State of the Band - Rock Band Software Update Finalized!

Hi! I’m Dan T (HMXspraynwipe), and I’m a senior designer here at Harmonix. I’m glad to announce that the Rock Band team has finalized a software update for Rock Band on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 that not only fixes some of the common issues we’ve been reading about on rockband.com, but also introduces a cool new feature!

In this latest software update, you’ll find:

* (New!) Music Store: Rock Band now has a new feature that lets you preview and purchase songs from within the game! Accessible from the main menu, the Music Store lets you view, purchase and sort all available music based on various categories, view album art, listen to song previews, and check out extended information about the song like difficulty for each instrument.

* Revised Fan Caps: To allow Easy, Medium, and Hard players to progress further in the Band World Tour, we’ve increased the number of fans that you can earn before hitting the cap. Easy players can now travel across the Atlantic, Medium players have a wider range of venues they can play at, and Hard players on the Xbox 360 are now able to unlock the “One Million Fans” achievement.

* More diverse songs in Band World Tour: If you’ve ever cursed about having to play “Say it Ain’t So” or a Metallica track multiple times in the same hour, then you’ll be glad to know that we’ve tracked down and fixed the issues that triggered these very repetitive moments in Band World Tour.

* Improved phoneme recognition: We’ve improved the detection and scoring for phoneme recognition. If you had trouble on songs like “Timmy and the Lords of the Underworld” or “Blitzkrieg Bop”, you should have an easier time beating these songs now.

* Microphone Latency on PlayStation 3 improved: Our awesome team of audio programmers has found some optimizations that reduce microphone latency on the PlayStation 3 in certain situations.

* Xbox 360 Band Logos are now visible through Xbox LIVE: An issue with parental controls stopped band logos from being visible over Xbox LIVE. With this update, you can now view all of the awesome band logos that people around the world have created!

* Faster loading of downloadable content: Not only is the loading speed faster, but this information is now cached so that this loading time is a “once only” wait rather than something that happens every time you turn on the game.


Updating any game is something that takes a lot of effort to do – not only do engineers, artists, production and designers all have to be involved at some point, but each change has to go through a rigorous Quality Assurance pass to make sure that it doesn’t introduce any new issues (like corrupting old save data, for example). After we’re happy with the software update, we then pass it on to Microsoft and Sony, who each have their own rigorous testing and certification processes. The entire process can take months for a simple day’s worth of fixing!

Because of this, we’re very aware that there are features that the community has requested that aren’t addressed in this software update. I want to make it very clear that we’re listening to all of your requests, and actively want to get these features onto the Rock Band platform in the future – but when we do add them, we also want them to be 100% perfect, and not rushed just to make it into any specific software update.

Lastly, and most importantly, thanks for being an awesome community! There are changes in this software update that wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the well-reasoned and polite attitude that most of the members on rockband.com have, and I’m really proud not only of the work that we’ve put into Rock Band, but also of the work that HMXSean, HMXJohnlok, Apples, and the rest of the rockband.com team have put in to maintain this great place for Rock Band fans to hang out in.


Have fun!
-DanTsource: http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36811

Looks like the guitar patch is no where in sight so Activision can suck it. Though some of it is welcomed news like the microphone lag which was extremely annoying.

The annoyance of having to hit [Okay] at the start up is something that even though it only happens once will hopefully be removed.

The fan cap increasing is certainly welcomed news to my drummer as well as others who are still learning the game and will definitely make it much easier to progress through the game.

For the most part, great stuff but like any and all software, there is still room for improvement and certainly looking forward to the next patch.

Sounds.. umm... awesome....

That fan cap will really help us, and I'm very glad to hear about the end of the multi-song glitch. I think in a one hour period, we played Metallica 3 times (all in random sets), it was awful, since those 3 playthroughs took us most of the hour (we all play hard/expert)

I'm still pissed about the crippled Wii version though, so I have little love for harmonix right now.

Dood... I actually laughed when I read the "If you’ve ever cursed about having to play “Say it Ain’t So”" part. When my friends and I were grinding through RB for the first time, we played that song so many freaking times it was ridiculous.

That and "I think I'm paranoid"

Good job on the increased fan cap

Wall of text blinded me.. whats going on now

Fan cap increase will be awesome. My wife and I were stuck on the transition from Medium to Hard. We could each play about 10 or so songs on hard, but there were only about 2 or 3 songs that were on both of our playable lists. So we were grinding the same songs repeatedly to move our fan's up to unlock stuff.

DLC previews and difficulty info are nice. I was kinda bummed when I got all the metallica songs, and then my wife and I couldn't do them on medium together.

