I was more like 14 when it came out, then I moved on to Smashing Pumpkins.
you think I was happy when Ten was announced? I better be wearing a diaper if Siamese Dream is announced!!!!!!!

You ain't lyin'!!! Bring on Siamese Dream.

I'd really like some good country... problem is getting people to agree what "good country" is :)

I get what you are saying. but they already have probably 300 songs of bands that nobody has heard of and 10 country songs.

And speaking of White Zombie, why is it that Thunderkiss '65 is not on this game yet?and I get what you are saying, but it's RB not HeeHaw.
it's 10 now, but precident has been set, and they'll keep pouring them out. so instead of real "band" music, we're getting some twangy guy with a guitar with a "backup band". perfect for karaoke, but not RB

I'd really like some good country... problem is getting people to agree what "good country" is :)I don't think any has existed for over 20 years.
heck, I barely like the old stuff, but it's much more tolerable to me because it's classic.

I don't think any has existed for over 20 years.
Wayne Hancock, Dale Watson, Hank III, American Recordings era Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam, Chris Isaak, Eddie Spaghetti & The Supersuckers when they do their country thing... there's some great stuff out there and some of it rocks pretty hard even.

MS just stated that the upcoming "summer" title update for rock band 2(which was earlier confirmed to be bringing in star reporting) will also be adding support for the MS LIPS wireless mics.

Wayne Hancock, Dale Watson, Hank III, American Recordings era Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam, Chris Isaak, Eddie Spaghetti & The Supersuckers when they do their country thing... there's some great stuff out there and some of it rocks pretty hard even.that's a whole lotta "twang".;)
country singers sound like somebody's trying to swallow a cat whole.

Ahh, you're right, the Journey and Pat Benatar selections are indeed pop music. However, I listened to the previews for all the songs on the Pearl Jam album, and I didn't recognize a single one of them. This implies that they weren't widely played on the radio stations that I've listened to over the years. Not that I'm particularly ecclectic, but still. Frequently Harmonix manages to take a well known group or artist and somehow select the most obscure song by them, and that's just irritating to me.

I want to be able to play guitar to pop music! I'll leave the singing to my wife.

I hate to pile on but what exactly do you listen to if you've never heard any of the songs off of Ten?

MS just stated that the upcoming "summer" title update for rock band 2(which was earlier confirmed to be bringing in star reporting) will also be adding support for the MS LIPS wireless mics.

Hmmm. I've never played any of those LIPS games but noticed the included mic. Are they any good? My friend just bought me my first guitar (for RB2) for my b-day so all I need now is a mic. I was told about a month back that the M.I.C. (microphone integrated controller) wasn't very good so instead to pick up any USB mic. Wireless would be much nicer.

You didn't recognize any of the songs on the Ten album? Really? That album was pretty popular and well-played.

Yeah....Evenflow, Alive, Black and Jeremy kind of ruled the radio back in 1991-1992 time frame. Pearl Jam, along with Nirvana (OK maybe mostly Nirvana) were the beginning of what became the grunge sound of the 90's.

Also, MTV played the Jeremy video a million times and it caused a huge uproar due to the content ("Jeremy" killing himself in front of his classmates). It had to be editied in order for MTV to continue playing it and even then it caused problems to the point (I believe) where it was removed from the playlist.

"Ten" is probably one of my top 10 albums of all time. I am guessing that those who are not familiar with the music are much younger, which is fine considering I haven't heard of half the bands or songs popular today. But will someone please tell me why the heck is Fall Out Boy popular.........:confused:

But will someone please tell me why the heck is Fall Out Boy popular.........:confused:

Jiminy Jillickers, Radioactive Man!

These kids today with their quote music unquote!

OK, well, I had heard Evenflow previously, but only because it was in one of the Guitar Hero games. I'd never heard it before then, as far as I know. It's probably the case that I did indeed listen to some of the other Pearl Jam songs on the radio many years ago, but just don't remember them now. Perhaps it's my memory that's bad, and not Harmonix's song choices? Ahh well.

OK, well, I had heard Evenflow previously, but only because it was in one of the Guitar Hero games. I'd never heard it before then, as far as I know. It's probably the case that I did indeed listen to some of the other Pearl Jam songs on the radio many years ago, but just don't remember them now. Perhaps it's my memory that's bad, and not Harmonix's song choices? Ahh well.

Even I wasn't a big fan of Pearl Jam when this album was released. I finally got into them when they released their Rear View Mirror greatest hits cd and instantly recognized all of the songs.

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r400/Kariodude/legorb.jpg
lego rock band confirmed to be in devlopment. This is a screen cap from Dan Teasdale(lead designer on rock band)'s notes from GDC 09.

that's a whole lotta "twang".;)
country singers sound like somebody's trying to swallow a cat whole.

And not that much in RockBand that is funner than trying to imitate that sound whilst rockin' the mic! :D

All y'all music snobs need to back off on the prejudice and give these songs a chance. I have the first Country Pack, and even though I'm not too familiar with those songs they are indeed a blast to play. One of 'em, who knows what it was called, came up in a mystery setlist while I was drumming and it was a blast to play. My anti-country-music son enjoyed the bass lines. It was all good!

My son and I both like singing "Hillbilly Deluxe", and I imagine "Beer For My Horses" and a couple of the other TK songs will be fun, too.

I'd be missing out on enjoying a whole lotta good music if I stuck to the "that doesn't sound like what I listen to" mantra I had in high school.

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r400/Kariodude/legorb.jpg
lego rock band confirmed to be in devlopment. This is a screen cap from Dan Teasdale(lead designer on rock band)'s notes from GDC 09.

Interesting chart, if real. I wonder what GH:GH and GH:BH is. :confused:

Guitar Hero: Greatest Hits would be GH:GH.

Interesting chart, if real. I wonder what GH:GH and GH:BH is. :confused:

it's real teh notes are viewable on the official GDC site in PDF and were written by dan teasdale hismelf. GH BH is likely Guitar hero Brutal hits which greatest hits got changed too. Dan likely was just going off of the confirmed trademarks owned by activision. His entire talk was about his design style which was to cultivate simple game design into precise and balanced gameplay instead of hacking features to make the game as recyclable and quick to turnaround as possible.

If GH BH is Brutal Hits then what is GH, which is not the same thing?

GH = Greatest Hits which was changed not to Brutal Hits but to Smash Hits. Maybe it'll be Smash Hits and Brutal Hits.

So the center of my red pad now has an air pocket which makes it difficult to rebound during drum rolls. Any quick fixes out there before I ship it off to EA?

So the center of my red pad now has an air pocket which makes it difficult to rebound during drum rolls. Any quick fixes out there before I ship it off to EA?

yeah you can carefully remove the pad and re glue it then buy the offical vinyl covers which protect against this. I unfortunately ruined my set attempting this but I bought the niyl covers with my new set. The vinyl covers are starting to degrade but no "bubbling" as it's referred to. if left uncheck the top layer of the pad will eventually separate and fall off. My old pad only had about 1/3 still secured when I tried to fix it.

The vinyl covers are 15 bucks (the ones with the skull design) they bring back the sharp sound of the RB1 and kill some of the rebound but this will make the set last longer.

If GH BH is Brutal Hits then what is GH, which is not the same thing?

GH = Greatest Hits which was changed not to Brutal Hits but to Smash Hits. Maybe it'll be Smash Hits and Brutal Hits.

bah I forgot BH equals band hero. another one of activisions submitted trademarks.

yeah you can carefully remove the pad and re glue it then buy the offical vinyl covers which protect against this. I unfortunately ruined my set attempting this but I bought the niyl covers with my new set. The vinyl covers are starting to degrade but no "bubbling" as it's referred to. if left uncheck the top layer of the pad will eventually separate and fall off. My old pad only had about 1/3 still secured when I tried to fix it.

The vinyl covers are 15 bucks (the ones with the skull design) they bring back the sharp sound of the RB1 and kill some of the rebound but this will make the set last longer.

Well it seems the RB2 equipment only has a 60-day warranty.:mad:
I should've just went with the goodwoodmods kit back in Jan instead but I'll check out those vinyl covers.

All y'all music snobs need to back off on the prejudice and give these songs a chance.
I'd be missing out on enjoying a whole lotta good music if I stuck to the "that doesn't sound like what I listen to" mantra I had in high school.I don't mind being called a snob, it's par for the course.
what I don't understand is why, if I think it sounds like choking on a cat, I'd give it any more of a chance:confused:

I'm not interested in liking every type of music ever made. this IMO doesn't make me a snob, it makes me passionate about music. you can't truly love music, unless you also truly hate it too.

I literally get ill when I hear country (have you seen Clockwork Orange?). I don't expect anybody to understand. some people just like to like everything (ho-hum), and some people are passionate.

I don't mind being called a snob, it's par for the course.
what I don't understand is why, if I think it sounds like choking on a cat, I'd give it any more of a chance:confused:

I'm not interested in liking every type of music ever made. this IMO doesn't make me a snob, it makes me passionate about music. you can't truly love music, unless you also truly hate it too.

I literally get ill when I hear country (have you seen Clockwork Orange?). I don't expect anybody to understand. some people just like to like everything (ho-hum), and some people are passionate.

Didn't you hear it's a requirement to like every kind of music?

Personally, I like some of everything. Nowhere is it written that because I mainly like "rock" that I have to like every rock song, nor because I generally dislike country (twangy stuff makes me ill as well), but there are some songs I do like. I generally dislike rap as well, but I like some of it.

I can say though it's very rare I find any R&B I actually like though.

I was flipping stations the other day heard a song the other day that I liked, and then the DJ came on and said it was freakin' Miley Cyrus. That hurt and I tore up my Man Card appropriately....It was "See You Again" if you care.

Anyways, don't sweat it. The internet always brings out the "everyone should like what I like" mantra from people.

I have low brow tastes in music, I'm no snob :) I listen to plenty of new music and have heard enough Toby Keith to know I despise him with a passion.

He did inspire me to buy a new Gretsch for my main guitarist and put a big FUTK on it that I'll be playing all week.

I guess I don't understand the logic of, having to listen to it to be able to form an opinion of it.

I'm sure there are country songs (or any genre), that are better than the rest (in that genre) and would be considered good. so I'm suposed to listed to something that makes me ill, just to find one song, that I can guarentee will make me jump out a window?

besides, I don't want to hear just one song from a band. what does that prove? one-hit-wonders (and the songs they write) are ridiculous.

don't people have one song, that when they hear it, makes them literally run screaming out of the room? no? just me (with ALL country)? I'm sure it's because I take it too seriously, but that's the point!!! music isn't something that is just in the background, that I bob my head to, it's what keeps me going.

I don't recall telling anybody that they had to like Toby Keith, let alone telling anyone that they had to like all kinds of music.

Maybe y'all need to actually read the posts you're quoting... But what the hey. If you have a passion for "nothing different", then more power to you.

I don't recall telling anybody that they had to like Toby Keith, let alone telling anyone that they had to like all kinds of music.

Maybe y'all need to actually read the posts you're quoting... But what the hey. If you have a passion for "nothing different", then more power to you.maybe "y'all" should actually read the posts.

"passion for nothing different" is actually the complete opposite of what I said.

if a toby keith song ends up with a killer guitar and rum track maybe I'll buy but no matter what the guy is a douchebag.

Some people aren't going to like country no matter what you say. i'm one of them. I like old timey blue grass though.

There are people I can listen to that are considered country. Allison Krauss has the most amazing voice I've ever heard, I don't like most of her music though.

if a toby keith song ends up with a killer guitar and rum track maybe I'll buy but no matter what the guy is a douchebag.
There isn't enough rum in the world to make me buy a TK track :)

I don't know if anyone still needs a guitar controller, but Toys R Us apparently has the 360 wired GH Xplorer for $8 shipped.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3055797

I've already got a RB2 Strat and a GH3 LP myself, so I won't be getting it, but I thought some here might find it useful.

Isn't Devil Went Down to Georgia (original version) bluegrass? Badass song. The movie Urban Cowboy has some nice country tracks.

In the Rock Band Unplugged (PSP) Press Release today, I noticed this nice little nugget:

The following tracks will launch exclusively through Rock Band Unplugged on the PSP system for a limited time before becoming downloadable content for the other platforms:

3 Doors Down - "Kryptonite"
AFI - "Miss Murder"
Alice in Chains - "Would?"
Audioslave - "Gasoline"
Black Tide - "Show Me the Way"
Blink 182 - "What's My Age Again"
Freezepop - "Less Talk More Rokk"
Jackson 5 - "ABC"
Tenacious D - "Rock Your Socks"

It has about 20 seconds of pure evil on guitar.

