I've had the RB3 keyboard for almost a week now and my experiences are quite good. I have prior music experience with guitar and similar instruments, and some basic theory/vocal/keyboard training from when I was in college (much of which I've forgotten). Because of past music experience I probably start with a slight advantage over your average person. I've wanted to learn keyboard for a while, and RB3 moving into the realm of more realistic instrument play is a welcome change for me.
Construction:
The keyboard is built quite well. It looks and feels like a real two octave keyboard should. The keys have just the right amount of spring and resistance. The touch sensitive whammy effect also works well in game. I don't have a midi sequencing device so I can only assume that it works as expected.
Game-play:
If you are interested in getting this device, know that going into it with the correct mindset is key. Unless you have keyboard experience, don't expect to become a virtuoso the first time you pick it up. If you are interested in pro mode you will most likely need to put in a lot of time practicing alone (at the moment I find playing with others while in pro mode a bit distracting). If you lack patience the keyboard may not be for you.
The game allows you to select between standard mode (only 5 white keys are activated like the standard RB/GH guitars) and pro (the entire keyboard). Both modes allow you to select a difficulty, so pro mode is not necessarily prohibited from the start. I found that I was able to jump right into career/quickplay at a medium pro level (mostly single notes with some 2-note intervals on more advanced songs). Not everyone will be able to do the same. I've had several friends that wanted to try at a party, and all of them started off in 5-note (non-pro) mode.
The built-in lessons are handy. I went through several of them to get comfortable with the keyboard (simple scales, intervals) before moving into career mode. I'll probably go back and finish them someday, but I found myself wanting to just play some music.
Watching the partial keyboard on screen takes some getting used to. Rather than using the strap I've been placing the keyboard on my lap, which allows me to glance down occasionally. Other than that I am finding where notes are primarily by feeling around (locations of black keys give you some guidance). I'll admit that this is occasionally frustrating, particularly when intervals and solos are moving faster than I can keep up. Again, patience seems to have a key role in game-play.
Conclusion:
The device itself is great. Game-play is a lot of fun if you are willing to take the time and energy to learn, or you must be satisfied with easy or non-pro mode. While this device may not be for everyone, it adds a ton for those of us who desire more realistic game-play (and the potential to pick up a new instrument).
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Rock Band 3 - Keyboard
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Reviews with images
Feels and plays solidly as Midi keyboard
I wanted a keytar for my 80s cover band but only add keys on a few songs, so no way to justify the expensive ones. Found this recommended online. Keys are full size with good feel! Mod/pitch strip is very granular, only useful for sound FX. I run soft synths via wired midi out from this, and it works well! If desired one can use the octave up/down and program change buttons too. Yes it's kinda small, but people love it! Took it apart, painted top red, modified touch bar to default to pitch bend.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2011
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2016
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2022
I wanted a keytar for my 80s cover band but only add keys on a few songs, so no way to justify the expensive ones. Found this recommended online. Keys are full size with good feel! Mod/pitch strip is very granular, only useful for sound FX. I run soft synths via wired midi out from this, and it works well! If desired one can use the octave up/down and program change buttons too. Yes it's kinda small, but people love it! Took it apart, painted top red, modified touch bar to default to pitch bend.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2015
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2017
Top reviews from other countries
Abraham
El keytar controlador midi inalambrico más barato del mercado
Reviewed in Mexico on July 29, 2022
Abraham
Reviewed in Mexico on July 29, 2022
La construcción en general es buena, las teclas se sienten bien (para ser lo que muchos catalogan como un juguete) y por el precio no existe una mejor opción.
Además de que fue gracias a un driver que logré que funcionará inalambricamente con mi laptop usando el dogle usb que trae incluido.
Cabe recalcar que la versión para Wii incluye:
- Un teclado inalambrico para Rock Band 3.
- Una correa para colocarselo al teclado y usarlo en modo keytar.
- Un dogle inalambrico usb.
- Documentos (manuales)
Tras ocupar este pequeño controlador fue posible notar los siguientes:
Pros:
- Tamaño compacto.
- Material relativamente resistente y muy liviano.
- Teclas semi sensibles a la velocidad
- Es posible ocuparlo como controlador midi alambrico (con un cable midi o una interfaz midi usb que no incluye).
- Puede utilizarse como controlador midi inalambrico sin la necesidad de comprar artículos adicionales para este fin, lo único que se debe hacer es conectar el dogle inalambrico en un puerto usb y ejecutar un driver.
- La conexión inalambrica soporta una distancia de hasta 10 metros (aproximadamente).
- Sus botones permiten tener funciones a la mano como lo son: modulación, pitchbend, cambio de tone y aumento o disminución de octava.
- Precio bastante accesible.
- Excelente relación calidad-precio.
Contras:
-Solo posee 2 octavas.
-No posee un fader para controlar el volumen.
-Para cambiar la función modulación y pitchbend es necesario mantener oprimido un botón.
Images in this review
Louis Lord
Formidable avec prise midi usb fonctionne avec QBase
Reviewed in Canada on June 7, 2022
