Connecting Guitar Hero Peripherals To PC

This is a Definitive Guide to Connecting Guitar Hero Peripherals. This guide is only written and tested with Offical RedOctane & Activision Guitars, Drums, and DJ Turntables.

Prerequisites & Info

Info

This is a Definitive Guide to Connecting Guitar Hero Peripherals to your PC for use with Guitar Hero and Clone Hero. This guide is only written and tested using Official RedOctane & Activision Guitar Hero, Band Hero and DJ Hero Guitars, Drums, and DJ Turntables with Official Nintendo Wii Remotes and Official PlayStation 3 Adapters. Any aftermarket, 3rd party and unofficial adapters detailed in this guide will be the only addressed as working after my personal testing, your experience may vary and nothing is guaranteed to work.

Quick Prerequisites:

Some more detailed information is in each types section.

Wired Instruments are plug and play.

A Wireless Adapter/Dongle(s) are needed for each type of wireless Instruments we will connect.

PS2 Wired Instruments require a USB adapter

PS2 Wireless Instruments require a USB adapter and/or their original Wireless Dongle

PS3 Instruments require a dongle specific to their model.

Xbox 360 Instruments require the universal Xbox 360 Wireless Controller dongle.

PS3, Xbox 360 & Wii U Guitar Hero Live Guitars require an Xbox 360 model dongle.
⚠️Guitar Hero Live For iOS Guitars will not work with any adapter.⚠️

Wii Instruments require a Bluetooth adapter or PC/Laptop with integrated Bluetooth and a 3rd party program to connect and operate.

For best Compatibility with all Games and Programs

Open Steam settings
Click "General Controller Settings"
Make sure "Xbox Configuration Support" is unchecked.

Prepping Bluetooth for Wii Remotes:

Windows 10 & 11 have a popup in the bottom-right corner of the screen that says "Tap to set up your Nintendo-RVL-CNT-01", you must disable this option.

⚙️Open Settings
🎚️Open Bluetooth & Devices
Windows 10
🖱️Click on More Bluetooth Options
Window 11
🖱️Click View More Devices
🖱️Click on More Bluetooth Options
❌Uncheck alert me when a new bluetooth device wants to connect

Dolphin Settings

Make sure your controller settings match in dolphin when using official wii instruments.

Wired Peripherals

Xplorer & Kiosk Guitars

✔️Tilt is functional
✔️Whammy is functional
✔️Xenia is supported
✔️PCSX2 is supported
✔️RPCS3 is supported
✔️Dolphin is supported
✔️Guitar Hero II Deluxe is supported
✔️Guitar Hero III PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero Aerosmith PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour Definitive Edition is supported
✔️Clone Hero is supported

Guitar Hero II & Guitar Hero III Xplorer
Guitar Hero II Prerelease Promo Kiosk Xplorer
Guitar Hero III Kiosk Les Paul
Guitar Hero Aerosmith Kiosk Les Paul
Guitar Hero World Tour Kiosk Genericaster
Guitar Hero 5 Kiosk Genericaster
Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock Kiosk Axe
Guitar Hero Live Kiosk Hero Power Guitar
DJ Hero Kiosk Turntable
These are plug and play.
To use connect to your PC, no drivers to install or software needed.

Arduino/Pi Pico/Adafruit Feather(DIY)

🔧Tilt can be added when building.
✔️Whammy is functional
✔️Xenia is supported
✔️PCSX2 is supported
✔️RPCS3 is supported
✔️Dolphin is supported
✔️Guitar Hero II Deluxe is supported
✔️Guitar Hero III PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero Aerosmith PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour Definitive Edition is supported
✔️Clone Hero is supported
Kit can be purchased Here[www.etsy.com]
Typiically $14-17
(Requires a Donor Guitar, Arduino/Pi Pico/Adafruit Feather, Soldering Equipment, wires, free software[sanjay900.github.io] to program and some knowhow)
Pre-modded guitars can be found on various botique shops online.
To use connect to your PC, no drivers to install or software needed.
These Modded Guitars are plug and play.