No kidding.....that part still kicks my butt. Ive only gotten thru it once and it was just barely.....luckily the rest of the song is super easy.

No kidding.....that part still kicks my butt. Ive only gotten thru it once and it was just barely.....luckily the rest of the song is super easy.

I downloaded that last night and that was the first time I've seen red in awhile. I still 5 starred it though!

How Do You Like Me Now also caught me off gaurd. I 3 starred it on the first time. I haven't gotten 3 stars in a long time. I made up for it though.

In the Rock Band Unplugged (PSP) Press Release today, I noticed this nice little nugget:

The following tracks will launch exclusively through Rock Band Unplugged on the PSP system for a limited time before becoming downloadable content for the other platforms:

3 Doors Down - "Kryptonite"
AFI - "Miss Murder"
Alice in Chains - "Would?"
Audioslave - "Gasoline"
Black Tide - "Show Me the Way"
Blink 182 - "What's My Age Again"
Freezepop - "Less Talk More Rokk"
Jackson 5 - "ABC"
Tenacious D - "Rock Your Socks"

hopefully we get more than one more tencaious D track but getting a taste of the classical is never bad. Rock your socks has some great lines and I hope they leave them intact, "cleveland steamer" doesn't seem like it needs to be censored IMO. BTW the line I'm talking about is "All we're asking is SO precious little. All we want you to do....is drop trow....and sqeeze out a cleveland steamer on my chest....oooh....TWO THREE FOUR!"

less talk more rokk is also cool, I'm eager to try the drums on that. the rest vary from maybe to no.

hopefully we get more than one more tencaious D track but getting a taste of the classical is never bad. Rock your socks has some great lines and I hope they leave them intact, "cleveland steamer" doesn't seem like it needs to be censored IMO. BTW the line I'm talking about is "All we're asking is SO precious little. All we want you to do....is drop trow....and sqeeze out a cleveland steamer on my chest....oooh....TWO THREE FOUR!"

Amen... I've been waiting to taste the classical sauce.

So the center of my red pad now has an air pocket which makes it difficult to rebound during drum rolls. Any quick fixes out there before I ship it off to EA?

Interestingly enough, it appears that I am wearing out the red pad on my ION drum set. I've only had this set for about a month! :eek: Guess I play hard though I have improved in ability and my stick handling by a great deal. Don't need to hit as hard anymore. I know I do a lot of snaring on fills and like to loosen up on the snare so it is probably my most used pad. Hmmm....not happy about it but I may need to look into a replacement pad now before I wear it out completely.

Any recommendations for a snare replacement that won't break the bank, is easy to attach to the ION arms (without extra mounts, I hope), and is pretty decent overall? IIRC, some of you have Roland pads as replacements but I dunno if there is anything else and if they would work with the ION's as well. :o

Thanks.

Interestingly enough, it appears that I am wearing out the red pad on my ION drum set. I've only had this set for about a month! :eek: Guess I play hard though I have improved in ability and my stick handling by a great deal. Don't need to hit as hard anymore. I know I do a lot of snaring on fills and like to loosen up on the snare so it is probably my most used pad. Hmmm....not happy about it but I may need to look into a replacement pad now before I wear it out completely.

Any recommendations for a snare replacement that won't break the bank, is easy to attach to the ION arms (without extra mounts, I hope), and is pretty decent overall? IIRC, some of you have Roland pads as replacements but I dunno if there is anything else and if they would work with the ION's as well. :o

Thanks.

if there's one pad you'd want as a Roland mesh pad it'd be the red/snare.

Any recommendations for a snare replacement that won't break the bank, is easy to attach to the ION arms (without extra mounts, I hope), and is pretty decent overall? IIRC, some of you have Roland pads as replacements but I dunno if there is anything else and if they would work with the ION's as well. :o

You'll have to define the bank for a good answer, but I'm going to get a Roland PDX-8 mesh snare when the time comes. The RockBand Drum Guru David Shek recommends them and states that they work flawlessly with the Ion brain. Quieter and more responsive than the Ion pad, but also over a hundred bucks. I dropped $160 on a Roc-n-Soc Nitro throne, so I'm pretty much all-in on the is anyway. :) (If only I could justify $165-$175 each for Pintech Visulite Yellow, 2xBlue, and Green cymbals...)

Another option to buy time would be to swap your Red and Green pads on the Ion. My red gets by far the most use like you, and my Green pad gets by far the least since most green hits except the occasional flam are cymbal sounds. I think you can unscrew those top screws and swap the color key if you are really anal like me.

if there's one pad you'd want as a Roland mesh pad it'd be the red/snare.

I thought so. I have been re-reading the 'Rock Band setups' thread and saw a couple of posts by DaverJ, he owns one. Nobody ever mentioned the retail price though. Found it ... $175!!! Wow! If I get that and a Rock Pedal I just spent enough to buy a second ION drum kit. Roflz!!! I love this game, so expensive yet so worth it. Can't believe I've had it a month now and already upgrading. :p

I may just have to get the PDX-8 unless there is an alternative that is more affordable. Not sure if I wanna DIY anything right now though...I still have subwoofers to build. Heh. :o

You'll have to define the bank for a good answer, but I'm going to get a Roland PDX-8 mesh snare when the time comes. The RockBand Drum Guru David Shek recommends them and states that they work flawlessly with the Ion brain. Quieter and more responsive than the Ion pad, but also over a hundred bucks. I dropped $160 on a Roc-n-Soc Nitro throne, so I'm pretty much all-in on the is anyway. :) (If only I could justify $165-$175 each for Pintech Visulite Yellow, 2xBlue, and Green cymbals...)

Another option to buy time would be to swap your Red and Green pads on the Ion. My red gets by far the most use like you, and my Green pad gets by far the least since most green hits except the occasional flam are cymbal sounds. I think you can unscrew those top screws and swap the color key if you are really anal like me.

Yeah. That is a bit of money but I am also the kind of guy who when upgrading things likes to step up BIG and make the upgrade really worth it. (see, subwoofers in sig :D) For the time being I might try out your idea of swapping. Also like you, I use the red the most and the green the least. A swap sounds like a good thing to do now until I get the Roland. Hehehe, kinda like rotating your cars tires, huh? :D

Thanks, guys.

Scott,

I bought a PDX-8 as a snare on my son's ion and he loves it. Guitar Center was having a sale so i got it for $150. It mounts on the exact same ion arm, just turn it sideways:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=corcLWcWZzA

I got the Roland PDX-8 new off eBay... $129 + shipping if memory serves. Highly recommended if you can afford it... quiet, yet sounds close to a real snare. Second only to a good kick pedal.

Scott: you might want to drop to a lighter stick - maybe a 7a nylon tipped.

I got the Roland PDX-8 new off eBay... $129 + shipping if memory serves. Highly recommended if you can afford it... quiet, yet sounds close to a real snare. Second only to a good kick pedal.

Scott: you might want to drop to a lighter stick - maybe a 7a nylon tipped.

Glad to read the unanimous support for the Roland PDX-8. That's good to hear. Sounds like that's where I will go. For now, I will swap my green and red so to not completely wear out the red (pfft...not like I am just going to stop playing RB2 altogether. ;)) pad until I pick up the Roland.

DaverJ, I thought about possibly getting some different sticks but I feel that that may throw off my game. Not sure if the weight or feel will change with new sticks and I certainly will not get those cheap novelty sticks they sell at the game stores. Ugh. Heheh. I have improved my drumming ability and stick holding a lot in just the past week or two though. I don't have to hit the pads so hard, I guess. :D

Thanks so much guys.

Oh, btw DaverJ...is that your gamertag as well? I meant to add you when I picked this up and haven't got to it. :o

DaverJ, I thought about possibly getting some different sticks but I feel that that may throw off my game. Not sure if the weight or feel will change with new sticks and I certainly will not get those cheap novelty sticks they sell at the game stores. Ugh.

I switched to the Zildjian dipped 7A nylon tipped sticks fairly soon with RB1, and they are awesome. The lighter weight makes it easier and quicker to move around the set, and "dip" provides a great grip. After the dip wore off and I had the Ions, I grabbed some new 5A dips and have been using those with good effect, but I used some other non-dip 7As I had lying around the other day and the lighness was again awesome. Trouble is I started dropping them again... Off to Guitar Center for some more 7A dips. :)

Whatever you do, I would recommend nylon tips as they seem to be a little easier on the pads. It's funny that nylon tips were developed to allow drummers to hit harder, but I like them for a softer less-abusive touch on the Ions.

Abort, when I first added you to my friend list, I was at 12 mil drum career score and you were at like 13.7 mil and I thought I'd never get close to you. I just checked the other day and without really trying, somehow I'm up to 13.5, so watch out!

I'd like to get the PDX-8 one of these days, but I've had to curb my Rock Band spending lately. I'd like to look into the mesh head mods, but I wouldn't do that until I had an extra pad.

I had to switch from dipped 7As (nylon tips) to regular 7As (nylon tips) because the rubber grip was giving me massive blisters.

I'd like to get the PDX-8 one of these days, but I've had to curb my Rock Band spending lately. I'd like to look into the mesh head mods, but I wouldn't do that until I had an extra pad.



I've spent so much money on this game over the last year and a half! I bought a Roland TD-3 kit and since I use a PS3, I was able to get an adaptor that allows me to use it during gameplay. The kit cost me $999 plus another $150 for the adaptor. Since then, I added a third cymbal (Roland CY-8) for $85, repalced my 3 rubber pads with Roland PD-85 mesh heads for another $585 (got a good discount from musiciansfriend) and have spent maybe another $50 trying out various drum sticks (Vic Firth 5A nylon tips won out). Add another $300 on DLC and it puts me at approximatley $2200 on this game. Been thinking about upgrading the module to a TD9 or TD-12 but haven't figured out a way to do so without the wife killing me!

While I've enjoyed every bit of the game so far, the crappy thing that has recently surfaced for me is that my less than perfect technique of playing drums has left me with a sore right elbow! So all that money spent and now I have to take some time off to recover. And if I want to avoid this happening again, I will probably need to drop more money on drum lessons so I can learn how to play properly.

Does any of the economic stimulus cover Rock Band??:D


Edit: Forgot to inlcude the Roc & Soc Nitro Throne with back for $170.....I must be crazy!!!

Abort, when I first added you to my friend list, I was at 12 mil drum career score and you were at like 13.7 mil and I thought I'd never get close to you. I just checked the other day and without really trying, somehow I'm up to 13.5, so watch out!Whoa! Nice job on the rapid improvement! I better start playing my drums more often...(I've been focusing on Vocals lately).

My goal is to hit 14MM, but I keep getting distracted by all the new DLC and rarely play the core songs anymore... :rolleyes:

We should totally do a head-to-head drum battle some time when we're both on. Those can be fun...
I had to switch from dipped 7As (nylon tips) to regular 7As (nylon tips) because the rubber grip was giving me massive blisters.I've heard others say that they got blisters from the dips, but the only time I started to get one was when I cheated on my grip during a marathon session because I was getting really tired. YMMV, I suppose, but it's a prudent warning to those considering the dips.

I've heard others say that they got blisters from the dips, but the only time I started to get one was when I cheated on my grip during a marathon session because I was getting really tired. YMMV, I suppose, but it's a prudent warning to those considering the dips.

I was reading online drum tips and drum stick reviews and there was a pretty popular sentiment that blisters from the dips is from incorrect stick holdin technique.

I have some Vater 7As that I really like but they fly out of my hands. I'm worried that adding tape will just make them heavier, so I've been thinking about getting some NFL receiver type tacky gloves. Would buying those make me geek? :D

Anybody considering a 2nd hard drive just for RockBand? I was thinking about another 120 just for the game installs and all the DLC. With The Beatles game almost around the corner, that could be 18 GB in game installs plus a double butt-load of DLC.

$129 at Amazon right now...

One more question: do you have to be logged into an Xbox profile to get the Endless Setlist instrument icons?

I have 5 rockers created under my profile: one is my wife's, another is a buddy's that comes over to rock, one is my main guy, and the other two are my band stand-ins. The reason I created them under my profile instead of creating silver accounts for them is that I want their characters in my band when I'm playing alone. If it's a character from another profile, that profile has to be logged in or else you can't access the characters.

In any event, my buddy and I want to do the Endless Setlist 2 and I would like to see his character get the ES2 icon.

So...does a profile have to be logged in, or does the character simply have to have a human playing to get it? I'll be logged in and using my main guy. TIA.

One more question: do you have to be logged into an Xbox profile to get the Endless Setlist instrument icons?

