| | |  | wii accessories | Home » » Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard for Wii | | | | | | | Description: | | As a new innovation to rhythm gaming, the Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard ups the realism of the Rock Band franchise. Crafted after classic professional Keyboard designs, its versatile layout capable of use on a tabletop or strapped over the shoulder like an electric guitar incorporates an ergonomic sensibility that provides comfort to the casual gamer or seasoned musician. The Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard Is fully compatible with both standard and Rock Band Pro modes.Empowering you to rock outside the realm of videogames, the Wireless Keyboard also functions as a MIDI controller and boasts a two-octave, non-weighted, velocity-sensitive keybed ranging from C3 to C5. The MIDI output connector provides compatibility with MIDI software sequencers and hardware devices, while standard console-specific gaming controller buttons deliver seamless console integration. | | | Features: | |
• All-new Keyboard instrument for Rock Band 3
• Plays Rock Band 3 Keyboard, Guitar* and Bass* parts / Two-octave design with 25 velocity-sensitive keys (*Does not support Guitar/Bass Pro Mode)
• Play real Keyboard parts in the new Rock Band Pro Mode / Versatile layout: Play like a Guitar or on a tabletop
• Use as MIDI Keyboard Controller when not playing Rock Band (compatible with most MIDI sequencers)
• 3 AA Batteries and Keyboard Strap included / Use as MIDI Keyboard Controller when not playing Rock Band (compatible with most MIDI sequencers)
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 22.8 inches | | Product Width:
| 8.4 inches | | Product Height:
| 3.7 inches | | Product Weight:
| 4.55 pounds | | Package Length:
| 22.8 inches | | Package Width:
| 8.4 inches | | Package Height:
| 3.7 inches | | Package Weight:
| 4.55 pounds | | Release Date:
| November 12, 2010 | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 19 reviews |
| | | Game Information: | | | Platform:
| Nintendo Wii | | Media:
| Accessory | | Item Quantity:
| 1 |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 19 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
 Exactly what the series needs.Jan 25, 2011
By Joshua
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).
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 RockBand 3 wireless keyboardJan 31, 2011
By Dano
The Wii Rock Band 3 wireless keyboard functions wonderfully, with great feel and easy connectivity. The range of skill requirements range from easy to pro (with chording and bona fide keyboard skills required at the expert and pro levels), so it is extremely versatile for all skill levels. Be aware, however, that most of the older downloadable song content (especially for Rock Band 1 or 2) lack keyboard options in scoring/software development, so the system automatically blocks keyboard access by showing "No Keyboard" available for those songs. Hopefully there will be backward development to release Rock Band 3 compatible versions to allow keyboards for those songs, to add to the content that is available for keyboards now.
26 of 37 found the following review helpful:
 High expectations, but not very impressedNov 17, 2010
By Matthew Poe
I pre-ordered this, and was really excited for it, but after a night of playing, I'm less than thrilled.
If you want to play it like a keyboard rather than sling it over your shoulder like a keytar, it's hard to find a surface to play it that won't make your hand hurt after a couple of songs. (Maybe the Mad Catz stand would help? I wanted to try the keyboard out before deciding whether to get the stand, and based on my experience so far, I doubt I will be playing it enough to make the stand worthwhile.)
There were no real instructions that I could find, in-game or in the accompanying documentation. It didn't take long to figure out through trial and error, but failing the first few bars of a song while you figure out what buttons do what is not a great user experience. The interface is not very intuitive (like the rest of the over-shell in RB3), and some basic "I see you've plugged in a keyboard for the first time. Do you want a quick tutorial?" in-game would have been very welcome.
I play a little piano, so I expected to have a head start on pro mode. To some extent that was true, in terms of knowing my way around the keyboard without having to look at my fingers, but the way the notes are represented in pro mode was really frustrating. There's an on-screen "track" for every single note, and I found it really difficult to tell which notes it wanted me to play.
If RB3 had an option to switch to standard sheet music, I would have taken it-- had I spent the same amount of time at my piano with the sheet music to "Imagine" as I spent trying to figure out which notes Rock Band wanted me to hit in that stupid bridge, I would be able to play the song from memory today.
The regular non-pro mode seemed a little silly: since you must play it one-handed, it does not have the same level of involvement as guitar, bass or drums.
I went through three of the pro-keyboard lessons, but the software kept glitching to the point that it was unplayable and I had to reset the console. Not impressed.
And, although you couldn't call it a surprise, if you have imported your RB2 tracks or have a lot of DLC, there are just not that many songs that have keyboard parts to play to begin with. On tracks without a keyboard part, it gives you the option of playing guitar or bass parts on the keys, which I tried, but found that I would rather be playing the guitar part on the guitar.
In short, I am not really eager to rush home to a second night with that keyboard-- which is a shame, because I'd been counting down the days until it was delivered. Oh well. I still love my drums best!
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
cheap midi keyboard for home studioDec 09, 2011
By Joseph Murphey
This makes a great midi controller for a home studio. Just the right size to fit between the computer and its keyboard, it does all the midi functions I need. Sometimes 25 keys right in front of me beats 61 or 88 across the room.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Wireless Keyboard Rocks!Mar 20, 2011
By S. Rogers
As someone who has always loved the piano and learned to play on a keyboard, I have been waiting for the Rock Band folks to finally create an instrument I am comfortable playing. I love that I can lay it flat on my lap to play (like a real keyboard) whereas my children like holding it the same way they hold the guitar. If you love Rock Band, I highly recommend getting the keyboard to not only add one more element, but to also add one more person to the game play!
See all 19 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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