Reviewed: October 15, 2008
Reviewed by: Mark Smith

Manufacturer
Mad Catz

Type: Microphone
System: Xbox 360

Rating: 9.8

Features

Their latest offering, the Mad Catz Official Rock Band M.I.C for Xbox 360 is one such device that is not only as clever as it is functional and totally in demand. This is the microphone I have been wanting ever since the first Rock Band was released and I learned I could sing.

Sporting a sleek look and professional design, the M.I.C is more than just a clever name that doubles as an acronym (Microphone with Integrated Controller). In addition to serving as a superior microphone, the stem of the M.I.C is also the home of an integrated Xbox 360 controller including all the face buttons, Start, Back, a D-pad, and the Xbox Guide button. The only buttons not included are the triggers and the bumpers.

The M.I.C is branded for Rock Band and currently exclusive to the Xbox 360, but I imagine a PS3 version will be arriving shortly, especially after word of this amazing controller starts to spread. While the M.I.C might not work with all music and singing titles I can confirm that it works flawlessly with Guitar Hero World Tour as both a mic and a controller.

Of course the obvious question, especially when you are being asked to shell out $60 for a microphone when the game already came with one (assuming you bought the bundle), is “why do I need this specific microphone?” Well, in both Rock Band and Guitar Hero you still need to navigate menus and hit a button or two.

In the case of Rock Band, you have those rhythm sections where you are supposed to smack the top of the mic. I never found that reliable so I always opted to use the A button on the controller, but that meant I had to keep a controller on my lap while I sang. Now, that A button is right there under the thumb that is holding the mic. And in Guitar Hero World Tour you are supposed to clap or smack the top of the mic to invoke Star Power, or if you are using the M.I.C you can just press the Y button. There is also a handy locking switch to prevent you from hitting buttons when you don’t want to.

The only oddity with the M.I.C that I experienced was that the Guide button would not turn on my system remotely the way every other Guide button does on every other controller I have. It’s not a big deal but it was curious, especially when I can use the Guide button to shutdown the system.

I’m sure I can’t be the only one who has found it totally annoying to have to use a 360 controller in conjunction with the traditional microphones that come with Rock Band and Guitar Hero World Tour, and thanks to Mad Catz you no longer have to. My only minor point of concern is the relatively high price of the M.I.C – at $60 you are paying nearly twice the cost of the standard Rock Band microphone, so ultimately it’s up to you if the convenience of not having to use a controller is worth the extra $30. Of course, if you already have a mic from the bundle then you have to justify the full $60.

The Official Rock Band M.I.C is an amazing hybrid of quality microphone and game controller. If you are purchasing your first microphone or a replacement mic then this is definitely one to consider, but if you already have a functioning 360 microphone the high price tag might make this more of a luxury than a necessity.