I have 5 rockers created under my profile: one is my wife's, another is a buddy's that comes over to rock, one is my main guy, and the other two are my band stand-ins. The reason I created them under my profile instead of creating silver accounts for them is that I want their characters in my band when I'm playing alone. If it's a character from another profile, that profile has to be logged in or else you can't access the characters.

In any event, my buddy and I want to do the Endless Setlist 2 and I would like to see his character get the ES2 icon.

So...does a profile have to be logged in, or does the character simply have to have a human playing to get it? I'll be logged in and using my main guy. TIA.Well, you obviously have to be logged in with at least one Xbox LIVE profile in order to access your save game and even play the ESL, so are you asking if the profile has to be connected to the net/online? Or are you asking if it limits the icons to merely 1 character per profile?

I believe the answer to both is no. The game (not Xbox LIVE) flags the active XBOX Live profile(s) for the achievement(s), and the game flags the characters playing the 1-4 active instruments for the vinyl/gold/platinum icon status change.

For example, if you and your friend are playing guitar and drums using just your single profile, your Xbox profile will be flagged for the achievement, the guitarist character you selected to play the ESL will get the vinyl/gold/platinum icon for guitar/bass, and the selected character drumming will get the vinyl/gold/platinum icon for drums.

Also, I'm pretty sure that if you are logged in via your profile but offline (disconnected from the net), it still flags the profile for the achievement points, but I'm not quite as confident about that.

Just be aware that only those characters actually playing the instruments in the ESL get the icons. It's character specific, so if your profile has other characters on it that are not participating, they don't get 'em. Likewise, if you are logged in just with your profile, no characters on your friend's profile will receive the updated icon status.

As a final note, you don't have to be an official member of the band to get the icon update. Any characters sitting in/subbing for the band also get the upgrade.

I did ESL in RB1 by myself and got the icons for both the singer and guitarist so I'm pretty sure 2 is the same way.

I did ESL in RB1 by myself and got the icons for both the singer and guitarist so I'm pretty sure 2 is the same way.

Thanks. That's basically what we'll be doing, one Xbox profile and two rockers from that profile.

Next week's DLC is Chinese Democracy by Guns N' Roses. $20
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/rock-band-weekly-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-album/

Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy (1600 / $20 -- 200 Wii points apiece)

* "Chinese Democracy" (160 / $2)
* "Better" (160 / $2)
* "Street of Dreams" (160 / $2)
* "If the World" (160 / $2)
* "There Was a Time" (160 / $2)
* "Catcher in the Rye" (160 / $2)
* "Scraped" (160 / $2)
* "Riad N' the Bedouins" (160 / $2)
* "Sorry" (160 / $2)
* "I.R.S." (160 / $2)
* "Madagascar" (160 / $2)
* "This I Love" (160 / $2)
* "Prostitute" (160 / $2)

Ok folks, I just wanted to start this thread officially so we can begin talking/reviewing/discussing this awesome game.

My question for the ones who currently have it and have played it is are you all playing it via 5.1 or 7.1 and how does it sound? I'm going to assume that this game will be best heard in 7.1 all channel stereo, correct?!?! If not, what would be the best audio set-up?

I play 7.1. It sounds more like you are playing in a stadium! The sound is much fuller to me.

I'm very excited about Chinese Democracy. I'll be getting five to seven songs.

Haven't followed GNR for ever. I'll preview and see if there's any that catch my ear. I really, really want "Nothing's Shocking." Soon, please.

I play 7.1- 7 channel enhanced mode. Sounds great on the Yamaha.

Next week's DLC is Chinese Democracy by Guns N' Roses. $20
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/rock-band-weekly-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-album/

Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy (1600 / $20 -- 200 Wii points apiece)

* "Chinese Democracy" (160 / $2)
* "Better" (160 / $2)
* "Street of Dreams" (160 / $2)
* "If the World" (160 / $2)
* "There Was a Time" (160 / $2)
* "Catcher in the Rye" (160 / $2)
* "Scraped" (160 / $2)
* "Riad N' the Bedouins" (160 / $2)
* "Sorry" (160 / $2)
* "I.R.S." (160 / $2)
* "Madagascar" (160 / $2)
* "This I Love" (160 / $2)
* "Prostitute" (160 / $2)

To bad it's not Appetite for Destruction or it would be an instant d/l

Shackler's Revenge is on the list of songs I avoid at all costs... How does the rest of the album compare?

Next week's DLC is Chinese Democracy by Guns N' Roses. $20

Ugh. I guess its my turn to complain about the week's DLC.

Nevermind, I just won't buy. :) I need to practice GG&HT on hard bass anyway...

I went and bought this album the first day it came out. In spite of all the hype I think it's a really good album. I really like it, but I am a big GNR fan.

They didn't try and recapture what they had back in the '80's. It's more of a natural progression on where there music would be today, if they had continually released albums throughout the years. It's definately a different sound, though "Shacklers Revenge" isn't really a representative example of that.

This is one of those albums that you will like more, the more you listen to it also. some good tracks are

Chinese Democracy
This I love
Street of Dreams

I think my least favorite tracks are
Better
Shacklers Revenge
Madagascar

Those are pretty good songs too, just my least favorite. I would give it a chance.

Shackler's Revenge is on the list of songs I avoid at all costs... How does the rest of the album compare?
If you don't like the other songs, it won't be because they sound like that song. It's pretty unique on the album. Madagascar reminds me of November Rain and Chinese Democracy and Better are more like their older stuff. I like Shackler's Revenge personally, so I don't know if you'll like the other songs.

My favorites are: Better, Chinese Democracy, Shackler's, There Was a Time, and Madagascar.

I love Chinese Democracy. I'm not a big fan of GNR, but I liked the old stuff a lot. At first I didn't like it as much, but the more I listened to Chinese Democracy, the more I liked it. So if your on the fence on this one, try giving it a listen more and you might end up liking it....

If you don't like the other songs, it won't be because they sound like that song. It's pretty unique on the album. Madagascar reminds me of November Rain and Chinese Democracy and Better are more like their older stuff. I like Shackler's Revenge personally, so I don't know if you'll like the other songs.

My favorites are: Better, Chinese Democracy, Shackler's, There Was a Time, and Madagascar.
Thanks, I liked the old stuff but hated the Illusions albums for the most part. I will see if my brother has the CD and if there's at least a few songs for me on there. Sounds like there may be 2 or 3.

Next week's DLC is Chinese Democracy by Guns N' Roses. $20
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/rock-band-weekly-guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-album/

Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy (1600 / $20 -- 200 Wii points apiece)

* "Chinese Democracy" (160 / $2)
* "Better" (160 / $2)
* "Street of Dreams" (160 / $2)
* "If the World" (160 / $2)
* "There Was a Time" (160 / $2)
* "Catcher in the Rye" (160 / $2)
* "Scraped" (160 / $2)
* "Riad N' the Bedouins" (160 / $2)
* "Sorry" (160 / $2)
* "I.R.S." (160 / $2)
* "Madagascar" (160 / $2)
* "This I Love" (160 / $2)
* "Prostitute" (160 / $2)

Well on the bright side, thats 2 weeks in a row now where I save some $$.

I beat Painkiller on expert guitar yesterday - must've been dumb luck. Is this "supposed" to be harder than GG&HT? I cannot get past the second zig zag patterns on that one, so I usually fail around 86%.

I beat Painkiller on expert guitar yesterday - must've been dumb luck. Is this "supposed" to be harder than GG&HT? I cannot get past the second zig zag patterns on that one, so I usually fail around 86%.
First of all, congrats on beating Painkiller on Expert.

As for your question, according to HMX, Painkiller is indeed supposed to be juuust a little bit harder than Green Grass & High Tides. HMX rates each song's instruments on a hidden difficulty scale of 80-600. Those integer values from 80-600 are then converted into the various tiers, and they are also used to further sort the songs within difficulty categories. (For example, when you play guitar solo and sort the Quickplay songs by difficulty, the very first "Warmup" song listed is likely to be The Clash's Should I Stay or Should I Go -- assuming you exported it from RB1 -- since that is the only song with the lowest possible difficulty score of 80 on guitar.)

Anyway, GG&HT is rated at 500 on guitar, whereas Painkiller was given a 505. Personally, I got through Painkiller on my 3rd try, and it took me like 100 tries to finally beat GG&HT, so I'd debate the higher score...but they're both just really, really hard.

For the record, Visions got a 500 on guitar, too. The only 2 songs higher than Painkiller's 505 on guitar (to date) are Thrasher's Evile (520) and Yngwie Malmsteen's Caprici di Diablo (530).

Very cool resource: Rock Band Master Song List (http://pksage.com/rockbandsongs.php)

First of all, congrats on beating Painkiller on Expert.

As for your question, according to HMX, Painkiller is indeed supposed to be juuust a little bit harder than Green Grass & High Tides. HMX rates each song's instruments on a hidden difficulty scale of 80-600. Those integer values from 80-600 are then converted into the various tiers, and they are also used to further sort the songs within difficulty categories. (For example, when you play guitar solo and sort the Quickplay songs by difficulty, the very first "Warmup" song listed is likely to be The Clash's Should I Stay or Should I Go -- assuming you exported it from RB1 -- since that is the only song with the lowest possible difficulty score of 80 on guitar.)

Anyway, GG&HT is rated at 500 on guitar, whereas Painkiller was given a 505. Personally, I got through Painkiller on my 3rd try, and it took me like 100 tries to finally beat GG&HT, so I'd debate the higher score...but they're both just really, really hard.

For the record, Visions got a 500 on guitar, too. The only 2 songs higher than Painkiller's 505 on guitar (to date) are Thrasher's Evile (520) and Yngwie Malmsteen's Caprici di Diablo (530).

Very cool resource: Rock Band Master Song List (http://pksage.com/rockbandsongs.php)

This brings to mind a question I've had about the rankings. Are they based on the difficulty to FC the song or merely complete it?

This brings to mind a question I've had about the rankings. Are they based on the difficulty to FC the song or merely complete it?
I've wondered the same thing. I would presume it's based upon % completion among play testers with a range of skill levels, which would sort of encompass both aspects.

But even then...what difficulty level do they use for the ranking, since most people don't play on Expert?

What kills me are the songs with grossly inaccurate difficulty rankings.

Like Snow ((Hey Oh)) only getting a score of 382 and tier 5? Umm...that's freaking devil tier on guitar, HMX.

And another Chili Peppers song, Under the Bridge, is WAY harder than a 145 and tier 1.

Songs like that make me think they must rank them on Medium or something...because they are not even CLOSE to accurate on Expert.

I've wondered the same thing. I would presume it's based upon % completion among play testers with a range of skill levels, which would sort of encompass both aspects.

But even then...what difficulty level do they use for the ranking, since most people don't play on Expert?

What kills me are the songs with grossly inaccurate difficulty rankings.

Like Snow ((Hey Oh)) only getting a score of 382 and tier 5? Umm...that's freaking devil tier on guitar, HMX.

And another Chili Peppers song, Under the Bridge, is WAY harder than a 145 and tier 1.

Songs like that make me think they must rank them on Medium or something...because they are not even CLOSE to accurate on Expert.

you're right they do rank by medium. Medium is the middle ground for casual/party players. No one chooses expert unless they regularly play rock band and if they do that, then they already know how hard a song is compared to another. Painkiller is ranked 505 over GGaHT's 500 because on medium painkiller has a few more notes and tricky sections where as on GGaHT the notes are pretty steady as far as rhythm.

I thought Harmonix people have debunked the difficulties are rated on medium thing. At least, people on the forums come out and say that when others claim it, but I haven't seen it backed up.

Got to 67% on Panic Attack drums tonight.

Shackler's Revenge is on the list of songs I avoid at all costs... How does the rest of the album compare?

Don't bother. Shackler's Revenge is one of the better tracks on there...that lead by Chinese Democracy itself.

Don't bother. Shackler's Revenge is one of the better tracks on there...that lead by Chinese Democracy itself.
It's one thing to say you don't like it, but it's another to say don't bother. Like I said, none of the other songs are like Shackler's, and some are better, so he should really listen for himself.

I've wondered the same thing. I would presume it's based upon % completion among play testers with a range of skill levels, which would sort of encompass both aspects.

But even then...what difficulty level do they use for the ranking, since most people don't play on Expert?

What kills me are the songs with grossly inaccurate difficulty rankings.

Like Snow ((Hey Oh)) only getting a score of 382 and tier 5? Umm...that's freaking devil tier on guitar, HMX.

And another Chili Peppers song, Under the Bridge, is WAY harder than a 145 and tier 1.

Songs like that make me think they must rank them on Medium or something...because they are not even CLOSE to accurate on Expert.I have still yet to get 5* on Eye of the Tiger. that song is MUCH more difficult for me than almost every song in the next few tiers below it.

