Best products from r/GuitarHero

I've gotten mine to work very well, save for the whammy bar. I'd recommend getting a USB Bluetooth receiver (I have a built in MOBO Bluetooth receiver but it didn't work). This is the one that I got.

1. Once you've got your Bluetooth receiver, download and install the appropriate drivers for it. In my case I think I just used Lenovo's Bluetooth drivers but yours may be different depending what receiver you get.
   
   
2. Get XPadder (it's only $10) and place it somewhere you can easily access it; I have it in Documents.
   
   
3. Press the PS4 + Share buttons at the same time to reset the controller. The white light should be blinking rapidly.
   
   
4. Open your Bluetooth settings. I'm running Windows 10 so it might look a little different, but you should be able to turn on Bluetooth if it's not already on.
   
   
5. Press and hold the Sync button for ~10 seconds on the controller right next to the D-Pad. Your controller should pop up at this point and you can click Pair. The white light will stay on at this point. If it doesn't pop up, try restarting your computer or reinstalling the drivers. Make sure the drivers are the correct ones for your Bluetooth receiver (unless they're all just generic drivers, I'm unsure).
   
   
6. Open up XPadder and, assuming your controller is connected properly, it should look like this minus the keys and arrow buttons. If it looks like this then your controller isn't being recognized.
   
   
7. From here just click where my image says PDP Rock Band Guitar, yours might be different, and just start pressing all the buttons on the controller to have them recognized. Whammy won't work as far as I know.
   
   
8. Close out of that window and just click the buttons to assign a specific key press. This will correlate with whatever your keyboard settings for GH3 are. You can follow my layout or choose your own.
   
   
9. When launching GH3, just make sure that XPadder is actually on and that your controller is being recognized properly. During the loading screens for GH3 use your keyboard to get to the main menu, then you can use your controller after that. If you use your controller from the start, GH3 will default to thinking that's the main controller when technically with XPadder you're just supplementing your keyboard with the controller.
   
   Hope that helps! :)

Check places like Facebook Marketplace, yard sales and local thrift or pawn shops, you'll sometimes be able to find great deals for controllers.

Otherwise, there are always some for sale on eBay, but expect to pay more.

For wireless 360 guitars, you'll need this reciever.

Wii guitars used to be considered the worst option (aside from cheaply-made third-party controllers) due to latency and connection issues, but according to Acai (one of the top Guitar Hero/Clone Hero players and streamers) this adapter makes them just as good as 360 guitars. So depending on prices, that may be a better option.

Good luck and happy plastic guitarring!

I know for sure that there are dongles that allow you to connect wireless 360 controllers (regular, not the guitar) to a PC. I have never owned anything X-Box related so I can't say if it would work with the guitar controller or not, but I assume it would. I think the dongle supported up to 4 controllers at a time. There wasn't any discernible difference in response time between the dongle+PC setup vs. the X-Box.

Source: Friend had one of them when we lived on the same dorm floor in college.



This looks like what he had. At $30 I'm not sure how cost effective it is, but it might open up some options on new guitars.

https://youtu.be/zQUn5NIW01g

This awesome dude Plumato made a video guide on how to install Guitar Hero 3 PC, 3D Analyze (important, for framerate optimization) and Guitar Hero 3 PC Control Pannel (which allows you to add custom songs)

He has a Google Drive that has all the files you will need. Search "Plumatos drive" on this subreddit or I think there are links to his drive in the discription of the vid I linked

The process is a little complicated but not too bad if you follow the video closely.



Yes you can use your Xbox guitar
A wired xbox 360 Xplorer controler is the best guitar to use and will work with a connected usb break away cable. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0046RMJRU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_6ErMzbVY8FHR8
These guitars arent super easy to find anymore though.

To use wireless a wireless xbox 360 guitar (like the GH3 les paul, world tour guitar, warriors of rock guitar, etc) you will have to buy a xbox to windows wireless reciever https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HZFCT2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_wHrMzbE03S49X

No prob man. I'm not 100% certain about wireless guitars since mine's wired, but I think any Bluetooth dongle will work. If you want to play it safe, the 360 adapter will be your best bet.

That guitar would indeed work on PC, you just need to be sure you have a breakaway cable since I couldn't see on that site if it did include one (https://www.amazon.com/HDE-Xbox-360-USB-Breakaway-Cable/dp/B0046RMJRU). That being said, it's a 360 guitar so it has guaranteed support on Windows as all 360 controllers do.

