[Stinja]

So Teh Mrs is going off on a conference at the end of August, and after my two failed attempts in May (one due to being rubbish the other due to my drums breaking) i thought i'd have yet another go...

The attempt will be medium drums, so as to not completely-knacker my knee/wrists, and i'm now comfortable with my drum kit/cymbals to have a go i think - at least i've got a month to get ready, so this will be my mini blog on trials, tribulations and collect any info to help me (or others ) attempt this.

So first up is a list of songs and some hints: The Endless Setlist 2 Guide (Rock Band 2) - Rock Band Forums

Then a list of possible break points. Someone measured the loading time and general pause between every song to be about 28 seconds (note to self to check this!). Song's with BREs (Big Rock Endings) are obviously good for breaks, run off when a BRE starts up and you should get all the time of it and the score + loading till the next song - i'm not going for good scores here:

Section One: Warming Up
Nine in the Afternoon - Ending - ?
PDA - has a long break in the second half of the song - ?

Section Two: Hitting the Stage

Section Three: Picking Up the Pace

Section Four: Fiery Limbs Galore
Alive - BRE - 0:13

Section Five: Catching Your Breath
Pinball Wizard - Intro - 0:48

Section Six: The Build Up
The Trees - ? - 1:00?
Master Exploder - Intro until the Mind Blowing section - 1:12

Section 7: The Grande Finale
Bodhisattva - BRE - 20s?
Shoulder to the Plow - ending - a few seconds only, loading, leads to Battery
Battery - Intro - Around 0:40

I'll try to tighten up this info (badly grabbed off the web) as i go, as i'll try to play every song individually beforehand to check i can do it, i'm looking at you Visions etc. Did a 2.5 hour stint today, mostly on Hard, which gave me the confidence to have another stab at getting the Bladder of Steel and Endless Setlist 2 awards

[chewyx]

I tried it last week on expert bass. I found i was fine with the no breaks thing. It was the sheer boredom of it all that got to me. I failed visions too which meant no bladder of steel for me. I had checked before hand to make sure i could pass it but hadnt accounted for boredom/fatigue/hand cramp after 6 hours of playing.

Good luck with it mate. I dont have the energy to try it again.

[Stinja]

Yeah i know what you mean about boredom. So many songs arent that great on a certain instrument, and it's not like you can be largered-up for 6 hours as if you're playing with mates after the pub.

Played thru the "Infinite Metal" challenge and most of the prog rock as some practice, the last dozen-ish songs of ES2 i can now pass with a 90% rate - so fairly happy i can pass each song now, just the duration thing.

Trying my drums downstairs, i discovered that the carpet must do something odd to the vibrations, as i cant use the yellow hi-hat (or at least its inconsistent registering) but perfect upstairs. Similarly the downstairs TV seems to suffer from more lag, which is also throwing out my playing - it's a Samsung M87, and seem to have gotten a better calibration (+50 on audio and video), but its not as familiar as the usual Toshiba upstairs.

Not sure what to do, downstairs is much cooler, but further from the bathroom? Just funny how much location and TV type can make you better or worse. Not wanting to attempt this twice i'll have to ponder which is better...

EDIT: drum charts: http://rockband.scorehero.com/forum/...pic.php?t=4773

[PlexShaw]

I'm planning to do the Endless Setlist 2 (plus Bladder of Steel) later in the year on Expert vocals, once I've played through all the songs in my bid 100% all of them (I've got 67 out of 84 so far).

How long does it actually take to complete the ESL2, assuming you won't pause the game at any time?

[lentini]

Originally Posted by PlexShaw

How long does it actually take to complete the ESL2, assuming you won't pause the game at any time?

Took me about 6 hours 15 mins without pausing or failing at all

[Stinja]

Well i run thru the tracks the Stats page said wasn't very good at, or had hardly ever played so low scores. Namely:

Shoulder to the Plow
Battery
Peace Sells
Everlong
Any Way You Want It
Colony of Birchmen
Our Truth
Visions
Night Lies
Tangled Up in Blue
One Way or Another
Lump
Master Exploder
Ace of Spades '08

So everything should be 4 stars+ now (once it updates).

I might have a go at looking at my right bass pedal, as it's feeling a little spongy. Otherwise should be all set for when shes off and the big day!

EDIT:

[There was no need for the edit Stinja, lets leave the post as it was shall we?!]

Mmmmm ok. Does seem like a real problem though. Especially 6.5 hours of drumming...

[Stinja]

Well coming up to B-Day!

Teh Mrs is off Sunday early, unfortunately i hurt both my left hand and right shoulder doing martial arts last weekend, and i'm not sure i'll be ok for this weekend

I've definitely improved over the last few months, i can now play Lamb of God's Laid to Rest on Hard comfortably, and the quick double kicks i can do with a rightfoot-leftfoot without thinking about it, also off-beat kicks are much better. Having a goal does sort of give you focus to improve Now i just have to do it...

[BAN5HEE]

Originally Posted by lentini

Took me about 6 hours 15 mins without pausing or failing at all

My wrist will fall off if drummed for 6 hours straight. Infact I think the main reason it hurts when I play drums now is becuase of a drunken night where I did do about 5 hours of drumming non stop...

[Stinja]

Yeah i know what you mean, but i'd be saving any starpower each and every song, and not activate it to cut out 25% or so of the notes - should cut down quite a bit of strain - also on medium there's loads less notes than Hard/Expert.

Had a go on a number of hard tracks and body seems to handle it, so might have a go tomorrow or Monday. Energy bars and nuts stocked. Bottles of water - check. Neighbours gone for the weekend - woot!

EDIT: ok i'm going for it today (Sunday) at about 9am, been prepping everything; food, 4 litres of water, fresh bog roll, empty bottle "just in case" (i measured how much urine i produce with a full bladder, as didnt want a container too small 1.5-2.0l essential), towel for sweat, tissues. Estimated finish 1530ish

[Stinja]

Well finished and one shiny bladder trophy is mine

Not as bad as i thought, and time goes quick too. Saying that i am tired, and slightly sore. Had an urgent bladder need about song 30, dashed off when a BRE came along and only made it back as i was in the red and managed to save from failing out. No other probs apart from that. Drank about 2L of water, a couple of snack bars to keep going.

A bunch of limbs getting tired/sore and then recovering, best advise is to play gently (french grip if you can) and use double kick-pedals so you can ease the strain off just one foot.

Certainly one of the most draining achievements/trophies i've ever done, not difficult as such, but right up there for sense of accomplishment.

[cunners]

Have to say well done! Measuring your urine, thats what i call meticulous planning