My amazon oder placed back in early December has the delivery date at April 10 -but you know how times that has changed. Hopefully, the delay was to incorporate what they learned with all of the wired guitar returns.

At this point, I'm almost expecting it to show up with a copy of "Master & Commander" on BD.

Sweeeeeeeet! My local Ye Olde Game Stoppe had my guitar today, so I picked it up at lunch. I opened it up,and I am ecstatic to say that we are officially unhampered by a reciever dongle (unlike the PS3 version). I was hoping to give my review tonight, but my plans have changed and I am going out after work. That being said, your Strat should be on it's way any time now!

So you recommend Component over VGA? Do you think it has better PQ?

It may be that my Toshiba will only take 1080i over component - I can't be sure until I test it Monday. If component is only 1080i, does that change your opinion?

Thanks,

-Aaron

Nope. My Panasonic Plasma only does 1080i, that's what I'm using. I tried VGA at 1366 x 768 and it looked washed out to me. Plus, it was upscaled to 1080 so it looked fuzzy.

It may be that my Toshiba will only take 1080i over component - I can't be sure until I test it Monday. If component is only 1080i, does that change your opinion?

My Sony is a 1080p display but accepts 1080i max, so I send it 720p and let it scale it to 1080p. Sending it 1080i makes playing RockBand and GuitarHero very difficult, I'm guessing because the de-interlacing takes more time to process than the upscaling does.

What is the native resolution of your set? If it's 720p you're way better off sending it 720p. And it really doesn't matter whether it gets there via component or HDMI. My set doesn't do VGA inputs worth a crap so that's not an option for me.

So.....for me, component input with 720p for gaming and 1080i for HD-DVD watching look superb. YMMV. A lot depends on the set, so you'll have to check it out yourself in the end.

$1.99 per song (160 Microsoft Points) or 3-song Classic Rock pack for $5.49 (440 Microsoft points).

"Call Me" by Blondie (master)


"Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd (master)


"Message in Bottle" by the Police (master)

Yawwwwwn...

Wow... Call Me will be a fun track to play.

$1.99 per song (160 Microsoft Points) or 3-song Classic Rock pack for $5.49 (440 Microsoft points).

"Call Me" by Blondie (master)


"Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd (master)


"Message in Bottle" by the Police (master)

Loves me some Police. That's an instant purchase. May pick up the whole pack, haven't decided yet.

"Message in Bottle" by the Police (master)


"Message in a Bottle" is the one of the three that I know I will be getting for sure.

"Call Me"...maybe...honestly I do not remember what song that is..=P need to youtube it...but if its the Blondie song I recall I might be fun to play.

"Simple Man"....yawn...not thanks...just not into trailer rock.

I would get "Call Me" but it brings back horrendous memories of the 70's. Middle aged neighborhood parents disco dancing in my rompus room. The sound of polyester pants rubbing together nearly drowned out the stereo. Thank buddha it was a key-party, and everybody was in a big hurry to pair-off and leave.

Guys, im having serious lag issues on the overdrive (fills) sections. Its so bad that if I dont keep time in my head it throws me off. I tried the auto cal for DLP and it didnt work. Tried the manual cal and it didnt work. I have an 360 elite hooked to a Onkyo 705 via HDMI and my speakers set to 8 ft out on all sides (7.1) on the reciever . Would increasing this help the lag? Oh and I did go into the Onkyo menu and select the lip synching option. It helped with the actual notes but not the fills sections. Any other tips or tricks? Thanks guys.

What kind of TV do you have?

I noticed after the last update that added the in-game store that my timing was all fubar. I have the Samsung HLT6187s LED DLP TV and with the DLP calibrating, timing was horrid.

I changed it to CRT and now it's perfect.

I would get "Call Me" but it brings back horrendous memories of the 70's. Middle aged neighborhood parents disco dancing in my rompus room. The sound of polyester pants rubbing together nearly drowned out the stereo. Thank buddha it was a key-party, and everybody was in a big hurry to pair-off and leave.:eek:

Its a sammy HLS687 DLP. Ill try the crt setting.

Guys, im having serious lag issues on the overdrive (fills) sections. Its so bad that if I dont keep time in my head it throws me off. I tried the auto cal for DLP and it didnt work. Tried the manual cal and it didnt work. I have an 360 elite hooked to a Onkyo 705 via HDMI and my speakers set to 8 ft out on all sides (7.1) on the reciever . Would increasing this help the lag? Oh and I did go into the Onkyo menu and select the lip synching option. It helped with the actual notes but not the fills sections. Any other tips or tricks? Thanks guys.

Check the video processing/scaling options on the receiver because anything you turn on could add to the delay. Try it on "Pass thru" setting.

Ok, so if the game is Dolby digital, the reciever recieves the DD signal then, in my case the signal gets processed AGAIN and outputs PLIIX? Hmmmmm thanks for the tip. I know on Singstar running thru the ps3 the lag was horrible. I pushed the pure audio button and it cut the lag almost in half. Of course pure audio has nowhere near the punch.

I pushed the pure audio button and it cut the lag almost in half. Of course pure audio has nowhere near the punch.

The Pure Audio or whatever it's called on my Yamaha turns on an excellent bright blue LED, and blue LEDs mean spectacular things are happening, and puts out stereo only to the front L and R speakers, turning off all other processing so as to avoid any possible noise that might leak from the clocks running the DSPs and whatnot inside the chassis.

You might try turning off the DolbyDigital option inside the game that you had to turn on, and then let your receiver "fake surround" process it so you still get sound out of all your speakers.

I had some pretty bad drum-fill lag when I first got the game until I discovered that I somehow had the input for my 360 set to some god-awful delay in the reciever, like 60 ms or something. I no longer assume I knew what I was doing on any of my setups. :)

ha ha ha, I love that! Thanks for the tips

I love rock band

Finally got my Flawless Drumming achievement which also got me a 6* rating. It was on possibly the easiest song in the game, "I Think I'm Paranoid", so I'm only a bit proud about it.

You inspired me to join the Gold Star club. :D

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb68/DaverJ/goldstars.jpg

^^ ...although, I blew the streak at more than one point (I'm sure the song has more than 1000 notes), so even though I got the "Flawless Playing" Achievement, it really wasn't flawless. :o

You inspired me to join the Gold Star club. :D

^^ ...although, I blew the streak at more than one point (I'm sure the song has more than 1000 notes), so even though I got the "Flawless Playing" Achievement, it really wasn't flawless. :o

I just got it as well, although I didn't take a picture. Only messed up my streak once towards the end when I threw in an extra kick. Ah well, still got my achievement. :D

I'm curious , how do you mess up but still get a 100% with the drums ?

I got a 100% with the guitar but got nothing for it and have not played with the drums enough yet to come close to getting a 100% .

-- Jason

I'm curious , how do you mess up but still get a 100% with the drums ?

I got a 100% with the guitar but got nothing for it and have not played with the drums enough yet to come close to getting a 100% .

-- Jason

Extra notes don't count against you for the 100% achievement, only your score (since it resets your multiplier).

Extra notes don't count against you for the 100% achievement, only your score (since it resets your multiplier).

Ah , I see . Makes sense , thanks :) .

-- Jason

Extra notes don't count against you for the 100% achievement, only your score (since it resets your multiplier).

Yeah... even at "100%", FerrisG, thejokell and Macello have higher leaderboard scores than me for that song. :(

Some day guys... some day. :p

Also you only get achievements for flawless on Expert. I scored 98% Expert on Don't Fear the Reaper, it's more difficult with vocals because you can't score anything but awesome with every phrase.

Lurking for a day on this thread - did a little searching but didn't find an answer to this question:

Are there bad/good/better/best hookups between the 360 and my brand new LCD TV?

I have an 'original' 360 (higher end model with hard drive) from 2005, so my choices are Composite, Component, or VGA @ 1366x768 (my TV is a Toshiba 46xf550u that won't take 1920x1080 over the PC input).

OR, I could buy a new Xbox 360 that has HDMI output.

Can someone confirm if the Xbox 360 "Pro" has an HDMI output, and if that all works hunky dory for Rockband? I can easily see online that the "Elite" has HDMI, but it seems a bit unclear about the Pro model. And something about a missing HDMI cable that is only available from M$? I have an extra regular HDMI cable available...

If I don't get a new Xbox, I was planning on the VGA connection to the TV for video, and then optical digital audio direct to my receiver for nice 5.1 surround. I use S-video to my old Sony CRT and optical sound to my receiver right now and experience no lag and great sound (but weak SD video on a smalll screen).

I'm worried that there will be video lag in the new configuration with the new TV if I don't use HDMI - and it sounds like the audio lag calibration only really corrects for guitar and drums, but leaves voice a problem. Still trying to fully understand that... This topic seems to have died off a while back in the thread (again, apologies b/c I did not read all pages yet).

Advice? What I should expect when the new TV arrives and I hook it up with VGA or Component but separate the audio to my reciever?

Thanks so much,

-Aaron

I don't think anyone mentioned the difference between the new xbox 360 versions. If you plan on keeping your hard drive, I would suggest an xbox 360 arcade if you're getting it new. Every xbox 360 version out that has been made in the last few months has hdmi out. I replaced my pro with an arcade as I kept my hard drive. You can also probably find one with hdmi used for ~230 at gamestop.

Oh and the thing about using a microsoft hdmi adapter/cable instead of any other is that you'd have to filer down a regular composite/component connect to get optical out. If you plan on connecting your hdmi to a receiver and send audio that way, then that doesn't matter.. If all you're worried about is lag, try the old one on the tv first. I have a feeling it won't be much of a problem.

I would get "Call Me" but it brings back horrendous memories of the 70's. Middle aged neighborhood parents disco dancing in my rompus room. The sound of polyester pants rubbing together nearly drowned out the stereo. Thank buddha it was a key-party, and everybody was in a big hurry to pair-off and leave.

You, uh...you do know that "Call Me" came out in 1980, right? ;)

Yeah... even at "100%", FerrisG, thejokell and Macello have higher leaderboard scores than me for that song. :(

Some day guys... some day. :p
Ha ha ha! Die!

Actually, my score from the 100% is probably lower than your since I didn't use my overdrive, but my score that beat yours is from my 99% when I wasn't trying to get the achievement and using the overdrive.

Hey everybody,

On April 15th for Xbox 360 and April 17th for Playstation 3 , we will be releasing Mötley Crüe's new single “Saints of Los Angeles". This will make the Crüe the first ever band to release a single through our game. More info below.


“Saints of Los Angeles” by Mötley Crüe (master)

It will cost $0.99 (80 Microsoft Points) for a limited time.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=eyDLXVbE6YU

Hey everybody,

On April 15th for Xbox 360 and April 17th for Playstation 3 , we will be releasing Mötley Crüe's new single “Saints of Los Angeles". This will make the Crüe the first ever band to release a single through our game. More info below.


“Saints of Los Angeles” by Mötley Crüe (master)

It will cost $0.99 (80 Microsoft Points) for a limited time.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=eyDLXVbE6YU

wow, I'll definitely preview it first but it's a likely buy.

At 80 points I'll probably get it.

Crüe for a buck? Count me in! \m/

EDIT: I just listened to the track... ehhhhhhh. :rolleyes: I'll still get it though. Tommy Lee's drumming seems well suited for RB.

Wow I just listened too, and ... uh ... it sucked pretty hard. Now I may just pass on it.

it's the lyrics that bring it down the rest is decent. and for a buck I'll get it.

I didn't think it was bad. It will be fun playing and the main thing is the debut being on Rock Band, so this is important and I hope it sells well. I'm still hoping to have Metallica's debut on here also, so lets hope this sells well and gets more bands looking into doing things like this.

Man, this Motley Crue song is bad. It can't beat "Run to the Hills" for me as the epitome of crappy hair metal, but I'm still going to take a pass. Hopefully others will buy it so the music labels will see Rock Band as a legit release location for new music. I would've expected even more subsidy, though, to be honest.

I'm buying it just because it's the CRUE and because there is already so much DLC that is much much worse (at the least the music here is solid even if the lyrics are meh) .
I'll also buy it to encourage more CRUE songs showing up on RB .

-- Jason

It can't beat "Run to the Hills" for me as the epitome of crappy hair metal,

:eek:

No, no and no. Iron Maiden is not "crappy hair metal". Completely different sound -- hair metal has its roots (heh... pun!) in glam rock, often songs about partying and sex. Maiden's style of metal is more grounded in prog, with songs about death or literature.

Motely Crue is indeed "crappy hair metal" -- and I say that with affection. :D

Just to clarify, I don't take offense to the "crappy" part: just the "hair" bit. ;)

<-- loves all forms of crappy metal. \m/

Man, this Motley Crue song is bad. It can't beat "Run to the Hills" for me as the epitome of crappy hair metal, but I'm still going to take a pass. Hopefully others will buy it so the music labels will see Rock Band as a legit release location for new music. I would've expected even more subsidy, though, to be honest.

IF you were near me I'd beat you with a stick......Maiden is NOT hair metal!

Maiden is straight up British metal...like Judas Priest or Saxxon or what have you.

"HAIR metal" are generally your LA bands like Poison, Warrant, LA Guns.....the list goes on and on....where the music is more like metal pop, everyone has at least 3 "ballads" on every record, and the group pines more for girls in their audience than guys.

Learn your history, you ignorant fool! :)

You, uh...you do know that "Call Me" came out in 1980, right? ;)

What the hell do I know? I was only like 12 at the time! To me, the 80's didn't really begin until at least 1982 (or late 1981 anyhow).:D

:eek:

No, no and no. Iron Maiden is not "crappy hair metal". Completely different sound -- hair metal has its roots (heh... pun!) in glam rock, often songs about partying and sex. Maiden's style of metal is more grounded in prog, with songs about death or literature.

Motely Crue is indeed "crappy hair metal" -- and I say that with affection. :D

Just to clarify, I don't take offense to the "crappy" part: just the "hair" bit. ;)

<-- loves all forms of crappy metal. \m/


EXACTLY, Maiden is one of the best examples British Progressive Power Metal. Which really owes a lot of it's inspiration to classical music.

Jeeeez, whats next, are these people going to compare Bach to Britney Spears??? yikes!!!

IF you were near me I'd beat you with a stick......Maiden is NOT hair metal!

Maiden is straight up British metal...like Judas Priest or Saxxon or what have you.

"HAIR metal" are generally your LA bands like Poison, Warrant, LA Guns.....the list goes on and on....where the music is more like metal pop, everyone has at least 3 "ballads" on every record, and the group pines more for girls in their audience than guys.

Learn your history, you ignorant fool! :)

Right on! Anyone who thinks Maiden is hair metal must be uneducated in musical history. Some of the British movement did have a few embarrassing albums towards the end of the era, because thier record labels pressured them into trying to compete with Hair-Cheese-Metal groups that were popular in the late-80s... blech...

To respond to both the corrections to my description of Maiden, I say "whatever". Obviously I'm not nuanced in my sub-genres of heavy metal, but you're talking to a guy here that didn't know what the hell "emo" was until last year (despite listening to and enjoying many of the bands considered "emo", I just called it rock). I find the increasing number of sub-genres in music distracting. I guess it was just a bad usage of the term on my part. So I'll re-phrase and say that the this new Motley Crue song can't touch "Run to the Hills" for me as crappy music. Then people can just take issue with the fact that I don't like the song and not what genre I put it in.

