Rock Band 3 To Include MIDI Keyboard

xbeefsupreme writes with news that Harmonix has officially demonstrated Rock Band 3's 25-key MIDI keyboard. From USA Today: "During the game, green, red, blue, yellow or orange keys flow on a 'stream' representing the notes to be played on five corresponding keyboard keys. In a new authentic Pro mode meant to help players segue to actual instruments, all 25 keys are used; the streams shifts left and right to cover the correct keys. The keyboard also works as a MIDI keyboard that can be connected to a computer. 'This is a real instrument and a real device,' says senior designer Sylvain Dubrofsky." The game will also support more advanced "real" guitar controllers, which have six actual strings you can strum. Hit the link below to see the keyboard in use.

Comments

Re:Question

[ZERO1ZERO]

Highly likely, given it's possible to use real midi drums/controllers as replacement for the drum controller already.

That's a rather old thing

[AffidavitDonda]

Guitars able to produce midi signals are rather common in music business. There are two basic technologies: - Normal guitar with a kind of plug to read the string - MIDI controller with guitar like input I don't know if they use either of these, but technical details can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI_guitar

Re:Meh, they'll have my money when...

[Loomismeister]

Sultans of swing is on guitar hero 5

Re:theories on how guitars with strings will work

[lightversusdark]

Casio produced a MIDI 'guitar' in the '80s that had six strings that ran from the bridge to the end of the fretboard.
That is, only over the pickup area for strumming. The fretboard itself was switches.
There's a picture of one on this page.
I'm guessing the game controllers will be something like this.