This is the first rhythm game for both of us so we aren't uber yet.

Fan cap increase will be awesome. My wife and I were stuck on the transition from Medium to Hard. We could each play about 10 or so songs on hard, but there were only about 2 or 3 songs that were on both of our playable lists. So we were grinding the same songs repeatedly to move our fan's up to unlock stuff.

DLC previews and difficulty info are nice. I was kinda bummed when I got all the metallica songs, and then my wife and I couldn't do them on medium together.

This is the first rhythm game for both of us so we aren't uber yet.


Difficulty info is actually awesome. I was really surprised how well they implemented that feature.

Difficulty info is actually awesome. I was really surprised how well they implemented that feature.
wait, it's already deployed? I didn't know that. I'll have to give it a run through tonight lol

Yes. I've purchased several songs via the in-game store.

One thing I noticed though, is that you cannot exit out of the DL screen w/out the DL being cancelled...

Sweet, the microphone latency on the PS3 was really friggen annoying and made singing suck

ok. so I think I am about to succumb to the rock band movement. either that or actually getting a bass guitar. Where is the best place you would recc, seeing as how everyone i know has busted their drum pedal?

ok. so I think I am about to succumb to the rock band movement. either that or actually getting a bass guitar. Where is the best place you would recc, seeing as how everyone i know has busted their drum pedal?


For starters, take off your shoes to play drums & just don't stomp on it - pedal should hold up just fine.


Thread Hijack: My Rock Band needs to get packed up for a move, does anyone know if it's possible to disassemble the guitar so it will fit back in it's box?

For starters, take off your shoes to play drums & just don't stomp on it - pedal should hold up just fine.


Thread Hijack: My Rock Band needs to get packed up for a move, does anyone know if it's possible to disassemble the guitar so it will fit back in it's box?

You mean just taking off the headstock? That should be it, right? There's some screws on the back of the headstock that allow you to unclip it, I think.

You mean just taking off the headstock? That should be it, right? There's some screws on the back of the headstock that allow you to unclip it, I think.

Since it just popped in when I put it together, I was wondering if I actually had to mess with the screws or not. You're probably right... Thanks for the input.


OK, just did it, so if anyone cares for future reference...

1. Remove 4 screws on back of head stock.

2. Remove single screw over metal plate you will find inside the headstock.

3. Once plate is removed, you will see 2 metal clips on either side...slide these clips up & out of the plastic frame - this will release the headstock from the neck.

4. Replace the metal clips, metal plate, and back portion of the headstock.

Eh... I should get you the instructions...

I just received my guitar back from EA support and they want you to send the old guitar in the box they sent.. so clearly they want you to break it down. I can scan in the instructions when I get home.

Also.. I have no CLUE why everyone is killing their pedals. I've played on my drums drunk as hell... on hard/expert... and I have yet to go through one pedal, but I've been through one drumset and I need a new one now...

I just received my guitar back from EA support and they want you to send the old guitar in the box they sent.. so clearly they want you to break it down. I can scan in the instructions when I get home.

When I returned my guitar (broken whammy), they specifically mentioned on the instructions *not* to break it down -- that the head was to stick out of the box (that was encased in another box).

ah.... obviously I haven't looked at the instructions.. lol.

For starters, take off your shoes to play drums & just don't stomp on it - pedal should hold up just fine.


Thread Hijack: My Rock Band needs to get packed up for a move, does anyone know if it's possible to disassemble the guitar so it will fit back in it's box?

are you that tight on space you need to remove the headstock :lol:

Since it just popped in when I put it together, I was wondering if I actually had to mess with the screws or not. You're probably right... Thanks for the input.


OK, just did it, so if anyone cares for future reference...

1. Remove 4 screws on back of head stock.

2. Remove single screw over metal plate you will find inside the headstock.

3. Once plate is removed, you will see 2 metal clips on either side...slide these clips up & out of the plastic frame - this will release the headstock from the neck.

4. Replace the metal clips, metal plate, and back portion of the headstock.

Way too much work. Just stick it in your car. How much space does it really take up? man you guys are unbelievable.

Eh... I should get you the instructions...

I just received my guitar back from EA support and they want you to send the old guitar in the box they sent.. so clearly they want you to break it down. I can scan in the instructions when I get home.

Also.. I have no CLUE why everyone is killing their pedals. I've played on my drums drunk as hell... on hard/expert... and I have yet to go through one pedal, but I've been through one drumset and I need a new one now...
I agree. Though to be honest, I do use a cheap reinforcement to keep it from snapping, which is making the drummer wear slippers when playing on the drums.

I agree. Though to be honest, I do use a cheap reinforcement to keep it from snapping, which is making the drummer wear slippers when playing on the drums.

