Rock Band - Impressions...

Welcome to the Digital Sportspage forum.

Moderators: Bill_Abner, ScoopBrady

Post Reply
User avatar
Nozzleman_216
Starting 5
Starting 5
Posts: 711
Joined: Fri May 06, 2005 3:00 am
Location: Coshocton, Ohio

Post by Nozzleman_216 »

macsomjrr wrote:Is the loudness of the drum pads bugging anybody else? I'm working on quieting them down with some of the online mods but ideally I want them silent.

...maybe if I should use wet noodles instead of drum sticks?
I did the foam rubber and felt mod and really liked it. I am curious to try the gum rubber mod floating around, but will wait until others have done it and posted their thoughts and results. Here is a pic of mine with black felt.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19955855@N04/2078720513/" title="Drum Mod 001 by wilson216, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2094/207 ... 38f0_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Drum Mod 001" /></a>
XBL: Nozzleman 216
PSN: Nozzleman_216
User avatar
macsomjrr
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 1847
Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2004 3:00 am
Location: Corona, CA

Post by macsomjrr »

Those look great Seminole. I'm going to try and do something similar today although my stick modifications (basically neatly wrapping the ends in foam) are working decently.
User avatar
Gurantsu
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 2126
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2004 3:00 am
Location: York, PA

Post by Gurantsu »

I'm on the EA support page trying to get a replacement guitar, and every time I go to put in my credit card number for the express replacement, I get an error window that pops up saying that the "merchant ID login or password is invalid or the account has expired". I've tried multiple cards, and also created a new EA account, with no luck. Has anyone else had this happen?
2319!

Gamertag: "Gurantsu"
User avatar
Jimmydeicide
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 4565
Joined: Fri Jun 11, 2004 3:00 am
Location: Ellesmere Port..Errr California

Post by Jimmydeicide »

Gurantsu wrote:I'm on the EA support page trying to get a replacement guitar, and every time I go to put in my credit card number for the express replacement, I get an error window that pops up saying that the "merchant ID login or password is invalid or the account has expired". I've tried multiple cards, and also created a new EA account, with no luck. Has anyone else had this happen?
Yeh same thing here pretty much, it never asked for a MC or visa tho which i thought was weird, so i ended up just doing the no pay method , pisses me off but they dont deserve to hold my money with a chance of even stinging me for another 128 bucks Bollocks to them.

Im realy souring on my electronics at the moment , just noticed a vertical black line on my lcd which is barely a year old and cos its a westy im not gonna get any joy for a replacement , im so upset, i mean were is the customers protection any more.

First the 360 now rock band peripherals and now a 1600 dollar tv
Not right i tell yeh.
User avatar
Millennium
Panda Cub
Panda Cub
Posts: 221
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2004 4:00 am

Post by Millennium »

I just ordered 8 7" gum rubber pads, 3/16" thick from www.dunhamrubber.com. I have a friend that wanted 4 after last night.

My buddy got 4 pads from these guys before Christmas. He had them on his drum set for New Years (with temporary double-sided Scotch tape), and it was a 200% difference playing drums. My hands used to cramp at times, and I had none of that last night. The 'rebound' factor of hitting the pads is unbelievable, and you hear more of a deep thud instead of the smacking you get with the normal surface of the drum set.

Each pad was about 6 dollars, plus shipping. Can't wait to get them.
User avatar
jondiehl
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 1080
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2005 4:00 am
Location: St. Louis, MO
Contact:

Post by jondiehl »

Have any of you seen the 360 version for less than $169 MSRP yet?

I was at Sam's Club yesterday and noticed that they had the PS3 version for $149. Had it been the 360 version, I may have been tempted, but I'm having trouble spending $180+ (after tax) for one game (and the equipment won't work on any other game, unlike Guitar Hero).

If the Rock Band guitar worked in my GH2 and GH3 games, I'd probably already have it.