Ardwiino adapter(Wii Plug & Play)

✔️Whammy is functional
✔️Xenia is supported
✔️PCSX2 is supported
✔️RPCS3 is supported
✔️Dolphin is supported
✔️Guitar Hero II Deluxe is supported
✔️Guitar Hero III PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero Aerosmith PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour Definitive Edition is supported
✔️Clone Hero is supported
This can be purchased Here[www.etsy.com]
Typically $12-16
❌Tilt is not functional
This can be purchased Here[www.etsy.com]
Typically $16-20
✔️Tilt is functional
These adapters are plug and play.
To use connect to your PC, no drivers to install or software needed.

raphnet adapter(Wii Plug & Play)

This can be purchased Here[amzn.to]
Typically $45-60
❌Tilt is not functional
✔️Whammy is functional
✔️Xenia is supported
✔️PCSX2 is supported
✔️RPCS3 is supported
✔️Dolphin is supported
✔️Guitar Hero II Deluxe is supported
✔️Guitar Hero III PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero Aerosmith PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour Definitive Edition is supported
✔️Clone Hero is supported
These adapters are plug and play.
To use connect to your PC, no drivers to install or software needed.
Optional software may be installed to double polling rate.

EMiO Edge adapter(Wii Plug & Play)

This can be purchased Here[amzn.to]
Typically $8-15
❌Tilt is not functional
❌Whammy is not functional
❌Guitar Hero III PC is not supported
❌Guitar Hero Aerosmith PC is not supported
❌Guitar Hero World Tour PC is not supported
✔️PCSX2 is supported
✔️RPCS3 is supported
✔️Xenia is supported
✔️Dolphin is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour Definitive Edition is supported
✔️Clone Hero is supported
⚠️Calibrate Whammy Deadzone in Clone Hero
To use connect to your PC
Hold Minus/Star Power For 5-10 Seconds.
You will hear a disconnect notifcation sound.
Release the button after the notifcation and you are ready to bind controls.

Guitar Hero Microphone

✔️Guitar Hero World Tour is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour Definitive Edition is supported

These are plug and play.
To use just connect to your PC, no drivers to install or software needed.
Use these settings for Optimal Play in Guitar Hero World Tour and Definitive Edition

PlayStation 2 Peripherals

Wired

Requires PlayStation 2 Adapter
This can be purchased Here[amzn.to]
Typically $8-15
❌Tilt is not functional
❌Whammy is not functional
❌Guitar Hero III PC is not supported
❌Guitar Hero Aerosmith PC is not supported
❌Guitar Hero World Tour PC is not supported
✔️PCSX2 is supported
✔️RPCS3 is supported
✔️Xenia is supported
✔️Dolphin is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour Definitive Edition is supported
✔️Clone Hero is supported

Guitar Hero 1&2 SG Black
Guitar Hero 1&2 SG Red
Guitar Hero 1&2 SG Special Edition White & Red
Guitar Hero 1&2 SG Limited Edition Woodgrain
Guitar Hero 1&2 SG Limited Edition Woodburst

Wireless

Requires PlayStation 2 Adapter
⚠️Requires Original Wireless Reciever⚠️
This can be purchased Here[amzn.to]
Typically $8-15
❌Tilt is not functional
❌Whammy is not functional
❌Guitar Hero III PC is not supported
❌Guitar Hero Aerosmith PC is not supported
❌Guitar Hero World Tour PC is not supported
✔️PCSX2 is supported
✔️RPCS3 is supported
✔️Xenia is supported
✔️Dolphin is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour Definitive Edition is supported
✔️Clone Hero is supported

Guitar Hero III RedOctane
Guitar Hero III Kramer
Guitar Hero World Tour Genericaster
Guitar Hero Metalica Genericaster

USB Peripherals

Guitar Hero 5 Genericaster
Guitar Hero World Tour Drums
Guitar Hero 5, Warriors of Rock and Band Hero Drums