To expand on what I was saying about musical genres (since I'm now looking up heavy metal sub-genres. . .), I've always found it bizarre that Led Zeppelin is considered heavy metal. It seems like (and I've listened to I think every single Zeppelin album) they would be considered fairly mainstream rock if they were to come around today, albeit much more artistic than single oriented, so a little different. Although in that respect I'm probably just distorted by my age, associating heavy metal with bands like Motley Crue and Metallica for the most part. And the fact that I don't listen to what I consider heavy metal in general.

I guess bands just don't get re-categorized. Like it's odd to me that we still call Elvis & Buddy Holly rock music, because they were rock pioneers. A new band that had those exact sounds would be classified very differently, I think. I don't know, maybe it's just hard to categorize artists that a) have long careers, and b) play in and mix different musical styles.

Ferrisg...

I hope you know I was just poking at you, sort of a "mock-outrage" on a completely unimportant distinction. :D

I hope you didn't take offense. :o

Yes there are laughable sub-generes of music now......this serves to group bands of like sounds, and also allows kids to pair down their group affiliations so they are ONLY associated with the COOL bands, and not those "other losers with their poser bands". :)

And I agree, Zeppelin is not a Heavy Metal band.....a heavily blues-influenced rock band, they are a rock band, like the Stones, like The Who, like Journey. (ducks and runs).

Thing is, with music...as soon as you put distortion on your guitar, you are a metal band...or a punk band, you can't just be "rock" anymore. I mean, is Boston a metal band or a Rock band? Do you group by sound or by musical content......

The Stones are a good example of a band who are just best categorized as "Rock". Their records evolve over the decades, "tasting" some of the popular trends, but never selling out and becoming or trying to copycat whatever is popular at the time. Oh and the only Stones records I own were the albums I stole from my dad's record collection in the early 70's, which were subsequently given away when I got rid of my turntable :) But it IS funny to see 60's stones, 70's stones, 80's stones...the videos. Want a laugh, watch "One Hit To The Body"...an otherwise decent Stones song if you ask me.....but watch the video..seeing Keith and Mick in heavy eyeliner with what appear to be Road Warrior reject clothing on their backs during the music video...its also appropriately "edgy"...its just soooo...Not THem. And yet, they make it work. Guess thats testiment to their staying power.

Herego :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySxnHF5mFAY

What's up all,
I posted this as a seperate thread, cause I didn't see there was a dedicated Rock band thread..
Wondering if anyone has run into this problem...
While on Solo career, playing the drums...All of the songs sound great at first. But as soons as I get to the first drum solo, for power up, I start to play the solo and all of a sudden the drum sounds, singer and guitar fade out and basically can only hear is the bass and crowd. It is like someone turned down the music for the singer, drums and guitar and this basically lasts the rest of the song.
If the song doesn't have a solo (or maybe I wasn't good enough to get it), like Epic (Faith No More) the song sounds great the whole way through.

The drums seem to respond just fine. I don't recall this happening when I play a solo career with the guitar. And when I go to my neighbors house and play in the "band" everything sounds great.

I have the audio settings on Dolby Digital (my reciever has DD), the 360 is hooked up via VGA and optical. I do have a 10' USB extension cord on my 4 port USB hub that instruments plug into (just in case that is the problem).

Any thoughts on this?
Thanks very much in advance!

Ferrisg...

I hope you know I was just poking at you, sort of a "mock-outrage" on a completely unimportant distinction. :D

I hope you didn't take offense. :o

No worries. I've got thick skin. Not thick enough, since I felt the need to defend myself :). I was also obviously wrong (not about the music :p, I don't think anyone will ever get me to like Iron Maiden).

What's up all,
I posted this as a seperate thread, cause I didn't see there was a dedicated Rock band thread..
Wondering if anyone has run into this problem...
While on Solo career, playing the drums...All of the songs sound great at first. But as soons as I get to the first drum solo, for power up, I start to play the solo and all of a sudden the drum sounds, singer and guitar fade out and basically can only hear is the bass and crowd. It is like someone turned down the music for the singer, drums and guitar and this basically lasts the rest of the song.
If the song doesn't have a solo (or maybe I wasn't good enough to get it), like Epic (Faith No More) the song sounds great the whole way through.

The drums seem to respond just fine. I don't recall this happening when I play a solo career with the guitar. And when I go to my neighbors house and play in the "band" everything sounds great.

I have the audio settings on Dolby Digital (my reciever has DD), the 360 is hooked up via VGA and optical. I do have a 10' USB extension cord on my 4 port USB hub that instruments plug into (just in case that is the problem).

Any thoughts on this?
Thanks very much in advance!

Have you tried intentionally missing star power notes so the drum fill never comes up on a song you've seen this happen on? Just to make sure that it's the fill that's causing it. Maybe you could try turning off DD to see if that's part of the problem as well. I play with DD on and have not noticed this behavior, though.

Have you tried intentionally missing star power notes so the drum fill never comes up on a song you've seen this happen on? Just to make sure that it's the fill that's causing it. Maybe you could try turning off DD to see if that's part of the problem as well. I play with DD on and have not noticed this behavior, though.

No, I have not tried missing the power notes, but what I will try tonight is to play, and when the fill comes up I will just skip it and see.

I will also try turning off the DD.

I talk to another guy on the EA Rockband forum and he mentioned that he had the same problem on the PS3 version, and said that he played with his reciever settings which seemed to fix the problem...
I just figured I would post something here to see if someone here had run into the problem.

I will also try turning off the DD.


It definitely sounds like a Dolby Digital mixing error on your receiver's part.

The music and sound effects are remixed for 5.1, and usually the main instruments are left & right, crowd in rear and vocals & bass in center speaker.

From what you described, it sounds like your receiver is dropping left and right when you are in freeform mode on drums.

Well, for Crue fans, they sure are doing everything right when it comes to marketing...

www.motley.com (http://www.motley.com)

Big Announcement tonight at 7PM Eastern (most likely new album and tour info), performance tonight on Jimmy Kimmel Live and now their track on Rock Band. BTW, I love the Saint logo they have on their site. Very cool.

I actually like the SOLA track. It reminds me of classic Crue. I'll give you the vocals though. Vince seemed a bit off on it, however, the rest sounded great. Love how on the website you can't even see Tommy's face. Maybe that's the announcement that he finally said yes to coming back to Crue. I know he was saying no a while back as he wanted to continue his "DJ" career. I think they propped up Mars though for that shot. :(

Can't wait for the info tonight! I'll be breaking out this track tonight on RB. At that price, you can't go wrong.

IF you were near me I'd beat you with a stick......Maiden is NOT hair metal!

Maiden is straight up British metal...like Judas Priest or Saxxon or what have you.

"HAIR metal" are generally your LA bands like Poison, Warrant, LA Guns.....the list goes on and on....where the music is more like metal pop, everyone has at least 3 "ballads" on every record, and the group pines more for girls in their audience than guys.

Learn your history, you ignorant fool! :)


First, I agree Maiden is NOT Hair Metal.

Second, musical talent aside...whats wrong with "more girls in their audience than guys"? =P

All that said...having grown up during the height of Hair Metal...I can say now that Crue is one of those bands that needs to stay in the past...they were popular back then..not necessarily because they were good...and mostly because their "publicized" lifestyle was "popular"...just not the case these days. As a Kid...i may have thought they were "cool"...as an adult I just laugh...and it seems kids today laugh as well...so they just need to give it up already.

By contrast, Bon Jovi (I don't care for them myself) is some ways are better today musically than they were back then...seem to be one of the very few exceptions. But then again they sorta matured..in terms of looks, how they dressed, how they spoke... Crue, Poison, etc did not and just come across looking like fools.

I recently saw a Whitesnake concert (i think from 2004) on HDnET....and again another band that needs to just stop....They looked horrible...and nothing more silly than grandpa with a hair metal wig.

Ok enough derailing of the thread. :)

Rather than modding the drums themselves, has anyone come up with a nice DIY way to mod the drum sticks? I was thinking of adding something softer to the ends of the sticks that would dampen the sound... any good ideas for what to attach?

I remember seeing something on the Rock Band forums where someone wrapped the tips of the drumsticks with foam insulation, with apparently good results.

I tried dipping the tips in plasti-dip (the rubber stuff you dip tool handles in, like pliers, etc.) Didn't do too much for the sound but threw the balance of the sticks off. That was the best I could come up with; went with the gum rubber pads instead.

Rather than modding the drums themselves, has anyone come up with a nice DIY way to mod the drum sticks? I was thinking of adding something softer to the ends of the sticks that would dampen the sound... any good ideas for what to attach?

Yeah, google the "marshmallow mod" for the drumsticks. He wrapped the stick tips with weather stripping and masking tape. It doesn't hold up, but it's cheap and easy enough to re-apply when necessary.

Rather than modding the drums themselves, has anyone come up with a nice DIY way to mod the drum sticks? I was thinking of adding something softer to the ends of the sticks that would dampen the sound... any good ideas for what to attach?

You can get some rubber tips for the sticks, like the ones in this kit:
http://www.steveweissmusic.com/product/1124880/stick-mallet-pack

My guess is Guitar Center will probably have stock on something like that.

I remember seeing something on the Rock Band forums where someone wrapped the tips of the drumsticks with foam insulation, with apparently good results.

If you do that, you might as well get these...

http://images.wwbw.com/products/original/Grover-Trophy/DX3150.jpg

You can get some rubber tips for the sticks, like the ones in this kit:
http://www.steveweissmusic.com/product/1124880/stick-mallet-pack

My guess is Guitar Center will probably have stock on something like that.

I bought some of the rubber silencer tips and they are really heavy and throw off the balance of the sticks, and they aren't that much quieter for me.

I've been meaning to go to Guitar Center and pick up some nylon tipped sticks to see if that helps. I have the mouse-pad mod on my drums, so I don't know if it will help.

It definitely sounds like a Dolby Digital mixing error on your receiver's part.

The music and sound effects are remixed for 5.1, and usually the main instruments are left & right, crowd in rear and vocals & bass in center speaker.

From what you described, it sounds like your receiver is dropping left and right when you are in freeform mode on drums.

DaverJ, any thoughts on a way to fix this on my receiver or something I should look for? I don't seem to have any problems with an other game or movie through the receiver.
I am in the market for a new receiver in the near future so I am not all that worried about it...but it TOTALLY ruins the experience when playing the drums.
I forgot to mention that the sound effects for the "missed notes" are fine, so those must be coming through the center channel.
I will play around with my receiver tonight to see if I can fix it. Otherwise I guess I will just not play in DD (which sucks).

Thanks!

I bought some of the rubber silencer tips and they are really heavy and throw off the balance of the sticks, and they aren't that much quieter for me.

I've been meaning to go to Guitar Center and pick up some nylon tipped sticks to see if that helps. I have the mouse-pad mod on my drums, so I don't know if it will help.

I use nylon tipped sticks and they basically sound no different from the stock rock band sticks. There may be a *slight* difference, but it's really not noticeable.

I forgot to mention that the sound effects for the "missed notes" are fine, so those must be coming through the center channel.
I will play around with my receiver tonight to see if I can fix it. Otherwise I guess I will just not play in DD (which sucks).

I believe missed notes are indeed in the center. Its strange that you are having this problem just in freeforms. Do you have any extra Dolby Digital processing going on with your receiver? And you are certain the Dolby mode is checked in your RockBand audio menu?

When I first got Rockband, I was having all sorts of lag/sync related issues.

Only way a get good performance is by switching the 360 to Dolby Digital instead of Digital 5.1 (in the system blade). In Rockband making sure the Dolby Digital is not enabled. Then on my receiver (H/K 247) I put in Direct Mode..Stereo only...no DSP processing whatsoever.


Now the problem with that is that the Rockband calibration is bugged and will not work....what happens is that I cannot here the click noise...apparantly it only works when there is a center channel.

So I simply do trial and error with lag values.

I believe missed notes are indeed in the center. Its strange that you are having this problem just in freeforms. Do you have any extra Dolby Digital processing going on with your receiver? And you are certain the Dolby mode is checked in your RockBand audio menu?

I know...It sounds GREAT when the song first starts up and like I said in the first post, Epic by Faith No More sounded great cause I never got a "fill".

I don't think I have any other processing going on, but I could and I don't know it...this is my current receiver:
http://63.148.251.135/redirect_service.cfm?type=own_manuals&file=HT-R510.pdf

My daughter is always hitting buttons on it, so it is possible that she did soemthing that I am not aware of, but wouldn't you think that it would effect everything?

Thanks again for the help!

When I first got Rockband, I was having all sorts of lag/sync related issues.

Only way a get good performance is by switching the 360 to Dolby Digital instead of Digital 5.1 (in the system blade). In Rockband making sure the Dolby Digital is not enabled. Then on my receiver (H/K 247) I put in Direct Mode..Stereo only...no DSP processing whatsoever.


Now the problem with that is that the Rockband calibration is bugged and will not work....what happens is that I cannot here the click noise...apparantly it only works when there is a center channel.

So I simply do trial and error with lag values.

Thanks! I am not really sure what I have in the system blade to tell you the truth...I haven't looked in there in a while. I will play will somethings and report back my findings...

Thanks! I am not really sure what I have in the system blade to tell you the truth...I haven't looked in there in a while. I will play will somethings and report back my findings...


Also, like I said..I was not able to use the games calibration tool....but in all honesty...I do not trust it even if it did work with stereo... Even when I was using 5.1...I coudl run the cal tool 10 times in a row and get 10 very different results. I think their cal tool is garbage if you ask me. Some of the numbers it gave were crazy -80ms one time...+40ms the next.

I did much better putting in #'s manually and trying a few songs....it wont take long before you figure out what is best. I ended up with much smaller adjustments for both calibration values when I did it trail and error. A song that has fast repitition of the same note is best I think to test with.

Also I am not sure what values they use for the presets...CRT, LCD, etc...but none of them worked for me.. FYI I am using a Vizio 47" LCD hooked up to the XBOX 360 via VGA @ 1920x1080.

Also, like I said..I was not able to use the games calibration tool....but in all honesty...I do not trust it even if it did work with stereo... Even when I was using 5.1...I coudl run the cal tool 10 times in a row and get 10 very different results. I think their cal tool is garbage if you ask me. Some of the numbers it gave were crazy -80ms one time...+40ms the next.

I did much better putting in #'s manually and trying a few songs....it wont take long before you figure out what is best. I ended up with much smaller adjustments for both calibration values when I did it trail and error. A song that has fast repitition of the same note is best I think to test with.

Also I am not sure what values they use for the presets...CRT, LCD, etc...but none of them worked for me.. FYI I am using a Vizio 47" LCD hooked up to the XBOX 360 via VGA @ 1920x1080.

Oh, I just thought that the calibration was for synching up when you hit the drum with how it responded...I didn't know that it had anything to do with sound.
I have mine setup the same way (VGA 1920x1080) with a Samsung DLP and set the calibration to DLP.
My neighbor (whose RB works just fine) also has a DLP, but he is going through HDMI, so I wonder if it has something to do with VGA and Optical.

Thanks again !

my reviews of todays DLC(all opinion is based on expert notecharts
Simple man - simply easy but honestly a fun song to go to on either drums or guitar to take a break. plus it's sprt fo hard to not sing along with it.

Call me- Guitar is amusing but a bit repirtative. Drums are mostly two note gallops with a static bass beat. On first sight read it was very tedious. Though once I get down teh rhythm I'd imagine it be pretty nice.