I'm tempted to buy a 2nd GH2/GH3 guitar, using GameFly to purchase the Rock Band software ($35-40), then grab the drum kit by itself when it comes out next month. It might not be much cheaper, but at least I'd have two guitars that work with all of my games.
XBoxJon
[url=http://live.xbox.com/member/XBoxJon]Gamer Profile[/url]
[url=http://live.xbox.com/en-us/profile/MessageCenter/SendMessage.aspx?gt=XBoxJon]Send me a XBL message[/url]
User avatar
Brando70
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 7597
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2003 3:00 am
Location: In Transition, IL

Post by Brando70 »

Jon, it's worth it. I know it seems extravagant, but QA issues notwithstanding, the peripherals are really nice. The guitar is much more substantial feeling and better designed than the GH guitar, the drums are really good, and the microphone is hefty and doesn't feel like a toy.

But the real kicker is the variety. I don't have anyone to play this with, but even doing the solo stuff is awesome. The drums are a riot, and singing is also really fun, especially if you like the song. The guitar part is probably too easy for anyone who can play GH on expert, but for me (someone who finds hard on GH pretty hard), it's perfect. It's also striking to have so many original songs compared to the more frequent covers found in GH.

I really enjoy both games and am glad I have both. I think if you want to play at least the drums and guitar or sing, Rock Band is worth it.

I do wish they would have included the bass in the solo game. Some of these songs have awesome bass lines.
User avatar
jondiehl
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 1080
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2005 4:00 am
Location: St. Louis, MO
Contact:

Post by jondiehl »

Yeah, I'm probably going to buy it, just looking for a better way to do it (so get two usable guitars for GH2/GH3, or at least get a discounted price).

I had my 60yr old in-laws playing Guitar Hero after Christmas Dinner. After they went home, it was me and the wife with her brother and sister (28 and 35) passing around my one guitar (from GH2) and I was really wishing that I had another guitar (or Rock Band).
XBoxJon
[url=http://live.xbox.com/member/XBoxJon]Gamer Profile[/url]
[url=http://live.xbox.com/en-us/profile/MessageCenter/SendMessage.aspx?gt=XBoxJon]Send me a XBL message[/url]
User avatar
Gurantsu
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 2126
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2004 3:00 am
Location: York, PA

Post by Gurantsu »

I tried again and got this message:

Express Replacement is currently unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience, and are offering our standard replacement option in the meantime you. If you would like to use our express replacement option, we expect to have it available by January 3rd.
2319!

Gamertag: "Gurantsu"
User avatar
webdanzer
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 4795
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2003 4:00 am
Location: New Jersey

Post by webdanzer »

The DLC has been really, really good. Even some of the songs I had no real interest in musically (Move Along, for one) have proven to be really fun to play because of the charting.

I haven't quite finished Hard (6 songs left) on drums but I just started Expert, and once again what you learn on previous levels helps immensely when you move up to the next one. It's still fantastic. I love this game.
User avatar
ScoopBrady
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 7781
Joined: Sun Aug 17, 2003 3:00 am
Location: Chicago, Illinois

Post by ScoopBrady »

I went to my buddies house on Saturday for UFC so I brought Rock Band for after the fights. Up to that point I had only played the game solo and really, really liked it. Well, I can't describe how fun this game was with a bunch of guys hanging out. I even had a total blast last night with my nephews and sister-in-law rocking out the tunes. My daughter was even dancing around and singing random things into the mic. I've been fortunate to have no problems with any of the peripherals, knock on wood.
I am a patient boy.
I wait, I wait, I wait, I wait.
My time is water down a drain.
User avatar
webdanzer
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 4795
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2003 4:00 am
Location: New Jersey

Post by webdanzer »

ScoopBrady wrote: My daughter was even dancing around and singing random things into the mic. I've been fortunate to have no problems with any of the peripherals, knock on wood.
My two year old son jumps around singing 'Donno what it MEANS! Donno what it MEANS!' and 'ISSIT! WHAT IS IT!!!' :)