I can't remember what I did on Painkiller, but exactly like Rak, I can't for the life of me get past 86% on GG&HT.... and I'm pretty darn good at guitar:o

There's a quote from one of the Harmonix people that they tier off of expert. If you search at the rockband forum you'll find the thread.

Also, where in the link can I see the 80-600 score?

Three self-brags for the weekend:

I passed GG&HT on Hard Guitar. :D Sure, it was only about 3.2 stars and sounded so horrrible that wife had to stop and watch after she heard the horrid sounds as she was walking by, but I passed it. :o Woo-Hoo!
I won a free DLC song from the StarTrek contest. (Not sure what I'll download...)
I tried my hand at dying some disc golf discs (frisbee golf), and made a completely sweet-arse Rock Band drum logo disc. I'll post a picture tonight.

Like Snow ((Hey Oh)) only getting a score of 382 and tier 5? Umm...that's freaking devil tier on guitar, HMX.
Yes, this song is, at least for me, harder then Green Grass & High Tides and everything else in the original Rock Band on "Hard" guitar. There are harder songs in Rock Band 2, but the rating on this song should definitely be devil heads for guitar, since it can be rough to successfully complete on "Hard", let alone "Expert". Perhaps when they "simplified" it for "Hard", they didn't remove as much as they do for other songs, so it's relative difficulty remains higher than expected?

Also, where in the link can I see the 80-600 score?
Above the table is a small box with Difficulty and Filter selections. Choose "Rank (80-600)" to replace the default game tiers with the rank values.

if they're tiering off expert, it's somebody new that's doing the ratings for every song, because on expert drums, Tell Me Baby is a beast, compared to something like Highway Star or Flirting with Disaster.

details on teh special edition beatles bundle:
FROM KOTAKU:
Dubbed the Limited Edition Premium Bundle, it includes The Beatles: Rock Band game; a Höfner Bass controller, Beatlesque and Ludwig-branded Rock Band drums with classic pearl finish, a metal kick pedal and a vintage replica drumhead; plus a microphone with stand and, according to an email from retailer GameStop, "additional special content."

We're hoping that "additional special content" means "mop-top wigs".

The Beatles: Rock Band is available September 9 for the PS3, Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii and priced at US$250.

don't believe the haters... i bought the whole album and it's awesome.

edit: yeah, i should mention i only pretend to play guitar

don't believe the haters... i bought the whole album and it's awesome.

I've been listening to the album all morning and teh guitar stuff sounds cool, teh drums I'm unsure of and teh songs themselves are kind of mediocre IMO but there's a couple tracks I may buy. I might check out the charts before I decide to get teh whole album or not.

All my favorite songs look crappy on drums and all the songs I don't like look great on drums, but I bought all my favorite songs (six of them.)

It's one thing to say you don't like it, but it's another to say don't bother. Like I said, none of the other songs are like Shackler's, and some are better, so he should really listen for himself.

Ok. Don't bother because you won't like it. ;)

I like the CD album. However, minus Shackler's and Chinese Democracy, it's all "November Rain-ish". If the guy likes the more upbeat GnR (read: Appetite), then don't bother as CD is not. ;)

That's all.

Agree though, it's better if you judge for yourself...but he asked. :D

I do not like November Rain, but I am still trying to get my brother's copy just to be sure.

Finally, this is a big deal for me. I'm sure that I'll get a better score once I get better at certain sections, but I'm very pleased right now. Only three songs stand between me and that platinum icon.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e36/nothru22/panic.jpg

Finally, this is a big deal for me. I'm sure that I'll get a better score once I get better at certain sections, but I'm very pleased right now. Only three songs stand between me and that platinum icon.

Awesome, congratulations!

I'm getting really pumped to get back into fake drumming myself, almost had the gallops down before I got fed up with the RB1 kit and its failings. Was smack in the middle of general expert training and dreaming of the ESL, too. The upshot is I now have a few weeks of DLC to catch up on, plus my Rock Pedal should be coming in this week followed by an ION set at the end of the month.

Dang, I wish I could do Panic Attack on expert. I'm 15 songs away from going for platinum on ESL2 so I'll have to gold it for now. What are you missing other than Visions? Isn't that always the killer? :D

I played some Visions on expert last night and I think that other than making me really tired, I'll be able to pass it with a little practice. Souls of Black and the end of Peace Sells are what's standing in my way right now. I'm also not very consistent with the end of Teenage Riot.

Looks like Anvil is coming to Rock Band (http://www.avclub.com/articles/anvils-steve-lips-kudlow,26572/):

The A.V. Club: Were you in the studio before this interview?

Lips: I just got home now. We had to re-record a couple songs from the second album for Rock Band.

AVC: Oh really?

L: Yeah, because the original 24-tracks got destroyed. Or they’re lost, whatever. And we need the multi-tracks.

Looks like Anvil is coming to Rock Band (http://www.avclub.com/articles/anvils-steve-lips-kudlow,26572/):

woot metal originators coming to rock band.

I played some Visions on expert last night and I think that other than making me really tired, I'll be able to pass it with a little practice. Souls of Black and the end of Peace Sells are what's standing in my way right now. I'm also not very consistent with the end of Teenage Riot.

I didn't think Peace Sells was in the ESL2....also not sure about Souls of Black. I thought the only songs in the ESL2 were the original 84 that come with the game?? I did it on hard to get the gold icon and only remember playing the main songs and none of my DLC.

Like you, I have about 5 songs that I can't do on expert. I have no idea if/how/when I will ever get through Panic Attack so congrats on that!! That is truly an accomplishment! Visions and Painkiller are still blocking me as well. Teenage Riot is so tiring that it is hit or miss with me, however, I can pass it.

Peace Sells (the song, not the album) and Souls of Black are in the original 84 song set list.

Peace Sells (the song, not the album) and Souls of Black are in the original 84 song set list.

Crap!! you are right...don't know why I thought it was DLC. Probably because I avoid that entire album like the plague. When I completed the ESL2, I was rather exhausted so I don't remember much after song 60!

Ok, I've been playing for awhile and this has been bugging me for weeks. This is going to be hard to explain, but I notice "odd" behavior on hammer-ons and pull-offs so I guess I don't quite get the exact logic.

What I mean is sometimes I can keep the fret-button held down and the note takes, other times it seems I have to time it right and hit the fret when the note crosses the hit-zone (whatever that's called).

For example I had (if I remember right), red POs and blue notes coming at me. I just held down the red, and strummed the blues as they crossed and the next red PO would take without requiring another button press.

However, in other instances it seems it won't take and I have to actually time the fret press.

I just can't figure out the logic...I'm sure there is some, so it'd be nice to know what's going to happen in different situations.

not sure if this helps, or is different from what you are describing, but you have to take your finger off of B (while R is held), at the point when the R crosses.

so if it's R-B-R-B-R-B all HO/POs
you must press B when the B crosses, and not release it until the R crosses, and so on

not sure if this helps, or is different from what you are describing, but you have to take your finger off of B (while R is held), at the point when the R crosses.

so if it's R-B-R-B-R-B all HO/POs
you must press B when the B crosses, and not release it until the R crosses, and so on

This actually isn't true. On all HO/POs you can just finger the notes without strumming. The game doesn't actually make you hammer-on or pick off the notes.

not sure if this helps, or is different from what you are describing, but you have to take your finger off of B (while R is held), at the point when the R crosses.

so if it's R-B-R-B-R-B all HO/POs
you must press B when the B crosses, and not release it until the R crosses, and so on

That might be what's happening....so if I have for instance this:

R-B-long pause-R

If I get the first R, then B, and continue holding B (and R) and release just B when the last R gets there, the R will register?

But I would press B and release it during that long pause, I'm going to also have to release R and press it again to catch the last one?

is that what you're saying? I might have to play a couple sections in really-slowed down practice mode to verify if that's what's happening, as when I'm actually playing, it seems very inconsistent and I couldn't figure out what was going on.

If I'm correct in what you're saying, can I assume this will only work for hammer-ons, and not pull-offs (so lower frets can be held down, but not the higher frets....similar to "real" notes)? So it would work in my scenario above (blue to red) but not reversed (red to blue)?

This actually isn't true. On all HO/POs you can just finger the notes without strumming. The game doesn't actually make you hammer-on or pick off the notes.not exactly sure what you are saying.

he asked why, when he held R, and let go of B, the R wouldn't register.

I know you don't have to have R held the whole time, infact I generally bounce my fingers around, instead of anchoring them for HO/POs.

I was just trying to answer the question, for the style in which he plays.

obviously they don't need to be strummed, that goes without saying, they are HO/POs

That might be what's happening....so if I have for instance this:

R-B-long pause-R

If I get the first R, then B, and continue holding B (and R) and release just B when the last R gets there, the R will register?yes, that is how it works

But I would press B and release it during that long pause, I'm going to also have to release R and press it again to catch the last one?can't say for sure, but I would say yes, it will register

is that what you're saying? I might have to play a couple sections in really-slowed down practice mode to verify if that's what's happening, as when I'm actually playing, it seems very inconsistent and I couldn't figure out what was going on.

If I'm correct in what you're saying, can I assume this will only work for hammer-ons, and not pull-offs (so lower frets can be held down, but not the higher frets....similar to "real" notes)? So it would work in my scenario above (blue to red) but not reversed (red to blue)?for HOs, it will make no difference whether you have your finger on a button lower than the HO button (R in this case). for the record, I was just using as a for instance of sections that repeat two notes back and forth (Drain You for example). when I have a section where it goes G-R-Y-B-Y-R-G, I generally just slide my finger up and down the fretboard.

after a while, things just click, when you find your own way of playing that works for you. but yes this is how the game registers hits

not exactly sure what you are saying.

he asked why, when he held R, and let go of B, the R wouldn't register.

I know you don't have to have R held the whole time, infact I generally bounce my fingers around, instead of anchoring them for HO/POs.

I was just trying to answer the question, for the style in which he plays.

obviously they don't need to be strummed, that goes without saying, they are HO/POs

Yeah, I know you don't have to keep R held down. I just tend to play that way (same as if there are a bunch of normal notes, like R-Y-R-Y-R-Y....I just keep the R held down and press/release Y).

My question was why/when the HO/PO's act like that, as I couldn't figure out a pattern, as sometimes they seemed to, and other times it seemed I had to press/release. I'd just like to know, as I think if I could figure it out, I'd adjust my playstyle to match.

Sounds like your calibration might be a smidge off.

Try the RB2 guitar hardware calibration, then play with the GHWT guitar. :cool:

Sounds like your calibration might be a smidge off.

Try the RB2 guitar hardware calibration, then play with the guitar that doesn't murder you left hand. :cool:

ftfy

Sounds like your calibration might be a smidge off.

Try the RB2 guitar hardware calibration, then play with the GHWT guitar. :cool:

Yeah, that's not my issue, but thanks. Guess I'm not explaining it right.

picked up 5 tracks from chinese democracy(the only ones I liked) and they all pretty much worked oiut as fun overall. I couldn't beat two of them on sightread for expert guitar. I mostly bought tese because buckethead did teh guitars for the majority fo the album and as expected the solos are pretty insane.
drum wise all teh tracks had amusing bits. Not the greatest album release IMO but no where near as bad as the pixies were for me.

So, who thinks Nothing's Shocking will be announced tomorrow for 4/21? If it is, I may do this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pXfHLUlZf4

Hey gang,

Take a gander at the DLC coming out on the week of 4/21! To tie in with one of the current Rock Band sponsored tours, there's a sweet 7 track pack of REO Speedwagon and Styx songs to whet your classic rock whistle. Not enough? Top it off with a Hautewerk 3 pack for dessert! Here's the track listing:

REO Speedwagon - Riding the Storm Out
REO Speedwagon - Roll with the Changes
REO Speedwagon - Take It on the Run
Styx - Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
Styx - Renegade
Styx - Too Much Time On My Hands
Styx / REO Speedwagon - Can't Stop Rockin'
Hautewerk - Alone in My Head
Hautewerk - I Know Where You Came From
Hautewerk - Stop Start Again

All tracks are master recordings.

Release Dates:
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 (Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360®)
Thursday, April 23, 2009 (PlayStation®Store)

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change **

Pricing:
$1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
$10.99 (880 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) “REO Speedwagon / Styx Tour ’09 Pack”
$5.49 (440 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) “Hautewerk Pack 01”


boom

EDIT: wow a dual artist track....NICE!

EDIT2: the styx tracks are re-recorded for this release.

wow that reo/styx pack is like one of the coolest sounding packs since boston. I'm really excited to play all of those. My only qualm is I wish come sail away was in there. the cartman version(from chef aid) is permantly ingrained in my head.