Messege in a bottle: remeber the guitar chart from GH2? Yeah very similar only since it's the master there's no super solo towards the end. The guitar chart still switches between lead and rhythm ot break up the main riff. Drums are fast and vaired. Not nessarily a super challenging run just keeps ya on your toes.

saints of los angeles: ok guitar part nothing too tricky nothing really special. Drums about the same(sort of feels like a black sabbath song at times).

Messege in a bottle: remeber the guitar chart from GH2? Yeah very similar only since it's the master there's no super solo towards the end. The guitar chart still switches between lead and rhythm ot break up the main riff. Drums are fast and vaired. Not nessarily a super challenging run just keeps ya on your toes.

saints of los angeles: ok guitar part nothing too tricky nothing really special. Drums about the same(sort of feels like a black sabbath song at times).

Good thoughts LN!

I only got the last two and played through a couple times on Drums/Expert -- my 2 cents:

Message is high-hat city! Not very tough, but at times the high hat shifts to BLUE so the left hand can do the occasional tom on Yellow. I don't think any other chart is like this? :confused: Solid.

Saints was a tough sight-read for me... Tommy seems to really like his kick drum towards the end. Good solid rhythm with nice syncopated hits, and quiet a workout for the foot in places -- the aftermarket pedal is helpful. Worth the $1 for the solo drummers because we can ignore the lyrics. :p

Message is high-hat city! Not very tough, but at times the high hat shifts to BLUE so the left hand can do the occasional tom on Yellow. I don't think any other chart is like this? :confused: Solid.


Pretty sure Copeland switches over to the ride there, which is why the note chart moves to blue. I'll have to double check it, though.

Just thought I'd post this if it hasn't been posted already, HMX comments on the post patch calibration...
http://www.rockband.com/forums/showpost.php?p=447690&postcount=417

I believe missed notes are indeed in the center. Its strange that you are having this problem just in freeforms. Do you have any extra Dolby Digital processing going on with your receiver? And you are certain the Dolby mode is checked in your RockBand audio menu?

Hey DaverJ and RafaelSmith, I figured it out last night.
Ok, for some reason if I put the volume of my receiver above 40 (43 was no good) then I would get the "drum fill" problem. 40 it sounds great through the whole song...And I actually made everything sound much nicer, by trying to figure out the problem.

So, do you think my speakers just can't handle the "drum thuds" during the fill at the volume? Or would it be some kind of configuation in my reciever that could fix the problem?

Thanks again for the help!

So, do you think my speakers just can't handle the "drum thuds" during the fill at the volume? Or would it be some kind of configuation in my reciever that could fix the problem?



My guess is that it's not your speakers. Sounds like a power issue with your amp/receiver... at least that's where I would put the blame for now. I"m guessing RockBand's DD mix of the active drum kit is louder than the 5.1 music and your receiver is clipping out the L/R to protect your speakers.

You mentioned you were thinking of getting a new amp soon -- that sounds like a good idea. ;)

Message is high-hat city! Not very tough, but at times the high hat shifts to BLUE so the left hand can do the occasional tom on Yellow. I don't think any other chart is like this? :confused: Solid.

Could be the ride cymbal or even open hi-hat. A lot of songs put the open hi-hat on blue, I guess so you don't sit there wondering why the sound for some notes changed drastically when you're going along on a steady beat hitting the same pad.

Could be the ride cymbal or even open hi-hat. A lot of songs put the open hi-hat on blue, I guess so you don't sit there wondering why the sound for some notes changed drastically when you're going along on a steady beat hitting the same pad.

Dunno... I played it twice last night and I remember both times noticing that the same sounding highhat is on Yellow for most of the song, but switches to blue about 2/3s of the way through during the section with triplets and toms.

But I'm not certain because I was struggling to keep up, so maybe I was just hearing things. :o

My guess is that it's not your speakers. Sounds like a power issue with your amp/receiver... at least that's where I would put the blame for now. I"m guessing RockBand's DD mix of the active drum kit is louder than the 5.1 music and your receiver is clipping out the L/R to protect your speakers.

You mentioned you were thinking of getting a new amp soon -- that sounds like a good idea. ;)

Hey DaverJ, actually that is exactly what my buddy just said to me. I am a little dumb when it comes to audio...I am more of a video guy...

Yeah, I have had this receiver for 4 years now...It was an HTiB. So I am in the market for a new receiver. Was thinking about the "Denon AVR-3808CI". For the time being, are there any cheap amps that you can think of that might help my problem until I upgrade? I don't wanna spend more that $100 for the amp though...otherwise I can just deal with the volume only on 40 until I upgrade.

Thanks again for the help!

Was thinking about the "Denon AVR-3808CI". For the time being, are there any cheap amps that you can think of that might help my problem until I upgrade? I don't wanna spend more that $100 for the amp though...otherwise I can just deal with the volume only on 40 until I upgrade.


Save up for that Denon! :cool: In fact, buy two and send one to me. :D

Dunno... I played it twice last night and I remember both times noticing that the same sounding highhat is on Yellow for most of the song, but switches to blue about 2/3s of the way through during the section with triplets and toms.

But I'm not certain because I was struggling to keep up, so maybe I was just hearing things. :o
Maybe you're just still reeling from my pwnage of you on I Think I'm Paranoid and Crushcrushcrush. :D

Maybe you're just still reeling from my pwnage of you on I Think I'm Paranoid and Crushcrushcrush. :D

Oh... snap! :eek:

Consider a gauntlet thrown. :D

F@cking music biz needs to get with the times and start embracing rockband for what it is. A chance to sell albums with a very small chance of pirating since people want to play on x box live or PS online.

Imagine if record companies would release simultaneous cd and rock band downloads. Price the rockband titles at like 10 bucks or so and you're printing money.

I would buy a ton of albums again if they supported rock band. Everyone wants to play along to there favorite songs.

F@cking music biz needs to get with the times

Which would end up being a "first" for the music biz. =P

I would buy a ton of albums again if they supported rock band. Everyone wants to play along to there favorite songs.

This is an idea that scares my wallet. Seems like a great idea from a marketing perspective and I think it was smart for Motley Crue to put out their single on RB -even better if it was for free - because it will be heard many more times than it would if they were waiting for radio/video rotation. What am I talking about, nobody waits anymore - probably just watching youtube of it.

I enjoy RB (and GH) as an interactive listening experience. I know that there are limits to my (game-playing) ability given the time, patience and sanity level available. For the most part I can hang in there with expert level - as long as there is some overdrive saved up for those pesky solos. Rapid three-button chord switches and crazy 4-fingered HO/PO runs will be the end of me.

It would be interesting to see the strategy moving forward because at some point you have to decide what is going to be in the next version of the game vs. dlc (it's not like they will not release Rockband: "Reunion" v 2.0 or "Greatest Hits" EVER ... isn't it?). How many songs/albums will end up on more than one platform? I like the idea of what GH:A is attempting, but you could get most of the benefit buying Aerosmith albums on RB and have the capability to add other instruments. There are only a small number of bands that you could attempt that with for their catalog alone, then you have to consider what is marketable.

Side notes: Bring on those HAIR bands - that inescapable reality of the 80's. I think Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Cinderella and maybe a RATT song or two. Most of my rock awareness ended in the early 90's when I started staying up unitil 4 am spinnig records (and CDS:eek:) and is now limited to what I am exposed to in tv commercials, hockey PA systems and video games like these.

Random thought: Guess Who/BTO song pack.

A video about Motley Crue's announcements yesterday mentioned S.O.L.A. was to be released on Rockband but also named "Kickstart My Heart." No dates:mad:

Oh man CD's w/RB tracks would destroy my wallet. It would be awesome if DLC songs would carry over from one version of RB to the next. Like if RB 2 comes out with some added battle modes or tweaks or something that all the DLC songs would transfer. That way if you put the RB tracks as a bonus on a CD they wouldn't need to specify for RB1 or RB2. How much more likely would you be to buy a CD if it had a RB track you could install onto your Xbox on it? Hell I pay 2 bucks for RB tracks that I've owned CDs of for years.

I am a little PO'd that GH gets Def Leppard (and 1 new Crue song does not make up for that) but when is either of these games going to get some Van Halen for pete's sake . I have to say that the game is growing on me but I know that I would enjoy it so much more if there was just a better selection of music . Oh and while I am complaining ( again ;) ) how about a dang freestyle mode for the drums ! I know they will never allow us to play along with our own songs from within RB but a freestyle mode could be a lot of fun (at least it would be for me) , no note matching , just turn the drums into some electric pads to play around with (I would think this would be an easy patch) . I have heard that this can be done with a PC and some tinkering but not sure about it .

-- Jason

I am a little PO'd that GH gets Def Leppard (and 1 new Crue song does not make up for that) but when is either of these games going to get some Van Halen for pete's sake . I have to say that the game is growing on me but I know that I would enjoy it so much more if there was just a better selection of music . Oh and while I am complaining ( again ;) ) how about a dang freestyle mode for the drums ! I know they will never allow us to play along with our own songs from within RB but a freestyle mode could be a lot of fun (at least it would be for me) , no note matching , just turn the drums into some electric pads to play around with (I would think this would be an easy patch) . I have heard that this can be done with a PC and some tinkering but not sure about it .

-- Jason

How would it know when to change from toms to cymbals?

how about a dang freestyle mode for the drums !

Go into practice mode, select "Won't Get Fooled Again", cue up to the Organ solo intro and put it at 50% (which cuts out all instruments)... and bang away.

Of course you are talking about reprogramable triggers, like Yellow = highhat. I agree, but I think Harmonix is wanting RockBand to be a game and not a drum training device.

I am a little PO'd that GH gets Def Leppard (and 1 new Crue song does not make up for that) but when is either of these games going to get some Van Halen for pete's sake . I have to say that the game is growing on me but I know that I would enjoy it so much more if there was just a better selection of music . Oh and while I am complaining ( again ;) ) how about a dang freestyle mode for the drums ! I know they will never allow us to play along with our own songs from within RB but a freestyle mode could be a lot of fun (at least it would be for me) , no note matching , just turn the drums into some electric pads to play around with (I would think this would be an easy patch) . I have heard that this can be done with a PC and some tinkering but not sure about it .

-- Jason

Its just a freeware app, I've got it installed...its fun...for about 2 minutes..when you realize you are limited to 4 pads and a bass drum, so you've got hi-hat....snare..one tom and a cymbol? It gets old a little fast, but man its great to switch up the sounds and turn your kids loose, watching my daughter giggle when she hits a pad and makes a duck quack is worth the price of admission. FOr the record, I've only used the drums WITH rock band about twice....I stick to the guitars, its what I enjoy.

As for Music, its all up to personal taste....the only songs I find unplayable on rock band are a few of the unlockables from bands "mere mortals have never heard of". Some are good (Bang Camaro's tunes come to mind), many are not. But thats subjective. The New Pornographers track is probably my least favorite out of all of them. To me thats not Rock, and doesn't need to be included in a game called "Rock Band"....but I digress, who the hell am I.

....and yes this game needs UNCHAINED so bad I can almost taste it.

A video about Motley Crue's announcements yesterday mentioned S.O.L.A. was to be released on Rockband but also named "Kickstart My Heart." No dates:mad:

S.O.L.A. was up on the servers to download bright and early. I knew about that before the announcement! LOL!

Kickstart my Heart would be cool. I bet I could sing it better than Vince did yesterday. He was so out of breath.

S.O.L.A. was up on the servers to download bright and early. I knew about that before the announcement! LOL!

Kickstart my Heart would be cool. I bet I could sing it better than Vince did yesterday. He was so out of breath.

I saw some performance they did a year or two ago in HD.....and they were just so godawful. Vince was really out of shape and barely gave a performance, no energy at all, just casually walking around the stage.

Mick Mars was the worst..either before or after his hip replacement (I think), the guy literally didn't move....at all....

How would it know when to change from toms to cymbals?

Not sure & good point , maybe they could give an option to pick one or the other ;) .

-- Jason

Go into practice mode, select "Won't Get Fooled Again", cue up to the Organ solo intro and put it at 50% (which cuts out all instruments)... and bang away.

Of course you are talking about reprogramable triggers, like Yellow = highhat. I agree, but I think Harmonix is wanting RockBand to be a game and not a drum training device.

Ah , thanks for the tip I will give it a go ;) . Yeah it's a game first and foremost but there's nothing wrong with some extra features :D .

-- Jason

Its just a freeware app, I've got it installed...its fun...for about 2 minutes..when you realize you are limited to 4 pads and a bass drum, so you've got hi-hat....snare..one tom and a cymbol? It gets old a little fast, but man its great to switch up the sounds and turn your kids loose, watching my daughter giggle when she hits a pad and makes a duck quack is worth the price of admission. FOr the record, I've only used the drums WITH rock band about twice....I stick to the guitars, its what I enjoy.

As for Music, its all up to personal taste....the only songs I find unplayable on rock band are a few of the unlockables from bands "mere mortals have never heard of". Some are good (Bang Camaro's tunes come to mind), many are not. But thats subjective. The New Pornographers track is probably my least favorite out of all of them. To me thats not Rock, and doesn't need to be included in a game called "Rock Band"....but I digress, who the hell am I.

....and yes this game needs UNCHAINED so bad I can almost taste it.


Which PC app is it and do the drums work by simply plugging in the USB cable ? I heard only the PS3 drums work direct to the PC , no ?

*** EDIT : I looked into it , I see that it takes a little work but seems reasonable . Not sure if I will bother since I no longer use an HTPC in the HT though ;) . ***

Thank You ,
- Jason

S.O.L.A. was up on the servers to download bright and early. I knew about that before the announcement! LOL!

Kickstart my Heart would be cool. I bet I could sing it better than Vince did yesterday. He was so out of breath.

Do you think they had all of the other bands on stage to have some back-up singers available to hit the high notes? Then again, Vince sings everything high.

Maybe I jumped the gun on the DLC. Perhaps the reference to "kickstart" was that they played both of them at the press conference.:o

... and chris that avatar gives me nightmares.:eek:

I am a little PO'd that GH gets Def Leppard

:eek:

Animal I could live without (actually it would probably make a decent singing track) but Photograph should be fun.

RB should try and get Rock of Ages, Foolin', Rock 'till You Drop, and Pour Some Sugar.

Be prepared for complaints that the drumming isn't hard enough.:eek::D:o

:eek:

Animal I could live without (actually it would probably make a decent singing track) but Photograph should be fun.

RB should try and get Rock of Ages, Foolin', Rock 'till You Drop, and Pour Some Sugar.

Be prepared for complaints that the drumming isn't hard enough.:eek::D:o

GH3 gets Photograph and Rock of Ages :( . I guess it's time to buy GH3 again (it would give me a second guitar for RB anyway , for those 4 player events) .

Oh and how about some AC/DC :D .

-- Jason

Get GH3 for PC. Its not too hard to add custom songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHYVAlY1HwI

The guitar included with GH3 PC is corded, but it does work fine on 360 GH3 and 360 Rockband.

:eek:

Animal I could live without (actually it would probably make a decent singing track) but Photograph should be fun.

RB should try and get Rock of Ages, Foolin', Rock 'till You Drop, and Pour Some Sugar.

Be prepared for complaints that the drumming isn't hard enough.:eek::D:o

I guess I missed something with GH3. I haven't played it since Rock Band came out. When did Def Leppard get in there?

