The current market seems to be witnessing a riot of gaming peripherals with several manufacturing giants packaging intuitive products for enthusiasts of all sorts of genres. Adding even more third-party fun to the already engaging title of Rock Band 3, Mad Catz has divulged that the company has started shipping the Rock Band 3 MIDI Pro-Adapter.
Compatible with the Nintendo Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles, the MIDI Pro-Adapter is crafted specially for use with Rock Band 3 and enables musicians to utilize most real MIDI keyboards and MIDI drum sets while playing the game. The accessory is reported to work alongside the upcoming Rock Band 3 Squier by Fender Stratocaster Guitar and Controller, which is a fully functional full-sized electric guitar with strings that also functions as a game controller for the game’s unique Pro mode of gameplay.
Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz said, “The Rock Band 3 MIDI PRO-Adapter bridges the gap between music rhythm games and performing on real guitars, keyboards and drums. Aspiring musicians can learn to play an instrument and veterans can enjoy Rock Band 3 with actual MIDI musical instruments. When used with the Squier Guitar and Controller, MIDI keyboard or drum set, we are confident that the MIDI PRO-Adapter will prove a hit with Rock Band fans of all skill levels.”
The MIDI Pro-Adapter is directly pluggable into the console via USB and represents an interface between the console and MIDI instrument which converts the MIDI messages into console controller data that can be rendered into on-screen action by the game. Presenting with a velocity sensitive adjustment for MIDI drums crafted to decrease cross-talk while playing, the adapter surfaces a full D-Pad and standard gaming controller buttons which offer seamless console integration and navigation of the game menus.
The Nintendo Wii and PS3 compatible versions of the MIDI Pro-Adapter are now shipping with a removable clip that enables gamers to attach to a belt of rest on a table top or similar flat surface and are bundled at a price of 39.99 USD (approx. Rs. 1,803) each. Whereas the Xbox 360 variant is expected to be delivered soon to Best Buy in limited quantities.