I actually bought a mega pedal the other day... more for the extra weight though.

Be advised though, you have to rip up your old pedal in order to install the mega one ( read my warning about it on the drummer thread: http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=325585&t=772470 )

I actually bought a mega pedal the other day... more for the extra weight though.

Be advised though, you have to rip up your old pedal in order to install the mega one ( read my warning about it on the drummer thread: http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=325585&t=772470 )
Yeah, I hear it has a more natural feel to it, it makes sense and voids the warranty but that's the whole thing behind the enthusiasts. From what I see, it makes more sense than the wooden after-market pedal.

Among other things, I hear people burning up the equivalent of a real drum set on RB drum modification.

Yeah, I hear it has a more natural feel to it, it makes sense and voids the warranty but that's the whole thing behind the enthusiasts. From what I see, it makes more sense than the wooden after-market pedal.

Among other things, I hear people burning up the equivalent of a real drum set on RB drum modification.

Hahaha!! So much rings true about that post. Well.. here's my list of mods, along w/my train of thought.

First purchase: Rock Band @ Wal-Mart for ~ $182.31 inc tax. While this is a pure game purchase, I bought it w/the hopes that I could get basic rhythms down and work on the use of hands + feet, which it has DEFINITELY done... which in theory has actually saved me money as opposed to getting lessons straight off. But we'll call it a pure game investment.

Second purchase: New sticks. $13 w/tax. They're actually the sticks my dad uses (and he's a real drummer). Good for RB, and if I actually drum, good for real drums... so no real loss as an RB specific upgrade.

First problem: Pads gave out. Thanks to the awesome support of EA, free replacement, free shipping. No money spent either way.

Third purchase: Roc-n-soc throne: $155 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/RocNSoc-Nitro-Throne?sku=442612
I got the black one. Great size, pneumatic, Nitro gas chamber shock absorber, bicycle desing, very high quality build. It's effing awesome. If I had bought a crappier but still higher-end throne at my local music store, it would have been $270-$300. While I bought this to play with RB, obviously I'd use it if I got a real drum set... so no real loss as an RB specific upgrade.

Fourth purchase: Mega Pedal: $36 shipped. It adds some nice weight and prevents my pedal from breaking. Voids warranty, but not really because I do the express method RMA, so I can just send the new pedal they send me right back with my old broken pads. This purchase is RB specific.

So bottom line, I've spent $386 on rock band, but really only $218 is specific to rock band, and because of all of the experience I've gotten out of that, even that price is debatable. Hell, lessons usually cost about $20-25 a pop... so if I can say I've saved myself 10 lessons worth of drum instruction, then it's pretty much a wash.

Not to bring up a dead post, but does this means the guitar hero III controllers are good for rock band?

if so, then i have a HUGE fark YOU to gamestop. Trying to all scare into buy rockbands crappy guitar. (broken 2, finally decided to trade it in for $18 bucks) ((They told me that rock band is releasing a patch that will make the guitar hero controllers not work. I have a x360, I only saw that threat for ps3)

I love rock band, and the guitar mechanism i enjoy more than guitar hero, but their fender crap is fender crap. Fenders maybe put out..2 maybe 3 good guitars(guitars, not basses)

Jaguar
Jagstang
Cyclone(i'm bias on this one..had one, loved it, threw in some invaders.. The Thing could kick..even though it looked like a girly guitar..it had the mustang body)

Not to bring up a dead post, but does this means the guitar hero III controllers are good for rock band?

if so, then i have a HUGE fark YOU to gamestop. Trying to all scare into buy rockbands crappy guitar. (broken 2, finally decided to trade it in for $18 bucks) ((They told me that rock band is releasing a patch that will make the guitar hero controllers not work. I have a x360, I only saw that threat for ps3)

The GH3 controllers have always worked for RB on the 360. It's the PS3 where they don't work and AFAIK the PS3 version has not been patched to work.

Yeah, my friends actually prefer the GHIII controllers for RB.

Still waiting for the patch where you don't have to use the pedals...

Yup, my Xbox 360 wireless GH3 controller works perfect with Rock Band. Got the whole kit at best Buy for $25!! (Thanks Ford for BB giftcards for test drives!!)

The GH3 controllers have always worked for RB on the 360. It's the PS3 where they don't work and AFAIK the PS3 version has not been patched to work.

yeah, I've been using the GHIII wireless for rock band (thank you yourfree360games.com, got 1 wireless bundle for $4.00 and another on the way in hopefully). No problem. I just heard that they were going to get rid of compatability between rockband and guitar heroIII 360.