I will be buying:
REO Speedwagon - Take It on the Run
Styx - Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
Styx - Renegade

You can hear the Hautewerk songs here because they're not on Amazon or iTunes: http://www.hautewerk.com/index1.asp?section=music

REO and Styx? I think I just wet myself a little.

I will be buying:
REO Speedwagon - Take It on the Run
Styx - Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
Styx - Renegade

You can hear the Hautewerk songs here because they're not on Amazon or iTunes: http://www.hautewerk.com/index1.asp?section=music

yeah I found that site but it didn't work the first time, thanks though since I was able to preview the songsnow ....yeah definitely buying the reo/styx pack hautewerk sounds a little boring to play.

looks like the styx tracks are re-recorded for this release.

Yeah, that's not my issue, but thanks. Guess I'm not explaining it right.

The short answer is yes they do work that way and should always work.

But I know what you are talking about as far as what seems like some mysterious misses. I think most of my misses are from HO or PO too soon.

I was going to fire up RB1 for the heck of it, but then i remembered, no hopo chords. Forget it! That is such a fun new feature, took me a while to learn to appreciate them.

I'm a little weary of any Styx re-records but these are great tracks.

The short answer is yes they do work that way and should always work.

But I know what you are talking about as far as what seems like some mysterious misses. I think most of my misses are from HO or PO too soon.

I was going to fire up RB1 for the heck of it, but then i remembered, no hopo chords. Forget it! That is such a fun new feature, took me a while to learn to appreciate them.


Yeah I played last night and figured out they work pretty much the same as normal notes. if you have R-Y-R-Y-R, you can just keep R held down and press the yellow fret when those pass, and the red still "take" without having to release/press the Red Fret again.

I'm a little weary of any Styx re-records but these are great tracks.

a lot of people are saying styx still does great live so I'd expect there's new masters to sound pretty close to the originals only maybe better quality.

I was just saying to the wife a week or so ago that I wanted some Styx, so this is great re-recorded or not....I will get the pack cause REO is good stuff too.....:)

I wonder if the Styx tracks were re-recorded to stiff Dennis DeYoung out of royalties? That's probably why we won't be seeing "Come Sail Away" anytime soon. I don't think any of these 3 tracks were originally written by or featured DeYoung on lead vocals.

a lot of people are saying styx still does great live so I'd expect there's new masters to sound pretty close to the originals only maybe better quality.
I was thinking Dennis DeYoung did vocals on Too Much Time on My Hands and wasn't sure who did Blue Collar Man but I guess they are all Shaw songs. So I'm less concerned now.

I wonder if the Styx tracks were re-recorded to stiff Dennis DeYoung out of royalties? That's probably why we won't be seeing "Come Sail Away" anytime soon. I don't think any of these 3 tracks were originally written by or featured DeYoung on lead vocals.

who knows, HMX maybe did secure a deal but will release it as a single so deyoung gets seperate but equal royalties. this pack is to commeorate rock band sponsering reo/styx's tour so if styx doesn't play teh song on tour pehaps that's another reason. Also .38 special is also on the tour and a pack of their stuff was expected, so maybe we'll get a second selection of styx songs along with some .38 special songs later. I recall there being a couple or more cruefest packs last year.

what's the consensus? Rock Band or Guitar Hero World Tour? I'm looking to buy one of these pretty soon. I only care about the drums.

For drums I believe it is Rock Band no contest. More consistent charting between songs is the primary reason.

what's the consensus? Rock Band or Guitar Hero World Tour? I'm looking to buy one of these pretty soon. I only care about the drums.

the concensus is rock band 2 is as good as it gets. with the new compatability mandate on both ps3 and 360 both game soffer similar features but rock band has more pluses.

Pros:
+ drum trainer
+ freestyle mode(play mp3's with several drum sound libraries).
+ multiple compatible drum controller solutions(official set, ion set, kick box adapters for pro quality v-drum gear)
+almost universally compatible DLC and song transfering(buy rock band 1 and for 5 bucks 55/58 songs become available for use in rock band 2 with full engine support. all DLC works in both rock band 1 and 2. all this means no disc switching and more incentive to invest in a product that will be future proof.
+better and more consistant charting(Red = snare/hihat(on intensive high hat songs), yellow = high hat/high tom, blue = ride/medium tom, green = crash/floor tom. Rock band charts are also so universally udnerstood and that most of the charts can be played on a real drum set(youtube has many examples).
+support for up to 3 cymbals.(again consistent charting is key with this, while cymbals aren't charted(they very well could be in future sequels, who knows) it's very easy to know when you should be hitting a cymbal instead of a pad).
+large amount of aftermarket parts available to enhance your playing.

and the biggest plus is that HMX has a better engine more accurate and fun than anything guitar hero world tour has put forward since going full band. So much so that HMX doesn't even need to release a rock band 3 this year, they're content just releasing a free patch to add more functionality.

Meanwhile guitar heor has established a practice of non compatible DLC, unfun and overly complicated charts and game design that borders on ametuerish.
Also the standard rock band kit works bette rin GH:WT than teh standard GH:WT kit works in Rock band 2. So EVen if you want to give GH a try you'd be better off starting in rock band.

some other big points:
GH is only releasing about 12 DLC songs per month for GH:WT, RB puts that amount of songs out per week at times.
everyday there are new abttle of the band comepitions(sometimes drummer-centric), new challenges are provided in the game as you download more songs.

The force is indeed strong with logicalnoise, I agree with everything said %100.

I only care about the drums.

ion drums + rb2 disc + ghwt disc + ghm disc

Rock Band for sure. I can't even stand to play Guitar Hero because the drums suck so much.

what's the consensus? Rock Band or Guitar Hero World Tour? I'm looking to buy one of these pretty soon. I only care about the drums.
I've been playing music games since GH1 and GH2.

I have 5 Guitar Hero games, including GH: World Tour.

I play Guitar, Drums, and Vocals.

And the only time Rock Band 2 comes out of my Xbox is when I have friends over and they want to "check out" GH:WT for the first time. After a few songs, they quickly ask to put the RB2 disc back in, where it stays for the rest of the night.

The nearly 650 songs in the RB catalog is just icing on the cake.

In my opinion, GH:WT is a rental, at best.

REO Speedwagon - Riding the Storm Out
REO Speedwagon - Roll with the Changes
REO Speedwagon - Take It on the Run
I can't believe we're getting 2 pre-sellout songs! I was hoping against hope that we might ever get one if we even got any R.E.O.
Riding the Storm Out and Roll With The Changes are instant buys. Take it on the run...not so much. Depends on whether I get the whole pack.


Styx - Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
Styx - Renegade
Styx - Too Much Time On My Hands
Styx / REO Speedwagon - Can't Stop Rockin'
Re-records worry me. The Devo tracks are what did it. While the Devo tracks sound good, they lack the raw energy of "20 years ago" originals, which is understandable. But still a drag. I guess the first two R.E.O. songs won't be "instant buys" as I'll have to wait and hear these Styx tunes to decide whether I'm getting the whole pack or not. If they were the originals I would be all over it.


Hautewerk - Alone in My Head
Hautewerk - I Know Where You Came From
Hautewerk - Stop Start Again

I don't know who these guys are.

The only reason to put GHWT in your XBox is to play Jesse's Girl. :D Rock Band 2 + Ion Drum Rocker all the way.

I admit I started off with Rock Band 2, which was my intro to these types of games.

I have tried to get into GH (GHII, III, WT, and the Metallica demo) and I just cannot do it. I have no idea what it is, as the play styles are the same, but it just doesn't seem "fun" to me.

I do know I can't stand the look of GH....so that might be influencing me. I hate the notes (circles vs. RB's rectangles), and the artwork on the fretboard coming at you, and the character styles....all seems more geared towards kids and the look of RB seems more "mature" for lack of a better word. But none of those complaints should really make GH less fun to play.

Maybe it's just the charting. I feel more like I'm playing the music in RB I guess.

And of course, having a few hundred songs available without having to switch discs is nice....much better for parties than GH's "try to remember which song is on which disc" method :)

I wonder if we'll get a Chickenfoot 3-pack with the three tracks they have up for a listen on their website? I'd love to get my hands and plastic instruments on some Chickenfoot! RB needs some Satriani! Considering that Chad already has some RHCP love on RB and Guitar Hero getting Van Halen (minus Sammy's stuff)...it's only natural.

If you don't know....

www.chickenfoot.us (http://www.chickenfoot.us)

Yes!!! I made it through all 14 chinese democracy songs on expert guitar. Probably a breeze for some of you guys (like my 12 yr old son :o)

It culminated in an epic slog through Riad N’ the Bedouins 3* 73% 28 note streak... lol

Looks like Paul McCartney (subtly?) premiered some game footage from The Beatles Rock Band game during his current tour. Looks really good :) I think they did a great job with the character models of the lads. Can't wait for this game!

http://kotaku.com/5218381/looks-like-beatles-rock-band-footage-from-here--%5Bupdate%5D

Looking forward to the REO and Styx songs. In fact, I'd say if I had to pick 3 Styx songs for RockBand, it probably would've been those 3!


On an unrelated note... I still have ye-olde RockBand drum kit. Not sure which rev it is, but it was purchased about 1 year ago. I have been having problems lately with dropped notes on the yellow pad and also false yellow notes when hitting red. I think it may have gotten damaged when a particularly heavy-hitting young guest came over to play a while back... My yellow pad is going concave near the middle, and it definitely doesn't "feel right" compared to the others. Any suggestions on how I might fix it? Thanks!

Looking forward to the REO and Styx songs. In fact, I'd say if I had to pick 3 Styx songs for RockBand, it probably would've been those 3!


On an unrelated note... I still have ye-olde RockBand drum kit. Not sure which rev it is, but it was purchased about 1 year ago. I have been having problems lately with dropped notes on the yellow pad and also false yellow notes when hitting red. I think it may have gotten damaged when a particularly heavy-hitting young guest came over to play a while back... My yellow pad is going concave near the middle, and it definitely doesn't "feel right" compared to the others. Any suggestions on how I might fix it? Thanks!

the plastic backing is cracked. You can order a replacement pad via ebay or buy a new set. the RB2 drums don;t crack but they can suffere from bubbling which is something you can foffset with vynil/gum rubber covers.

Lego rock band gets announced
revealed songs: Blur: “Song 2”
Carl Douglas: “Kung Fu Fighting”
Europe: “The Final Countdown”
Good Charlotte: “Boys and Girls”
Pink: “So What”
developed by TT games(makers of the otehr lego branded games of late)
compatible with all current rock band and otehr brand music controllers.
Out in holiday 2009.
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2009/04/legorb.jpg

Players will become rockers as they embark on a journey to stardom that the whole family can enjoy as they work their way through local venues, stadiums and fantasy locations on Earth and beyond that mimic the imaginative settings that the LEGO world offers. Also continuing the LEGO “build-and-play” gaming experience, players will be able to create their own LEGO Rock Band style as they customize their minifigure avatars, band and entourage, including roadies, managers and crew. LEGO Rock Band supports Rock Band instruments, as well as other music game controllers.

A billion people are going to ask if the songs are exportable. Harmonix has not answered that yet and probably won't for a while.

Everybody was Kung-Fu Fight...ting!
butta dunna dunt dunt DUNT dunt duhhhhhhhhhh
Ki-yahhhH!

I think "are the songs exportable?" will the second most asked question.

"Why?" will be the first. Is this the dividing line we need to enable mature and uncensored lyrics? "Snoop Dogg DLC for RockBand, not available for Lego RockBand."

It's the final countdown!!!!

i think "are the songs exportable?" will the second most asked question.

"why?" will be the first. Is this the dividing line we need to enable mature and uncensored lyrics? "snoop dogg dlc for rockband, not available for lego rockband."
+1.

the plastic backing is cracked. You can order a replacement pad via ebay or buy a new set. the RB2 drums don;t crack but they can suffere from bubbling which is something you can foffset with vynil/gum rubber covers.

You're 100% right on the diagnosis; I pulled the yellow pad off, and the plastic was cracked quite badly. :( I tried to fix it with duct tape, to no avail. :p The duct tape shored up the plastic backing, but stiffened it so much that the pad wouldn't register any hits. Peeling MOST of it off restored the pad to its previous behavior -- registers some hits, but drops a lot. I will look into a new pad (or maybe see about a RB2 kit...).