I could have sworn I saw that one of the upcoming tracks for Rock Band had a DL track in there.

Looks like we should get that Metal pack next week with Metallica's Fuel and Wrathchild by Maiden. Well, if that list keeps on going like it has. ;)


If Harmonix wanted to be clever, they could do two Def Leppard packs....

The One Arm Def Leppard Pack

and

The Two Arm Def Leppard Pack


;) Kidding of course! I love me some DL!!!

From 1up.com
Def Leppard DLC Headed to Guitar Hero III
New single 'Nine Lives' to join two classics on April 24th.
By Andrew Hayward, 04/11/2008

Confirming rumors that we reported on late last month, a downloadable three-pack of Def Leppard tracks for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock will soon be available on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Mercury Records recently announced the news, noting an April 24th release date for both consoles in North America.
In addition to "Nine Lives," the band's new single (co-written and performed with country artist Tim McGraw), the three-pack will include past hits "Photograph" and "Rock of Ages" (both from 1983's Pyromania). "Nine Lives" is the first single off of the pop-metal band's 10th studio album, Songs from the Sparkle Lounge, which is set for North American release on April 29th.
snip


On a side note, what is with the regurge DLC from Harmonix? I know that RB is really a drummers paradise:D saturated with lead guitar players (how many lone singers out there every night looking for a bass player?) so why line-up songs that we've already seen? Yes, they probably have some of the leg work already from the XOM CD, GH80s and GHII but this just isn't that exciting to have deja vu week after week.

OK, I'm done and I will go kicking and screaming to download them on Tuesday. Then I will curse downloading another Metallica that will give me headaches.:mad:

Looks like we should get that Metal pack next week with Metallica's Fuel and Wrathchild by Maiden. Well, if that list keeps on going like it has. ;)


If it happens, sold and sold. Those two are 5 star songs IMO. :cool:

Any rumors about a third?

Mick Mars was the worst..either before or after his hip replacement (I think), the guy literally didn't move....at all....

He's got Ankylosing spondylitis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankylosing_Spondylitis) so he really cannot move.

Fuel has got to be one of Metallicas worst songs ever recorded....IMHO of course ;)

And as for Mick Mars...errr... well...ok now I can cut the guy some slack, what with the whole "degenerative disease" thing. But I'm still guessing that Vince Neils only excuse was that he's fat and out of shape and, largely, doesn't give a rats @ss.

Seeing Tommy Lee and Nikki Sixx looking fit (if just older, those 24" waists are long gone kids) and doing their thing really made Vince look hopelessly out of place.

And yeah, missing half the lyrics because he's out of breath is pretty sad...that was also front and center on that HD show I saw on TV....from a few years back.

Amz has just shipped a wireless RB guitar that was ordered Dec 10! One less cord to trip over when doing those jump-kicks.

Fuel has got to be one of Metallicas worst songs ever recorded....IMHO of course ;)

I love, love, love Metallica. I even like Load/Reload, but I agree with your opinion of Fuel.

I tried guitar on hard for the first time last night, and I was completely overwhelmed. I tried adjusting my fingers to start with my pointer finger on the second note, but my brain can't make the adjustment. Maybe with some practice, but I'm not sure.

Any advice you guys can offer on the transition from medium to hard? I'm getting 96%+ on medium on every song, so it isn't really challenging. What is the easiest song to try first?

I love, love, love Metallica. I even like Load/Reload, but I agree with your opinion of Fuel.

wow... I like The Metallicas a lot too, but "Load" is an almost unlistenable IMO. Re-load was an improvement, with Fuel being the killer track from that album.

I'm missing what causes the hate for that song: good lyrics (self-destructive drug addiction, pre-Hetfield cleanup), heavy beat, great solos... :confused:

I tried guitar on hard for the first time last night, and I was completely overwhelmed. I tried adjusting my fingers to start with my pointer finger on the second note, but my brain can't make the adjustment. Maybe with some practice, but I'm not sure.

Any advice you guys can offer on the transition from medium to hard? I'm getting 96%+ on medium on every song, so it isn't really challenging. What is the easiest song to try first?

If you're having problems, try playing through those medium songs with your hand shifted down. It'll help train you to reach for the greens.

Is there a reason certain songs from bands are picked and not others? One of my Metallica favorites is "One"...that's a much better song than Fuel (IMHO of course :))

Is there a reason certain songs from bands are picked and not others? One of my Metallica favorites is "One"...that's a much better song than Fuel (IMHO of course :))

I'm pretty sure One is already available to download...

On a side note, what is with the regurge DLC from Harmonix? I know that RB is really a drummers paradise:D saturated with lead guitar players (how many lone singers out there every night looking for a bass player?) so why line-up songs that we've already seen? Yes, they probably have some of the leg work already from the XOM CD, GH80s and GHII but this just isn't that exciting to have deja vu week after week.

At a guess, because of a couple of reasons.

1) Rock Band skews WAAAAAY outside of the hardcore gamer realm. There are a LOT of people who have never played Guitar Hero who are now playing Rock Band. I work with several such people. So content from XOM or that has appeared in older GH games doesn't matter to them. I personally never had GH or GH 80s, so any songs from there are new to me, if not actually new.

2) Folks like me, who HAVE those games, but want the songs in Rock Band, like Message in a Bottle (my daughter's second favorite Police Song, she informs me). I'd love to get stuff like Billion Dollar Babies, Surrender, Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo, Tattooed Love-Boys or the Pretender in Rock Band. Yeah, I could play Guitar Hero II...but I really have fallen out-of-love with the Xplorer guitar.

3) Folks who want/wanted Master Track versions of those songs. Why settle for a cover of Message in a Bottle when I can get the real thing? Especially when all covers are NOT created equal. (see: all Rush covers in Rock Band)

I'm pretty sure One is already available to download...

it's not but has been heavily hinted to be in the lineup of eventual metallica releases.

side note: I'm no metallica mega fan or anything but I think fuel is a cool song. just because it's a bit lighter on the riffs doesn't make it bad IMO.

Eh, I just dont like Fuel because I think it sounds terrible....the entire song, its basic beat, it just puts me to sleep as "generic any old song". Where's Master of Puppets? ie: something distinctive.

And count me among the people who desperately want GH2 tracks in Rock Band.....the cover of Search and Destroy by The Stooges is even better than the original recording :) I play GH2 quite a bit...........too many good songs in that game.

And I think ONE is on Guitar Hero 3 isn't it....?

Fuel has got to be one of Metallicas worst songs ever recorded....IMHO of course ;)

And as for Mick Mars...errr... well...ok now I can cut the guy some slack, what with the whole "degenerative disease" thing. But I'm still guessing that Vince Neils only excuse was that he's fat and out of shape and, largely, doesn't give a rats @ss.

Seeing Tommy Lee and Nikki Sixx looking fit (if just older, those 24" waists are long gone kids) and doing their thing really made Vince look hopelessly out of place.

And yeah, missing half the lyrics because he's out of breath is pretty sad...that was also front and center on that HD show I saw on TV....from a few years back.

It doesn't help that Vince Neil looks more and more like Jon Lovitz in a wig the older he gets....

Any advice you guys can offer on the transition from medium to hard? I'm getting 96%+ on medium on every song, so it isn't really challenging. What is the easiest song to try first?

The same thing happened to me when I first tried to move on to Hard from Medium....

What you need to do is go back and go thru Easy And Medium forcing yourself to keep index finger on second fret...and learning to move it for green. I know it seems silly on easy and medium since you do not use the orange fret but if you go thru an entire easy and medium tour that way...when you move on to hard it will seem like second nature. Its ALOT easier for us to move our index finger than it is the pinky.

I was amazed how much easier going to hard was after I did that...totally different.

And a little FYI....the transion from Hard to Expert is no where near as dramatic as Meidum to Hard....in fact I honestly do not see how Expert is any harder than Hard...I do just as well. Expert is faster and has more 3 note chords but thats about it.

It doesn't help that Vince Neil looks more and more like Jon Lovitz in a wig the older he gets....

he does look horrible...and sounds bad (i relative term considering the band and genre) on the new song. I used to listen to Crue as a kid...and I think for me Crue needs to stay in my past. Bands like crue have grand dreams of being like the Rolling Stones and surviving the test of time...but its not gonna happen.

Of course my girlfriend is always reminding me how Bon Jovi looks better today than ever and has aged well. =P

Has to be China Cat Sunflower. I'm on the final tier of songs on expert, but I still don't always do well on expert solos when there is a big series of HO/PO notes.

After my first run through of CCS on hard my HO/PO skills were noticeably better. For those of you that didn't download that song - the whole thing looks like a friggin' guitar solo!

BTW - I use the Xplorer, so finger tapping the solos is not an option for me.

wow... I like The Metallicas a lot too, but "Load" is an almost unlistenable IMO. Re-load was an improvement, with Fuel being the killer track from that album.

I'm missing what causes the hate for that song: good lyrics (self-destructive drug addiction, pre-Hetfield cleanup), heavy beat, great solos... :confused:

Well, we know HeadRusch doesn't like it because it's post-1988 Metallica. ;)

it's not but has been heavily hinted to be in the lineup of eventual metallica releases.

side note: I'm no metallica mega fan or anything but I think fuel is a cool song. just because it's a bit lighter on the riffs doesn't make it bad IMO.

Ah my bad...it's out for one of the GH games then, isn't it? I swear I read here or at another board about how ridiculously hard the solo gets.

Ah my bad...it's out for one of the GH games then, isn't it? I swear I read here or at another board about how ridiculously hard the solo gets.

It's in the standard GH3 release.

If you're having problems, try playing through those medium songs with your hand shifted down. It'll help train you to reach for the greens.

The same thing happened to me when I first tried to move on to Hard from Medium....

What you need to do is go back and go thru Easy And Medium forcing yourself to keep index finger on second fret...and learning to move it for green. I know it seems silly on easy and medium since you do not use the orange fret but if you go thru an entire easy and medium tour that way...when you move on to hard it will seem like second nature. Its ALOT easier for us to move our index finger than it is the pinky.

I was amazed how much easier going to hard was after I did that...totally different.

And a little FYI....the transion from Hard to Expert is no where near as dramatic as Meidum to Hard....in fact I honestly do not see how Expert is any harder than Hard...I do just as well. Expert is faster and has more 3 note chords but thats about it.

Thanks to both of you. This is great advice and definitely something I hadn't considered. I'll give it a shot tonight and spend a few days playing this way on medium.

It doesn't help that Vince Neil looks more and more like Jon Lovitz in a wig the older he gets....

Exactly what I was telling my brother in law the other day!

:D

If it happens, sold and sold. Those two are 5 star songs IMO. :cool:

Any rumors about a third?

The third was Supernaut by Black Sabbath.

I just listened to the new crue song last nite and thought it was actually pretty good. The singing WAS the worst part but it still didnt sound to bad. Over all my impressions left me thinking "yea the old motley crue sound is BACK". Anyhow, Metallica's downfall started after the Black album. Actually in my mind it started with half the songs on the black album. This is when they stopped being metal and started being hard rock. IMO Fuel, aside from sounding like it was recorded in a bathroom is a pretty good song and it does what it was meant to do and that is ROCK. Im looking foward to this as this type of drumming is right up my alley.

he does look horrible...and sounds bad (i relative term considering the band and genre) on the new song. I used to listen to Crue as a kid...and I think for me Crue needs to stay in my past. Bands like crue have grand dreams of being like the Rolling Stones and surviving the test of time...but its not gonna happen.

Of course my girlfriend is always reminding me how Bon Jovi looks better today than ever and has aged well. =P

I don't ask a lot from the modern day Crue above the ability to suspend reality just long enough for me to bask in the glory of the "good ol' days" for a little while. The opportunity to see some songs performed live from the early days is not something that I lose sleep over just because I'm not sure the voice is up to it anymore. At some point the party/more fun than allowed/doin' it for the kids message just gets weird from guys that are their age. It can be done, but it needs to be a different kind of cool.

The bigger challenge is to stay relevant and perhaps this is easier with all of the multimedia smoke and mirrors at their disposal. You can create a presence on a web page that steers around or glosses over some of the rougher spots.

Bon Jovi evolved through the adult contemporary/soft rock towards country and have a lot more staying power and exposure because their music is more accessible. Really, how many of their successes after "Slippery" were upbeat songs? The style of singing/arrangements has also changed from the vanity project "This Left Feels Right" which has obvious re-working of their songs, to key changes or lowering of notes that are not growled or screamed anymore.

The challenge is to not go from cool to tool, be able to sing your own material even if it is redone a little and not sound like you are looking down from the top of your 20 year record sales like you have nothing to prove.

Carnival was a good theme for hosting the Crue reunion and revisting their catalog, but now that it's time for new material they have to find a way to promote it so that they don't come accross as a bunch of washed up dirt-bags.

That said, I like S.O.L.A.. From a guitar controller perspective it pretty much hits on all of the playing mechanics without having you strum or tap the same thing for the whole song. Now if I can just get "but your children" out of my head when I hear "we are ... we are ... we are."

I hope we see a lot of Motley Crue and Bon Jovi DLC.

RB wireless guitar controller has arrived. No surprises on the surface - it looks just like the wired version. The "Connect" button is tucked in where the usb cable was attached (how intuitive:D).

Now that I'm running on 3 AA batteries I'll have to be careful to reload now and then. It would have been nice to have the ability to use the rechargable battery packs (like in the driving wheel).

Playing a couple of songs feels the same and I wil cross my fingers that my guitar-swapping days are over!:cool:

I don't ask a lot from the modern day Crue above the ability to suspend reality just long enough for me to bask in the glory of the "good ol' days" for a little while. The opportunity to see some songs performed live from the early days is not something that I lose sleep over just because I'm not sure the voice is up to it anymore. At some point the party/more fun than allowed/doin' it for the kids message just gets weird from guys that are their age. It can be done, but it needs to be a different kind of cool.

The bigger challenge is to stay relevant and perhaps this is easier with all of the multimedia smoke and mirrors at their disposal. You can create a presence on a web page that steers around or glosses over some of the rougher spots.

Bon Jovi evolved through the adult contemporary/soft rock towards country and have a lot more staying power and exposure because their music is more accessible. Really, how many of their successes after "Slippery" were upbeat songs? The style of singing/arrangements has also changed from the vanity project "This Left Feels Right" which has obvious re-working of their songs, to key changes or lowering of notes that are not growled or screamed anymore.

The challenge is to not go from cool to tool, be able to sing your own material even if it is redone a little and not sound like you are looking down from the top of your 20 year record sales like you have nothing to prove.

Carnival was a good theme for hosting the Crue reunion and revisting their catalog, but now that it's time for new material they have to find a way to promote it so that they don't come accross as a bunch of washed up dirt-bags.

That said, I like S.O.L.A.. From a guitar controller perspective it pretty much hits on all of the playing mechanics without having you strum or tap the same thing for the whole song. Now if I can just get "but your children" out of my head when I hear "we are ... we are ... we are."

I hope we see a lot of Motley Crue and Bon Jovi DLC.

Well my girlfriends comment about Bon Jovi has nothing to do with songs =P

But the key is that as a Band Bon Jovi "Matured" in many ways which has helped them maintain a much higher level of popularity and acceptence than most of the other bands of their time. No such maturity for Crue and the others.

In 2008 a Bon Jovi performance is not looked at as a joke...like a Crue or Poison one would be.

