Getting back into RB, need tips on hardware

[Acknown3]

Hey guys, title says most of it. I've been seeing a lot of MadCatz stuff going on sale, so I figured I would buy something. I'm mostly looking at the two links below:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A1L9D0A8YQ4I2J

http://www.amazon.com/Mad-Catz-Rock-...36/ref=lh_ni_t

I have no experience whatsoever with pro mode, although I do play a bit of "real" guitar. Is pro mode relatively easy to pick up on? I can do every song on RB1 and 2 on expert and get 97%+, although I'm sure that doesn't matter as much. Or would it be better to just get the bass and use it as a guitar? Stupid question, but I'm just wondering what your opinions are (or if I should buy a different guitar controller).

The second is; are Ions still good? I have broken three of my previous drum sets, RB1, RB2, and the MadCatz portable set (my favorite). I might pick them up, but $200 seems like a bit too much for a game. Again, are there any other alternatives?

[Lawdog1521]

I have the Mustang and like it. Pro is a different beast than regular. I find it fun but a lot harder. (The pay off is you're learning the real song).

[Bmuse221]

I can personally vouch for the Drum Rocker -- been playing mine for years, and other than cracking a cymbal or two (I rock a bit too hard ), it's held up great. I've expanded it a bit over time:

• Pintech TC-10 for high hat (do this right away, you'll be glad you did)
• KP-65 kick trigger (awesome) with Rockbandkickbox Kickwire (also awesome)
• Extra Ion cymbals (via Y-splitters) -- I have 5 crash cymbals now
• Next up: mesh heads from Rockbandparts

Biggest complaints about the Ions are usually the cymbals -- super loud. But, you can dampen them a bit with craft foam -- simple, and easy to find instructions here and on YouTube. That also helps with accuracy & durability.

My personal opinion: the Drum Rocker is solid and worth the investment, if you'll be drumming a lot in RB and don't want to invest in a full kit.

• I've seen good prices on eBay, and used on Craigslist for $100-125.
• Lots of expansion options through Rockbandparts, Rockbandkickbox, & used gear.
• I've added used and refurbished Ion cymbals; but, the Pintechs are excellent and very reasonably priced.
• Lots of advice from the forums, especially Davidshek's posts and videos.

I may move up to a real kit someday, but I'm enjoying the Drum Rocker a lot.

[Acknown3]

I have the Mustang and like it. Pro is a different beast than regular. I find it fun but a lot harder. (The pay off is you're learning the real song).

I feel like I would enjoy playing a lot of the easier songs on pro guitar as opposed to normal, but I would much prefer harder songs on a "regular" guitar instead of the pro.

I still have my GH2, GH3, and RB2 guitars, but the latter two are close to dying (frets and start + guide button respectively) and the first is... uncomfortable. Can I use the mustang on "normal" mode? And if I can, does the strumming work fine? I'd assume it wouldn't work but it's worth asking.

And after looking at the bass, it doesn't have a whammy bar, so if I don't get the mustang, I'd probably get another RB2 one here;

http://www.amazon.com/Mad-Catz-Rock-...ds=rock+band+3

[grumblevolcano]

I still have my GH2, GH3, and RB2 guitars, but the latter two are close to dying (frets and start + guide button respectively) and the first is... uncomfortable. Can I use the mustang on "normal" mode? And if I can, does the strumming work fine? I'd assume it wouldn't work but it's worth asking.

The mustang does work on "normal" mode however it is terrible in the process. Frets 1-5 on the top "string" act as the coloured buttons. A big question to ask yourself regarding pro guitar is "Are there enough songs you like that have pro upgrades?" as not all Downloadable Content get pro upgrades, typically for a 3/4 song week 1 pro upgrade is available.

As for "normal" mode, I would recommend a Guitar Hero controller instead of a Rock Band one. The best quality one that is a reasonable price on amazon is the GH5 guitar bundle.

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Guita...uitar+hero+360 (Just guitar)
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Guita...uitar+hero+360 (guitar and game)

I just really don't like the RB guitars because there's no clicky sound when strumming.

EDIT: I saw that the band bundle for "Band Hero" an even better price, the guitar is the same as the GH5 one but you get a mic and drum kit too.

