GamersMayhem

source: thisisbrandx



It's not like the hours you jam away on Rock Band or Guitar Hero are a complete waste of time. After all, you're perfecting those hair-tossingly awesome ax-hero windmill strokes, crunching riffs and wicked hip-thrusts, and this is of course valuable life experience. But when you think about it, wouldn't it be excellent if you could combine the play-acting with some real music-making?
Merging the needs and fantasies of musicians and gamers alike, Inspired Instruments' You Rock Guitar offers a new way of thinking about the multiple uses of new technology. A hybrid digital "guitar" and gaming platform that can be plugged into the video-game console and used as a controller for all your fave rock star games, it also serves as an instrument that can be connected to your computer or amplifier for recording or practicing.

One of the big hurdles for gamers is that getting down to actually playing the games with friends can be a bit complicated. That's because each console, such as PlayStation or Xbox, requires its own hardware, so if you buy a guitar-controller it's usually associated with whatever platform you own: Uh-oh, your kid has Xbox Rock Band, but his friend down the street doesn't, and they can't play together. The You Rock is compatible across the spectrum of platforms via a removable cartridge that wirelessly communicates with multiple platforms, including Wii, the iPhone and the iPad. At $20, the cartridge is an inexpensive alternative to having to buy a different guitar-controller. And, priced at around $200, the You Rock itself is an affordable option for parents to introduce their kids to the idea of playing a musical instrument, should said proto-rocker wish to pursue such a worthy goal.

The You Rock Guitar offers three playing methods: Music Mode, Game Mode and You Rock Mode. For players and composers, it includes a lightning-fast MIDI connection that's a big, big improvement on that notoriously shaky technology (much cheaper too: MIDI guitar controllers alone will usually run at least $800); the MIDI plugs directly into the USB port on Macs and PCs to allow for interfacing with recording software such as GarageBand, Cubase or Pro Tools, or with more complex composition software such as Finale or Sibelius. The You Rock contains a sizable memory chip as well, so you can record into the unit itself -- a big plus for those bursts of inspiration on the road.

Equipped with actual strings plus a very touch-sensitive fretboard, the unit can be plugged into an external amplifier and used as a real playing instrument, or, for beginners, into headphones for silent practice so as not to embarrass one's self with the neighbors. An onboard set of backing rhythms and chords is also provided. In addition to 100 preset guitar and synth sounds, the You Rock Guitar includes 50 alternate and drop-tuning presets along with 10 digital capo settings.

The unit can also be used with an iPod and other mp3 players, for wailing to crucial heavy jams on your iTunes.

The You Rock feels good to hold and to play. Small and lightweight, its plastic body is molded to curve to the hip, and its 22-fret full-scale neck is detachable, so it can be carried in a backpack or onto a plane for some high-flying rifferama, though you might have some explaining to do at airport security.

Inspired Instruments plans further modifications on the You Rock, including a digital bass guitar/controller and a higher-end wood body with optional custom skins and neck-heads; alternative models down the road will feature fewer music or gaming options and will retail for less than $200.

--John Payne