Ars Technica's "mole"--a solid secret informer who has often slipped out good information ahead of proper announcements--has informed Ars that Rock Band 3 will support an instrument with keys, but it won't be a keyboard as the Rock Band 3 logo screen buried within the Rock Band: Green Day demo seemingly teased. Think keytar, the digital shredder of choice for any proper glam metal band. 

The mole also pointed out that Mad Catz would be the sole company behind the manufacture of the instruments alongside the rest of the game's plastic necessities, as previous reports implied. In an interesting twist, though, the guitar might get some sort of realistic boost; the mole told Ars that Rock Band 3 will ship with a "pro" mode that somehow teaches users how to play the real thing, which seemingly indicates that the Mad Catz hardware might be more lifelike.  

Take this with a grain of salt, regardless of the mole's reliability. MTV and Harmonix are remaining silent, and as of yesterday's report, are encouraging us to "stay tuned" for Rock Band 3 announcements at E3. I think I might just do that. You know, pay attention to E3. I heard that was a big thing.

Ars Technica's "mole"--a solid secret informer who has often slipped out good information ahead of proper announcements--has informed Ars that Rock Band 3 will support an instrument with keys, but it won't be a keyboard as the Rock Band 3 logo screen buried within the Rock Band: Green Day demo seemingly teased. Think keytar, the digital shredder of choice for any proper glam metal band. 

The mole also pointed out that Mad Catz would be the sole company behind the manufacture of the instruments alongside the rest of the game's plastic necessities, as previous reports implied. In an interesting twist, though, the guitar might get some sort of realistic boost; the mole told Ars that Rock Band 3 will ship with a "pro" mode that somehow teaches users how to play the real thing, which seemingly indicates that the Mad Catz hardware might be more lifelike.  

Take this with a grain of salt, regardless of the mole's reliability. MTV and Harmonix are remaining silent, and as of yesterday's report, are encouraging us to "stay tuned" for Rock Band 3 announcements at E3. I think I might just do that. You know, pay attention to E3. I heard that was a big thing.

keeeetar

More peripherals!

I'm sure Alex N. over at screened would know!

Mad Catz? well, they make good sticks now at least

Man is Jeff behind you guys cracking the whip? You guys are pumping out article left and right and it is awesome! 
  
I'm pretty excited for RB3 and the addition of a keyboard just sounds awesome.

Nice, I was wondering how it was gonna work, a keytar would make perfect sense.

Okay, that's all fine and good, but how many songs are going to use it? Need more details...

Oh god another piece of plastic junk!
 
Hopefully they include this song in the game then:
 

so its a reverse rockband-guitar?

I'm pree sure it's called something else... but Keetar sounds fun.

Nnnoooooo!

lol wut?

" Finally, proper Rush songs on Rockband.  "

If only Mad Catz was spelled with an 'S' would be easy to spoof it as "Mad Scat" scat meaning feces of course... like the products they sell.  Damn you Mad Catz for having that crazy cool Z fails afe!

" @RoujinX said:

" Finally, proper Rush songs on Rockband.  "

It's only proper if I can play the keytar with my feet, while playing guitar. "

No, thank you. 
 
Let's run the rhythm game genre into the ground.

Oh hell yes.

Oh man, playing final countdown while dancing around like Gob is a dream come true

Ohhhh fuck yea.

" Oh man, playing final countdown while dancing around like Gob is a dream come true "

That's a disappointment if it was an actual keyboard they could put in tons of piano music  
The keytar ((let alone a fake plastic keytar)) is the dorkiest thing ever sorry Canada

I already have a 10 key keytar thanks to Rock Band :|. Looks like a small plastic guitar, though. Hmm.

oh god yes

Yes! God Yes
More of this please
  

As someone who is pictured 75% of the time on the internet flailing around on stage holding a keytar, i could not be more thrilled.  COULD NOT.

i think a normal key board would be cool...

So Nicholson is with Giantbomb now?  Crazy awesome.

Keytar ftw!

Oh, that kind of keytar.  Wait, what?

Now will they give you free back compat on songs that should have keyboard support that  are already out?

I expect the next Rock Band after 3 (#4 or whatever it's called if they skipped the # at the end), will just involve all the instruments tied together like some wierd madcap one man band so you can play all the instruments available but not very well.

Finally the greatest instrument from the 80s gets the respect it deserves.

" No, thank you.  Let's run the rhythm game genre into the ground. "

  I'll wait for the theremin  peripheral. Also: needs more cowbell.  

I was hoping it was gonna be an accordion, They Might Be Giants in Rock Band would be sweet.

Screw the keytar, I want a keyboard/piano.  Guitars are nice and all, but I want my Rock Band: Elton John, and I want to download new tracks from Billy Joel, Tori Amos, Randy Newman, Jerry Lee Lewis and more.  And think of the awesome classical tracks!  
 
Lastly, 80s glam rock sucked HARD.  If we're going to be rocking to 80s tracks, please let it be synth-based keyboard friendly stuff like Depeche Mode.

" Screw the keytar, I want a keyboard/piano.  Guitars are nice and all, but I want my Rock Band: Elton John, and I want to download new tracks from Billy Joel, Tori Amos, Randy Newman, Jerry Lee Lewis and more.  And think of the awesome classical tracks! 

With the rise of motion controllers, some kind of theremin support could be a possibility (okay, probably not, just sayin it would be doable)

" Screw the keytar, I want a keyboard/piano.  Guitars are nice and all, but I want my Rock Band: Elton John, and I want to download new tracks from Billy Joel, Tori Amos, Randy Newman, Jerry Lee Lewis and more.  And think of the awesome classical tracks!    Lastly, 80s glam rock sucked HARD.  If we're going to be rocking to 80s tracks, please let it be synth-based keyboard friendly stuff like Depeche Mode. "

More useless plastic instruments!

Madcatz? Bleh, I've never seen a piece of hardware they put out that was good. Have they been the makers of the official instruments for any previous RB/GH games?

Yes?

I'd be interested in a straight-up keyboard, but it would have a serious difficulty curve. I already play piano and such, so I'd be fine.

I haven't played any Rock Band or Guitar Hero for ages and really don't give a damn about this.