Mad Catz took some time and showed me round their suite and gave me a glimpse of a wide variety of products they’re promoting for the year. Among the products on display was the MIDI Pro-Adapter that allows you to use real guitars and keyboards as your Rock Band controllers.
MIDI Pro-Adapter
Plugging directly into the console via USB, the MIDI PRO-Adapter works as an interface between the console and MIDI instrument, converting the MIDI messages into console controller data which the game translates into on-screen action. The MIDI PRO-Adapter features a velocity sensitive adjustment for MIDI drums designed to reduce cross-talk during play. A full D-Pad and standard gaming controller buttons are located on the PRO-Adapter to deliver seamless console integration and navigation of the game menus. The MIDI Pro-Adapter ships with a removable clip which allows gamers to attach to a belt or rest on a table top or similar flat surface.
It worked really well and was a breeze to even switch between so you could simply jam away if you wanted or play the game in Pro mode.
amBX Gaming Lights and Cyborg keyboard
Another major product they were showing was their new amBX product line. It consists of two products currently, the Gaming Lights and the Cyborg Gaming Keyboard with amBX Tech.
The first ‘amBX’ compatible product to be launched by the Company, the new Gaming Lights with amBX Technology consist of twin light pods which can be positioned wherever and however best suits the gaming environments (traditionally to either side of the monitor). Plugging directly into the PC via USB, the Cyborg Gaming Lights work best when used with amBX scripted software, where they react in synchronization to in game’s amBX commands or the effects can be customized by the gamer. Enveloping the user in up to 16 million colors, the lights provide atmospheric, directional lighting effects such as tracking enemy fire and an enhanced ambient gaming environment.
The Gaming Lights feature multi-hinge design which allows for flexible positioning of the Gaming Lights to maximize the spread of color. In addition, the Gaming Lights have been designed to facilitate simultaneous use of multiple sets of lights. Up to twenty-four set of lights can be positioned at different compass points around the room to create surround effects. When positioned in different areas of the room, the Gaming Lights will react with different default or gamer defined effects giving the gamer a fully directional, spatial and sensory surround lighting experience.
Included with the Gaming Lights is a 30 day trial of the hit game: Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures (Funcom), featuring full amBX compatibility and serving as the perfect introduction to the amBX experience.
The Gaming Lights with amBX Technology are perfect when used alone or ideal for use in conjunction with the forthcoming Cyborg Gaming Keyboard with amBX Technology, expected to ship summer 2011.
