Rock Band Setup

Rock Band Setup Introduction

Nothing could be more annoying than getting a new video game and not knowing how to set it up. Rock Band has all the pieces of the 'fun' puzzle, but how do they fit together? It doesn't matter if you own a Xbox 360 or a Playstation 3, How to Setup Rock Band will guide you through the setup process and get you rocking in no time!

If you would like to see these steps in slide show format, visit How to Set Up Rock Band to view slides.

The official Rock Band Instructions. Photo by Mahalo

Collect all of the drum kit parts: the two black bases, two rods, two telescope rods, drum pad and pedal.
- Drum kit parts. Photo by Mahalo
Start at the base. Take the two rods and slide them horizontally into the inner sides of the one base. Once you get both rods in, fit the other base on the ends. Now you should have the base and rods connected.
- Base and rods. Photo by Mahalo
Fit each telescope rod into the base so they are sticking straight up. Adjust the telescope rods to a desired height. This is done by unclasping the latch on the telescope rods. When the desired height is reached, close the latch to lock the rods.
- Insert the telescope rods. Photo by Mahalo
Place the drum pad on top of the telescope rods. Using a similar latch, lock the drum pads into place.
- Fit the drum pads over the telescope rods. Photo by Mahalo
Place the pedal over the first rod. There are two grooves on the pedal so you can adjust it to what feels comfortable.
- Place the pedal over the rods. Photo by Mahalo
Plug the pedal into the drum pad. The input is located on the backside of the drum pad between the yellow and blue pads.

Because there are several peripherals that you must plug in (guitar, microphone and drums), you will need to know how and where they connect. All of them are routed through one central USB hub that is plugged into a USB port on your console.

The 60/80GB Playstation 3 comes with 4 built in USB ports, while the 40GB version has only 2. The console does not come with a USB hub, but since the guitar is wireless you will be fine plugging in the microphone and drums if you have the 40GB PS3. You can always plug your headset into either your drums or guitar to save one of your USB ports.

If you would like to see these steps in slide show format, visit How to Set Up Rock Band to view slides.

The following instructions are for the Xbox 360 because it comes with a USB hub.

Plug the power chord into the USB hub.
- USB hub and power chord. Photo by Mahalo
Plug the USB hub into one of the USB ports on your Xbox 360 or PS3.
- A USB port on the back of your Xbox 360. Photo by Mahalo
Take the three USB plugs (microphone, drums and guitar) and plug them into the USB hub.
- Three USB plugs plugged into the USB hub. Photo by Mahalo

If you want to play the guitar or drums and sing at the same time, you can use your Xbox Live or PS3 headset.

Plug the headset adapter cable into the console headset.
- The adapter plugged into the headset. Photo by Mahalo
Clip the the adapter clip over the console headset.
- Headset with clip and adapter. Photo by Mahalo
Plug the adapter cable into the input located on the bottom of the guitar or the center control panel of the drum set.
- Headset plugged into guitar. Photo by Mahalo