Using Guitar Hero Controller

PS3 Controller

If you have a controller for the Playstation 3, you don't need to buy or download anything. Just remember to set all the keys first.

Xbox 360 Controller

Driver download: Click here and answer several questions about your system to download the proper driver.

Don't forget to set your key settings in the options first too.

Wireless Xbox 360 Controller

You need to buy a $16 adapter here. It also allows you to use all Xbox360 wireless controllers with Windows XP or Vista. The installation CD that comes with it will have all instructions, and drivers that you need.

As stated before, Don't forget to set your key settings in the options first.

Note: For some reason, on my Les Paul Wireless Controller (the one that comes with the GH3 bundle), you have to reverse the pick and secondary pick. So "pick" is upward strum, and "Secondary pick" is downward strum.

Xbox Controller (both regular and 360) (Linux)

There's great documentation for installing the xpad module for your Xbox controller on Linux.
The Ubuntu documentation is pretty solid and it only needs minor tweaks on other distros (tested on Fedora) and can be found here.

PS2 Controller

Other than the guitar controller, you'll just need a PS2-USB adapter. Note: PS2 to PS3 adapter will also work on a PC. They can be obtained online for $5 to $15 on sites like:

  1. Amazon - Generally more reliable then eBay
  2. eBay - Note: Almost all of these cheap adapters from eBay work fine with Frets On Fire. Your mileage may vary.

Don't forget to set your key settings in the options first too. If Frets On Fire doesn't recognize all of the controller's buttons, you may also need to install and use JoyToKey.

Ref: http://www.fretsonfire.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=1;t=37

PS2 Rock Band peripherals (Wireless Guitar, Drum Set)

Nothing extra required, literally plug in and play (after setting the buttons - they are NOT the same as the GH guitar)

Wii Controller

Hardware: You need a Wiimote, a Wii guitar, and a bluetooth card for your computer.
Software: GlovePIE, whatever bluetooth software works with your bluetooth adapter, the game (FoF)!

Many laptops come with bluetooth by default, but otherwise you'll need to head to your nearest electronics store to purchase a compatible USB Bluetooth adapter. Realistically any random bluetooth adapter should work fine. You should first try to use the bluetooth software that came with your adapter, but if you have trouble with that you can try BlueSoleil. If for some reason you're concerned about compatibility, this one has been known to work.

Essentially the Wii guitar is just a modified classic controller that uses the Wiimote for the wireless capability, and i think it also does the tilt recognition as well.

Generally there are a few steps to connecting your Wiimote to your computer:

Make sure bluetooth is enabled on your computer

  1. Tell your computer that you want to add a device or find a device, something to that effect.
  2. When your computer is searching for devices press the 1 and 2 buttons on the Wiimote at the same time. The LEDs on the Wiimote should start flashing.
  3. Follow any onscreen prompts to complete the "pairing" process. Once the computer shows that the Wiimote is connected the LEDs will probably continue to flash non stop on your Wiimote.

Once your Wiimote is connected to your computer via bluetooth, all you have to do is plug in the guitar (if you haven't already) and run GlovePIE to interface with the Wiimote:

  1. Run GlovePIE.
  2. In GlovePIE click File > Open > and find a script that looks like it has something to do with using the guitar (may not be included depending on your version). If you don't have a script, just look below.
  3. Click the Run button in GlovePIE. I have found that the LEDs on my Wiimote don't stop flashing unless i click Run, then Stop. Just press Run again to continue using the script.
  4. Run Frets on Fire and make sure all the buttons on the guitar are mapped correctly in the game so that they do what you want them to do.

If you don't have a GlovePIE script specifically for the Wii guitar, and you don't want/know how to make one, you can find plenty here that should work fine: GlovePIE- FoF. One that works really well and was made just for this forum can be found rednano12's script. There is also a new script that uses the whammy bar to activate star power with a neat rumble effect Eikon's script. The one i suggest (since you're using at least one or two guitars) is a ways down the page, Two player script using two wiiguitars. I suggest this one even if you have only one wiiguitar at the moment, because it will work perfectly and will continue to work fine when/if you decide to bring in a second wiiguitar.

Yes, you can connect two Wiimotes to your computer even with a cheapo bluetooth adapter. Just follow the steps to connect your wiimote twice in a row.

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