Too awesome.
User avatar
Naples39
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 6062
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2003 3:00 am
Location: The Illadelph

Post by Naples39 »

Does anyone know of a good way to preview the DLC songs before buying? I rarely know how the song goes just by reading the title.
User avatar
webdanzer
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 4795
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2003 4:00 am
Location: New Jersey

Post by webdanzer »

Naples39 wrote:Does anyone know of a good way to preview the DLC songs before buying? I rarely know how the song goes just by reading the title.
YouTube.

There are guys who seemingly make it their goal to get RockBand tracks up on youtube as soon as humanly possibly after release!

And of course, even if the tracks themselves are not up yet, you can usually find a clip of the original.
User avatar
webdanzer
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 4795
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2003 4:00 am
Location: New Jersey

Post by webdanzer »

Here is this week's DLC, for example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRgMB4oWMlY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppeCmLcApFw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wr4MEbPua-U

These are guitar, but I'm sure drums are up for some/all of them too.
User avatar
Diablo25
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 9132
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2004 3:00 am
Location: Pennsylvania

Post by Diablo25 »

Man, there are so many songs I would LOVE to see show up in the DLC section. I know this sounds crazy, but I didn't really get into rock until later on in life. I was into the rap music growing up 8O and didn't really get into the rock scene at all. The older I get the more I have an appreciation for it. Just a few bands I would love to see - Van Halen, Def Leppard, the Doobie Brothers, ACDC and many, many more. This game is so good.
XBLive Gamertag - Diablo25
PSN Name - EPDiablo25
User avatar
XXXIV
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 17337
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2003 4:00 am
Location: United States

Post by XXXIV »

webdanzer wrote:Here is this week's DLC, for example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRgMB4oWMlY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppeCmLcApFw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wr4MEbPua-U

These are guitar, but I'm sure drums are up for some/all of them too.

Awesome awesome awesome
User avatar
Naples39
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 6062
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2003 3:00 am
Location: The Illadelph

Post by Naples39 »

webdanzer wrote:YouTube.

There are guys who seemingly make it their goal to get RockBand tracks up on youtube as soon as humanly possibly after release!

And of course, even if the tracks themselves are not up yet, you can usually find a clip of the original.
Thanks. That's a good tip.
User avatar
Nozzleman_216
Starting 5
Starting 5
Posts: 711
Joined: Fri May 06, 2005 3:00 am
Location: Coshocton, Ohio

Post by Nozzleman_216 »

Millennium wrote:I just ordered 8 7" gum rubber pads, 3/16" thick from www.dunhamrubber.com. I have a friend that wanted 4 after last night.

My buddy got 4 pads from these guys before Christmas. He had them on his drum set for New Years (with temporary double-sided Scotch tape), and it was a 200% difference playing drums. My hands used to cramp at times, and I had none of that last night. The 'rebound' factor of hitting the pads is unbelievable, and you hear more of a deep thud instead of the smacking you get with the normal surface of the drum set.

Each pad was about 6 dollars, plus shipping. Can't wait to get them.

Are they pre-cut? I would love to see a pic or even a video of this mod. Might be way better than my foam rubber and felt deal.
XBL: Nozzleman 216
PSN: Nozzleman_216
User avatar
webdanzer
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 4795
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2003 4:00 am
Location: New Jersey

Post by webdanzer »

Now that I'm doing some expert songs on drums, I ran into my first hardware issue. When doing fast rolls, my red pad 'drops' an occasional hit. I first thought I noticed it during tough songs, but I needed to confirm it by going into a Big Rock Ending practice session to make sure I just wasn't sucking it up. I wasn't. All of the other pads work fine, but the red one just doesn't register some strikes during quick repetitive sequences. Some online searches also indicate that this is a fairly common problem with the product.

