October 14, 2008

Wireless Microphones for Rock Band and World Tour

Now that the guitar and drums are fully wireless in the Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour band kits, there’s only one band member left who hasn’t achieved glorious wireless freedom yet:

The vocalist.

That’s about to change, however, with the introduction of the Logitech Wireless Microphone.

logitech-cordless-vantage-microphone

It’s a bit pricey at $80, but it means vocalists can now perform those spinning kicks in between verses they’ve always dreamt of.

  • USB connector
  • 2.4 Ghz frequency
  • 30 foot range
  • Compatible with all games featuring vocals for PS2, PS3, Xbox 360
  • USB base doubles as mic holder when not in use

Another wireless microphone option, at least on the Xbox 360 platform, is the game Lips. It ships with a set of wireless mics. Not only are they wireless, they’re also backlit in sync with the vocals, and have motion sensitivity!

lips-wireless-microphones

Check out Lips’ wireless mics in action in this gameplay trailer:

If you’re on the Xbox 360 platform, Lips might be a better deal, as the game plus two wireless mics can be had for around $50.

Update: As of August 2009, GH: World Tour, GH: Smash Hits, GH: Metallica, and Guitar Hero 5 all support these wireless mics now. We’re still waiting on the Rock Band 2 patch, unfortunately..

As for me, my heart belongs to the Mad Catz M.I.C. — although it’s not wireless, it melds the controller with the microphone, which I think is the far more important feature; our Mic is always on a mic stand anyway.

Hasn’t the Xbox 360 always had a wireless mic? You can use your headset connected to a wireless controller and sing your heart away. I admit that it’s not quite as fun as thrashing your head while yelling into a mic, but it’s definitely wireless.

Eilon
October 15, 2008 at 9:24 pm

Yeah, but headset attached to a clunky wireless ball & chain is not *quite* the same thing, is it?

There is a wireless headset for 360 (I have one) but not sure about quality for singing.

Jeff Atwood
October 16, 2008 at 2:49 pm

How’s the frequency response on these things, though. It seems that for $60 I could get a decent wireless mic, I’d just need some way to interface it over USB.

Tyler Menezes
October 21, 2008 at 11:49 pm

Just a note to any would-be singers: The “Lips” mic does NOT work in RB/RB2. At least not yet.

Mayyday
November 19, 2008 at 7:06 pm

another option for wireless mics from the excellent Rock Gamer site:

http://www.rockgamer.com/2009/01/08/do-it-yourself-wireless-microphones-for-rock-band/

Jeff Atwood
March 29, 2009 at 8:24 pm

When will a wireless mic be available for Wii RB2?

Amy
June 28, 2009 at 8:59 am

I picked up a copy of Lips and I can confirm, these are fantastic wireless microphones for dirt cheap. Perfect for those 3 part vocal harmonies in The Beatles: Rock Band! Highly recommended.

We’re still waiting on the Rock Band 2 patch from Harmonix to *enable* these new wireless mics. That’s (unfortunately) tied to the release of the Rock Band Network. So presumably when RBN goes live, that patch for Rock Band 2 will include the wireless mic support.

Jeff Atwood
August 14, 2009 at 1:40 pm

I was wondering if the official XB360 Wireless Microphone will work with full guitar hero world tour. as i will i be able to connect my drums, guitar, bass guitar, and wireless mic. lets not forget that in order to use the mic in world tour and rockband u need to have your XB360 controller plugged in. as far as i know the 360 can only hold 4 controllers. so will i be able to connect all 4 things plus my wireless controller for use with the mic?

Will
August 17, 2009 at 6:49 am

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