memory ultimately...

[JarethLegend]

About your concerns, because of the way the drums are set up, it's not realistic in the least bit. It just kind of gives you the feeling that you're drumming. Sort of like pretending to play the guitar.

It's funny, my cousin plays guitar (extremely well), he plays GH like crazy, and he says GH actually makes him worse at the guitar lol. Not completely, obviously, but it doesn't help at all.

I can only imagine that the same thing applies to the drums. Playing these Rock Band drums excessively for a while without playing the real thing, might actually make you extremely rusty at real drums when you go back and sit down at them :eek:

I think it would probably be worse for someone trying to use this game to learn drums. I'm actually used to playing on all kinds of drum and percussion setups. The RockBand drums actually remind me of quads. I haven't really been scared about the setup of the drums actually making me any worse. What I do think could harm my playing is if I'm asked to play incorrect grooves and fills for songs.

[JesusSilencio]

I can only imagine that the same thing applies to the drums. Playing these Rock Band drums excessively for a while without playing the real thing, might actually make you extremely rusty at real drums when you go back and sit down at them :eek:

I don't think it would be as bad with drums as with guitar. The only real way I could see this happening with drums is if you play with bad technique on the RB drums. Although, like Jareth said, someone learning to play drums on RB probably wouldn't play with great technique, and would get into a bad habit that would be hard to break when they go to real drums.

[Phrank-E]

So I'm thinking..... If a single pedal dualist plays a double kick.... Then TWO dualist on two bass drum would equal QUAD kicking.... Now that's metal....

I gotta go me a drum set now ;)

[ababypenguin]

You go that drum set, you go it quick! lol

[Terranova]

So I'm thinking..... If a single pedal dualist plays a double kick.... Then TWO dualist on two bass drum would equal QUAD kicking.... Now that's metal....

I gotta go me a drum set now ;)

Yep.. you can even get Three beater head Dualists.. which uses Dual pedals one which controls two beaters and the other pedal controls one beater.. here's a link to it if your interested


http://www.theduallist.com/triple.html

[parastroke7]

I think it would probably be worse for someone trying to use this game to learn drums. I'm actually used to playing on all kinds of drum and percussion setups. The RockBand drums actually remind me of quads. I haven't really been scared about the setup of the drums actually making me any worse. What I do think could harm my playing is if I'm asked to play incorrect grooves and fills for songs.

Gahh, I see you're still fighting the war of the two pedals. I surrendered a while ago, but I would love to see the idea still be added on.

and yes, you're very right. The only thing that could harm one's playing is if you're asked to play incorrect grooves and fills for songs. The overall setup of the kit itself will not hinder your playing. If all of the complicated grooves from songs like Tom Sawyer are used in the game, then learning them on an alternate setup will actually broaden your knowlege of how they can be applied to four pads. I've personally played on a few different setups on occasion myself, and it's not a big deal. It doesn't kill your chops, it doesn't make you sound bad, and it doesn't keep you from sounding good. It's just not your turf, and takes a little getting used to. So will this drum peripheral, and it's a learning experience to be had.

If I find rolls being mapped differently than they would be in real life (on the highest difficulty) then I'll start to wonder why they did it that way, as your point is very valid.

[vtjustinb]

As for lefties, they are probably more screwed by this decision.

The pads are symmetrical and you can lefty-flip; I don't buy that.



For those that argue against the double pedal saying the game can play the other notes or the game doesn't have to be that realistic; you are wrong. There are multiple difficulty levels and as a real drummer I want this game to allow me to play every single beat at least on the most difficult level which I will play from the start.


This is a drumming simulation game. There's nothing that says it has to be note-for-note on expert, and in fact I'd venture to guess you're in the minority for wanting that. While I'm sure the developers could empathize with drummers wanting a realistic experience it doesn't make good business sense to lock out a majority of your users in the process. Not to mention the fact that mapping note-for-note drum parts to 4 pads is far from "authentic."



As for the dualist, I can't believe someone actually uses that. I'd rather work on real single and double bass techniques.

That type of elitist stance really exposes your maturity level. If someone wants to use those pedals who are we to talk down to them about it. The marching world is one thing, but playing a drumset is far from a well-defined task. Some people approach playing with some strange techniques, but as long as it sounds good that's all that matters.

[MrtyMcfly]

There's no point in arguing about a second pedal anymore. If they come out with one, great, if not, oh well.