It's the final countdown!!!!

http://gobarrested.ytmnd.com/

You're 100% right on the diagnosis; I pulled the yellow pad off, and the plastic was cracked quite badly. :( I tried to fix it with duct tape, to no avail. :p The duct tape shored up the plastic backing, but stiffened it so much that the pad wouldn't register any hits. Peeling MOST of it off restored the pad to its previous behavior -- registers some hits, but drops a lot. I will look into a new pad (or maybe see about a RB2 kit...).

same thing happened to my first RB1 set but back them EA still had a no questions asked warranty.

leaked gameplay descriptions(used for marketing) have confirmed 3 part harmonies for the beatles: rock band

WwwwwoooooooOOOoooHhhhooooowooooooo!!!

Blur!

Sooo...

Why? Are these tracks going to be exportable?

:D

leaked gameplay descriptions(used for marketing) have confirmed 3 part harmonies for the beatles: rock band

Sorry...what are 3 part harmonies? I just play....I know jack about music.

Sorry...what are 3 part harmonies? I just play....I know jack about music.more importantly, how does it work (effectively) in solo play.

mproper - think Beach Boys

Sorry...what are 3 part harmonies? I just play....I know jack about music.

more importantly, how does it work (effectively) in solo play.

mproper - think Beach Boys

a 3 part harmony is hvaing 3 singers sing all together in key. the goal is to make your 3 voices phase. You can also harmonize by singing within a few semi tones of the main key to add charecter to vocals. The game according to the description will support up to 3 usb microphones and 3 part harmony. My pure guess is that the vocal path will now have 3 arrows and with mic stands you''l be able to have people do vocals while playing anotehr instrument(as the beatles did) or just have 2 extra players be back up vocalists.

for instance in "I wanna hold your hand" by the beatles "Hand" is sung as a rising harmonic with John, george and paul all together.

a 3 part harmony is hvaing 3 singers sing all together in key. the goal is to make your 3 voices phase. You can also harmonize by singing within a few semi tones of the main key to add charecter to vocals. The game according to the description will support up to 3 usb microphones and 3 part harmony. My pure guess is that the vocal path will now have 3 arrows and with mic stands you''l be able to have people do vocals while playing anotehr instrument(as the beatles did) or just have 2 extra players be back up vocalists.

for instance in "I wanna hold your hand" by the beatles "Hand" is sung as a rising harmonic with John, george and paul all together.

Thanks that helps. I hate that I'm 36 and know crap about music (I had to look up to see what a chord was when I first got the game).

I suck.

>>I had to look up to see what a chord was when I first got the game

really???

>>I suck.

hehe, well at least now you do know! rock band is educational...

I wouldnt think lego tracks would NOT be exportable to regular RB. Im sure the lip synching, how the lego hands strum guitars and sticks, would be a much different animation ala simpler.

I wouldnt think lego tracks would NOT be exportable to regular RB. Im sure the lip synching, how the lego hands strum guitars and sticks, would be a much different animation ala simpler.

I sure hope it's the other way around, with Lego Rock Band being a family-friendly sub-set of Regular Rock Band. i.e., all content works on RRB but only the non-sweary songs work on LRB.

But we get ahead of ourselves...

I fail to see the need for this. All the songs in rockband are already censored.

I just read the official press release (http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136243) again, and I think I was on to something in my first post about Lego Rock Band. The press release states numerous times things about "family friendly" and "fun for all ages" and things like that.

I'm betting songs like Creep, Self-Esteem, etc. will never make it to Lego RB. Sponge Bob, Naked Brothers, and other more gentle fare only.

But we better get Kung Fu Fighting for regular Rock Band!!!

Glad to hear that the controllers are compatible. We may have purchased our last Wii game and I didn't want to start that all over again.:)

Beatles 3-part harmony? So now there will be 3 EMPTY VOCAL SLOTS for online band quickplay? ;)

FINAL COUNTDOWN.... i have been waiting for this song... this better come out for DLC...

I declare the REO speedwagon/styx pack AWESOMESAUCE!

Was looking forward to today's songs and instead was greeted with the RRoD. Just great. This one lasted just shy of two years.

Yeah, I guess I don't get it (re: Lego Rock Band). Rock Band is already inherently "family friendly" and "fun for the whole family". Just because the characters which one creates are not made out of LEGO in the existing game doesn't mean that somehow the game is "for mature audiences". And as pointed out, the songs are already censored, so that can't possibly be one of the arguments. If all the songs are exportable and existing downloads are usable within the new game, I suppose that's fine, though, since it really becomes a glorified song pack with a new theme.

I really hope the songs are exportable or downloadable. We already have Beatles and now Legos coming, and I really don't want to see Rock Band go the "New game every 6 months" like Guitar Hero does.

This is me during a Rock Band party at my house:

ME:Let me put in the RB2 disc and we can play any of these 400+ songs....or if you want I can download of the other ~250 songs in this list that I don't have.


This is me at a Guitar Hero party at my friends house:

Them:Please consult this spreadsheet of songs. Oh, you want to play X song? Well, let me eject the GH: Aerosmith Disc and put in the GH III disc and boot it back up. Oh, now you want to play another song? Let me take out the GH III disc and put in my GH: Metallica disc. Playing that one song was fun, but now I'm really in the mood for Aerosmith again, so let me put that disc back in.


I really hope Rock Band doesn't turn into that. In fact, I believe I've already decided if the songs aren't exportable, I won't be buying any other Rock Band games.....although the Freakin' Beatles might force me to.

With no confirmation from Harmonix, it's sounding like Lego Rock Band is shaping up to be E-rated rocking fun, which is a lot different than Teen-Rated rocking fun with bleeped out swear words. Know what I mean?

If that ends up being the case, this is what it would mean: no "Police Truck" in Lego RB. Sure, the eff word is censored and so is "dick", so jello bellows "but there's six of us, so sucka my <silence>......ride, ride how we ride."

That's a censored song that isn't E-rated.

Yeah, I've always let my boys play all the music games, but I could see how GH3 & GHWT are a bit iffy with some people.

Also, I hate watching that spear go through the neversoft eyeball. Yuck...

http://pepsi.yahoo.com/rockband/

pepsi is running a promo this summer with rock band. collect codes in pepsi products and enter to win free DLC tracks(supposedly up to a million tracks will be given away), special edition bundles and other rock band stuff.

My Rock Pedal finally got here and I sat down for some fake drumming with all the DLC I missed over the past 2 months. Without the crappy pedal but still with the awesome RB1 kit that's getting replaced in a few days. I could have waited, sure, but I'm a guy with a new toy.

I'm surprised. The adjustments for a combo with beater and practice pad scared the crap out of me before I got down to it. Turns out it's all very logical once you have it sitting in front of you, you line up the height, beater position and tension you want with an optimal trigger point. The end result with the trigger activating when the beater hits and the sound the pad makes being in sync with the music put a big grin on my face. Not a kick trigger but close. Easier than I expected, too, and the aural feedback is quite useful. You can hear your timing.

Another thing I didn't expect is just how different it feels. I learned with the stock pedal and all techniques need adjusting. My right foot adapted to most of it quickly, but fast doubles give me trouble now. Any advice from others with the pedal? My neanderthal's foot is too big for heel-toe on this thing, which is what I planned on practicing. Quick tapping is difficult because of the rebound.

If the IONs are as different (and of course they will be) I'm gonna have a good bit of practice ahead of me soon. Reprogramming all the muscle memory is going to make me feel like a caveman. Again. At least there's a bunch of new music to enjoy!

My Rock Pedal finally got here and I sat down for some fake drumming with all the DLC I missed over the past 2 months. Without the crappy pedal but still with the awesome RB1 kit that's getting replaced in a few days. I could have waited, sure, but I'm a guy with a new toy.

I'm surprised. The adjustments for a combo with beater and practice pad scared the crap out of me before I got down to it. Turns out it's all very logical once you have it sitting in front of you, you line up the height, beater position and tension you want with an optimal trigger point. The end result with the trigger activating when the beater hits and the sound the pad makes being in sync with the music put a big grin on my face. Not a kick trigger but close. Easier than I expected, too, and the aural feedback is quite useful. You can hear your timing.

Another thing I didn't expect is just how different it feels. I learned with the stock pedal and all techniques need adjusting. My right foot adapted to most of it quickly, but fast doubles give me trouble now. Any advice from others with the pedal? My neanderthal's foot is too big for heel-toe on this thing, which is what I planned on practicing. Quick tapping is difficult because of the rebound.

If the IONs are as different (and of course they will be) I'm gonna have a good bit of practice ahead of me soon. Reprogramming all the muscle memory is going to make me feel like a caveman. Again. At least there's a bunch of new music to enjoy!

work with the spring tension, you want teh pad rebound to help you with quick doubles. tight enough to give spring back but loose enough for your foot to correct a rebound into a second hit quickly and accurately. I usually choose to make teh spring overly strong to train my foot to get stronger and grow into the needed strength to be accurate and get rebound out of teh pad. But of course with thios method your leg will feel tired faster on the first few sessions.

Anyone nab the Styx/REO tracks today?

Anyone nab the Styx/REO tracks today?

had them since tuesday, they're great fun on guitar and drums sound good on bass and the vox is almost all 5 and up on difficulty.

Anyone have any problems with their Omega Pedal? Hits aren't registering anymore, I figure the switch is shot but was curious if anyone else has had problems. We only play about one night a week which is not exactly a lot compared to some of you guys.

I was having a lot of trouble with the doubles when I first got my practice pad and I really don't know what I'm doing now differently other than the fact that I got used to it. I'm having no problems with them now.

Anyone have any problems with their Omega Pedal? Hits aren't registering anymore, I figure the switch is shot but was curious if anyone else has had problems. We only play about one night a week which is not exactly a lot compared to some of you guys.

It's probably the eye-ring that registers the trigger has slipped a bit.

When I added the practice pad, I had to loosen the nut on the side and rotate the eye ring to adjust for new beater position. The slightest touch will make the hit register either way too soon, or not at all... so finding that right position is crucial.

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice logicalnoise.

Frankly, I feel like NoThru just put it. Tightened up the spring, didn't know how I felt about it, but a couple of songs later it got better. Now I can't really tell what I'm doing differently, must be both the tension and the footwork. A couple more hours of practice and it should be back to where it was. What's already better than it was is my kick timing. Man, hearing how you mess up helps so much. It's like the missing piece in the puzzle for me, now I immediately get a clearly audible pattern that's like a descrambler for tricky sections. Play by ear. Why wasn't I forced into this earlier?!

Thanks for the advice logicalnoise.

Frankly, I feel like NoThru just put it. Tightened up the spring, didn't know how I felt about it, but a couple of songs later it got better. Now I can't really tell what I'm doing differently, must be both the tension and the footwork. A couple more hours of practice and it should be back to where it was. What's already better than it was is my kick timing. Man, hearing how you mess up helps so much. It's like the missing piece in the puzzle for me, now I immediately get a clearly audible pattern that's like a descrambler for tricky sections. Play by ear. Why wasn't I forced into this earlier?!

indeed I remeber just choking on Siva by Smashing pumpkins as soon as I got a rock pedal with pad it became crystal what pattern I needed to play. hell I play most fo that song by ear and just check for any extra hits that may come.

Anyone nab the Styx/REO tracks today?

I haven't had much use for either of these bands since I stopped playing "spin the bottle," but this pack is pretty good. HDnet has opened my ears to Styx before (?) Dennis De Young, and there are some pretty tricky solos to wake you yp from what is pretty pedestrian gtr work. "High Infidelity" was in my early LP collection so "Take It" was recognizable by name while the others took just a little listening to. These tracks will be great for vocalists.

Perhaps the REO/STYX combo has something to do with promoting this?

http://www.rockofagesmusical.com/

I think this has been covered before but when I replace my RROD'd 360 this weekend I want to make sure - the RB DLC does work with the Xbox License transfer, I just have to re-download every single track and pack, correct?

I think this has been covered before but when I replace my RROD'd 360 this weekend I want to make sure - the RB DLC does work with the Xbox License transfer, I just have to re-download every single track and pack, correct?

... and be signed into to the gamertag that dl'd them in the first place. I've moved all of my dlc to a different X360 by using the HD or downloading again and the only catch seems to be that the gamertag is signed in.

You can just use the old HD with your gamertag on the "new" x360.

You will be seeing "Download again" and "Play now" in your sleep.:D

I haven't had much use for either of these bands since I stopped playing "spin the bottle," but this pack is pretty good. HDnet has opened my ears to Styx before (?) Dennis De Young, and there are some pretty tricky solos to wake you yp from what is pretty pedestrian gtr work. "High Infidelity" was in my early LP collection so "Take It" was recognizable by name while the others took just a little listening to. These tracks will be great for vocalists.

Perhaps the REO/STYX combo has something to do with promoting this?

http://www.rockofagesmusical.com/

Rock band is sponsoring their tour. .38 special is also on there and people expect DLC for them soon.

