Rocksmith Catch All

9/18 DLC Hint #3 - This epic tune accompanied such "illusions" as The Aztec Tomb and The Sword of Destiny...

MIDI keyboard, indeed.

So I bought a new peripheral for Rocksmith:

IMAGE(http://i49.tinypic.com/2z4wew4.jpg)

She sings like a dream on my amp, but I'm noticing some intermittent problems on Rocksmith registering the high e string. I recalibrated with the sound check (which is long and tedious considering you have to watch an unskippable video about how to hold a pick) which helped but it still seems to flake out a bit... has anyone else had a problem? My other guitar has humbuckers and this being an SSS Strat type, I assume the output is a bit lower which probably has something to do with it.

OK, weird... I turned the game on today and everything is fine. Not sure whjat the deal was there. In fact that dang C5 on Use Somebody that never picked up reliably before suddenly started picking up as well. How odd. I wonder if the cable just wasn't seated fully or something.

I've had the best luck on my SSS Strat by using the bridge pickup. Mine has the "S1 switching" though which when in that position puts the bridge and middle pickup in series for a hotter signal and leave that on for Rocksmith.

PC version set to release on Oct 15.

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/21/ro...

The headline only makes mention of the expansion (yes - very odd) but the game is finally coming to PC. Can't wait to take advantage of some better hardware.

lactose wrote:

PC version set to release on Oct 15.

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/21/ro...

The headline only makes mention of the expansion (yes - very odd) but the game is finally coming to PC. Can't wait to take advantage of some better hardware.

I'd be down for this but no way am I re-buying all that DLC.

lactose wrote:

PC version set to release on Oct 15.

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/21/ro...

The headline only makes mention of the expansion (yes - very odd) but the game is finally coming to PC. Can't wait to take advantage of some better hardware.

Finally. My 360 is my "goof off" machine and I know I won't apply myself to getting better if I got Rocksmith for the 360. PC? I can slag away on that. Buying this the day it's out.

imbiginjapan wrote:

I'd be down for this but no way am I re-buying all that DLC.

Yup. I've literally bought all the DLC so far, even if I'm not really interested in the song. It's cheap enough that I get my money's worth just noodling through a song a couple of times or to annoy my wife, but also because I figure I'm voting with my dollars so they continue putting out DLC. I'll hold out on getting the PC version to see if it gets hacked so that the public can add songs (obviously of varying quality of transcriptions). Although now I'm wondering how much my load time complaints would be mitigated by running on my SSD-equipped Tiny God.

So I picked this up again after months off, and hadn't played since the big patch. I think I reignited my love, as the sensing is much more accurate. Also, there are some good DLC songs that I am looking forward to learning! This is really slick tech.

Some news on Twitter about the PC version:

Nao Higo wrote:

Rocksmith PC version Steam preorders will be starting *hopefully* on Thursday if we can get all the details finalized.

Nao Higo wrote:

Bonus items for preordering - Beta key (start playing right away!), Guitarcade unlock key, and Heavy Metal Gear pack!

Nao Higo wrote:

It's $49.99 for the download only version, which includes Bass. Need to get the cable separately if you don't already have one.

Looking forward to a review of the PC software. The load screens on the PS3 diminished my love of the software. Plus, I would rather by DLC on the PC.

So the game is being released over here this week. Sweet, only took Ubisoft a year! Can't wait, really, let's see if it's a day one or slightly later (super preoccupied with Torchlight 2). Both me and my wife are guitar novices and this sounds like just the thing to help us practice more regularly.

Did we have a "What guitar should I pick as a starter"-discussion in here already?
I am mighty interested in Rocksmith, even after never touching any Rockband or Guitar Hero. The idea of learning an instrument this way just sounds phenomenal.
Since Christmas is around the corner, i'd be able to pool some money and a gift or two together to get a workable set.
I am looking at the PC version only, so if i go with a digital download (50 Euro in the German steam shop) I'd need to grab the cable from amazon or i go for some boxed copy.
Decisions decisions ...

Plastefuchs wrote:

Did we have a "What guitar should I pick as a starter"-discussion in here already?
I am mighty interested in Rocksmith, even after never touching any Rockband or Guitar Hero. The idea of learning an instrument this way just sounds phenomenal.
Since Christmas is around the corner, i'd be able to pool some money and a gift or two together to get a workable set.
I am looking at the PC version only, so if i go with a digital download (50 Euro in the German steam shop) I'd need to grab the cable from amazon or i go for some boxed copy.
Decisions decisions ...

There are some threads floating around about this, and I'm sure there is some discussion about this in this thread.
Of course, it's a pretty tough thing to really nail down. The general advice is always "play a bunch and see what you like" but as a beginner that advice isn't exactly great since you have no idea how to tell what you like yet.

So as silly as it sounds I'd suggest mostly going on aesthetics... though I think strapping it on and trying it for weight and comfort is probably not a bad idea either. Also check the tuning pegs to see if they seem loose at all. Nothing is more annoying than a guitar that won't stay in tune, and as a newbie it's all the more frustrating because you will be struggling enough to get a quality sound out. I'd suggest looking at Ibanez or Epiphone for budget brands. I'd avoid the super budget like Squier, but some people are ok with these. I think it is worth spending a bit more for better playability. If you feel ballsy and want to shell out closer to 5 or 600 bucks, the sky is pretty much the limit, especially if you find a quality used guitar.

My first and so far only guitar was picked for aesthetics - cool metal look - and checked for weight and posture by wearing it. I didn't go with a "starter package", but instead picked the cheapest nice looking guitar I could find. I figured (correctly) I wouldn't know good from bad to begin with. Having played it for a year, I know now that I could use a better one as it's unnecessarily hard to play with my current one. But as far as getting started goes, you just need something you want to play, and in that sense you shouldn't underestimate the value of "I like the way it looks on me".