I've said this in every dispute that involves a second pedal:
"It's not like they're putting buttons to represent every fret, and fake strings to make the guitar more realistic."

The reason they don't do a second pedal is because the average joe will have a hard enough time creating the coordination to operate one pedal, while using 2 hands to hit the pads.

This is not a drumming simulation game. Nor, was GH a guitar simulation. They're trying to make the "experience" real, not the instruments.

[vtjustinb]

This is not a drumming simulation game.

Sure it's just arguing over semantics at this point, but the president of Harmonix did call rock band a "guitar simulation game" by his own admittance at E3. =P

[MrtyMcfly]

True, I didn't know Alex said that. I guess a lot of people say that.

I'd call it more of an Guitar Imitation :D Along with the drums for Rock Band. Both peripherals are obviously not designed exactly like the real instruments, therefore you're not simulating what it's like to actually play one of those instruments. But rather you're imitating that you're playing one of those instruments.

EDIT: I realized I put an idea in here, wrong thread oops!

[JarethLegend]

The pads are symmetrical and you can lefty-flip; I don't buy that.


Has this been confirmed? I do believe that would solve the lefty issue then.


This is a drumming simulation game. There's nothing that says it has to be note-for-note on expert, and in fact I'd venture to guess you're in the minority for wanting that. While I'm sure the developers could empathize with drummers wanting a realistic experience it doesn't make good business sense to lock out a majority of your users in the process. Not to mention the fact that mapping note-for-note drum parts to 4 pads is far from "authentic."


There is also nothing that says it can't be note-for-note on expert or some other difficulty. I also do not agree that I'm in the minority when it comes to this issue. I'm only in the minority when it comes to people who can actually drum well. I would hope that those who can't would want this game to have a high difficulty level so that they may learn something from this game or just have some goal to strive for. There is no "lock out" of a majority when you have difficulty levels. You only make the game more replayable. I doubt anyone wants to beat the game easily. I know that many people complain about the difficulty of GH 80's which was much easier than the previous two. The argument that this is not authentic is also moot. I practice a lot of things on a single practice pad. If I need to take it to any percussion setup the only difference is where I place my hands and how I move them between the drums.


That type of elitist stance really exposes your maturity level. If someone wants to use those pedals who are we to talk down to them about it. The marching world is one thing, but playing a drumset is far from a well-defined task. Some people approach playing with some strange techniques, but as long as it sounds good that's all that matters.

It has nothing to do with elitism, but the fact that you are limiting yourself using the dualist pedals. There are many things you can't do with them. Another pedal in the same vein is the Sonor Giant Step Twin Effect Pedal which I prefer over the dualists, but they are still pretty similar in their idea. ( http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Sonor-Giant-Step-Twin-Effect-Pedal?sku=449553 ). And someone here mentioned what if you had two of them. Check this out ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NGPoJlc-mw ).

[vtjustinb]

There is also nothing that says it can't be note-for-note on expert or some other difficulty.


I think it's just basic practicality that says it can't be note-for-note all of the time. Harmonix has said a governing design principle of this game is authenticity, and of course as they define an "expert at the music game" that will translate to a very realistic mapping of the actual patterns to the video game controller. But putting a demand of "every single note has to be the same" just isn't practical. What about choked cymbal hits? What about Neil Peart filling down octabons and 6 toms? Double bass? Rolls and rimshots?

What I'm merely saying here is that you're lobbying for complete note-for-note mapping but that can't happen w/ the peripheral they've given us. Sure, you can map every note to "a pad" somewhere, but is that really any different than Harmonix changing the fill or pattern in the song slightly to make it make sense in the context of the drum controllers? I'm submitting it doesn't, and if you'd make the argument of "if you're playing it on one drum it's just as easy to map it to the real drums" I'd say you should talk to some of my marching students who just moved from snare to quads this year.



I practice a lot of things on a single practice pad. If I need to take it to any percussion setup the only difference is where I place my hands and how I move them between the drums.

Well if you don't count the differences in rebound between a pad and a drum, the differences between fine and coarse motor control in lateral motion, the angle of the playing surface from the tilt of the instruments, and other such factors. :P



It has nothing to do with elitism, but the fact that you are limiting yourself using the dualist pedals.

