No Drumsets?

[clanham1022]

The problem with what you said is, yes, he was offered solutions. But those solutions were drowned in unnecessary comments that spurred unnecessary arguements that spurred unnecessary comments like yours that spurred an unnecessary reply like mine.

He wanted solutions people - pretty much give him solutions or add to the conversation in a positive manner. If you aren't going to do any of those, then you probably shouldn't post in this thread.

^^^But that's pretty much how every thread goes now.

If you look at threads from 2007 - 2008, the first page of each is filled with helpful replies. But not now.

The best response yet. Thank you. Is it not possible to leave the pitiful attempts at sarcasm and rhetoric at home, and actually speak like mature adults, respectfully? You don't like me voicing my opinion in a thread? Go somewhere else! But to make these vitriolic posts only serves to show how childish and immature the poster is. Grow up, people.

[clanham1022]

Look, let me be as clear as I can here. Harmonix created a product that, within reason, necessitates a specific controller to use a prime feature in their game. Can you use the game without it? Sure. But that's not the point. The point is, they placed this feature in the game, this is a part of the entire package, and contributes to the overall quality. By subtracting that, it decreases that quality. Even worse, by having the feature in the game and not ensuring that one can acquire the equipment to use it, it's even worse than not having it at all.

Some of you snidely remark about products that have been created decades ago. That's a pitiful, failed effort at trying to convey your point. This game was not created in the early 1900s. Heck, not even the early 2000s. This game has only been out for about a year and a half. That's it! If we were talking about 3 or 4 years, even, I'd be a little more understanding. But just 1 year and a half. That's perfectly reasonable to expect them to maintain adequate hardware availability.

They are responsible. Quit placing blame on other companies. I don't care if the outside company goes bankrupt, Harmonix, whether fair or unfair, should and would take the blame because they chose to enter into the contract with these people. They made the decision. That decision rests on their shoulders. It's their game. It's their IP. If they couldn't secure the hardware for a reasonable period of time (several years), don't put the feature in the game. Otherwise, make sure it's available. That's not my responsibility to scour in all the dark corners to try to find this. You all may take it on your shoulders to do that, and that's fine, but that's not good service. At all. Waiting in limbo for an untold amount of time for a product to finally become available on an internet site and hoping that I catch it at just the right time is not good service. Trying to get "lucky" and happen across a set in a pawn shop or through Craigslist is not good service. And there may be a few of you "fanboys" on here who'll support them regardless of what they do, but I promise you, most of the world won't put up with it. They'll write them up to poor customer service, and that'll be the end of Harmonix. Trust me. Companies have gone under for far less.

[CONAN9845]

Okay, so you've said all of that... Over and over. I understand the frustration. I just don't know what you want to have done about it. Harmonix does not make the instruments. They are in contact with Madcatz continuously. You're entitled to your opinion, just as we all are, but there isn't anything to be done about it that isn't already being done, which is alluded to in the stickied thread about RB3 hardware.

HMX has decided that it IS your responsibility to find the hardware. You may not like it... That's fine, but it is a fact. If it makes you quit the franchise, so be it. Beyond attempting to point you in the direction of where to find answers, there's nothing else for us to do.

I do find it ironic that you are chastising the community for berating your opinion in this thread, and yet that's exactly what you're doing yourself. I am sorry your Rock Band experience isn't what you'd like it to be. Apparently, there isn't anything we can do about that.

[NeilDiamond1974]

The main thing that Harmonix did do right was to add the midi capability. Get an adapter and get a compatible drum set (read up on what works).

Right now I have a complete spare cymbal set for my RB2 set. It was $15 on sale. Well worth it. I still haven't needed it yet, but one of my cymbals is double-hitting now quite a bit. I do want to upgrade to an e-drum kit. I have the adapter. I'm using it for the You Rock Guitar (not the Squire, but a decent alternative). I might grab a 2nd Midi Pro if there's a sale.

Seriously, get a Midi Pro. Then you can use a drum set that is built to last anyway and you won't have to keep fixing stuff (like I do), get a better feel, have more fun and really learn the drums.

The cost for something like that might seem high (it isn't cheap). However, compare that to lessons and the fact that you're snagging a decent set in the process. Then of course take lessons later if you get uber serious.

[rkbdgurl]

OP, There are times when the supply doesn't meet demand. This situation is nothing new. If you don't like it, write HMX a letter. Spewing your anger at people who have a different opinion from you about HMX, will accomplish nothing. A few folks have tried to point out ways in which you could find drums so you can play RB. That's not really the point though, as you have clearly stated... it seems all you're really looking for, is an outlet for your frustration. We get it.

[Dangimarocker]

I still disagree with you!! HMX's job is to continue providing us with great music to play. Its Madcatz's job to make instruments and its YOUR job to locate a drum set if that is what you want and they are out there so stop *****in bout it and go find a drum kit. There available, not everything comes easy!!


You come to this community with a problem and no solution, you were offered some solutions and yet you are still complaining. Seems pretty cut and dried to me!

