It can be quite daunting trying to hold an Xbox 360 controller in one hand and a microphone in the other. For a solution, look no further as Mad Catz has released a wired microphone with a built-in Xbox 360 controller. Just like the peripheral maker’s other impressive licensed products for Rock Band 2 like the Fender Precision Bass, the Cymbal Expansion kit and the portable drum kit, the company promises yet another quality product in their hybrid microphone/controller. This is one peripheral that will have you saying farewell to your controller as you play your Rock Band sessions….at least until you want to play something that doesn’t require singing.

Here are our impressions of the Mad Catz Official Rock Band M.I.C.




I’ve seen my share of gaming microphones and I can say that Mad Catz has done an amazing job by creating a quality hybrid microphone/controller with a comfortable grip. In comparison to most of the gaming microphones we’ve seen lately, it will feel like a good fit in your hands as its lighter, slimmer and most of all sturdy. Featuring a long USB cable and most of the important buttons of an Xbox 360 controller, the M.I.C also features extra rubber padding for a pleasing hold. As you can see in the picture below, the buttons are laid down vertically on the microphone with a lock button that will prevent any accidental button pushes while you’re singing either on Rock Band 1 or 2.

Yes it is a sturdy, cool looking microphone, but does it get the job done? Of course! The M.I.C is as responsive as any other Rock Band microphone. It’s even more sensitive during certain songs that require high/low pitches or while singing and playing another instrument at the same time, something that wasn’t perfect with the Rock Band microphones that came bundled with the game. And don’t worry, this microphone fits with most of the standard mic stands, even with the extra rubber padding, there’s no problem.

There are two issues with the microphone. First, it won’t let you plug an Xbox Live headset for chats. So if you play with friends, you will only be able to hear them through your speakers as you won’t be able to chat with them. After some research, we found out that Mad Catz is already at work on a second M.I.C with improved online functionalities. Although we haven’t seen any confirmation about it, we will wait to see if this indeed happens. Second, the price could turn some people off. At 60$, it’s a pricey microphone but keep in mind that you have a XB360 controller built-in, making the price automatically higher. Frankly, for someone like me, who plays with a microphone stand, having a regular Xbox 360 controller nearby when I’m playing the drums per say, it’s pretty annoying. Shedding some extra bucks might not be the best option for everyone but it’s just so attractive that you will hesitate.

Conclusion

The Mad Catz M.I.C is a nice piece of hardware worth checking out. Although it doesn’t have full Xbox Live support and the price could scare some gamers, Mad Catz has built this new microphone in order to make it easier for anyone tired of needing another controller to take care of while singing their favourite tunes. If you play a lot of Rock Band via Xbox Live, then the old way will not make you change your mind but if you play locally and want to simplify your gameplay experience by shedding some extra bucks, then this microphone will give you enough reasons to smile.

Verdict: Every Rock Band player will find this piece of hardware pretty handy. If there’s indeed a second M.I.C in the works, then it might be good to wait before picking one up if you play Rock Band mostly online. If not, then you should run to the store and pick one up!

Pros

• Integrated game controller with Xbox Guide Button
• Controller lock/unlock switch prevents accidental button presses
• Soft-touch rubber finish
• Excellent responsiveness

Cons

- Price tag can turn off some people
- If you play Rock Band online all the time, it won’t suit you at all