PAX 2009: JoCo adapts 'The Future Soon' at Rock Band Network panel
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Sep 6th 2009 at 2:30PM } 
The steps looked reminiscent of previous previews we've seen of the RBN technology. The track was broken up into its core parts (drums, bass, vocals, etc.) in Reaper -- a process that took Harmonix two days, due to Coulton's implementation of 19 freaking chords in a single song. After that, they imported it to Magma, where Coulton's album art was added, the track's genre and pricing information was chosen ("The Future Soon" was set to sell for 240
), a 30-second preview window was designated, and the song's difficulty levels were added.The song was transferred to Rock Band 2's Audition Mode (which will be tucked away in the Extras menu with the game's next patch for Xbox 360), then played by adoring JoCo fans. We've got a shakycam video of this playthrough -- as well as the original version of the song, which was played by Coulton during the panel -- after the jump.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MonkeyMan @ Sep 6th 2009 2:41PM
Pretty Freakin cool.. I love Coulton's other song in rock band DLC... Skullcrusher mountain
this will be a pretty awesome tool for indie artists to get their name out there
Fane [A-MF Brigade] @ Sep 7th 2009 3:04AM
Don't forget "Still Alive".
Veko @ Sep 7th 2009 8:16PM
Jonathan is the best. That is why I am now demanding Rock Bank: JoCo. I would buy it without question.
MonkeyMan @ Sep 8th 2009 9:34AM
As awesome as that would be... it just wouldnt sell.. i would love another track pack though
MowDownJoe @ Sep 6th 2009 3:07PM
What was that bit of UI under the star gauge? Too blurry to make it out, but it's obviously not in the main game.
deveric @ Sep 6th 2009 3:11PM
It's information on how much time has progressed and is left in the song, and total time.
Aaron @ Sep 6th 2009 3:28PM
I was at the talk yesterday and I thought the name of the RB software was Magma and not Ember. This is far better than what can be done on Guitar Hero and I hope it bring many lesser known bands to Rock Band.
VaultICEE @ Sep 6th 2009 3:47PM
Thats so freaking awesome.
ray42 @ Sep 6th 2009 4:48PM
Chiron Beta Prime for December please and thank you.
DWells55 @ Sep 6th 2009 5:20PM
Three bucks a song is a bit too much for me. I hope 240 points doesn't become the new standard.
VaultICEE @ Sep 6th 2009 7:46PM
The pricing of a song is up to the artist, it seems.
Its curious as to why JoCo would price it at $3, seeing as Skullcrusher Mountain and even Re: Your Brains is going to be $1 on the normal Rock Band store. It'll probably change before its actually released.
Young_Nastyman @ Sep 6th 2009 8:19PM
I think he was just messing around making it $3
linebeginstoblur @ Sep 6th 2009 6:01PM
I'm a musician, yet have a PS3 instead of an Xbox 360. It's a shame that the PSN doesn't have anything that compares to XNA. I'd love to get my music on Rock Band, though, but I don't want to buy a 360. :(
The Aquacharger (PSN:Elvenmonk) @ Sep 7th 2009 12:38AM
HMX said it'll for both 360 and PS3. The PS3 one will come later and every thursday (with normal updates) will the songs be posted.
linebeginstoblur @ Sep 7th 2009 1:20AM
I thought the news was that the PS3 was just getting the RBN songs, not the RBN development network.
mynk @ Sep 7th 2009 1:31AM
yeah you need a 360 to develop the songs.
but if you're a professional artist, i think a 360 would be a small investment for your career wont it?
anti jj @ Sep 6th 2009 6:38PM
its fake f@ck u spammer DONT CLICK HIS LINK!!!!!!!!!!!!
anti JJ @ Sep 6th 2009 6:39PM
its fake f@ck u spammer DONT CLICK HIS LINK!!!!!!!!!!!!
bongoes the Black Lantern @ Sep 6th 2009 7:19PM
I don't know why I never listened to this guy before. That songs great.
ray42 @ Sep 6th 2009 7:38PM
A large majority of his songs are available on iTunes under the name "Thing a Week". He released it as a podcast so it's totally free.
Check it out.
bongoes the Black Lantern @ Sep 6th 2009 11:39PM
Thanks, I will.
Hellion42 @ Sep 7th 2009 1:55PM
Even better, you can listen to all of his songs for free on his website. You can then buy them directly from there (there's a few free ones too) in DRM-free MP3 format. More of the money goes to the artist that way.
http://www.jonathancoulton.com/store/downloads/
Deekman @ Sep 7th 2009 12:21AM
How do you move it from the music creator to the 360 for audition mode? Do you just put it on a USB device or what?
Do I need to have the subscription to the XNA in order to put my songs in audition mode?
If no then what's to stop me from mixing copy written music and just distributing it online for people to play in there own audition mode?
Fane [A-MF Brigade] @ Sep 7th 2009 2:54AM
I think it has to go through HMX to get onto Rock Band Network and thus playable in the game.
Lord_Spaz @ Sep 8th 2009 11:12AM
Yes, you do need to have an XNA membership.
linebeginstoblur @ Sep 7th 2009 1:14AM
I thought the news was that the PS3 was just getting the RBN songs, not the RBN development network.
linebeginstoblur @ Sep 7th 2009 1:22AM
my first reply fail since I can remember, gimme a break, I'm tired as crap right now, sorry
MonkeyMan @ Sep 7th 2009 3:15AM
I forgot about that one, yeah thats one of my favorites too, i can 100% it on vocals
The1stMJC @ Sep 7th 2009 4:08AM
I prefer I Fight Dragons cover of Future Soon.
http://www.thesixtyone.com/ifightdragons/song/The+Future+Soon/58849/ Seems like their version would be more fun to play.
CubeGuy @ Sep 12th 2009 7:01PM
You are my new favorite person.
BleachMan! @ Sep 7th 2009 5:23AM
Can't wait for more bands to sign on to RBN. If I get some Fall of Troy, I can truly die happy.