... and be signed into to the gamertag that dl'd them in the first place. I've moved all of my dlc to a different X360 by using the HD or downloading again and the only catch seems to be that the gamertag is signed in.

You can just use the old HD with your gamertag on the "new" x360.

You will be seeing "Download again" and "Play now" in your sleep.:D
If I have to be logged in that means the license transfer doesn't work, which is what I thought I read somewhere and I was afraid of after having invested hundreds of dollars into DLC. I'm not sure if that makes it worth it to try to get mine fixed instead of going to Costco tomorrow night for a swap, but we'll see.

If I have to be logged in that means the license transfer doesn't work, which is what I thought I read somewhere and I was afraid of after having invested hundreds of dollars into DLC. I'm not sure if that makes it worth it to try to get mine fixed instead of going to Costco tomorrow night for a swap, but we'll see.

Corey. Sorry, I glossed over the "license transfer" part. I haven't done anything like that, just flipped HD and re-downloaded tracks. I've found out the hard way that I can't access when not connected to xLive... but that is a RARE occassion.

Try one and make sure it works when you aren't logged into live. On my RROD return, they didn't transfer the licenses over so I had to call them again and ask them to do it.

Corey. Sorry, I glossed over the "license transfer" part. I haven't done anything like that, just flipped HD and re-downloaded tracks. I've found out the hard way that I can't access when not connected to xLive... but that is a RARE occassion.
Ok thanks for clarifying. I guess I can be the AVS Forum guinea pig on this one.

Oh yeah, I forgot about my Rock Pedal with practice pad. I definitely adjusted the spring so it was at maximum tension so that made a big difference. I thought you had a Rock Pedal too, Daver.

I thought you had a Rock Pedal too, Daver.

I tried a Rock Pedal out with the no-risk 30 day money back guarantee and came really close to keeping it... it's a great pedal. But a couple weeks into the trial I switched back to the Omega to compare, and I liked the feel of the Omega's Pearl pedal better.

So I sent the Rock Pedal back. But both are great pedals and it came really close -- I think for me it was just down to having used the Omega for so long it was what I comfortable with.

Anyone nab the Styx/REO tracks today?
I got the whole pack and all six original songs are great. The REO/Styx song was kind of corny, but considering I got it for free, I can't really complain. It reminds me of Get Your Rock On, except it's not done as promotion for a crappy movie.

Hey everybody!

I am very pleased to announce that next week's DLC offering is the Jane's Addiction album Nothing's Shocking for all three consoles.


Next week’s Rock Band Music Store lineup will feature ten tracks from Nothing’s Shocking with “Mountain Song” from Nothing’s Shocking already featured on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack. The DLC album includes the following tracks:

Tracks:

“Up the Beach”
“Ocean Size”
“Had a Dad”
“Ted, Just Admit It…”
“Standing in the Shower… Thinking”
“Summertime Rolls”
“Idiots Rule”
“Jane Says”
“Thank You Boys”
“Pig’s in Zen”

(All tracks are original master recordings)

The tracks will be available for purchase as an album or as individual tracks for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system. The tracks will be available for purchase as individual tracks only for Wii.

Release Date:
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
(Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360® and in-game Rock Band 2 Music Store for Wii)
Thursday, April 30, 2009
(PlayStation®Store)

Price:
$1.99 or 160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360 per track
$2.00 or 200 Wii Points for Wii per track
$15.99 (1280Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for Nothing’s Shocking album

meh, I know others were excited but the JA tracks we've gotten so far haven't been all that interesting to me. No problem with the band just not my cup of RB tea.

If I have to be logged in that means the license transfer doesn't work, which is what I thought I read somewhere and I was afraid of after having invested hundreds of dollars into DLC. I'm not sure if that makes it worth it to try to get mine fixed instead of going to Costco tomorrow night for a swap, but we'll see.
The way the license transfer works now, based on my own experience, is that when you get your console back, Microsoft includes a slip of paper that tells you that you have to do the migration yourself. According to the paper, it's as simple as going to their license migration website and performing an operation there.

The problem is that when you perform the website migration, it then tells you that there's just one last step: Re-download every piece of content. This involves going through every item in the download history, one at a time, and asking the system to re-download it. Thankfully, it only actually downloads a tiny license file and skips the actual file content when one does this, but it still takes significant effort.

Jane Says is the only definite buy from me but I'll check out the charts to all the other songs as well.

The way the license transfer works now, based on my own experience, is that when you get your console back, Microsoft includes a slip of paper that tells you that you have to do the migration yourself. According to the paper, it's as simple as going to their license migration website and performing an operation there.

The problem is that when you perform the website migration, it then tells you that there's just one last step: Re-download every piece of content. This involves going through every item in the download history, one at a time, and asking the system to re-download it. Thankfully, it only actually downloads a tiny license file and skips the actual file content when one does this, but it still takes significant effort.

No, microsoft should've done the migration on their end. You should not be forced to waste the "one-time use" migration tool online for their faulty hardware.

No, microsoft should've done the migration on their end. You should not be forced to waste the "one-time use" migration tool online for their faulty hardware.
It is once every 12 months, right?

When it debuted I avoided using it because I knew my console had over a year on it already and it could go at any moment. That's pretty damned sad considering how many consoles I've owned in my life and how many others have gone bad (2 - PS2 DVD died after 6 years, Atarti 2600 power supply routinely failed, had to be warrantied once).

>>Thankfully, it only actually downloads a tiny license file and skips the actual file content when one does this, but it still takes significant effort.

Thats why I didn't even bother... I always login to live so not a huge deal.

Hopefully the process gets automated at some point.

How many of your are playing on a LCD TV using an Xbox 360? Is anyone noticing blurred lyrics when they play?

How many of your are playing on a LCD TV using an Xbox 360? Is anyone noticing blurred lyrics when they play?

I have a LCD and no my lyrics show fine, but there's a solution for you pause teh game and change teh vocal style to static instead of scrolling.

How many of your are playing on a LCD TV using an Xbox 360? Is anyone noticing blurred lyrics when they play?

LCD here, no blurred lyrics. At least I don't remember the few times I actually sang. :p

What TV do you have? Make sure interpolation (MotionFlow on Sony, AMP on Samsung...) is not active when playing RockBand.

I have an LCD and the lyrics show fine though lag is much higher than on my DLP projector.

I have a LCD and no my lyrics show fine, but there's a solution for you pause teh game and change teh vocal style to static instead of scrolling.
Nah, Im trying to get around that. We like scrolling lyrics. I am just asking as to if anyone has found a way to fix this either in TV or Game settings...

That sounds like you might just have a screen with a slow response time. In that case there's no fix other than a new screen.

That sounds like you might just have a screen with a slow response time. In that case there's no fix other than a new screen.
Its last years Sharp Aquos LC52D64U and it is ONLY the lyrics, the fret boards and everything else i have thrown at this tv (blu-ray, DVD, etc.) is picture perfect clear...

What TV do you have? Make sure interpolation (MotionFlow on Sony, AMP on Samsung...) is not active when playing RockBand.

Maybe this. Is your LCD 120Hz? If so, turn it off for gaming.

Its last years Sharp Aquos LC52D64U and it is ONLY the lyrics, the fret boards and everything else i have thrown at this tv (blu-ray, DVD, etc.) is picture perfect clear...

check your setting on the TV if there is a preset called gaming try that otehrwise turn off all enhancements of teh signal from your TV. if that solves it turn them on again until you know which one causes it.

No, microsoft should've done the migration on their end. You should not be forced to waste the "one-time use" migration tool online for their faulty hardware.

when i upgraded to my xbox elite recently, the problem i had with the migration tool is that i did it exactly as instructed, went down item for item and redownloaded everything, yet i STILL have certain songs (about 15 of the 120+ i have) that it wont let me play offline due to it being assigned to my old console!?! i KNOW i didnt miss any during the transfer's re-download process; i did the whole process in one sitting, yet some didnt transfer licensing correctly to the new console.

at first i thought, "no biggie, i'll just make a note of all the songs and do the migration tool process again" ...um, no luck. you can only use the migration tool ONCE every 12 months.

Finally, Nothing's Shocking DLC!!! I just got wood when I read that.

My brother's new Bravia was doing a herky jerky note scroll highway. We fixed it by turning off 'Cinemotion' option for the 360's input. Probably something like that in your Sharp.

Yeah the migration tool is once every 12 months, but the rate of 360s failing, you might need to use it more than once depending on the one you get back.

Yeah the migration tool is once every 12 months, but the rate of 360s failing, you might need to use it more than once depending on the one you get back.
Mine are lasting an average of 20 months. According to my posts on the RRoD thread this second one survived about 10 days short of a full 2 years :) I think Costco is carrying the Elites now, do those have a better survival rate?

I've got a 16 month old Elite that gets almost daily use. So far, so good.

It's probably the eye-ring that registers the trigger has slipped a bit.

When I added the practice pad, I had to loosen the nut on the side and rotate the eye ring to adjust for new beater position. The slightest touch will make the hit register either way too soon, or not at all... so finding that right position is crucial.

Good luck!

Thanks Dave, I'll give that a shot. I'm so spoiled with the Omega pedal, going back to the stock pedal and even the one that came with the Ion kit has been a serious buzzkill...

Just played through the Nothing's Shocking album on drums. It is buck nuts. Buy it today. Seriously.

So I'm a little behind on playing my DLC....

Holy cow "Ridin' the Storm Out" is butt-loads of fun on Hard Drums! The solos my wife was shredding on Medium Guitar sounded pretty darn good, too. :D

I'm surprised how many people on here play drums, especially considering they seem to be the least favorite instrument at most Rock-Band get-togethers I go to). I'd love to play those more, but my game time is mostly limited to after the wife and kid goes to bed, and they're too loud (Sure, I've tried hitting them lighter, but I always end up wailing on them.....)

So I'm stuck with guitar for the most part.

I'm also way behind on my DLC. I need more money.

Did you try the silencers? My wife leaves on her TV and the kids' TV when I play late. They dont hear anything once theyre asleep.

Did you try the silencers? My wife leaves on her TV and the kids' TV when I play late. They dont hear anything once theyre asleep.

Actually I have not. What silencers do you recommend? I am using the RB2 kit, if that matters.

I know most of you take your drumming seriously (with kits and new pedals and cymbals, etc), but I just want to be able to play the stock kit without waking up the wife. Our bedroom is right over the TV, which makes it a little harder to do anything (including watching horror or action movies or play a game like COD4).

I also tend to migrate from trying to hit the drums softly to wailing on them ever harder....

I'm surprised how many people on here play drums, especially considering they seem to be the least favorite instrument at most Rock-Band get-togethers I go to).
This makes a lot of sense to me, the reason the drums are so unpopular is because they are the hardest for newbies and they require the most physical effort. For the die hard players drums seem to be the instrument of choice so of course people that post on message boards are going to be a little closer to that group. I will play drums when I need to, a lot of people come over and want to jam on the ION kit though.

Still haven't resolved my RRoD issue (Costco doesn't want to give me a full refund, but will give me a new system for $50, warranty has 9mos-1 year left on it, trying to decide which is the better long term option). Damn I am missing this game.

This makes a lot of sense to me, the reason the drums are so unpopular is because they are the hardest for newbies and they require the most physical effort. For the die hard players drums seem to be the instrument of choice so of course people that post on message boards are going to be a little closer to that group. I will play drums when I need to, a lot of people come over and want to jam on the ION kit though.

That makes sense. The drums also seem to be kindof boring on easier difficulties. I only play medium (because I can't play enough to get good enough for hard) and it seems to always be something like R, RY, R, RY, R, RY (repeat for 90% of song).

I need to practice more so I can play hard. Maybe I'll just make the wife and kid wear earplugs to bed....actually, now that it's hot out, they do have fans running in their rooms, which might drown out some of the sound. Maybe I'll try tonight and see how long it is before I get the whole "KNOCK OFF THAT RACKET!" shout down the stairs.

Space and noise are the things that keep me from playing more drums - or singing, for that matter. As far as this thread goes, drummers just need more help. I mean, they have more questions, and tons of mods and adjustments to discuss...;)

It's a lot easier to make the leap (in your mind) between playing RB drums and the real thing, so IMHO it's easier to admit to in a public forum. Especially now that you can rock the cymbals.:cool:

"Hi, my name is ... and I play plastic quitar." :)

Yeah, drums on medium does get very repetitive. I get stuck on hard playing solo but with a band to pull me through I'm alright. I can get through a few easy songs on expert. I just lack the foot skill to advance higher when there are a lot of kicks off the main beat.