The members of Crue look and act exactly like what I expected they would look like as old men with wigs.

That said...I would love to get Kickstart My Heart as a RB DLC =P

I want some old Crue ... give me some "Shout at the Devil" tracks ...

Shout at the Devil
Looks That Kill
Helter Skelter
Too Young to Fall in Love

I would almost forgive the Def Leppard loss for those Crue songs :D .

-- Jason

Shout at the Devil
Looks That Kill
Helter Skelter
Too Young to Fall in Love


\m/

Good picks, but I would bet there would be Beatles problems with Skelter. Also, Live Wire would be a good pick for RockBand because each of the 4 instruments has mini-solo sections.

\m/

Good picks, but I would bet there would be Beatles problems with Skelter. Also, Live Wire would be a good pick for RockBand because each of the 4 instruments has mini-solo sections.

Now I know who to look up when that hypothetcial Crue Pack shows up :cool:

Definately agree on Livewire. Here are some others for me:

Too Fast for Love:
Livewire
Public Enemy #1
Merry Go Round
Piece of Your Action
On With the Show
Too Fast for Love

Shout at the Devil
Shout at the Devil (include '91 version? since the other is already out there, :D)
Looks that Kill
Red Hot
Too Young to Fall in Love
Helter Skelter (with the God Bless Intro)
Ten Seconds to Love
B@st@rd :D

Theater of Pain
You could probably skip this whole album, "Home Sweet Home" might add a nice twist. My guess is you might be able to get "Smokin' in the Boys Room" cheaper as a general cover.

Girls, Girls, Girls
Wildside
Girls, Girls, Girls

Dr. Feelgood
Dr. Feelgood
Kickstart My Heart
Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
Same ol' Situation

I'd probably pick up anything, but the stuff after 1991 I can wait for.

Judas Priest's 1982 album Screaming For Vengeance out Tuesday - All tracks will be available separately for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points), or as a whole album for $14.99 (1200 Microsoft Points). Not too excited about this, just not good music for jamming with friends and family IMO, but oh well.


All the following tracks are by Judas Priest and are masters-

“The Hellion/Electric Eye”

“Riding on the Wind”

“Bloodstone”

“(Take These) Chains”

“Pain and Pleasure”

“Screaming for Vengeance”

“You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’”

“Fever”

“Devil’s Child”



Also announced are two more albums that are in the pipeline and coming in the near future- The Cars album The Cars and the Pixies Doolittle.


"Who's Next" DLC updates coming soon, as information becomes available.

Re: Fuel

Man you guys are crazy, Fuel is a good song. I actually like Load and ReLoad. I actually think Load is the better for the two. Is it as good as their earlier albums? No, I think either Master of Puppets or And Justice for All was probably their peak, but I think Fuel was what happened when you have a band that gets tired of doing the same thing and tries to experiment a little. Musicality wise Fuel was a very interesting album, and had some interesting blends of various musical styles. The only Metallica album that I really couldn't get into was St. Anger. The taking out guitar solos and structuring of the songs sounded like they were trying to force themselves into that Nu Metal stuff that was going on at the time.

Edit: The Pixies album would be pretty cool if it got released.

Hmm one thing about that album is I guess you'd be getting the album minus one song since everyone who has rock band already as Wave of Mutilation. It would be really cool if they threw in something like Where is my Mind to make up for it.

Judas Priest's 1982 album Screaming For Vengeance out Tuesday - All tracks will be available separately for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points), or as a whole album for $14.99 (1200 Microsoft Points). Not too excited about this, just not good music for jamming with friends and family IMO, but oh well.


All the following tracks are by Judas Priest and are masters-

“The Hellion/Electric Eye”

“Riding on the Wind”

“Bloodstone”

“(Take These) Chains”

“Pain and Pleasure”

“Screaming for Vengeance”

“You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’”

“Fever”

“Devil’s Child”



Also announced are two more albums that are in the pipeline and coming in the near future- The Cars album The Cars and the Pixies Doolittle.


"Who's Next" DLC updates coming soon, as information becomes available.

sigh.

That's cool about Who's Next info coming soon, but more than that I want Nevermind. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to rock the shizz out of Baba O'Riley, but Nevermind...ah, the glory days.

Here's hoping In Utero gets released, too. And would it kill them to do all of Pinkerton?

I'm pretty sure I wore out at least one cassette copy of Screaming back in the 80s so you can bet your ass I'm on this one :).

Well, we know HeadRusch doesn't like it because it's post-1988 Metallica. ;)

I tolerate the black album....and I kinda dig that song "The Memory Remains" in a radio-friendly metal kinda way :)

Judas Priest's 1982 album Screaming For Vengeance out Tuesday - All tracks will be available separately for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points), or as a whole album for $14.99 (1200 Microsoft Points). Not too excited about this, just not good music for jamming with friends and family IMO, but oh well.


AAAAH! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

....me likely.....


Also announced are two more albums that are in the pipeline and coming in the near future- The Cars album The Cars and the Pixies Doolittle.


Wow! Tracks on both I'll be picking up, but right now I'm in Priest Heaven!

SERIOUSLY tho this game is REALLY starting to cost me money.....I'm starting to add up all the downloaded tracks and cripes I've got another game buried in those costs.......but its great stuff. Supernaut (too bad its not the 10,000 Homo DJ's rendition), Wrathchild (Tho Iron Maiden would have been a better classic-Maiden era tune IMHO).........the Priest....*sigh*. Time to add more points.

just bought 2000 more MSPs last night....those are pretty much vouched for now.

kotaku interview with HMX CEO Alex about album DLCs: http://kotaku.com/381271/rock-bands-first-album-announced-our-harmonix-qa

wow 8 mil DLs so far.

main points

*getting proper masters for every song on an album has proved to be a slow and deliberate process and is teh main reason albums took so long.
*big who annoucement on teh way
*no defined schedule but album releases should increase in frequency over time.
*album pricing will just be a volume discount of the amount of songs so # of songs - normal pack discount = album cost
*no plans to offer 3 pack discount pricing of albums but Alex didn't rule it out.
*Alex said that some bands ahve even wanted to make their own greatest hits custom album packs and that the grateful dead pack was unofficially such a pack.

Judas Priest's 1982 album Screaming For Vengeance out Tuesday -


All the following tracks are by Judas Priest and are masters-

“The Hellion/Electric Eye”
“Riding on the Wind”
“Bloodstone”
“(Take These) Chains”
“Pain and Pleasure”
“Screaming for Vengeance”
“You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’”
“Fever”
“Devil’s Child”


OMG, Electric Eye has THE BEST heavy metal guitar solo, bar none. Anyone who disagrees can hang up their devil horns. :D I might actually push aside the drum kit and pull out the strat or les paul for this release. \m/

There's other good songs on that album too... You've Got Another Thing Comin' is obvious, but don't overlook Screaming for Vengeance, Riding on the Wind, Devil's Child and possibly Bloodstone.

Nice choice Harmonix!!!!

FYI, The Cars is coming in May and Doolittle in June (this is confirmed in the interview quoted above).

One thing that bugs me about these albums and packs is they are only a way of purchasing songs. Once bought, the collection becomes separated and treated as individual songs.

I would love to play through an album or pack song after song in order -- but the only way to do this is to know what the order is supposed to be and scroll through the ever increasing DLC list to find the next song... kinda annoying.

I hope Harmonix can come up with a way to fix this in-game.

One thing that bugs me about these albums and packs is they are only a way of purchasing songs. Once bought, the collection becomes separated and treated as individual songs.

I would love to play through an album or pack song after song in order -- but the only way to do this is to know what the order is supposed to be and scroll through the ever increasing DLC list to find the next song... kinda annoying.

I hope Harmonix can come up with a way to fix this in-game.

I agree, that would be way cool - and I'm not sure I'd like to buy Nevermind or Who's Next without that ability.

OMG, Electric Eye has THE BEST heavy metal guitar solo, bar none. Anyone who disagrees can hang up their devil horns. :D I might actually push aside the drum kit and pull out the strat or les paul for this release. \m/

There's other good songs on that album too... You've Got Another Thing Comin' is obvious, but don't overlook Screaming for Vengeance, Riding on the Wind, Devil's Child and possibly Bloodstone.

Nice choice Harmonix!!!!

Pain and Pleasure is probably the only weak one on that entire album, and only because its an "album filler" kind of song.

I wonder whos gonna try to pull of some Rob Halford shreiks on THIS one with the Mic :D


Now what REALLY sucks is that you wont be able to play dual guitars....being able to trade off the licks as Tipton or Downing would have been tre' cool.

Man, I'm excited for The Cars album. I'll have to re-listen to it to see if they'll make fun songs, though. Hopefully it works out well. I'm glad to hear they're letting us download individual tracks on the album releases as well. Unlike a lot of music industry adventures in new media, this one is being handled very well to make customers happy (which appears to coincide very well for Harmonix with making a ton of money).

Actually also pretty excited for Doolittle as well. I'm sure that will make for some sore throats for the singers.

One thing that bugs me about these albums and packs is they are only a way of purchasing songs. Once bought, the collection becomes separated and treated as individual songs.

I would love to play through an album or pack song after song in order -- but the only way to do this is to know what the order is supposed to be and scroll through the ever increasing DLC list to find the next song... kinda annoying.

I hope Harmonix can come up with a way to fix this in-game.From what I have read the DLC teams are somewhat distinct from the software development team. Clearly the software development team was until recently working on the Store update. I'm hoping that in parallel to that and since they've been working on a "create a setlist" feature. An album-specific mode would be nice, but a "create a setlist" feature would be more flexible. Maybe add to that the DLC Album could automatically add a setlist to your list of setlists...

Other than that, I hope they are working on a way to make the DLC be more tightly integrated in BWT mode. Obviously the random setlists and make a setlist options work pretty well already, but there are a lot of setlists that are baked-in with on-disc songs. It'd be nice to be able to pick other songs of the same difficulty instead.

Anyway, basically what you said :-).

I have every RB dlc song so my list is getting quite long...

The sort alpha by band option does help somewhat.

On a side note I only missed 2 or 3 notes on Say It Aint So expert last night. Almost 92k, I actually passed my 11 yr old's best score, a miracle!!

Now what REALLY sucks is that you wont be able to play dual guitars....being able to trade off the licks as Tipton or Downing would have been tre' cool.

Having a lead/rhythm option like the GH co-ops would be great for these types of songs and help avoid that " you want me to play bass, don't you" stare-off when another guitarist joins the band.;)

Wouldn't Maiden be another example of this?

Having a lead/rhythm option like the GH co-ops would be great for these types of songs and help avoid that " you want me to play bass, don't you" stare-off when another guitarist joins the band.;)

Wouldn't Maiden be another example of this?

Yep, but with Maiden I can't tell whos doing what part......with Priest, the lead was usually Glenn Tipton..and when you heard the distorted solos kicking in, it was usually KK Downing with his rythim-tuned guitar kicking in, their guitars always sounded distinctly tuned so you could tell who was doing what.

Lots of bands like this, really, I wished they had done this too in Rock Band.....playing Bass is fun enough, but really its like taking one for the team :D

Yep, but with Maiden I can't tell whos doing what part......with Priest, the lead was usually Glenn Tipton..and when you heard the distorted solos kicking in, it was usually KK Downing with his rythim-tuned guitar kicking in, their guitars always sounded distinctly tuned so you could tell who was doing what.

Lots of bands like this, really, I wished they had done this too in Rock Band.....playing Bass is fun enough, but really its like taking one for the team :D

IMO bass is as much the backbone of the band as the durmmer. 6x multiplier with some songs having equal notes for bass compared to guitar. Plus a good bassist can be a reliable savior.

Having a lead/rhythm option like the GH co-ops would be great for these types of songs and help avoid that " you want me to play bass, don't you" stare-off when another guitarist joins the band.;)

Wouldn't Maiden be another example of this?

Actually a friend and I are usually arguing over who gets to play bass. I was disappointed that they don't offer lead/rhythm/bass on songs where all 3 are present.

I was just thinking about how cool it would be if they added some songs from Judas Priest and The Cars! Awesome news!

If a band member is listed as "Substitued by" does that mean you are playing "off the record" where your scores don't count?

I have a band that contunues to say "unranked" and it is missing from my list online.

It gets confusing sorting out gamertags, characters and bands, especially since they are locked to instruments. :confused:

For $14.99 I'd prefer they focus on "Greatest Hits" compilations. It will be interesting to see how the albums sell, but if you are going to put that much effort into 9 songs ... hedge your bets. Realistically are there any bands that would command more than one album's worth of songs? I sure hope that these will migrate to future versions of rock band and not Karaoke Revolution everyone to death (download same song for different versions).

Perhaps the strategy is to keep us medicated with the Tuesday DLC 3-packs, jumping at the first opportunity for albums - and THEN hit us with the Greatest Hits.

As long as you can still cherry pick your favorite songs.

For $14.99 I'd prefer they focus on "Greatest Hits" compilations. It will be interesting to see how the albums sell, but if you are going to put that much effort into 9 songs ... hedge your bets. Realistically are there any bands that would command more than one album's worth of songs? I sure hope that these will migrate to future versions of rock band and not Karaoke Revolution everyone to death (download same song for different versions).

I suppose it depends on how much you like a given band. For example, I would take absolutely any of R.E.M.'s albums (maybe not "Around the Sun") and love all of the tracks available, but that's because I'm big fan and really love all of the tracks on their albums. The ability to just play something like "Monster" or "New Adventures in Hi-Fi" or "Life's Rich Pageant" all the way through in the game would be awesome.

I do agree that these tracks should be usable in future iterations of Rock Band. At worst the future games should have a conversion utility or be able to figure out what you've bought and let you download new versions. If they don't, I suspect Harmonix would never recover from the PR hit such a move would generate.

As long as you can still cherry pick your favorite songs.

I think that's the key. On this album, if there are 3 songs you don't want, you'll still save enough money to buy another track somewhere down the road, so you could buy probably every one of your favorite songs on it and none of the filler and still be ahead. I suspect the numbers will continue to work out like this. For an album with more tracks you may have to cut more, but that's how volume discounts work.

I suppose it depends on how much you like a given band. For example, I would take absolutely any of R.E.M.'s albums (maybe not "Around the Sun") and love all of the tracks available, but that's because I'm big fan and really love all of the tracks on their albums. The ability to just play something like "Monster" or "New Adventures in Hi-Fi" or "Life's Rich Pageant" all the way through in the game would be awesome.

I do agree that these tracks should be usable in future iterations of Rock Band. At worst the future games should have a conversion utility or be able to figure out what you've bought and let you download new versions. If they don't, I suspect Harmonix would never recover from the PR hit such a move would generate.



I think that's the key. On this album, if there are 3 songs you don't want, you'll still save enough money to buy another track somewhere down the road, so you could buy probably every one of your favorite songs on it and none of the filler and still be ahead. I suspect the numbers will continue to work out like this. For an album with more tracks you may have to cut more, but that's how volume discounts work.

This is where "Eponymous" would do it for me and cherry pick what came after. I own "Life's ..." but a quick skim of the track list I only recall "Fall On Me" and "Superman" (although it wasn't listed on my actual CD- bonus!).
Now, I'm going to have to go and dig these up - "Finest Worksong" is stuck in my head.:D

It just surprises me that the investment in working on the "filler" songs makes more sense than just making a song pack of "low-hanging fruit." Also, is this a generational concept? You were more likely to hear a whole album when it took time to press fast-forward on a cassette deck (even before music search:D) or flip it over, same with lps. It became easier to pick and choose/skip with CDs and now with downloads I wonder how many "full" albums are sold. Perhaps I have tunnel vision on this one because there is still a huge amount of physical disc sales.