PlayStation 3 Peripherals

🔗One instrument may be attached to an adapter at a time.
❌Tilt is not functional
❌Guitar Hero Aerosmith PC is not supported
❌PCSX2 is not supported
❌RPCS3 is not supported
❌Xenia is not supported
✔️Whammy is functional
✔️Dolphin is supported
✔️Guitar Hero III PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour Definitive Edition is supported
✔️Clone Hero is supported
⚠️Set Whammy Axis to Inverted In GHWTDE⚠️

PS3 Instruments require a dongle specific to their model.

This is a Les Paul Adapter and is compatible with:
Guitar Hero III and Guitar Hero Aerosmith Les Paul
Guitar Hero World Tour Genericaster
Guitar Hero Metallica Genericaster

This is a Guitar Hero World Tour Adapter and is compatible with:
Guitar Hero III and Guitar Hero Aerosmith Les Paul
Guitar Hero World Tour Genericaster
Guitar Hero Metallica Genericaster

This is a Band Hero/Guitar Hero 5 Adapter and is compatible with:
Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero Genericaster

This is a Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock Adapter and is compatible with:
Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock Axe

This is a Guitar Hero drum adapter only compatible with Drum Kits
This is a Band Hero drum adapter only compatible with Drum Kits
Guitar Hero World Tour Drums
Guitar Hero 5, Warriors of Rock and Band Hero Drums

This is a DJ Hero Turntable adapter and is compatible with DJ Hero 1 & 2 Turntables

• To use just connect the dongle to your PC, no drivers to install or software needed.
  
• Plug in the wireless adapter
  
• Hold the PS/Sync button on your Instrument and then do the same on the wireless adapter until both blink rapidly.
  
• After a moment it should connect and show the corresponding player LED lit.
  
• Repeat for other players or move on to binding your controller.

Xbox 360 Wireless Peripherals

Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Adapter

Xbox 360 5 Fret Guitars, Drums and Turntables require an this adapter.
🔗4 instruments may be attached to the adapter at a time.
✔️Tilt is functional
✔️Whammy is functional
✔️Xenia is supported
✔️PCSX2 is supported
✔️RPCS3 is supported
✔️Dolphin is supported
✔️Guitar Hero II Deluxe is supported
✔️Guitar Hero III PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero Aerosmith PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour PC is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour Definitive Edition is supported
✔️Clone Hero is supported
❌Guitar Hero Live is not supported
❌Guitar Hero TV Reloaded is not supported


This is a Microsoft Official Xbox 360 Wireless adapter
The official Microsoft branded adapters are no longer in production.
These are plug and play.
To use just connect to your PC, no drivers to install or software needed.

This is the aftermarket adapter. ($30-40)
These aftermarket options are the only available on the market anymore.
This can be purchased Here[amzn.to]
Since these aren't official adapters we will have to manually install drivers:

• Plug in the wireless adapter.
  
• Open the start menu and search for "Device manager"

• Right click on the "Unknown device" in the "Other Devices" section and click "Update driver"

• Click on "Browse my computer for drivers"

• Click "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer"

• Scroll to the bottom of the list and click "Xbox 360 Peripherals" then click Next

• Click "Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows" then click next

• You will get a warning, disregard and Click Yes to continue.

• After a moment it will install.

• You should now see the "Xbox 360 Peripherals" category and "Xbox 360 Wireless Reciever for Windows" within it.

• Now click the Sync button on your Instrument and then do the same on the wireless adapter. After a moment it should connect and show the corresponding player LED lit.