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Band-...+hero+xbox+360

[Acknown3]

So you would suggest purchasing the Band Hero bundle and a separate copy of RB3 if I don't want the mustang?

My only issue is that I'd be spending a lot of time trying to learn the charts when I could just be learning it on my actual guitar. The only thing that keeps pulling me in is the $40 price tag on a $150 guitar + $30 game.

And I used to swear by GH guitars, but I bought the guitar for World Tour and it broke on the third day (down strums didn't register), even though I loved the design. So I started to use the RB ones and while I miss the clicky-clack, the fret buttons are a lot less fatiguing and the auto-calibration is so useful for when I go to a friend's house.

Also, how well would the drums work for RB3? I'm skeptical of symbols but I don't want to make such a heavy investment into other sets/parts. Is the kick pedal any good or can I use my RB one? (the one that came with the MadCatz set, which I actually really like.) As a unrelated question, I still have a broken destroyer pedal, but is there anyone that I can RMA it to?

[Moist_Nipples]

The World Tour guitars were terrible, I went through literally 7 during that time. It's funny really after they fixed the issue with frets dying on GH3 guitars, but absolutely stuffed up the strum bar for WT.

GH5 guitars were the best released, I even preferred them over my current WOR ones (one of which the whammy has come loose causing it to always point down naturally). My GH5 guitars still work after probably 2 1/2 years of regular use, with only a couple of minor things occurring that influenced me to buy the WOR pack.

As for the drums, the band hero set is fantastic if you don't care for pro drums. Used it for 2 years of regular use before getting an e-kit early this year, and it still works today with zero faults. It's even better in RB3 as the orange cymbal can be hit for green notes as well as the obvious green pad, meaning if you sense/know a cymbal hit is approaching, you can hit the orange instead. Some people may not care about this but I personally found it much more enjoyable and realistic, even though it's not pro. Can't really answer your question about kick pedal compatibility but I never had any problems with the stock Band Hero one.

So in summary, if you go down the 'Hero' instruments path then that Band Hero pack Grumble linked would be the way to go. Having not played any RB instruments other than the keyboard I can't compare in that aspect unfortunately (Boo Australian instrument availability!). Hope this has helped you though at least somewhat.

[emsegs]

Assuming you're getting the ION Drum Rocker (which is absolutely great) - The stock ION pedal is crap. I like the use the pedals that come with the MadCatz sets, as they work great and last a long time. You're going to a need 1/8" to 1/4" cable converter (whatever you call it) though, a quick google search and you should find one.

[SheSaidSheSaid]

Don't get the Mustang expecting to use it for 5-lane. Unless, I guess, if you have literally no experience whatsoever with 5-lane and the Mustang would be the first guitar controller you use to play it. The frets are spaced very differently from a regular 5-button guitar. A chord like GRB is exceedingly difficult to play (at all) on the Mustang (let alone in time with a song).

I would also recommend against getting any "Hero" drums. While technologically compatible with RB, I believe they are as awkward as the Mustang is in 5-lane mode, and they do not allow for the possibility to upgrade to Pro drums.

The World Tour guitars were terrible

Could not disagree more strongly. I had a GHWT guitar and it lasted 2 years of 5 nights a week play before I had any problems with it, and probably another 3 months after that before I finally had to get rid of it. I like the GH5 guitar a bit better, but both are excellent.

[Alternity]

I saw on an earlier post saying that you'd pay the mustang 150$. I found it used for 80$, works like a charm, looks pretty solid compared to the 5 button one. If you can get your hands on a used mustang (it will probably won't be used much, most people that sells it probably didn't think it was THIS hard to learn, and just sold it because they didn't wanted to put that ammount of time on this), I suggest to do so, it will be cheaper, probably the same thing if you're interested in the keyboard. I personally think the keyboard is the best, funnest instrument in RB3. As for drums, if you're interested in a real kit, you can buy a head and cymbals, a drum pedal(or a double if you want one) and make the toms for pretty cheap (triggers aren't that expensive), I find that window screen works best for pads (completely silent, no overhits, 100% reliable). You'd then need the MIDI pro adapter. You can still stick with the RB3 kit, but it breaks so easily... especially the pedal.