You are worse than the OP.
Complaining just as bad.

[dabrry0523]

Someday, when you put on your big boy pants, you'll realize that when you purchase a product, as a matter of fact, the company does owe you something. Inherent in the purchase is a guarantee of quality and service. Not providing the proper equipment to operate a product is not good service. And if you want to survive in this highly-competitive business world, you make sure that you're providing optimum, high-quality service. There's wonderful examples of now-defunct businesses that completely whiffed on that. Now, walk away before you embarrass yourself further, and get you a beginner's guide to business.

Also, your attempt at rhetorical wit was terrible. Might wanna look into a beginner's guide for that as well.

Next time I have to teach you something, there's gonna be a charge.

haha really okay if you have "big boy pants on", then let me ask you this when a product is no longer in great demand, should a company still continue to produce it. Law of Supply and Demand says no, when its no longer profitable to produce no longer produce said item, and that's exactly what madcatz has done, it must no longer be profitable for them to produce rock band instruments, so they stooped. So don't go out and rant on about how someone doesn't have "big boy pants" on when you yourself are not completely informed on the issue.

[Meat-Popsicle]

If you think products are hard to find now, only 1.5 years after RB3 was issued, imagine how much harder it will be in a few more years. Buy now, even if you have to pay a modest premium. If they come out with new instrument supplies in 6-12 months, well then great, it means the franchise will live on for a few more years, at least. If the instruments never get made again, well then, it will only be that much harder to find equipment in the future. And yes, the franchise will slowly die, and they know that, but there's only so much they can do. If it turns out that the franchise not a profitable endeavor anymore, they don't owe anybody anything. Well, I guess they owe their stockholders not to pour money down a sinkhole.

Obviously we are all hoping that there's another solution out there. My plan is to enjoy Rock Band for as long as the Rock Band Central servers are still up and crediting me with my top performances of the week on my Facebook page. After that, I'll still play occasionally, if I'm able, but I'm fully prepared to move on to something else if I'm not.

[thadarksandman]

I have the same problem, but the bitter tyrade in the OP and then several times there after does nothing.

No I don't want to pay 300$ on amazon for a drum kit worth half that. No I can't afford an E-drum kit. But they have alternatives, if your being cheap like me that's not HMX fault. I will get an Ion eventually, or a roland or yamaha edrum, but for now it is what it is.

[hmxhenry]

I agree with clanham but of course no one from harmonix will respond to this thread...

They answer to everything but when it's time for controller availability, never...

Say what?

There's a lot of lousy attitude coming from both sides in this thread. I appreciate that that kind of response stems from enthusiasm, either an enthusiasm to find the product you want or the enthusiasm to defend a company you love, but let's all please dial it down and do our best to help each other out. If you all want to see the Rock Band community continue to grow and flourish (and I am assuming that is what all of you want) that's not going to happen with snarky responses or internet tough guy talk.

A few things: No, we are not directly responsible for manufacturing and stocking hardware. But that doesn't mean that we don't have a responsibility to the members of our community. We've partnered with Mad Catz to handle hardware for RB3 and you can trust that we pass this feedback along to them, that we ask them questions when it doesn't look like the community is getting answers and we do as much as we can to spread the word when they get restock.

The best place to check for RB hardware is here at the official Mad Catz store online. They have Strats, P Basses, Telecasters, Mustangs, keyboards, cymbals and microphones listed at the moment, though listings do change so it's best to check back often if you're looking for something particular. I understand that this thread is specifically about drums, but it's worth noting that the vast majority of RB instruments are available at the current time.

There are usually discounted listings on Amazon, and we've seen a good deal of new hardware listed on both eBay and other 3rd party retailers online. If you find a link to a good deal on RB hardware, share it with other posters. There are a ton of quality vendors online, including web stores for most big box retailers that are worth checking if you want to avoid traveling from store to store.

One of the challenges present at retail is the wealth of hardware that has been available in recent years. So many guitars, drums, bundles and packages have been made available that some retailer may not want to devote the shelf space to these larger items, or they may not be aware of which products are newest or they may not want them out on the floor at all a year and a half after launch. It's a unique challenge for hardware, and one that we have done our best to deal with since RB first launched, but at the end of the day retailers will stock what they want to stock. What you can do, however, is make your demand heard. Ask for hardware at local brick and mortar stores, ask that they check their overstock, ask that they check in the system against inventory at other stores. If they are aware that there is a demand they should be able to order more.

Some posters have called out the MIDI adapter as an alternative, and MIDI drum kits and keyboards should be readily available at major electronics stores or music instrument shops. There are also higher end options like the ION drum kits and the Alesis drum brain for electronic drum kits.

We also put a lot of effort into maintaining a reliable compatibility chart on our Support page, where you can cross reference which past RB drums, GH drums and prominent 3rd party hardware can be used in RB.

There are literally millions of plastic instruments out there in the world, with many of them new and untouched. The retail channel is a tangled web, but we'll continue to work with Mad Catz and retailers to make instruments as easy to find as possible.