These Xbox 360 Peripherals connect to this adapter:

Guitar Hero III and Guitar Hero Aerosmith Les Paul
Guitar Hero World Tour Genericaster
Guitar Hero Metallica Genericaster
Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero Genericaster
Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock Axe
Guitar Hero World Tour Drums
Guitar Hero 5, Warriors of Rock and Band Hero Drums
DJ Hero 1 & 2 Turntables

Guitar Hero Live Adapter

🔗1 instrument may be attached to an adapter at a time, multiple adapters required for multiple guitars.
✔️Tilt is functional
✔️Whammy is functional
✔️RPCS3 is supported.
✔️Guitar Hero TV Reloaded[github.com] is supported.
✔️Clone Hero is supported
❌Guitar Hero III PC is not supported
❌Guitar Hero Aerosmith PC is not supported
❌Guitar Hero World Tour PC is not supported
❌Guitar Hero World Tour Definitive Edition is not supported

This adapter is required for 6 Fret/GHL Guitars on PC
All Xbox, PlayStation and Wii U Guitar Hero Live Guitars can be used this adapter.
⚠️Guitar Hero Live For iOS Guitars will not work with any adapter.⚠️
This can be purchased Here[amzn.to]
Typically $40-60

To setup we must install drivers:

• Plug in the wireless adapter.
  
• Open the start menu and search for "Device manager"

• Right click on the "Guitar Hero" in the "Other Devices" section and click "Update driver"

• Click on "Browse my computer for drivers"

• Click "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer"

• Scroll to the bottom of the list and click "Xbox 360 Peripherals" then click Next

• Click "Xbox 360 Controller for Windows" then click next

• You will get a warning, disregard and Click Yes to continue.

• After a moment it will install.

• You should now see the "Xbox 360 Peripherals" category and "Xbox 360 Controller for Windows" within it. Your adapter should now light up.

• Now click the Sync button on your Guitar until the LEDs blink rapidly and then do the same on the wireless adapter. After a moment it should connect and show the corresponding player LED lit.

Guitar Hero Live Hero Power Guitar

• Repeat for other players or move on to binding your controller.

Wii Wireless Peripherals

⚠️Bluetooth Adapter or built in bluetooth required.⚠️
❌Guitar Hero III PC is not supported
❌Guitar Hero Aerosmith PC is not supported
❌Guitar Hero World Tour PC is not supported
✔️Tilt is functional
✔️Whammy is functional
✔️Xenia is supported
✔️PCSX2 is supported
✔️RPCS3 is supported
✔️Dolphin is supported
✔️Guitar Hero II Deluxe is supported
✔️Guitar Hero World Tour Definitive Edition is supported
✔️Clone Hero is supported

Bluetooth Adapter Tested($8-15)
Can connect up to 4 Guitars and Drums at the same time.
This can be purchased Here[amzn.to]
Requires use of a 3rd Party program and Official Nintendo Wii Remotes
This is the bluetooth adapter tested and is compatible with:
Guitar Hero III and Guitar Hero Aerosmith Les Paul
Guitar Hero World Tour Genericaster
Guitar Hero Metallica Genericaster
Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero Genericaster
Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock Axe
Guitar Hero World Tour Drums
Guitar Hero 5, Warriors of Rock and Band Hero Drums
DJ Hero Turn Table

⚠️IMPORTANT⚠️
Wiitar Thing only works with first party Nintendo branded Wiimotes, and Nintendo branded Wii Motion Plus Wiimotes. 3rd party/off brand Wiimotes will not work whatsoever. Wiitar Thing only works with Offical RedOctane & Activision Guitars and Drums.

Disconnect any XInput-compatible devices such as Xbox 360 controllers/guitars, Xbox One/Series controllers, PS4/PS5 controllers, etc.

Install Wiitar Thing and SCP Driver

WiitarThing lets you use Wii Guitar Hero guitars (a.k.a. "Wiitars") and Wii Guitar Hero drums (a.k.a. "Wiidrums") wirelessly on Windows PCs with high performance (built with Clone Hero and GHWTDE in mind).