The other thing is this way you are not "discounting" some of the songs in the "greatest hits" package but you can discount an "album" that has material that was not released as singles or otherwise in less demand. This way you get "full-price" for the songs that people want to cherry pick but also get at least something for the other songs when purchased as an album.

I saw an ad for "Screaming" on XBOX Live but couldn't find the download. Has anyone been able to find/download it yet?

I saw an ad for "Screaming" on XBOX Live but couldn't find the download. Has anyone been able to find/download it yet?

Yeah, strange they are showing the banner ad. I think its slated next week... usually Tuesdays.

Oh man...about and hour ago I was going through solo tour on Hard drums and I got to Green Grass and High Tides. This was the song that gave me more trouble than any other song when I was going through about a month ago (probably a bit longer) on medium. The end would just wear me out and I would fail so miserably. I finally beat it by stopping like 10x and taking a 2-5 minute break each time to recover. Well, tonight, I got to it on hard and figured it would be the death of me again.

Except it wasn't. First try, I five starred that bitch! I never stopped either! Okay, well, twice...but only for like 3 seconds because I dropped my right stick and had to pause to pick it up. But otherwise one sitting...first try...five stars. DAMN that feels good.

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v239/170/80/20304490/n20304490_33381889_7691.jpg

Now I just have to get Vaseline down to so I can move on to the next city...man, that song is tough. :o

Now I just have to get Vaseline down to so I can move on to the next city...man, that song is tough. :o

Congrats! :cool:

You've heard that Run To the Hills is coming up, right? :eek:

Congrats! :cool:

You've heard that Run To the Hills is coming up, right? :eek:

Ugh.

I'm stuck on Don't Fear the Reaper....STILL. Damn Outro 1,2,3...okay, well just 3. I can't get the timing on that. I rock that song up until that point and it's instant fail as it's 2 kicks and a red...endlessly. Only song left in that tier, and this is it.

On to other things....

Did anyone catch the little tips on the Xbox Dashboard for today? The way that guy drummed seemed, well, too soft. I'm sure I'd miss have the notes if I drummed like that. I guess I should ease of the grip of the sticks too. I'm white-knucklin' those bad boys! ;) If only that video were out months ago...

Ugh.

I'm stuck on Don't Fear the Reaper....STILL. Damn Outro 1,2,3...okay, well just 3. I can't get the timing on that. I rock that song up until that point and it's instant fail as it's 2 kicks and a red...endlessly. Only song left in that tier, and this is it.

On to other things....

Did anyone catch the little tips on the Xbox Dashboard for today? The way that guy drummed seemed, well, too soft. I'm sure I'd miss have the notes if I drummed like that. I guess I should ease of the grip of the sticks too. I'm white-knucklin' those bad boys! ;) If only that video were out months ago...

Reaper: I don't know if you are on Hard or Expert... but for I'm stuck at the wall of BOC in the Expert tier. :o Well, that and the first part of Boston's Foreplay/Long Time. Once I clear those two, I'll be at the final tier. But Reaper gets insane in the guitar solo section in the middle, and I know that ending part you mentioned will just be too much -- IF I can ever make it there!

I didn't notice the GH tips on the dashboard... thanks for the heads up!

++++

So I had to buy a new drumset!

The Yellow on my launch-day kit was doing double hits on occasions and ruining the streaks. Turns out the sensor had a short. I tried just replacing the sensor, but that didn't last long (my fault... bad install job). I bought a new set, which is an EL model like my original launch set, and it works fine out of the box... however I couldn't put any pads on it without missing hits! :mad: The new set just wasn't nearly sensitive enough.

It was driving me crazy, so I pulled a drum head top off the new set and replaced the non-working Yellow on my old set -- and I'm back to playing my original set. Basically I bought a whole new set for just a drum head. :rolleyes:

Something I noticed about my original set while working on it -- all the drum heads are somewhat cracked in the center! Even with pads on them, the constant banging for half a year will eventually wear them out. My modded original still plays better than the new virgin set, cracks and all -- so I'm going to stick with banging on my original 'till it stops working. At least I have spare parts standing by. :p

Congrats! :cool:

You've heard that Run To the Hills is coming up, right? :eek:

Yeah, I tried it for sh!ts and giggles on hard in the solo play mode and wow...uh, I think i'm gonna need a LOT of practice for that one... :o

Reaper: I don't know if you are on Hard or Expert... but for I'm stuck at the wall of BOC in the Expert tier. :o Well, that and the first part of Boston's Foreplay/Long Time. Once I clear those two, I'll be at the final tier. But Reaper gets insane in the guitar solo section in the middle, and I know that ending part you mentioned will just be too much -- IF I can ever make it there!

I didn't notice the GH tips on the dashboard... thanks for the heads up!

++++

So I had to buy a new drumset!

The Yellow on my launch-day kit was doing double hits on occasions and ruining the streaks. Turns out the sensor had a short. I tried just replacing the sensor, but that didn't last long (my fault... bad install job). I bought a new set, which is an EL model like my original launch set, and it works fine out of the box... however I couldn't put any pads on it without missing hits! :mad: The new set just wasn't nearly sensitive enough.

It was driving me crazy, so I pulled a drum head top off the new set and replaced the non-working Yellow on my old set -- and I'm back to playing my original set. Basically I bought a whole new set for just a drum head. :rolleyes:

Something I noticed about my original set while working on it -- all the drum heads are somewhat cracked in the center! Even with pads on them, the constant banging for half a year will eventually wear them out. My modded original still plays better than the new virgin set, cracks and all -- so I'm going to stick with banging on my original 'till it stops working. At least I have spare parts standing by. :p

Dude, why didn't you have EA replace your set? There does not seem to be a time limit on the replacements. I have had my kit replaced twice and did not have to provide a proof of purchase or anything.

Oh man...about and hour ago I was going through solo tour on Hard drums and I got to Green Grass and High Tides. This was the song that gave me more trouble than any other song when I was going through about a month ago (probably a bit longer) on medium. The end would just wear me out and I would fail so miserably. I finally beat it by stopping like 10x and taking a 2-5 minute break each time to recover. Well, tonight, I got to it on hard and figured it would be the death of me again.

Except it wasn't. First try, I five starred that bitch! I never stopped either! Okay, well, twice...but only for like 3 seconds because I dropped my right stick and had to pause to pick it up. But otherwise one sitting...first try...five stars. DAMN that feels good.

<image snipped>

Now I just have to get Vaseline down to so I can move on to the next city...man, that song is tough. :o

That's because the song really isn't hard, it's just long. And on medium at that point you hadn't used the kick that much, so it seems difficult. But on hard you're used to using the kick a lot and by the time you get to GGaHT it's just another song...

Now Vaseline did give me some trouble, but slowing down the pattern in practice really helped a lot. Now I'm stuck on Tier 8. I can 5* Enter Sandman with my eyes closed but can't pass any other song on that tier. I've got some practicing to do. :)

That's because the song really isn't hard, it's just long. And on medium at that point you hadn't used the kick that much, so it seems difficult. But on hard you're used to using the kick a lot and by the time you get to GGaHT it's just another song...

Now Vaseline did give me some trouble, but slowing down the pattern in practice really helped a lot. Now I'm stuck on Tier 8. I can 5* Enter Sandman with my eyes closed but can't pass any other song on that tier. I've got some practicing to do. :)

Welcome to the Reaper tier! :)

I managed to get the rest of those songs in the tier (Hard) except Reaper. FWIW, Sandman was the only song I 5*'d in that tier too. ;)

That's because the song really isn't hard, it's just long. And on medium at that point you hadn't used the kick that much, so it seems difficult. But on hard you're used to using the kick a lot and by the time you get to GGaHT it's just another song...
Thanks for belittling my achievement. :(


:p

No, I know it's not that hard. It's just a marathon/endurance test.

Now Vaseline did give me some trouble, but slowing down the pattern in practice really helped a lot. Now I'm stuck on Tier 8. I can 5* Enter Sandman with my eyes closed but can't pass any other song on that tier. I've got some practicing to do. :)
Yeah, I slowed it down t 80% and that still wasn't enough. I'm going to have to take it down to 50% and move up from there. It's not that hard of a pattern, it's just a matter of learning it and then keeping it going since it's pretty much the same throughout the entire song (except switching yellow for blue and hitting green occasionally, at least from what I've seen).

EDIT: I also 5 starred More Than a Feeling, Peace of Mind, Foreplay/Long Time (on Medium) and Mississippi Queen. I know the Boston songs aren't THAT hard, but it was the first time I ever got them. And F/LT...well, everyone knows how ridiculous THAT song is. I'm still working up to it on hard. Long Time isn't a problem. It's Foreplay that always destroys me. And MQ...man, I loves that song. It took about 5 tries, always being just a SLICE away and finally, the last time I nailed the entire opening thing where there are like 3 or 4 double kicks in a row...didn't miss a beat. :D

Man, I love this game and I love that I can actually SEE and feel the progress I'm making.

Dude, why didn't you have EA replace your set? There does not seem to be a time limit on the replacements. I have had my kit replaced twice and did not have to provide a proof of purchase or anything.

1) I had modded the set internally (wiring). The problems I was having was probably from me pulling the drums apart, so I didn't feel it was right stick the bill on EA.
2) I'm impatient and wanted to keep rocking right now -- that's how the obsessive mind works. :o

Please tell me someone saw this!?!

This would be sweet if I could dedicate some space to it. :)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84FJQvg8f0I

Please tell me someone saw this!?!

This would be sweet if I could dedicate some space to it. :)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84FJQvg8f0I

I'll bring the beers! :cool:

I'll bring the beers! :cool:

No doubt!

Love the beginning though where it was way easy to tell he was off in his drumming. ;) Still had that plastic snapping sensation of the original kit though. :(

Then I just happened to click on a guy playing ...And Justice For All (expert no less) and snapping his pedal midway through. :(

I was just listening to my re-mastered copy of Judas Priest Screaming for Vengeance in anticipation of next week's DLC release.

Expert drummers... check out the first 5 seconds of "Riding on the Wind"!!! :eek: How is that even going to be possible? :p That particular song might pwn all DLC songs - the drums, guitars (esp. solos) and, most of all, I feel sorry for the singers -- Halford's scream is a force of its own.

I'm pumped now. :D

It's nice to know I'm not the only one that thinks Don't Fear the Reaper on Expert drums can go die in a fire.

I've been stuck there for the last month, and I'm starting to just not care anymore whether I beat it or not. Fooling around in quickplay and online I've beaten every song in tier 9, except for Run to the Hills so really DFtR is one of two roadblocks between me and the AN-I-MAL! achievement.

I've been using the Rock Pedal (http://www.rockpedal.com) bass drum pedal on my setup now. I got it last week (they weren't lying about next day shipping, I was shocked) after passing on the Omega Pedal. My concern with the Omega Pedal has always been that mechanical switch (thanks, DaverJ for close-up shot of this) that I feel is going to wear out quickly. Rock Pedal doesn't have anything mechanical for the switch (just some 'sensor' and a magnet). It's a no-name pedal, unlike Omega Pedal, but it's more than enough for me - it's got more adjustments than I need.

-Ian

[Edit]
Oh yeah, and this thing is nearly silent. As you mentioned, DaverJ, the Omega Pedal is not silent and sounds like a bass thump. My downstairs neighbor hears all my footsteps...I've been able to adjust the Rock Pedal so I don't hit the bottom - the chain/spring stop it before hitting metal on metal and creating a loud thud with each kick. The magnet and mystery sensor work within a close range.

I've been using the Rock Pedal (http://www.rockpedal.com) bass drum pedal on my setup now. .

That looks like a great pedal!

I see where the sensor housing is, but where is the magnetic end of the sensor? :confused:

Ugh.

I'm stuck on Don't Fear the Reaper....STILL. Damn Outro 1,2,3...okay, well just 3. I can't get the timing on that. I rock that song up until that point and it's instant fail as it's 2 kicks and a red...endlessly. Only song left in that tier, and this is it.

On to other things....

Did anyone catch the little tips on the Xbox Dashboard for today? The way that guy drummed seemed, well, too soft. I'm sure I'd miss have the notes if I drummed like that. I guess I should ease of the grip of the sticks too. I'm white-knucklin' those bad boys! ;) If only that video were out months ago...

If you can get through outro 2, then just keep playing the same notes on outro 3. You'll miss a snare hit in the middle of the mess, but it'll get you through the section (without even going red if you can get through outro 2.) There's no way I'd have made it through outro 3 without acting like that snare didn't exist. Now I'm on tier 9 and I don't even know where to begin.

Judas Priest's 1982 album Screaming For Vengeance out Tuesday - All tracks will be available separately for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points), or as a whole album for $14.99 (1200 Microsoft Points). Not too excited about this, just not good music for jamming with friends and family IMO, but oh well.


All the following tracks are by Judas Priest and are masters-

“The Hellion/Electric Eye”

“Riding on the Wind”

“Bloodstone”

“(Take These) Chains”

“Pain and Pleasure”

“Screaming for Vengeance”

“You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’”

“Fever”

“Devil’s Child”



Also announced are two more albums that are in the pipeline and coming in the near future- The Cars album The Cars and the Pixies Doolittle.


"Who's Next" DLC updates coming soon, as information becomes available.

Hmm, somewhat surprised by their choice for their first full album DLC. I like Priest...and Screaming For Vengeance was a good album...but I sorta expected something abit more mainstream and recognizable for the first full album DLC. Not too mention that these songs are going to be brutal on hard/expert.

Only one song from this album that everyone..even if they are not Priest fans will recognize.

Don't get me wrong..I will be picking up this DLC for sure..Just surprised by their choice for the first album DLC.

Okay I am finally going to purchase Rock Band this week (going to get them to price match CC and I have $20 in reward zone points) but had a question about the warranty. I remember reading awhile back that BB was offering a product replacement warranty on the complete kit so I could just return any instruments that didn't work over time. I know that EA has the replacement program but would this be a better idea if it's cheap ($20-$25 dollars)? Also can anyone comment that got the BB warranty and what it covers? I am going to go there this week to inquire but thought I would ask. Thanks in advance!

Okay I am finally going to purchase Rock Band this week (going to get them to price match CC and I have $20 in reward zone points) but had a question about the warranty. I remember reading awhile back that BB was offering a product replacement warranty on the complete kit so I could just return any instruments that didn't work over time. I know that EA has the replacement program but would this be a better idea if it's cheap ($20-$25 dollars)? Also can anyone comment that got the BB warranty and what it covers? I am going to go there this week to inquire but thought I would ask. Thanks in advance!


I did not get any extended warranty for my RB kit....but i did have a bad guitar.

I was surprised at how smooth and quick the RMA process went...People bash EA alot...but getting my guitar replaced was one of the smoothest and quickest RMA processes I have ever had to do.

I did not get any extended warranty for my RB kit....but i did have a bad guitar.

I was surprised at how smooth and quick the RMA process went...People bash EA alot...but getting my guitar replaced was one of the smoothest and quickest RMA processes I have ever had to do.