So, speaking of drums... I posted about my broken yellow pad on my RB1 set. I was all set to try and get a replacement pad, but then I received an unexpected gift card, and I'm now thinking it's time for a new kit. :) I am leaning toward the RB2 kit with a MadKatz 3-cymbal set.
The main things I'm hoping for are improved durability and added gameplay variety (hence the cymbals). Is the RB2 kit much more durable than the RB1 kits? Are the MadCatz cymbals reasonably robust, or are there other good (and cheap) alternatives to look at? Any other things I should consider? I will say I'm probably not going to spring for an ION kit at this time... I'm trying to minimize my out-of-pocket spending on this. :)

So, speaking of drums... I posted about my broken yellow pad on my RB1 set. I was all set to try and get a replacement pad, but then I received an unexpected gift card, and I'm now thinking it's time for a new kit. :) I am leaning toward the RB2 kit with a MadKatz 3-cymbal set.
The main things I'm hoping for are improved durability and added gameplay variety (hence the cymbals). Is the RB2 kit much more durable than the RB1 kits? Are the MadCatz cymbals reasonably robust, or are there other good (and cheap) alternatives to look at? Any other things I should consider? I will say I'm probably not going to spring for an ION kit at this time... I'm trying to minimize my out-of-pocket spending on this. :)

teh RB2 kit is indeed sturdier the backing is muchmuch thicker and won't crak. Though the pads will bubble after a short time. so you'df be wise to buy the vynil sticker covers(the ones with the skulls) or some gum rubber covers. I have the mad catz two cymbal pack and I honestly took them off after a while. yeah they add some realism but madcatz didn't make them all that well and my sticks were constantly geting stuck under the cymbalsd(you can control their height but they can only be a few inches away from the pads).

Speaking of drums, my IONs arrived yesterday and I'm officially in drum heaven. The cymbals will have to wait while I adjust to everything else, but it's smooth. I prefer experience over score so I arranged them like an actual set, snare between the legs, toms above and arching away to the right. Not that I have actual experience, mind, just fake drumming. But it's so natural I'd never go back. All it took was a couple of songs. There was still minor pad confusion during some sections where old muscle memory spazzed out, but by and large I was back up and running in no time. Except for no more missed notes, easier multi-hits and rolls and a tremendously improved drum experience overall!

Can't wait to get back to it tonight.

Actually I have not. What silencers do you recommend? I am using the RB2 kit, if that matters.

I know most of you take your drumming seriously (with kits and new pedals and cymbals, etc), but I just want to be able to play the stock kit without waking up the wife. Our bedroom is right over the TV, which makes it a little harder to do anything (including watching horror or action movies or play a game like COD4).

I also tend to migrate from trying to hit the drums softly to wailing on them ever harder....

The ones I'm referring are the official silencers from Pelican. I know with an RB1 drum kit, there's a certain way to install it because the silencers are a little wider than the plastic rim around the drum. This causes spaces at the edges and you could miss notes if you don't hit it in the middle. Go to the rockband.com/community forum and just look it up there. Make sure you find the ones that are using RB2 kits. I notice that the RB2 kit is already quieter than my EL RB1 kit. It might help if you check with version of the drums that you have. Check under the drums for that. It could be EL, QM, or SL.

Hey everybody,

Next week we have a nice, varied selection of tracks coming out. Who do we have? How about the Allman Brothers Band? What about a Franz Ferdinand 3-pack? Or some Luscious Jackson, Alien Ant Farm . What if we followed that up with some, I don't know, Prong and The Distillers. Will that work for you? Works for me.

We'll announce the Wii tracks for next week on Monday, see you then.

Tracks:
Franz Ferdinand - Do You Want To
Franz Ferdinand - Lucid Dreams
Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal
Allman Bros - Blue Sky
Allman Bros - Midnight Rider
Distillers - Drain the Blood
Luscious Jackson - Naked Eye
Prong - Idealistic Types
Prong - The Banishment

(All tracks are original master recordings)

Price:
$1.99 or 160 Microsoft Points per track
$5.49 or 440 Microsoft Points for Franz Ferdinand 3-pack

Locations:
Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360
PlayStation®Network


some primo stuff

edit: definitely getting the franz pack, smooth criminal, naked eye, maybe the two allman tracks. the one prong song i found sounded meh same with the distillers.

Hey everybody,

Next week we have a nice, varied selection of tracks coming out. Who do we have? How about the Allman Brothers Band? What about a Franz Ferdinand 3-pack? Or some Luscious Jackson, Alien Ant Farm . What if we followed that up with some, I don't know, Prong and The Distillers. Will that work for you? Works for me.

We'll announce the Wii tracks for next week on Monday, see you then.

Tracks:
Franz Ferdinand - Do You Want To
Franz Ferdinand - Lucid Dreams
Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal
Allman Bros - Blue Sky
Allman Bros - Midnight Rider
Distillers - Drain the Blood
Luscious Jackson - Naked Eye
Prong - Idealistic Types
Prong - The Banishment

(All tracks are original master recordings)

Price:
$1.99 or 160 Microsoft Points per track
$5.49 or 440 Microsoft Points for Franz Ferdinand 3-pack

Locations:
Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360
PlayStation®Network


WHOAH! Frickin' awesome is all I have to say!

http://4gifs.com/gallery/d/74852-1/Fatboy_reacts.gif

Awesome, I have been waiting for Midnight Rider. that one and Smooth Criminal are fur shur's for me. I don't know any of the other songs.

Awesome, I have been waiting for Midnight Rider. that one and Smooth Criminal are fur shur's for me. I don't know any of the other songs.

"take me out" was in GH1.

I honestly doubt I'll buy more than 2-3 of those tracks but what a great lineup of acts and a nice mish-mash of something for everyone. I daresay they just crushed the entire announced May GH lineup in just one week.

"take me out" was in GH1.

... and will be re-worked for GH:SH. It will be interesting to see how many GH:SH tracks make it to RB DLC in the next month, although the lead time required would suggest that these have to be in-the-can already to get pumped out in the next few weeks.

That is a cool mix of artists for sure. 'Take Me Out' is one of many songs from GH1 I'd love to see. 'No One Knows' by QotSA and 'Heart Full of Black' by the Burning Brides are only a couple I can remember off the top of my head I'd buy without hesitation. Hope they keep bringing the old tacks every once in awhile.

Ziggy Stardust and Killer Queen are two GH1 faves I'd love to have in Rock Band that I'm sure would get lots of party play too.

"No One Knows" would be killer for the drummers.

That's so funny that I was looking at the tracklist for Guitar Hero Smash Hits and thinking how I wanted to have Take Me Out. Smooth Criminal??? Pure freaking win.

I'm with Tom here; Take me Out and Smooth Criminal are pure win indeed.

Smooth criminal, one of my favorite covers of all times!

"No One Knows" would be killer for the drummers.

Local radio station plays this song all the time. I'd love to play it.

That's so funny that I was looking at the tracklist for Guitar Hero Smash Hits and thinking how I wanted to have Take Me Out.

Is that the song from those old PSP commercials? If so, I was wondering who Franz Ferdinand was... :o

That one and "Naked Eye" sound good for parties.

Is that the song from those old PSP commercials? If so, I was wondering who Franz Ferdinand was... :o

That one and "Naked Eye" sound good for parties.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=franz+ferdinand+take+me+out

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=franz+ferdinand+take+me+out

If I could YouTube from work, I would.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=franz+ferdinand+psp+commercial

the beatles rock band site upadated and if you get in the pre-order club you can see the guitars from the 2 guitar bundle....which I have mirrored here :D
http://imgur.com/Htf.jpg

corrected model guitar lennon used: http://www.rickbeat.com/beatles/325_johnedit.jpg

The hofner bass controller and ludwig branded drums have yet to be revealed. unless HMX annouces some other bundle in order to get the game and all the new controllers it's going to be 450 bucks. HMX is staying tight lipped and just says wait for official annoucments.

The hofner bass controller and ludwig branded drums have yet to be revealed. unless HMX annouces some other bundle in order to get the game and all the new controllers it's going to be 450 bucks. HMX is staying tight lipped and just says wait for official annoucments.

lol 450 bucks can kiss my derriere

Man Blue Sky kicks so many forms of ass. Freaking fantastic solo. This song is easily in my top 5 funnest to play of all these guitar games. Bring on more allman brothers please! We need some Jessica!

So as I was trying out the new DLC, the "rock note" during loading was.."Maybe it's time to try a real guitar - you can get one pretty cheap," or something like that. With the beatles controllers and game coming out, a real guitar is very cheap by comparison ... rb1, rb2, wired instruments, wireless instruments, dlc out th wazoo.... Even at $300, a real guitar would be a bargain. Ion drum kit? =)

Is this the $1000 game, yet?

I've spent well over $1,600 on this game.

I feel humbled. After beating Panic Attack finally, I've been getting my ass kicked by DLC. Starting with Warriors of Time by Blacktide. Lately on the DLC I have failed on sightread Porch, Ted Just Admit It, Lucid Dreams (FF), Smooth Criminal, and the Banishment.

I five starred Waking the Demon on sightread and then failed it playing with my band!

There's been some difficult DLC lately, especially with complicated sticking and keeping up combos.

I redownloaded my DLC last night for my new Xbox. I know I haven't spent 1600 but its definitely over a grand. Also was "whoah" as to how many songs I've bought and played once or twice and forgot I had.

In any event I have 3 real guitars and am far better at Rock Band :)

Here are my current Rock Band expenditures:

Rock Band 1 - $170
Drum silencers - $30
Rock Pedal - $88
DLC (including AC/DC) ~ $415 (this is a conservative number)
Rock Band 2 - $60
Ion Drum Rockers - $325
Third cymbal - $50
Various drum sticks - $40
120GB hard drive (for all my songs)- $95
Guitar stand - $10
Roc-N-Soc Drum Throne - $ 170
Vater drumstick holster - $12
Gibralter Practice Bass Drum Pad - $50
Grip Peddler drum pedal cover - $25
Precision Bass controller - $60
Stage Kit - $40

Total ~ $1,640.00

I like the Black Tide sound (thank, DaverJ) but I get slaughtered by their solos. These are the only tracks that I've even remotely considered trying to learn vs. moving down a level. Like the other songs, I will probably end up just running head-first into that wall, again.:)

Re: RB Investment ... I have over 300 songs, including rb1, rb2, ac/dc and dlc, but I actually don't have the FREE ones because the webiste was down when I tried to register and who knows where that paper is now.:rolleyes:

Finally got to downloading the 3 track Metallica pack. Saw Allman Bros. and 'Smooth Criminal' and downloaded those too. Fun tracks!

Oh, and I finally got to beat some drum tracks on HARD. YAY! Hehehe. They were easy songs but I finally did it. Been playin consistent 97-100% on most medium song but was able to get over 96% on HARD on ...well, let's see.... Charlene (yeah, I know), E-Pro, Float On, and Today. Not much but its a huge confidence booster for me to try more songs at HARD difficulty. :D

Also, my drum pads are fairing much better now that I got nylon tipped sticks as recommended to me from you guys. I love my new sticks and should be able to hold out on getting a PDX-8 for a little while. Might have to pick up that Rock Peddle sooner though as that's where I am having the most issues. The ION drum pedal is good but not great. Swapped the cymbals since I was using the green about 10x more often than the blue so I figured a good "rotation" was in order. :)


EDIT: Oh, since we are adding up the $$$ spent on RB.... (btw I started this whole thing this past Feb 09'. :D)

Rock Band (used) - $25
Rock Band 2 - $60
ION Drum Rocker - $280
Rock Band 2 guitar - free (b-day present)
2 extra pairs of sticks - $15
DLC - unsure of exact amount, maybe close to $100 by now. (estimate)

next potential (or inevitable...) purchases

Drum Pedal w/practice pad
Roc-N-soc drum throne (like NoThru22 has....it looks comfy)
more DLC
a 2nd RB2 guitar
a microphone
Roland PDX-8 (upgrade/replacement for pad)

Here are my current Rock Band expenditures:

Rock Band 1 - $170
Drum silencers - $30
Rock Pedal - $88
DLC (including AC/DC) ~ $415 (this is a conservative number)
Rock Band 2 - $60
Ion Drum Rockers - $325
Third cymbal - $50
Various drum sticks - $40
120GB hard drive (for all my songs)- $95
Guitar stand - $10
Roc-N-Soc Drum Throne - $ 170
Vater drumstick holster - $12
Gibralter Practice Bass Drum Pad - $50
Grip Peddler drum pedal cover - $25
Precision Bass controller - $60
Stage Kit - $40

Total ~ $1,640.00

Where did you get the Stage Kit for $40?