Episode 14 – RockBand Drums Controlling GarageBand
Music December 28th, 2007I got Rockband for my Birthday. Someone knows I’ve always wanted to drum. So here’s how you can use the Xbox360 version of the Drum Controller with Garageband. It involves to small pieces of software and just a couple of seconds of configuration. Here are links to the 2 pieces of software you need. They will be installed into your preferences. Both of these programs are shareware so donate if you like it and will be using it. Rock on!
January 4th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Very cool Chris. Looks like fun.
January 17th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Great work.
Thanks!
January 18th, 2008 at 1:25 am
Hi,
I just wanted to say that when I tried this out for the drum controller for an older game called drummania, I foun that musical typing was a bit laggy, making it dificult to actually play in time with garageband. The way I got around this was to use a program called midikeys which converts keypresses to real midi input that garage band picks up. Just thought I’d share the experience.
Shiv
January 18th, 2008 at 6:18 am
I agree that initially it is quite a bit laggy. What seems to help is actually going into record. Then it seems to speed it up. I will have to try midikeys, thanks for the tip. I remember hearing of a program with that name for windows a long time ago.
January 18th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Hey,
I saw your cool video on getting the drum controller working with garageband, with the Xbox controller, Id just like to point out for the people with a PS2/3 set that you can get the completely free software that I hacked together at doles.sytes.net/software.
cheers,
Thor
January 23rd, 2008 at 7:30 pm
I got everything setup and mapped correctly in GPC however when I switch over to Garageband and try to play the keypresses aren’t recognized. I made sure to hit the ‘Start’ button in GPC before switching to GB. I also tried going into TextEdit to see if anything was displayed but nothing there either. Any ideas?
January 24th, 2008 at 11:39 am
After installing the xbox controller driver, you see activity in GPC and then when you hit start, it should send the messages through. Text edit should work. It might be the repeat function that is on. Or I notice to modes at the bottom mine is on mode 2, I think the default.
Chris
February 1st, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Chris, i dint know you were in the DIY scene. felt like i was in class again watching that video. hope all is well man. i bumped into your site via Make:blog.
Cheers
Robert Williams
February 1st, 2008 at 11:37 pm
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April 27th, 2008 at 7:02 am
i downloaded everything but i cant get my drums to turn on when i plug them into the computer the blink once ten nothing
i have no idea what im doing wrong
June 22nd, 2008 at 10:52 am
I”ve installed each driver but after mapping the buttons i move over to Garage Band and nothing! My mac recognizes the controller in both he companion and controller applications but it will not work with musical typing.
Is there something that I’m doing wrong?
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:11 am
That’s 2 in a row. I wonder if something has changed. I will check it out myself. And reply.
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:57 am
Ok I checked out my version. It works fine. I think 3 things could be wrong.
1 – Are you pressing [start] in the Gamepad companion? You can test it after setting up the pads to play specific letters in something like – textedit and see if it types.
2 – Have you used the front usb port the one closest to the trackpad – the back one is a hub and has less power.
3 – Do you have a software instrument track and it is selected in garageband? When you bring up musical typing does typing into the keys actually work? Then the this should work.
I hope this helps.
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:05 am
Thanks a million for replying so quickly!
I’m definately hitting start and all that after mapping the keys. I’ll definately check the textedit this evening to see if thats working.
Could it have anything to do with the fact that i’m using a Mac Mini with a non Mac Keyboard? Or the fact that its a 360 controller. I say this because teh majority of posts I’ve found are just for ps3 controllers. You are one of very few that have pulled it off for the 360.
Thanks a million again!
December 27th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
does anyone know how to make this work for windows and using acid and not garage band?
January 6th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Is there a version/driver available for Rock Band drums for WII?
This is really great and I’m hopeful there is an interface for WII…
March 13th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Just so you know Wii first version drums work withoutj any driver.. plug set your keys and play
very very cool
the wii 1 drums are dirt cheapon ebay
May 13th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Awesome man
http://www.youtube.com/user/RockBand4Free
June 18th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
HELP!!! Ive downloaded everything need and when i plug the rockband x box 360 drums in the USB port on my mini mac The drums just blink once and then nothing . whats wrong ? and i also bought a extra USB hub with a power adapter that plugs in the outlet in the wall but still nothing, Whats wrong –thank you
July 21st, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Oh. My. God. This works sooo well. It saved me thousands of dollars. Now I will finally be able to easily record songs. One question though. How are you able to assign different toms and cymbals to the different drum pads??
August 2nd, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Does anyone know what software you would use for PS2 version of Rockband to work with a Mac? thanks