My friend said the same thing...all 6 times he got his guitar replaced. :eek:

My friend said the same thing...all 6 times he got his guitar replaced. :eek:

I'm still only on my launch guitar, go figure....but I did have to RMA the drums.

Hmm, somewhat surprised by their choice for their first full album DLC. I like Priest...and Screaming For Vengeance was a good album...but I sorta expected something abit more mainstream and recognizable for the first full album DLC. Not too mention that these songs are going to be brutal on hard/expert.

Only one song from this album that everyone..even if they are not Priest fans will recognize.

Don't get me wrong..I will be picking up this DLC for sure..Just surprised by their choice for the first album DLC.

I think HMX does it sometimes on purpose and sometimes out of necessity. In the interview announcing priest as the first DLC the HMX CEO said that they do have sort fo a schedule but securing and properly processing masters is a very hapdash procedure and sometimes they have to go with what was quick and easy first over what they'd rather put out first. I also suspect that these surprise announcements let lesser known artists get a bigger spotlight amnd maybe get some better sales.

I think HMX does it sometimes on purpose and sometimes out of necessity. In the interview announcing priest as the first DLC the HMX CEO said that they do have sort fo a schedule but securing and properly processing masters is a very hapdash procedure and sometimes they have to go with what was quick and easy first over what they'd rather put out first. I also suspect that these surprise announcements let lesser known artists get a bigger spotlight amnd maybe get some better sales.

This was a case of "what was quick and easy first over what they'd rather put out first".

Personally I would love to see full DLC albums of newer lesser known artist. Would be a good way to get me to listen to some of the new bands and perhaps buy their CD's. One of the recent DLC packs...the one with CrushCrushCrush did just that for me...I had never heard of the band..and probably would never have heard of them if it was not for Rockband.

I am 40 years old....and even I will say that we need less old stuff and more new stuff.

This was a case of "what was quick and easy first over what they'd rather put out first".

Personally I would love to see full DLC albums of newer lesser known artist. Would be a good way to get me to listen to some of the new bands and perhaps buy their CD's. One of the recent DLC packs...the one with CrushCrushCrush did just that for me...I had never heard of the band..and probably would never have heard of them if it was not for Rockband.

I am 40 years old....and even I will say that we need less old stuff and more new stuff.
Yeah, one of the things that's bothered me a bit is that the vast majority of music in the game (including DLC) is from the 70s. Like, I love Boston and Mountain and such, but c'mon. There's plenty of new(er) music begging for Rock Band treatment.

Pearl Jam.
(more) Nirvana.
(more, and better) Weezer.
Foo Fighters (older stuff, up through There is Nothing Left to Lose).
Everclear (almost anything from Sparkle and Fade and So Much for the Afterglow).
(more) Stone Temple Pilots.
The Black Crowes (real stuff, no covers).
Audiovent.
Silvertide.
Local H.
The Darkness.
System of a Down.
My Chemical Romance (yeah, yeah...I know. But the MUSIC would be fun, emo-ness aside).
Green Day.


If they're going to keep up with the 70s kick, how about some Zep? I'd love for The Ocean to be released. And Skynyrd's Free Bird would be fantastic also.

I dunno. I'm bored at work and am spitballing a bit.

If you can get through outro 2, then just keep playing the same notes on outro 3. You'll miss a snare hit in the middle of the mess, but it'll get you through the section (without even going red if you can get through outro 2.) There's no way I'd have made it through outro 3 without acting like that snare didn't exist. Now I'm on tier 9 and I don't even know where to begin.

Thank you for the tip!

I will give that a shot. I might also try the "hold the fill please" through the end. I just need to see if they have a spot for the fill to kick in around that area.

My big problem on DFtR is a physical problem really.

I have an arthritis in my ankle and knee so keeping up the bass triples and the pyscho bass beat in the solo just tear me up. By the time I get close to the end of the solo my leg essentially locks up due to pain and I usually can't make it out of the last part of the solo back to the main beat. I've made it to the outro twice, but each time I just didn't have enough stamina left to get through, even pausing and taking a break.

Yeah, one of the things that's bothered me a bit is that the vast majority of music in the game (including DLC) is from the 70s. Like, I love Boston and Mountain and such, but c'mon. There's plenty of new(er) music begging for Rock Band treatment.

Pearl Jam.
(more) Nirvana.
(more, and better) Weezer.
Foo Fighters (older stuff, up through There is Nothing Left to Lose).
Everclear (almost anything from Sparkle and Fade and So Much for the Afterglow).
(more) Stone Temple Pilots.
The Black Crowes (real stuff, no covers).
Audiovent.
Silvertide.
Local H.
The Darkness.
System of a Down.
My Chemical Romance (yeah, yeah...I know. But the MUSIC would be fun, emo-ness aside).
Green Day.


If they're going to keep up with the 70s kick, how about some Zep? I'd love for The Ocean to be released. And Skynyrd's Free Bird would be fantastic also.

I dunno. I'm bored at work and am spitballing a bit.

Some Rise Against would rock.... There is so much they can and that would rock though.. These lists could get huge....

Some Rise Against would rock.... There is so much they can and that would rock though.. These lists could get huge....

Mmm yeah, good call on Rise Against. And I know...this list would be enormous. I was just scrolling through my Zen and was throwing out newer band names as I came across them. :)

I understand it's not easy making these songs and is time consuming. I have nothing but hope for what is to come though. I'm sure they'll start releasing newer stuff eventually.

so I'm pretty psyched for tomorrow. a whole album plus 3 very nice tracks.

What are the three other tracks being released tomorrow?

hmm I read that the meta pack with metallica, maiden and black sabbath was also coming out but wikipedia says TBA for that one. Either way I'll be happy.

Now I know who to look up when that hypothetcial Crue Pack shows up :cool:

Definately agree on Livewire. Here are some others for me:

Too Fast for Love:
Livewire
Public Enemy #1
Merry Go Round
Piece of Your Action
On With the Show
Too Fast for Love

Shout at the Devil
Shout at the Devil (include '91 version? since the other is already out there, :D)
Looks that Kill
Red Hot
Too Young to Fall in Love
Helter Skelter (with the God Bless Intro)
Ten Seconds to Love
B@st@rd :D

Theater of Pain
You could probably skip this whole album, "Home Sweet Home" might add a nice twist. My guess is you might be able to get "Smokin' in the Boys Room" cheaper as a general cover.

Girls, Girls, Girls
Wildside
Girls, Girls, Girls

Dr. Feelgood
Dr. Feelgood
Kickstart My Heart
Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
Same ol' Situation

I'd probably pick up anything, but the stuff after 1991 I can wait for.

Good stuff, but you can't leave out Knock em Dead, Kid from Shout at the Devil. Hell, give me that album instead of Priest! :) Such a solid album.

I like Too Fast for Love as well, but Vince's voice was a little to girly for me, but still, very cool album.

Theater of Pain, oh that lovely album. For some reason, I remember that cassette tape was "cool" growing up, but now that I listen to it more...Blech! Smokin' and Home Sweet Home were the best of that album by far, but I do kind of like Louder than Hell. :) Same kind of goes for Girls, Girls, Girls. Those two listed are the tits for that album. Incredible strip club songs, and who could forget Tommy in the cage for Wild Side. Bad. Ass.

That looks like a great pedal!

I see where the sensor housing is, but where is the magnetic end of the sensor? :confused:

There is a magnet stuck to the underside of the pedal.

It would be cool if they got their hands on some Hendrix... That would really stick it to Activision & GH too!

[QUOTE=Chris Rein;13696085]Good stuff, but you can't leave out Knock em Dead, Kid from Shout at the Devil. Hell, give me that album instead of Priest! :) Such a solid album.

>You won't get any argument from me on this one. The Priest songs I recognize by title I already have in GH versions, and will likely pick them up to play in RB but I'm not in any hurry to pick up the whole album - if at all. The only other song that comes to mind is "Turbo Lover" because of the video and that monochrome green laser that was "the coolest thing ever" at the time.:D

I like Too Fast for Love as well, but Vince's voice was a little to girly for me, but still, very cool album.
>The vocal wailing during the intro that is repeated before the chorus is one of the worst, nail-grating vocal riffs I've ever heard and TFFL is easily my least favorite song on the album for that reason alone. However, if you take that part out it fits well with the rest of the tracks. I'd buy this full album mainly because if they did a "greatest hits" only you'd probably only see Livewire.

Theater of Pain, oh that lovely album. For some reason, I remember that cassette tape was "cool" growing up, but now that I listen to it more...Blech! Smokin' and Home Sweet Home were the best of that album by far, but I do kind of like Louder than Hell. :) Same kind of goes for Girls, Girls, Girls. Those two listed are the tits for that album. Incredible strip club songs, and who could forget Tommy in the cage for Wild Side. Bad. Ass.

>Theater of Pain - this version of the Crue was too much glossy and sparkle. Still valuable for the "Tommy can play piano" moment.:D, but marred by the appearance of Mullet Vince in the Home Sweet Home Video. Honorable mention to the ponytail-and-bike-shorts around the time of "Decade of Decadence" as another look that needs to be buried. "Louder Than Hell" comes to mind, but I'm laughing because I can't think of even ONE lyric from the rest of the song.

BTW, if you think it is a trip listening to some of these tracks 20 years later try finding some old articles on fan sites to see what was written about the band. It is pretty funny stuff, but you have to look past the pentagrams, fake blood and burning candles to decipher it.

>Girls - made perfect sense - nothing more, nothing less and probably a lot of fun to play. Wildside video and the 90 degree drum riser? Or was that the one where the drum kit was hovering out over the crowd (this I saw in concert:cool:)?

Well, since it looks like all the GH franchise is going to get from Motley Crue at this point is a custom faceplate, hopefully there are some big plans for Rockband.

... and now back to your regularly scheduled drum-modding thread :D :cool:

There is a magnet stuck to the underside of the pedal.

Has anyone tried both of these pedals? Since this game gets played on a regular basis, I'd like to invest more (edit: even more) money on this game. ;)

Pedal is first. And I'll try those drum kit mods when the official Rock Band Drum Silencer comes out in May.

For those who haven't seen it:

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=70828

Now, who's getting these first...

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=68863


Damn, I must have been paying attention as I didn't know Wii was getting Rock Band!?!?

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=70820

Has anyone tried both of these pedals? Since this game gets played on a regular basis, I'd like to invest more (edit: even more) money on this game. ;)

Pedal is first. And I'll try those drum kit mods when the official Rock Band Drum Silencer comes out in May.

For those who haven't seen it:

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=70828

Don't waste your time. They're just the "mousepad mod" but with the Rock Band name. You're better off buying the pads from rockbanddrumsoft.com.


Now, who's getting these first...

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=68863

I'd rather buy a $100 smoke machine. ;)

Damn, I must have been paying attention as I didn't know Wii was getting Rock Band!?!?

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=70820

Well, it's only kind of getting Rock Band. No band creation, no band world tour, no downloadable tracks, and no online play.

Say I know this has been covered but when I search i cant find it. Im about to take the plunge for some drum pad silencers and I know gum rubber is the best thing for the job in terms of rebound/sound/and durability right? What do you guys recommend and where should I buy them from?! Ive been looking all day today because theres sooo many vendors now! I also understand that depending on what model set you have (QM or EL) should dictate which pads you get due to the EL's having crappy sensors (Im not sure which set I have.) Can someone make it simple for me? ha ha

Say I know this has been covered but when I search i cant find it. Im about to take the plunge for some drum pad silencers and I know gum rubber is the best thing for the job in terms of rebound/sound/and durability right? What do you guys recommend and where should I buy them from?! Ive been looking all day today because theres sooo many vendors now! I also understand that depending on what model set you have (QM or EL) should dictate which pads you get due to the EL's having crappy sensors (Im not sure which set I have.) Can someone make it simple for me? ha ha

If you have the QM, get these:
http://rockbanddrumsoft.com/mcudual.html

If you have the EL, get these:
http://rockbanddrumsoft.com/mcuthin.html

Has anyone tried both of these pedals? Since this game gets played on a regular basis, I'd like to invest more (edit: even more) money on this game. ;)

Pedal is first. And I'll try those drum kit mods when the official Rock Band Drum Silencer comes out in May.



good luck Chris... there's a whole world of mods out there, and you can spend a lot of time researching. TheJokell's suggestions look spot on!

"Cenachaingang54" on the RockBand.com has become the resident tester and reviewer. He's an IRL-drummer and tries everything he can get his hands on and often does a video review. You might want to head over there and subscribe to some of his threads:

Here's the omega review with video. (http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39421)

Here's the Destroyer review with video. (http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42076&highlight=Cenachaingang54)

A comparison between the Omega and the Destroyer discussion thread. (http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37660&highlight=Cenachaingang54)

Comparison between 3 different pad mods/silencers with video. (http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44339&highlight=Cenachaingang54)

...and there's more, just do a seach on his name at rockband.com and look for threads where he is the OP.

Hope that helps!

Has anybody had their front USB ports stop working with the RockBand 4 port hub since the latest Xbox LIVE update ? My front USB ports no longer work with the powered USB hub but if I plug the controllers directly into the front ports it works fine . My rear USB port still functions with the hub so that is what I am now using but I am pretty PO'd since the hub was working great right before the update . We exchanged the hub 2 times thinking that it was the problem and we even bought a Belkin powered hub to try out just in case (I should have tried the rear usb port sooner) . Best Buy opened up a Pelican Official Rock Band hub and gave that to us on the last exchange , at least it feels much more solid than the OE hub (the power connection fits nice and snug) .

I hope that if it was indeed the latest update that did this to the front usb ports that they can simply undo it .

-- Jason

Just ordered these http://www.rockbanddrumsoft.com/mcudual.html

Thanks for the tips Daver and Jokell!

Just ordered these http://www.rockbanddrumsoft.com/mcudual.html

Thanks for the tips Daver and Jokell!

Looks like a good choice Jason! Report back when you've tried them out.

Has anybody had their front USB ports stop working with the RockBand 4 port hub since the latest Xbox LIVE update ? My front USB ports no longer work with the powered USB hub but if I plug the controllers directly into the front ports it works fine .


My front ports still work fine with my powered hub.

new album was up this morning, I set it to download and can't wait to get home and go ape sh-crazy!

So is the Priest album the only DLC available today? Or is there an additional 3 song pack as well? I can't check as I'm at work for anoter 6.5 hours or so...

So is the Priest album the only DLC available today? Or is there an additional 3 song pack as well? I can't check as I'm at work for anoter 6.5 hours or so...

just the priest album

My front ports still work fine with my powered hub.

I always have problems with the hub - after I boot up I have to unplug/replug it to get it to register correctly. Not sure what the issue is. Been going on for at least a month, probably longer. Both ports, and no issues plugging in directly so it's definitely the hub.

Well hot damn.

I was on fire last night.

Not only did I get past Reaper on Hard to make it to the final tier, I decided to go for my Expert Flawless achievement and nailed that one last night too! Yeah me. I know I'm way behind here, but wanted to give a big thanks to those who provided tips for me to pass Reaper. Thank you!

So, thinking I was all bad ass last night, I fired up Run to the Hills. Yeah, that was my last song of the night. ;)

DaverJ and thejokell, thanks for the info on the mods/additions. I'll be doing some research this week.

just the priest album

So what's the Expert drum chart for the intro to Riding on the Wind like?