I'm probably going to try a couple of non-warranty threating tricks to see if I can tighten things up a bit before I go the return route, and I'll post back here if I find success.
User avatar
Spooky
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 5247
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2003 4:00 am
Location: Raleigh, NC

Post by Spooky »

webdanzer wrote:Now that I'm doing some expert songs on drums, I ran into my first hardware issue. When doing fast rolls, my red pad 'drops' an occasional hit. I first thought I noticed it during tough songs, but I needed to confirm it by going into a Big Rock Ending practice session to make sure I just wasn't sucking it up. I wasn't. All of the other pads work fine, but the red one just doesn't register some strikes during quick repetitive sequences. Some online searches also indicate that this is a fairly common problem with the product.

I'm probably going to try a couple of non-warranty threating tricks to see if I can tighten things up a bit before I go the return route, and I'll post back here if I find success.
The "Red Pad" issue is VERY widespread and has been documented a ton at the RB Forums.

I have that issue and it presents big problems on songs like Run to the Hills and Ballroom Blitz on Expert.

I even did the exchange through EA and the new set was even worse so I sent that one back and had then notate my account to let me do another exchange once they?I have confirmed that the Red Pad issue has been resolved.
XBL Gamertag: Spooky Disco
User avatar
JackB1
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 8124
Joined: Fri Nov 21, 2003 4:00 am

Post by JackB1 »

Spooky wrote:
webdanzer wrote:Now that I'm doing some expert songs on drums, I ran into my first hardware issue. When doing fast rolls, my red pad 'drops' an occasional hit. I first thought I noticed it during tough songs, but I needed to confirm it by going into a Big Rock Ending practice session to make sure I just wasn't sucking it up. I wasn't. All of the other pads work fine, but the red one just doesn't register some strikes during quick repetitive sequences. Some online searches also indicate that this is a fairly common problem with the product.

I'm probably going to try a couple of non-warranty threating tricks to see if I can tighten things up a bit before I go the return route, and I'll post back here if I find success.
The "Red Pad" issue is VERY widespread and has been documented a ton at the RB Forums.

I have that issue and it presents big problems on songs like Run to the Hills and Ballroom Blitz on Expert.

I even did the exchange through EA and the new set was even worse so I sent that one back and had then notate my account to let me do another exchange once they?I have confirmed that the Red Pad issue has been resolved.
I am hoping that the stand-alone drums that will be released in Jan will be better than the original shipment with the game. I am thinking of going a similar route as you Jon D.
User avatar
JackB1
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 8124
Joined: Fri Nov 21, 2003 4:00 am

Post by JackB1 »

Is anyone playing RB with the GH2-wired Explorer Guitar? I am thinking of just picking up the RB software and the drums separately. I know it works, but does the inability to use the little buttons at the bottom of the neck and not being able to change effects affect gameplay much?
User avatar
XXXIV
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 17337
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2003 4:00 am
Location: United States

Post by XXXIV »

JackB1 wrote:Is anyone playing RB with the GH2-wired Explorer Guitar? I am thinking of just picking up the RB software and the drums separately. I know it works, but does the inability to use the little buttons at the bottom of the neck and not being able to change effects affect gameplay much?
I am as I went and bought GHII when my RB guitar died out of the box.

The gameplay is the same for me...Havent missed the buttons at all but then again I suck and cant get through that stupid metallica song on medium.
User avatar
Gurantsu
DSP-Funk All-Star
DSP-Funk All-Star
Posts: 2126
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2004 3:00 am
Location: York, PA

Post by Gurantsu »

I never use the buttons higher up the neck, they are too close together for my liking. And I haven't messed with the effects yet.

I like the rb guitar better than the gh2 one overall, but have no issues with the gh2 one, it's just personal taste.

By the way, I finally got my RMA to go through, so my replacement is on the way.
2319!

Gamertag: "Gurantsu"
Post Reply