I concur with going one step above the bottom. I've always been an Ibanez fan, but I really don't know what's good at this level anymore (is the Gio still decent?).

Best advice in the thread about buying a guitar was go find a store, talk with folks who know things, and pick from there.

I tend to find how the neck feels to be the most important thing for me; I've got big hands, and thinner necks make my hands feel squished. Play several, see what you like. You can get decent guitars for a couple hundred bucks, but the best approach is really what AnimeJ said; go to a store, talk to people there, get some education. If it's an even vaguely decent place, they'll help find you something you like.

Sounds like good advice to me then. Thank you all so far.

Off to the google to look for some stores that sell guitars in east Germany ...

Just played the PC demo. The very fast load times are worth the upgrade over the PS3 version. Although it did crash when I was going through some of the menu items trying to see what activities were unlocked for the demo.

I will probably buy the PC version after a couple weeks of the public beta testing it.

LiquidMantis wrote:

I've had the best luck on my SSS Strat by using the bridge pickup. Mine has the "S1 switching" though which when in that position puts the bridge and middle pickup in series for a hotter signal and leave that on for Rocksmith.

My speculation is that you'll want to use whatever makes your guitar sound "thin". I'm guessing that less harmonics (bridge pickup) makes it easier for the DSP to find the fundamental.

Remember the old Roland pitch-to-midi pickups? They were mounted flush with the bridge.

ps. Excited for the PC release. I was getting very close to buying it for my PS3, which is never plugged in.

tried the PC demo but it will not recognize the USB cable - driver fails to load

Works fine on PS3 so not sure what the issue is

Plastefuchs wrote:

Sounds like good advice to me then. Thank you all so far. :)

I'll throw in a few cents too

Getting a pre-loved guitar is awesome. You can get a decently built instrument for the price of new one that's pretty junky. I think that "student instrument" (meaning "very cheap instrument") is a bit of a misnomer. When you're starting, stuff is hard, like really hard for a while. Having a very low quality instrument can make you not want to play, and make you think it's all your fault when the instrument is working against you. A second-hand, mid-range guitar won't do that to you.

Know anyone who plays? Just like a used car, get them to take a quick look at anything you're considering. They will be able to spot any serious issues right away.

Also: keep your guitar on a stand, not in a case. You won't play it if it's hidden under the bed, and you'll feel proud to see it standing there.

If you're playing electric guitar, the amplifier is _at least_ half of the sound. A tiny practice amp is what most music stores will try to sell you. It will cost $100+ and you will always think you sound terrible. Luckily, you can get much better sound for $0-$20 with the "free-to-play" virtual amp "AmpliTube Custom Shop". Virtual amps are absolutely brilliant for learning: you'll sound like a stadium rock star... in your headphones! It seriously encourages you to practice when your sound is awesome (and won't wake up the house). I believe you can use Rocksmith as a virtual amp too[?]

Jarpy wrote:
LiquidMantis wrote:

I've had the best luck on my SSS Strat by using the bridge pickup. Mine has the "S1 switching" though which when in that position puts the bridge and middle pickup in series for a hotter signal and leave that on for Rocksmith.

My speculation is that you'll want to use whatever makes your guitar sound "thin". I'm guessing that less harmonics (bridge pickup) makes it easier for the DSP to find the fundamental.

I actully got this problem resolved, the connection wasn't seated quite right the first time :p. Sometimes dumb problems require dumb solutions.

lactose wrote:

tried the PC demo but it will not recognize the USB cable - driver fails to load :(

Which is kinda evil of Ubisoft, because there's no magic in the cable. You should be able to use any audio input you have on your machine.

lactose wrote:

tried the PC demo but it will not recognize the USB cable - driver fails to load

Works fine on PS3 so not sure what the issue is

I had to unplug my cable and plug it in while RockSmith was running for it to be recognized. Worked well after that first hiccup.

Jarpy wrote:

Also: keep your guitar on a stand, not in a case. You won't play it if it's hidden under the bed, and you'll feel proud to see it standing there.

Truer words are rarely spoken. (In the same vein, keep your amp and cables at hand.)

I'm sorry this is going off-topic, but where could I find out more about this virtual amp thing and how would I hook one up? Sounds great and I've been struggling with my micro amp.

Oh man, it runs soooo smooth on PC. But I own all the DLC on 360. I'll have to think about it but I'm sorely tempted to get the PC version.

Here's a little tasty nugget:

Avenged Sevenfold “Afterlife”
Avenged Sevenfold “Beast and The Harlot”
Avenged Sevenfold “Nightmare”

Rush “Limelight”
Rush “Headlong Flight”
Rush “Red Barchetta”
Rush “Subdivisions”
Rush “Tom Sawyer”
Rush “YYZ”

http://theherofeed.com/4780/rocksmit...

I doubt there's any chance they'll let you bring the DLC between versions, but it would be really cool if they did.

LiquidMantis wrote:

Oh man, it runs soooo smooth on PC. But I own all the DLC on 360. I'll have to think about it but I'm sorely tempted to get the PC version.

Here's a little tasty nugget:

Avenged Sevenfold “Afterlife”
Avenged Sevenfold “Beast and The Harlot”
Avenged Sevenfold “Nightmare”

Rush “Limelight”
Rush “Headlong Flight”
Rush “Red Barchetta”
Rush “Subdivisions”
Rush “Tom Sawyer”
Rush “YYZ”

http://theherofeed.com/4780/rocksmit...

Dude, are they going directly for all the Rock Band songs?

Can't complain...