⬇️Download Wiitar Thing and SCP Driver Here[github.com]

📁Extract Wiitar Thing to the location you intend to keep it.
📂Extract WiitarThing_SCP_Driver into the Wiitar Thing folder.
⚠️Run the ScpDriver.exe program as an Administrator.
✔️CHECK the Configure Service checkbox at the bottom.
❌UNCHECK the Bluetooth Driver checkbox at the bottom.
✔️CHECK the Force Install checkbox at the bottom.
🖱️Click the "Install" button and wait for installation to finish.
🖱️Restart your PC after installation as it promts you then continue this guide.

Run WiitarThing as an Administrator

• Plug the Wiimote into the peripheral before continuing.

• Click the REMOVE ALL WIIMOTES button to make sure you do not have any Wiimotes registered to your computer.

• Wiitar thing will restart.

• Press the SYNC Button in the top left corner of WiitarThing
  
• Press the red SYNC button on the inside of your Wiimote's battery cover (1+2 may also work if this is giving you issues.)

⚠️NOTE⚠️If Wiitar thing shows: “Found Wiimote ("Nintendo RVL-CNT-01"). Attempting to pair now... Wiimote not responding to Bluetooth pair signal…“ try hard resetting the Wiimote by holding the red sync button in the battery compartment for 10 seconds, this will force it into pairing mode, and clear previously established connections. After this is performed the first time the Wiimote will reconnect with your device using the 1+2 buttons if it has not been connected to another device since the last pairing.

• Once the device Is connected successfully then click "ok".

• The Wiimote should appear in the list on the left side of the window.
  
• If or plan to use your Guitar, Drums or DJ Hero Turn Table with dolphin close Wiitar Thing and move on to dolphin.

• Click the CONNECT button on the menu next to the Wiimote you want to use and then choose Player 1, 2, 3, or 4.

• Press 1+2 on the Wiimote you want to use and click OK on the prompt telling you to do so.

• If functioning properly your Wiitar/Wiidrums will be connected.

• Repeat for other players or move on to binding your controller.

⚠️NOTE⚠️You may now reconnect any XInput-compatible devices like Xbox 360 guitars for multiplayer.

/r/GuitarHero blackballs this guide

Mods at /r/GuitarHero take down my post and refuse to respond regarding removing my guide and tagging me on their subreddit as "Actually an Idiot" after spending months and hundreds of dollars to test and create this guide.

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[Jazzverso]

That is unfortunately the case. What platform is the Les Paul? If it is Xbox360 you need the wireless controller adapter.

[chichi]

I think I misread... So I cannot use the les paul 5 fret with the GH Live adapter... I bought the wrong thing hhhhhhhhhhh

[chichi]

Hi Jazzverso, I have the Guitar Hero 3 Les Paul controller and the 360 GH Live adapter. Followed the instructions perfectly and the controller still wont connect to the adapter

[Jazzverso]

Probably a bad capacitor in the guitar, need a 220uf 10v capacitor and a soldering iron. I replaced a couple on the PS3 guitars I tested. It's something you could do even if its your first time soldering. Google it and there should be an image of the board and which one needs replaced. You can get the capacitors here: https://amzn.to/3PxRbNf

[Jon.Topps]

I have the les paul thing. Originally for PS3. When I plug it in the receiver will blink and stuff like it should. When I push the playstation button on the guitar, it lights up, and starts blinking. If I hold down the button, it blinks rapidly (which I believe it should). It then "almost" holds the the 1st bar more solid but does blink a little bit, and the others blink normally, which is weird. The computer recognizes the receiver, but the guitar itself doesn't seem to connect to it.

Any ideas? Thanks!

[Jazzverso]

As the guide states:
All Xbox, PlayStation and Wii U Guitar Hero Live Guitars can be used with the Xbox 360 GH Live adapter.

[Dimanio]

Sorry but what about guitar hero live for xbox one?

[Jazzverso]

As the guide states:
⚠️Guitar Hero Live For iOS Guitars will not work with any adapter.⚠️

[Dimanio]

What about guitar hero live for iOS?

[Jazzverso]

No prob! It is a very common issue with the PS3 guitars unfortunately.