Well your dismissism about it certainly did hint at an upturned nose. It's just a single pedal with added functionality. Without engaging the second beater you're operating a basic drum pedal, so the idea that your limiting yourself would only really be true if some sort of double bass mastery is what you're after. I think for Joe Schmoe you get some double bass functionality without much work, so why wouldn't it be a good thing. The notion of "well you could learn double bass with two pedals and that could improve your playing" is kind of missing the point. You could teach Carter Beauford to read music, but I doubt it would do much to make him any better than he is now in his day-to-day performing.

[JarethLegend]

I think it's just basic practicality that says it can't be note-for-note all of the time. Harmonix has said a governing design principle of this game is authenticity, and of course as they define an "expert at the music game" that will translate to a very realistic mapping of the actual patterns to the video game controller. But putting a demand of "every single note has to be the same" just isn't practical. What about choked cymbal hits? What about Neil Peart filling down octabons and 6 toms? Double bass? Rolls and rimshots?

What I'm merely saying here is that you're lobbying for complete note-for-note mapping but that can't happen w/ the peripheral they've given us. Sure, you can map every note to "a pad" somewhere, but is that really any different than Harmonix changing the fill or pattern in the song slightly to make it make sense in the context of the drum controllers? I'm submitting it doesn't, and if you'd make the argument of "if you're playing it on one drum it's just as easy to map it to the real drums" I'd say you should talk to some of my marching students who just moved from snare to quads this year.

I completely understand where you are coming from. You can not do everything, but within the limits of the hardware, I would hope that you could at least do everything that can be done with it. I'm not arguing to do the impossible, but rather not to remove features or limit the game.


Well if you don't count the differences in rebound between a pad and a drum, the differences between fine and coarse motor control in lateral motion, the angle of the playing surface from the tilt of the instruments, and other such factors. :P

Very true. Those things are so specific that you would have to practice them on the specific setup anyways. Even between drum kits these things can be very different, but I’m sure you’ve heard people say to play on pillows to improve your chops and other things along those lines. Most of the time any practice is better than none unless it forms bad habits, but I don't think I could see that in this case. One thing I'm wondering about the controller is what kind of heads it will have since it is designed by Roland. I’ve played all the Roland electronic kits except for the new hd-1 and I’d like to know if it will be using mesh heads?


Well your dismissism about it certainly did hint at an upturned nose. It's just a single pedal with added functionality. Without engaging the second beater you're operating a basic drum pedal, so the idea that your limiting yourself would only really be true if some sort of double bass mastery is what you're after. I think for Joe Schmoe you get some double bass functionality without much work, so why wouldn't it be a good thing. The notion of "well you could learn double bass with two pedals and that could improve your playing" is kind of missing the point. You could teach Carter Beauford to read music, but I doubt it would do much to make him any better than he is now in his day-to-day performing.

Well I think I did come off a bit wrong in this case. I was more amazed that someone actually used the pedal than anything else. I'm not one to judge actually. In a way I was actually talking to myself. I think everyone has there goals and mine has been double bass mastery. So therefore the pedals would not be much use to me and could actually create some bad habits. Whatever gets the job done for someone's intended goal is fine with me.

It's good to have some other drummers on these forums. I'm really just hoping this game is hard enough so there is enough room for competition.

[vtjustinb]

I'm not arguing to do the impossible, but rather not to remove features or limit the game.

I agree, and I think Harmonix isn't gonna let our demographic down in that regard.



One thing I'm wondering about the controller is what kind of heads it will have since it is designed by Roland. I’ve played all the Roland electronic kits except for the new hd-1 and I’d like to know if it will be using mesh heads?

It's purely speculative, but I imagine they wouldn't go for mesh heads. As much as real drummers would prefer the feel of that surface it's a little fragile compared to other options, and you have to account for non-drummers who "beat the ever loving ****" out of the drums in the design as well. I would imagine it would be some kind of rubber or high-density foam composite.



It's good to have some other drummers on these forums. I'm really just hoping this game is hard enough so there is enough room for competition.

I think it will be challenging, but ultimately not as hard as it could have been. There's only so much you can do with four pads, and I think while you can cater to "anyone" with different difficulty levels they still have to design the game so that if average gamer wants to practice and eventually attain expert charts that they don't have technical glass ceilings imposed on them. Sure I'd love to see some inverted flam fives, septuplets over the bar, and other matters of bastardry in the game but we probably won't. The only constant is it's gonna be a blast, and I can't wait.

[Drummer4Life621]

the drum kit looks like this http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/879/879549/img_4694119.html and uses real drumsticks