I prefer GHIII controller. Even though it is cheezy and small scaled, its solid and can take the beatings. I still had working guitar hero 1 controller until i gave it to a friend. lol

Anyway, screw gamestop. I hope you guys rot. I didn't take the threat seriously, It was just on my mind. Douchers.

Still waiting for the patch where you don't have to use the pedals...

Huh??

Still waiting for the patch where you don't have to use the pedals...

That's a good point, Kramer. The Demo kiosks at Best Buy were like that. I wonder if you could get one?

That's a good point, Kramer. The Demo kiosks at Best Buy were like that. I wonder if you could get one?

Who the hell would want to play drums w/out the pedal?

There's a mode for that... it's called easy.

easy mode has pedal doesn't it?

Who the hell would want to play drums w/out the pedal?

There's a mode for that... it's called easy.

People in wheelchairs have difficulties with pedals.

Is Kramer in a wheelchair?

Is Kramer in a wheelchair?

:nod: Hence the discussion...

Awesome. I'm a grade A+ douchebag.

Is Kramer in a wheelchair?

Sure am. The only thing holding me back from purchasing Rock Band is the stupid pedals. Sure I could play the guitar, but that's where Guitar Hero comes in :lmao:

Awesome. I'm a grade A+ douchebag.

eh, I would have been in the same damn boat if I came into this conversation earlier.



I am so not making fun...but could someone set up a 5th pad for the kick..like make it along with the rest.

Only issue I see with that is the whole snare/splash/kick notes you do on hard and expert.

EVEN BETTER! BEATBOX THE KICK! (http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/04/rock-band-drum-kit-modded-for-beatbox-control/)

Only issue I see with that is the whole snare/splash/kick notes you do on hard and expert.


That's the whole issue. the bass kick is meant to be played *with* other drums. There would certainly be large sections that you might be able to negotiate the song w/a 5th drum as a kick, but definitely the higher you got, the worse off you'd be.

Interesting beat box mod though.

Sure am. The only thing holding me back from purchasing Rock Band is the stupid pedals. Sure I could play the guitar, but that's where Guitar Hero comes in :lmao:

THere must be a way to rig the thing to work for ya. WE need to start McGuyvering over here.

THere must be a way to rig the thing to work for ya. WE need to start McGuyvering over here.

The materials to make the switch for the bass is pretty cheap. $3.50 cable from radio shack and $3 normally closed alarm sensor from the internet. You just have to find a way to rig it to your neck, eyelids or your penis or something.

You just have to find a way to rig it to your neck, eyelids or your penis or something.

LOL, well I was thinking making something go under your armpit, but that may be complicated to be hitting the pads and opening and closing your armpit at the same time. Maybe the beatbox thing is the best way to go if a patch to dissable the bass pedal never comes out

I should i buy the game or should i get it for free. (http://www.rewards1.com/index.php?referrer_id=57430)

I should i buy the game or should i get it for free. (http://www.rewards1.com/index.php?referrer_id=57430)

Yea.... don't post referrals... :shake:

I should i buy the game or should i get it for free. (http://www.rewards1.com/index.php?referrer_id=57430)

Not trying to promote the link...but.. very amusing line in there under the tab "????"
"
Don't see anything you like??

No worries, Rewards1 fulfills custom prize requests! If there's something else you'd prefer thats not in our prize database, just ask and we'll get it for you!



"We'll buy you anything! "

things i want
1) Date with mila jovovich
2) Date with Aurora Snow
3) The opportunity make jesus my awesome waffles
4) A dodo bird
5) A screwdriver

DRATS!

TOS:
R1 fulfills custom prize requests from Amazon and eBay. Dangerous and age restricted prize requests will not be honored. These include, but not limited to: airsoft guns, paintball guns/ammunition, replicas, pipes, bongs, etc.
R1 reserves the right to refuse fulfilling any custom prize for any reason.

Well actually. if a date with Aurora snow or Mila Jovivch ever goes on ebay or amazon.. Let me know!!

Never thought I'd see Aurora Snow and Jesus on the same list.

Never thought I'd see Aurora Snow and Jesus on the same list.

didn't even think of that one.

I should have finished the jesus one.

3) The opportunity make jesus my awesome waffles, and see if he says "jesus christ these are good"

Sure am. The only thing holding me back from purchasing Rock Band is the stupid pedals. Sure I could play the guitar, but that's where Guitar Hero comes in :lmao:

Kramer!

Check this out at Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/31/rock-band-drum-kit-accessibility-mod-helps-everybody-rock-harder/)...

Kramer!

Check this out at Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/31/rock-band-drum-kit-accessibility-mod-helps-everybody-rock-harder/)...
that is... awesome!