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Jan26
Rock Band & Guitar Hero with Real Drums – Part 1: the discovery
4 Comments
This is Part 1 of a multi-part series.
Part 1: the discovery
Part 2: intro and shopping
Part 3: basic setup
Part 4: pro setup (coming soon)Alright, ready for this? My Rock Band 1 kit is not working. The red pad is dead. I’ve tried doing that solder modification (and using the Highly Liquid MSA-P) a bunch of times to get my real electric drums to work. Everytime I try, I fail. I do not know how to solder.
It’s killing me not being able to play RB on drums, or use the e-drum kit that I put together last year.
So, I did some research today. I learned that the GHWT drums has a MIDI-IN port, which I could likely plug my Yamaha/Roland kit into the GHWT kit and play through it. I’m going to go to a local store tomorrow and pick up the GHWT drums.
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If that works, I’ll be able to let my kids use the GHWT drums and plug my real kit into the MIDI-IN port when I want to play.I’ll keep you posted.
If you have any info on the MIDI capabilities of the GHWT kit, or any other similar modifications, let me know in comments.
UPDATE #1: I just got back from Circuit City where I picked up Guitar Hero World Tour (Complete Band) for $151.99, 20% off the original $189.99. That comes with the game, a guitar, and drums (of course). I’m going to setup the drums tonight and first confirm the GHWT kit works with Rock Band 2. Assuming that works fine, I will then test out the MIDI port on the kit to see if I can get my Roland/Yamaha kit to pass though the GHWT kit and work with Rock Band 2.
Since my receipt says “Final Sale“, if it doesn’t work, I will probably just sell the whole GHWT package on eBay. Fingers crossed that I just solved my ongoing drumming dilemna. Oh, I have no interest in keeping the Guitar Hero game or guitar…unless someone gives me a reason to keep them, they will be up on eBay by the end of the week. Stay tuned for an update tomorrow.
3 responses to “Rock Band & Guitar Hero with Real Drums – Part 1: the discovery”
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Hey I saw your link to my MSA-P mod and thought I might be able to point you in the right direction.
Whether or not the Guitar Hero: World Tour kit’s MIDI in option will work for you depends entirely on what electronic drum brain you are using.
See this FAQ below at Section 3.4 for a compatibility table.
http://docsrockbandmods.netforums.us/drum-mods-and-drum-gear-forums-guide-and-faq-vt749.html
For example, the GH:WT MIDI option would NOT work for me and my old DTXplorer brain (because that brain does not support MIDI mapping). So I bought a used Alesis DM5 brain which is compatible. Good luck.
Flash
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Flash,
I didn’t know that Doc had a mod of the GH:WT brain. What’s he charging? It would be nice to keep my GH:WT kit separate for the kids to use, and just have a brain mounted on my Roland rack.
BTW, I’m using a Yamaha TMX (circa 1994) as my drum brain. I used to use it in the ’90s to trigger my acoustic drums for recording and live. I was glad to be able to wipe off the cobwebs and put it back to use. It’s fully MIDI mappable, and works like a charm with Roland pads and cymbals. If anyone can find one, I bet it would be very cheap, and has all the capabilities needed for Rock Band and professional use.
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If you’re a member of Doc’s forum, check out the members-only Gear and Parts Trader section. I think he still is giving members a good deal on his box. Around $100 I think. Worth every penny, IMO.
Flash
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Rock Band 2 & Guitar Hero World Tour with Real Drums – Part 2: intro and shopping | My Gadget, Game & Gizmo Obsession September 22nd, 2009 at 08:47
[...] is Part 2 of a multi-part series. Part 1: the discovery Part 2: intro and shopping Part 3: basic setup Part 4: pro setup (coming [...]
Flash September 22nd, 2009 at 12:03