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Keytar To feature In Rock Band 3

by on June 11, 2010
 

In a move that has been widely anticipated, MTV Games has announced that the latest installment in the Rock Band series will see the release of a new “Keytar” instrument. This new peripheral is part keyboard-part guitar and can be used not only to play keyboard sections in compatible songs, but also to play guitar or bass tracks.

The controller features two octaves of notes over the 25 keys, and whilst it can be used to play the game, also doubles up as a MIDI keyboard, for use with PC’s, for example. It features a handle at one end so it can be held as you would a regular guitar. For those of you who might already have a MIDI keyboard, Harmonix are offering the Rock Band 3 MIDI Pro Adapter Box, that will convert the output signal, allowing the instrument to be used on your console.

What the new Keyboard contoller will look like

The game will also feature vocal harmonies, a la Beatles Rock Band – but more impressively, will feature a new Pro mode, where every single note on the game’s song list will be tracked – in an attempt to help players to genuinely learn how to play the instruments. This is coupled with the release of add-on cymbals to make the drum kit more complete, and new strung Guitar controllers. With 17 frets and six strings, the control incredibly carries over 100 buttons on the neck alone. The more comprehensive reproduction of the real instruments is intended to further bridge the gap between themselves and the real thing.

Rock Band 3 will ship with over 80 songs on the disc with the option to import songs from previous versions present once again. Rock band 3 is due for release sometime around Christmas 2010.