How to Set Up Rock Band

The video game Rock Band comes with a lot of parts and detailed information on how to connect them. This How to Set Up Rock Band page will help guide you through your Rock Band setup quest.

Introduction
- Nothing could be more annoying than getting a new video game and not knowing how to set it up. Rock Band gives you all the pieces to the fun puzzle, but how do they fit together? Whether you own an Xbox 360 or a Playstation 3, this page on how to set up Rock Band will guide you through the setup process and get you rocking in no time!
Checklist
The official Rock Band Instructions. Photo by Mahalo
- Here is a list of everything that comes in your Rock Band bundle:
- Rock Band game
- USB hub
- Two headset adapters
- One microphone
- One Fender Stratocaster guitar
- One guitar strap
- Two drumsticks
- One drum kit (8 parts):
  - Two feet/base
  - Two small rods
  - Two telescope rods
  - Drum pads
  - Kick drum pedal
Assemble the Drum Kit
1. Collect all of the drum kit parts: two black bases, two rods, two telescope rods, drum pads and pedal. See slide 1.
2. Start at the base. Take the two rods and slide them horizontally into the inner side of one base. Once you get both rods in, fit the other base on the ends. Now you should have the base and rods connected. See slides 7-8.
3. 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. See slides 9-11.
4. Place the drum pads on top of the telescope rods. Using a similar latch, lock the drum pads into place. See slides 12-14.
5. Place the pedal over the first rod. There are two grooves on the pedal so you can adjust it. See slide 15.
6. Plug the pedal into the drum pad. The input is located on the backside of the drum pad between the yellow and blue pads. See slide 16.
7. Quiet that riot. One complaint about the drum kit is that it is too noisy during game play. One way to dull the loud rapping on the hard plastic drum pads is to use mouse pad material.
- If you don't see the slide show below, visit Rock Band Setup to view images.
USB Hub and Connections
- 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.
Playstation 3
- The 60/80GB Playstation 3 comes with four built-in USB ports, while the 40GB version has only two. 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.
Xbox 360
- The following instructions are for the Xbox 360 because it comes with a USB hub.
1. Plug the power cord into the USB hub.
2. Plug the USB hub into one of the USB ports on your Xbox 360 or PS3.
3. Take the three USB plugs (microphone, drums and guitar) and plug them into the USB hub.
- If you don't see the slide show below, visit Rock Band Setup to view images.
Using Your Headset as a Microphone
- If you want to play the guitar or drums and sing at the same time, you can use your Xbox Live or PS3 headset.
1. Plug the headset adapter cable into the console headset.
2. Clip the adapter clip over the console headset.
3. Plug the adapter cable into the input located on the bottom of the guitar or the center control panel of the drum set.
- If you don't see the slide show below, visit Rock Band Setup to view images.
Resources for How to Set Up Rock Band
- Gizmodo: Rock Band Instruments Review
- Yahoo! Games: Rock Band 101: Set Up
- Joystiq: Cheap mod quiets Rock Band drums