Going forward though, the amount of work necessary to really be able to play GH3PC is unnecessarily high and I would recommend Clone Hero instead since adding songs to it and getting it running on PC is vastly easier and much less of a pain.

Awesome. Just remember that you need a microsoft XB1 dongle too (https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Xbox-Wireless-Adapter-Windows-one/dp/B00ZB7W4QU/)!

And you have to update the firmware on the controller, listed in the post that /u/RageCS gave you.

It's the best solution if you want a brand new RB guitar and you want to avoid wireless lag.

ALSO: if you get sick of the mushy strumbar in the RB4 Fender Stratocaster, you can pick up a Strum Fix Plus to replace it with. The installation process is listed on his website, but I wouldn't recommend doing this unless you're comfortable with opening electronics up. I did it to my RB1 controllers because I bought them for like $5.

My guitar doesn't work at all, all i can do is tilt, but that's pretty much it, I've tried almost every script for the Les Paul, I'm assuming is probably because mine is a third party Les Paul for the Wii, I got it for $35 new In stock on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Guitar-Wii-Games-Color-Nintendo/dp/B004QSY97W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519627301&sr=8-1&keywords=guitar+hero+3+les+paul+wii

For the record, never use PlayStation guitars. Way too much lag.

I'd actually recommend a Wii guitar. Acai recently found an adapter that makes any Wii guitar just as good as a wired 360 guitar, and you don't even need a Wii remote. See it in action here. Skip to 4:25 in the video to see how it works.

As for where to find them: Check Craigslist, LetGo, and Facebook Marketplace. Also check Goodwills and other thrift stores in your area. Wii guitars are dirt cheap if you want to spend $30 on that adapter. Xplorer guitars are just as good but will probably be a bit more expensive depending on where you buy them. Wireless Xbox 360 guitars are the next best thing but they require a wireless adapter and two AA batteries.

I would get a used Xbox 360 wired or wireless controller. Look for the X-plorer or the Guitar Hero 3 Les Paul. You probably won't find them new online but it's the best option you've got. The GH3 Les Paul can be used with an adapter and the X-plorer you just plug right into your PC.

This supports all the wireless gh guitars and xbox 360 controllers. There are cheaper knock offs you could buy too, search on ebay.

Though I suggest buying the wired xplorer guitar, lot of people think its the best GH guitar out there and its plug and play for pc.

I'm pretty sure the xbox 360 wireless receiver would work for it like any other wireless 360 controller

The top is a third party guitar, the middle is a Kramer, and the bottom is (I think) a rock band two strat. I can only help you with the Kramer though. You need this adapter to use ps2 controllers with USB. You also need this reciever to use the Kramer with anything.

Clone hero recommend this one
https://www.amazon.com/PS2-Playstation-Controller-Adapter-Converter-3/dp/B000NJBD90/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1512502205&sr=8-3&keywords=hde+ps2+to+usb

on their controller spread sheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Xp5DR6Ih6YI-pi2Jzg3G8lWmnTZrKtxEls2jbx4Bw-Q/edit#gid=0

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000HZFCT2/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1521422613&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=microsoft+dongle&dpPl=1&dpID=31MUzPM5aBL&ref=plSrch

That’s the best wireless dongle for XBox controllers (including guitars), I use it, it works flawlessly

I've heard that using this adapter works best, though I've only heard of people using it with wired SGs so your mileage may vary.

here

I literally just typed in guitar hero world tour drum wire. Did you try to find it?

EMiO Edge Gamepad for SNES Mini - Super NES https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073HPD5TC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_KNAsDbNR9G9FK

This is what i found online React Rocker PS2 Guitar Controller for Guitar Hero 1,2 and 3 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PEP17S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_gHYbAbT8K22S2

Being 100% honest, those adapters never seemed to work, I got 4 deep before I went with this.

https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Toslink-Audio-Adapter-107526/dp/B00DILMFNS

Use that plus an rca to female 3.5mm headphone jack so you can plug them in. The only problem with this is you have no volume control. So you’ll need headphones that have volume control built in or plug the rcas into an amp such as the schiit audio headphone amp. Or just be like me and use it at the one volume it works at lol. It’s loudish but to too loud.

If you are having audio lag issues, this is a good fix. I also used an optical cable and ran it directly from the Xbox to my AV receiver and it helps significantly with audio lag in guitar hero games. Usually it goes hdmi->tv->AV so bypassing the tv really helped. Still use hdmi to send the video signal to the tv. But gh2 is still impossible without headphones for me.

