Guitar Hero/Rock Band as pitch practice?

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:23 am

I was discussing the 'hot' video games with a friend of mine who has a 'fun' band where he plays bass with another couple friends of his. He also sings, but to his own admittance "Ain't too good at it."

He was deciding whether to get his two kids (as 'santa') the Rock Band/ Guitar Hero World Tour with the two guitars, or spring for the one with the microphone, guitars, and drums.

He asked me how accurate the pitch detection was for the games. I told him all I knew ('hard' wasn't hard for vocals, as I could get 90% without being a singer or knowing the song, but 'expert' was tricky for me). I told him I'd check with some people who are more knowledgeable than I on the subject.

So, Recording.org, just how accurate are those singing games out there, pitch-wise? And would you recommend them as pitch-practice?

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:32 am

You can manipulate that game so much with the vocals it's ridiculous. My roommate can't sing worth a pile of beans, but he knows how the game works, so he can score 95% plus.

My girlfriend does have a nice voice, but can't score high at all because she doesn't know how the game works.

I personally wouldn't use it as a training tool.

But, tell your buddy to get it anyway because it really is fun Smile

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:23 am

As far as these new rock band games go, a lot of people that actually play music say it's nothing like music. Well duh...but it's a game and your taking time aside to have fun right? It's good that they actually have something to do with music. That's the way I think about it. The new Guitar hero has other instruments too and I've heard it's better than Rock Band...

On a side note, the most realistic instrument of the pack are the drums

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:40 am

Wii Music has a pitch game, to help test your pitch. Its pretty fun.

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:46 am

If I need to, I'll record the sounds my thumbs make. R.S.I and arthritis from TH2 on the StayPlation.

Git Hero and ilk should be used for nothing more than when in a room full of people and there is LSD. The shit is alien.

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:57 am

So does this mean that the singing portion of it does not correctly analyze and display the pitch someone is singing?

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:07 am

If melodyne can not process real time, and it does an "ok" job. It must be very hard to do all that math real time. I am guessing the pitch recogniton is crude and fast. Which is just fine for a game.

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:25 am

The pitch recognition in Singstar was awful, the recognition won't be much better these days I imagine.

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:50 am

Real time pitch detection isn't that hard, but the games make it easier.

I have heard that they score you on if you move in the right direction, and if you start the note at the right time mainly. That way if the song is not in a key you can comfortable sing you can still play. The game does make you feel like a rock start, but it is not really good for practice as a musician.

Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:05 am

the difference between music video games and the real thing of music is the difference bwteen throwing a bullet and shooting it.

i played with my neice for christmas for ten minutes guitar hero or whatever it is. . in my opinion it is counterproductive to learning about music.

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