So what's the Expert drum chart for the intro to Riding on the Wind like?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DUbY5OttEsc

Why did he miss so many at the beginning? :confused::confused::confused:

Why did he miss so many at the beginning? :confused::confused::confused:

It's a sight read, so he's never actually played the song before. Doesn't look like the easiest pattern to just pull out of your ass. ;)

I always have problems with the hub - after I boot up I have to unplug/replug it to get it to register correctly. Not sure what the issue is. Been going on for at least a month, probably longer. Both ports, and no issues plugging in directly so it's definitely the hub.

Are you talking about the RB hub, or a third party hub? I have some crap powered hub that I picked up at a computer store.

Well it Finally happened. I spent literally MONTHS trying to convince my wife to let me get this game. Finally I agreed to trade in my PSP (Big loss...) and PSP games and I've GOT it! and it rocks! Everyone who said it did was absolutely 100% correct. It's the first musical game I've owned and I am enjoying the heck out of it. The best part is my wife who was so against it is the Drummer in our band and I think she likes it more than me!

So I'm a little behind on the discussions, but I would love to add my 2 cents for missing bands. I'm a little bit younger (for an AVS'r) at 25, so a lot of the songs, while I enjoy and respect them, aren't my favorite. I have yet to see a thread where someone suggested The White Stripes!! I think they would fit perfectly with their straight forward and yet complicated arrangements and you could give all the Bass players a moment to shine in Seven Nation Army. I would also like to see a Sublime song (or two) out there as well. Just wanted to add my 2 cents.

Well it Finally happened. I spent literally MONTHS trying to convince my wife to let me get this game. Finally I agreed to trade in my PSP (Big loss...) and PSP games and I've GOT it! and it rocks! Everyone who said it did was absolutely 100% correct. It's the first musical game I've owned and I am enjoying the heck out of it. The best part is my wife who was so against it is the Drummer in our band and I think she likes it more than me!

So I'm a little behind on the discussions, but I would love to add my 2 cents for missing bands. I'm a little bit younger (for an AVS'r) at 25, so a lot of the songs, while I enjoy and respect them, aren't my favorite. I have yet to see a thread where someone suggested The White Stripes!! I think they would fit perfectly with their straight forward and yet complicated arrangements and you could give all the Bass players a moment to shine in Seven Nation Army. I would also like to see a Sublime song (or two) out there as well. Just wanted to add my 2 cents.

I'm pretty sure someone has suggested White Stripes and I'd like to see it as well, but there is no bass guitar on Seven Nation Army (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Nation_Army).

Although it sounds like a bass guitar (an instrument the group had famously never previously used), the sound is actually created by running Jack White's semi-acoustic guitar (a 1950s style Kay Hollowbody) through a whammy pedal set down an octave.

Well it Finally happened. I spent literally MONTHS trying to convince my wife to let me get this game. Finally I agreed to trade in my PSP (Big loss...) and PSP games and I've GOT it! and it rocks!

Congrats, and welcome to the thread Neon! Be sure to subscribe.

A big devil horns to you --> \m/

i'm getting RB from amazon on thursday....younger AVS'r here too. I need to get some MS points and get the Boston song pack.

i just hope the thing isn't busted out of the box..one would think that amazon has cleared all the defective stock already, but it's hard to tell, considering that it's only 147.99 shipped.

Damn thats cheap! Yea hopefully you get the updated guitar and drums.

Are you talking about the RB hub, or a third party hub? I have some crap powered hub that I picked up at a computer store.

The stock RB hub.

SO I spent about 2 hours going through the priest album DLC. I passed all the expert guitar charts on first sightread. But they are pretty fun and offer a lot of surprises. Quite a few solos offer some awesome patterns to practice on the solo buttons. Expert Drums were pretty consistant ride fests but still changed up quite a bit. I failed screaming for vengence depite it not being too complicated just a bit fast and heavy on the bass hits. I pretty muc reccomend every song. I'm going back tomorrow night to try out the bass lines some of them sounded pretty cool.

I m having difficulty with my "fills" or "freestyle" with the drums to go into overdrive...They sound terrible...just random pounding. Does anyone have some tips or pointers for a smooth sounding fill?

With the drum fills, I've learned that less is often more.

With the drum fills, I've learned that less is often more.

Very, VERY true. Just listen to, say, some Boston or anything that Josh Freese, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighter's drummer) play drums on or any of the songs on Weezer's Pinkerton for inspiration on awesome-sounding fills. :)

And keep in mind you ARE somewhat limited since there are only five sounds you can get...bass kick, snare, 10" tom (i'm guessing), 14-16" tom (also guessing) and a smaller crash.

You can still have lots of fun with just those five triggered samples though. And also, try to take into account the drum line for the song when doing a fill. Doing something "in character" with the rest of the song is obviously going to sound best.

I often find a slower and somewhat delayed snare roll often fits the bill perfectly. :)

I m having difficulty with my "fills" or "freestyle" with the drums to go into overdrive...They sound terrible...just random pounding. Does anyone have some tips or pointers for a smooth sounding fill?

I totally hear you. I have the same problem. I saw this video (amazing) and thought his fills (when he does them) sound so smooth and clean.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JxZZ3zJ62Pw&feature=user (http://youtube.com/watch?v=JxZZ3zJ62Pw&feature=user)

The only time "super fast" fills work is when you have the full band together. The drummer is the cue to let all know it's time to go into overdrive for maximum points. Obnoxious fills is an easy indicator! :p

Not a big enough Priest fan to get the album; obviously I know "You got another thing coming". Wouldn't mind cherry picking a few of these though to add to the catalog. Any recommendations?

Not a big enough Priest fan to get the album; obviously I know "You got another thing coming". Wouldn't mind cherry picking a few of these though to add to the catalog. Any recommendations?

Hellion/Electric Eye is the best song on the album. As mentioned before, I like "Riding on the Wind" as a straight ahead rocker.

Not a big enough Priest fan to get the album; obviously I know "You got another thing coming". Wouldn't mind cherry picking a few of these though to add to the catalog. Any recommendations?

I liked all of them though I know ghoing through drums and guitar at least one on each run had me kind of broed at some point but my reccomendations:

“The Hellion/Electric Eye”

“Riding on the Wind”

“Bloodstone”

“Screaming for Vengeance”

“You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’”

“Fever”

yeah only three seemed less than stellar. I advise you at leats preview all the songs though.

Thanks guys...now I don't have to YouTube ALL of them!

Hellion/Electric Eye is the best song on the album. As mentioned before, I like "Riding on the Wind" as a straight ahead rocker.

I actually liked bloodstone as a song more than any of them. This was my first listen to the album.

The Hellion/Electric Eye was Thrash before thrash took off :)

Judas Priest, with their dual rythim/lead guitars, launched the careers of a million bands, its good to see them getting the props they really do deserve....you wouldn't have thrash without em and some other key brit metal bands who also embraced dual guitarists, and not just two leads....

I actually liked bloodstone as a song more than any of them. This was my first listen to the album.

Bloodstone used to be a favorite of mine off this album -- great guitar riff. The chorus kinda wears thin after a few listens though, methinks. :o Same with Devil's Child.

Bought the Priest pack yesterday.

So far most fun songs for me are:

-Fever
-You've got another thing Commin
-Devil Child
-Bloodstone
-(Take These) Chains


Something that made me crack up was how the random lead-singer avatar the game picks looks silly with priest songs. The 70's affro guy singing priest songs made me laugh.

Whew, just finished vocals solo tour on expert. I would've been done earlier in the month but it took a good 3-4 days to recover my singing voice during the weeks of play. That last song sure makes you work for that achievement. :D

Whew, just finished vocals solo tour on expert. I would've been done earlier in the month but it took a good 3-4 days to recover my singing voice during the weeks of play. That last song sure makes you work for that achievement. :D

Congrats!:cool:

I don't know how singers make it through the endless set list. It must be a steady diet of hot toddy's and a bucket of ricola.

Congrats!:cool:

I don't know how singers make it through the endless set list. It must be a steady diet of hot toddy's and a bucket of ricola.

probably a few stummies as well.

I've been using the Rock Pedal bass drum pedal on my setup now. I got it last week (they weren't lying about next day shipping, I was shocked) after passing on the Omega Pedal. My concern with the Omega Pedal has always been that mechanical switch (thanks, DaverJ for close-up shot of this) that I feel is going to wear out quickly. Rock Pedal doesn't have anything mechanical for the switch (just some 'sensor' and a magnet). It's a no-name pedal, unlike Omega Pedal, but it's more than enough for me - it's got more adjustments than I need.

-Ian

[Edit]
Oh yeah, and this thing is nearly silent. As you mentioned, DaverJ, the Omega Pedal is not silent and sounds like a bass thump. My downstairs neighbor hears all my footsteps...I've been able to adjust the Rock Pedal so I don't hit the bottom - the chain/spring stop it before hitting metal on metal and creating a loud thud with each kick. The magnet and mystery sensor work within a close range.

Hi, I'm Jordan from Rock Pedal. I saw a bunch of traffic coming from here and I wanted to see what the fuss was all about.

Everything CaliberHL said was dead on. Thanks for helping me out Caliber! There is nothing mechanical (other than the pedal itself), so it is very unlikely to break. The magnet is under the pedal, near the toe. The only point of contact is quieted with rubber, so there is very little noise, but still some--depending on the user.

If anybody has any questions, feel free to ask, I'll check back here from time to time.

SPECIAL AVS Discount: Just go to rockpedal.com/avs to receive an instant $5 discount--good for one week only.

I don't want to be unfair to those that already bought at the normal price. So if you fall into that category, just email me at Support@RockPedal.com and I'll refund $5 to you.

Jordan
RockPedal.com

For those of you craving AC/DC - the JP track "Devil's Child" is as close as it gets for now.

So I just realized that the Drums that came with my Delux edition, purchased Sunday (4/20) are the EL model. I haven't noticed any problems with them yet but should I get them replaced? Will Harmonix replace them for free with the updated kit? Do I go to the EA support page to request a replacement? (I'm sure these questions have been answered in here somewhere but this thread is getting long) Thanks in advance!

So I just realized that the Drums that came with my Delux edition, purchased Sunday (4/20) are the EL model.

FYI... all the stand-alone drum kits sold seperately are EL models. These are considered "current" models of drums, even though there are other revisions out there.

If the EL set is working for you, stick with them. I've pounded on my launch-day EL set A LOT for almost half a year, and while I bought a new set (stand-alone EL), I actually went back to my original set because it was nicely "broken in"... quite literally. :D

Great! Thanks for the input DaverJ, I really appreciate your advise and presence on this board. Just as a side note it's been interesting to go back and read a few of your posts from the beginning and see how far you've come......it gives me hope

So is the EL the model of drums that don't register hits all the time? I've been noticing this occassionaly (although I haven't looked at the model, but I bought the drums standalone).

So if I get a replacement, will I get the better model?

For those of you craving AC/DC - the JP track "Devil's Child" is as close as it gets for now.

+1

The comparison is inescapable.:cool:

So is the EL the model of drums that don't register hits all the time? I've been noticing this occassionaly (although I haven't looked at the model, but I bought the drums standalone).

So if I get a replacement, will I get the better model?

Are you modding your standalone kit with socks, towels, felt, rubber or anything? Or are you playing them the way Harmonix wants -- straight out of the box? :confused:

From just my personal experience, my launch-day EL was fine. I modded with colored felt (see earlier in this thread) and it worked great. When I modded the pads with thick (probably too thick) gum rubber, I was loosing rolls in Red. I replaced the sensor in Red and it was back to perfect.

I started having problems with Yellow with my original kit as a result of taking it apart, so I bought a stand-alone set which was also EL. The 2nd EL set was fine out of the box, but a lot less sensitive than my first. Unmodded it worked fine, but with any pad mods (rubber, thin felt, sock mod, nickel mod) it would miss hits. I was unhappy with the loss of sensitivity with the standalone EL, so I removed a pad from it to replace my original EL's Yellow. I'm back to using my original EL set.

If you are planning on using the drums as Harmonix intends them to be used (i.e. unmodded), you shouldn't have problems with an EL set as long as they aren't broken out of the box. If you are dropping hits without mods, send it back.

Are you modding your standalone kit with socks, towels, felt, rubber or anything? Or are you playing them the way Harmonix wants -- straight out of the box? :confused:

From just my personal experience, my launch-day EL was fine. I modded with colored felt (see earlier in this thread) and it worked great. When I modded the pads with thick (probably too thick) gum rubber, I was loosing rolls in Red. I replaced the sensor in Red and it was back to perfect.

I started having problems with Yellow with my original kit as a result of taking it apart, so I bought a stand-alone set which was also EL. The 2nd EL set was fine out of the box, but a lot less sensitive than my first. Unmodded it worked fine, but with any pad mods (rubber, thin felt, sock mod, nickel mod) it would miss hits. I was unhappy with the loss of sensitivity with the standalone EL, so I removed a pad from it to replace my original EL's Yellow. I'm back to using my original EL set.

If you are planning on using the drums as Harmonix intends them to be used (i.e. unmodded), you shouldn't have problems with an EL set as long as they aren't broken out of the box. If you are dropping hits without mods, send it back.

I'm playing out of the box, no mods. It just feels like I'm missing notes when I shouldn't be, of course it might be because I'm just not any good :)

Sometimes I hit the pad not directly on the center, more towards one of the edges, maybe this is happening when hits aren't being registered.

I'm playing out of the box, no mods. It just feels like I'm missing notes when I shouldn't be, of course it might be because I'm just not any good :)

Sometimes I hit the pad not directly on the center, more towards one of the edges, maybe this is happening when hits aren't being registered.

The sensor is located in the center, and there are dead zones. It sounds like you got a less sensitive kit, as was my stand-alone EL. Drove me nuts.

You might want to try RMAing or returning to see if you luck into a more sensitive set. Another option is the nickel mod (search YouTube) if you feel comfortable pulling the drum head off, but this might void any warrenty.

So I'm having trouble deciding which replacement pedal to get. I haven't snapped my original pedal *yet*, but it feels so loose lately I have a feeling it's coming any day now. I'm trying to decide between the Rock Pedal (http://rockpedal.com/) and the Mega Pedal (http://www.area51moto.com/mega/product_info.php?cPath=13&products_id=10). I like the price of the Mega Pedal and that it will feel similar to the original pedal. But I wonder if the Rock Pedal would be so much better to be worth it.

Anyone have any advice?

So I'm having trouble deciding which replacement pedal to get. I haven't snapped my original pedal *yet*, but it feels so loose lately I have a feeling it's coming any day now. I'm trying to decide between the Rock Pedal (http://rockpedal.com/) and the Mega Pedal (http://www.area51moto.com/mega/product_info.php?cPath=13&products_id=10). I like the price of the Mega Pedal and that it will feel similar to the original pedal. But I wonder if the Rock Pedal would be so much better to be worth it.

Anyone have any advice?

If you merely want to avoid snapping your pedal go with the mega pedal. I have the carbon fiber one and have been happy with it. However if you're goal is to play expert at a high level, I'd consider the rock pedal or the omega pedal.

If you merely want to avoid snapping your pedal go with the mega pedal. I have the carbon fiber one and have been happy with it. However if you're goal is to play expert at a high level, I'd consider the rock pedal or the omega pedal.

Well I'm on the 8th tier on hard, so I may be moving up to expert soon. But there are other expert players out there with the mega pedal...

I just ordered the Rock Pedal. Can't wait to get it!