Whoa! Right on! Thank you! The E-Drums sounds so cool, I'm not sure I'm ready to invest on a whole separate electric kit just yet. I thought I was gonna tinker with the toy set it came with. By any chance, do you know if there are any drum triggers I can apply to an acoustic drum set that can work with the midi controller you mentioned? Or if it can even work this way? Seems a little unorthodox but I also have an acoustic set laying around.

and is this the adapter?

You could pick up a multi-guitar stand, though the guitar sizing might pale in comparison to real ones..

Reminds me of a dream I had a couple of weeks ago of using Hercules wall mounts! But that's taking it too far... Right?

Does it look like this?

Try this: https://imgur.com/gallery/62Ygt8m It does have a wire, it just has the standard PS2 jack at the end of it. I think you'd need something like this to connect it to PC: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FBM3JEG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_iSJnDbN6VC9VT

Ohh, yeah, that's right. Orange cymbal on the right side.

Amazon sell the cable for cheap!

If you're on a budget I'd recommend the old ps2 controllers. It might be a bit dodgey but CEX does them for £10 and you can get an adapter for £5.

> the Xbox 360 guitars work natively

As long as you have the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver.

The 360 GH:L controller works as well, when you force it to use the Xbox 360 controller drivers.

this is the one i use https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NJBD90/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 i found it has no latency at least the one i have tilt works whammy bar does not it says it does not work with guitar hero guitars but it does

If it's wireless you need this to connect it. There are other cheaper third party receivers but I can't vouch for their quality.

Yes they can, but you will need this adapter: https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Receiver-Windows-Certified-Refurbished-Pc/dp/B00VB2UT3O/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?keywords=xbox+360+windows+adapter&qid=1566213611&s=gateway&sprefix=xbox+360+wind&sr=8-8

If you'd rather go wireless, you can also get one of these and any Xbox360 guitar. It's probably more expensive if you don't already have a guitar laying around though.

Do you have the XBOX 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000YQ7B5W/ref=sr_1_1_twi_dvd_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1454006037&sr=8-1&keywords=guitar+hero+iii+pc

bluetooth receivers will NOT work with Xbox 360 guitars/controllers. You need an Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver. Nothing else will work.

You are going to need one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Authentic-Wireless-Receiver-Windows/dp/B00FAS1WDG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1510701340&sr=8-5&keywords=xbox+360+controller+adapter&dpID=41Pt9de6gxL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

to add to this its the xbox 360 breakaway usb cable like this

Also heres the products i would be using (guitar would be bought used)

ttps://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Paul-Wireless-Guitar/dp/B0017HQDUG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481230940&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Xbox-Wireless-Adapter-Windows/dp/B00ZB7W4QU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1481230885&sr=8-3

Here ya go.

Buy one of these. https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Authentic-Wireless-Receiver-Windows/dp/B00FAS1WDG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502223550&sr=8-1&keywords=xbox+360+pc+adapter

If you do go for a new wireless one try to go for a world tour guitar, if not, then a les Paul or gh5 possibly. Keep in mind if you get a wireless guitar you need an adapter, Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HZFCT2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RvEJzb7RGRJ3R

This one worked for me.

https://www.amazon.com/Controller-Joystick-Converter-Compatible-Playstation-2/dp/B00FBM3JEG/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1539317055&sr=1-9&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=ps2+to+usb+adapter&dpPl=1&dpID=31RWgvGQdZL&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Authentic-Wireless-Receiver-Windows/dp/B00FAS1WDG/ref=mp_s_a_1_3/146-6471626-2594358?ie=UTF8&qid=1542128484&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=xbox+360+wireless+gaming+receiver&dpPl=1&dpID=41Pt9de6gxL&ref=plSrch

This one.

Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HZFCT2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_YM9PzbQS64K0F

i believe this would work

No, the GH live receiver only works with that guitar. If you want to use any other wireless Xbox guitar on PC, you're going to need this.

I use this one: https://www.amazon.com/Controller-Joystick-Converter-Compatible-Playstation-2/dp/B00FBM3JEG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=ps2+to+pc+controller+adapter&qid=1574809838&sr=8-1

I use this with my red SG. I do not have any complaints other than I cannot use the whammy bar or tilt. For $10 its worth at least trying. As far as latency goes I do not have much of an issue, but I do not play competitively, I'm only average in an expert level, no crazy charts.