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Video Game Drums

The Guitar Hero and Rock Band games both featured drums as a playable instrument. The Rock Band games used a 4-lane layout with optional cymbals, while the Guitar Hero games used a 5-lane layout. Both types are compatible with Clone Hero.

The following page lists all known officially-licensed drum kits that were made for the aforementioned games, along with their downsides and compatibility information.

For mapping information, visit the drum mapping guide.

 

Rock Band 4-Lane Drums

Standard Rock Band drum kits come with 4 pads and a kick pedal. Cymbals were available in the "pro" variants of all kits past Rock Band 1, and could also be purchased separately.

Rock Band 1

RB1 PS2 Wii.png

Platform(s): Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
Pros: Typically easy to find second hand for low price. All variants are wired.
Cons: Low quality foot pedal, pads are loud and "Clacky", No cymbal support, No velocity support, low quality build that breaks easily.

Windows
  • PS2/PS3/Xbox 360/Wii: Requires connecting via USB.
Mac
  • PS2/PS3/Wii: Requires connecting via USB.

  • Xbox 360: Requires an adapter that can convert Xinput into other APIs, such as the Mayflash Magic NS2.
Linux
  • PS2/PS3/Xbox 360/Wii: Requires connecting via USB.

Rock band 2/3/Beatles 

RB2 RB3.png

Platform(s): Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
Pros: Supports 2x pedals and up to 3 cymbals, velocity-sensitive.
Cons: Pedals/pads are prone to breaking, cymbals are hard to find separately.
Notes: The dongles for RB2, RB3, and Beatles RB are interchangeable on the same platform, additionally, the PS2 and PS3 dongles are also interchangeable.

Windows
Mac
Linux

Rock Band 4

RB4.png

Platform(s): Playstation 4, Xbox One
Pros: Supports 2x pedals and up to 3 cymbals, velocity-sensitive.
Cons: Pedals/pads are prone to breaking, cymbals are hard to find separately, PS4 cymbals don't work on PC without additional software.

Windows
Mac
  • PS4: Requires connecting via Bluetooth. No cymbal support.

  • Xbox One: Unknown.
Mac
  • PS4: Requires connecting via Bluetooth. No cymbal support.

  • Xbox One: Unknown.

ION Drum Rocker

Ion Drum Rocker.png

Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
Pros: Sturdiest frame out of the Rock Band kits, generally high quality, 2x pedal support, velocity-sensitive.
Cons: Hard to find, typically as expensive as a budget e-kit while lacking features of one.

Windows
  • PS3/Xbox 360/Wii: Requires connecting via USB.
Mac
  • PS3/Wii: Requires connecting via USB.

  • Xbox 360: Requires an adapter that can convert Xinput into other APIs, such as the Mayflash Magic NS2.
Linux
  • PS3/Xbox 360/Wii: Requires connecting via USB.

Rock Band Portable Kit

RB Portable.png

Platform(s): Xbox 360
Pros: Portable, wired
Cons: Generally terrible, unreliable, and with minimal features.

Windows
  • Xbox 360 Requires connecting via USB.
Mac
  • Xbox 360: Requires an adapter that can convert Xinput into other APIs, such as the Mayflash Magic NS2.
Linux
  • Xbox 360 Requires connecting via USB.

Guitar Hero 5-Lane Drums

Guitar hero drum kits come with 3 pads, 2 cymbals, and a kick pedal. While they are fully compatible with Clone Hero, it does not have a visual 5-lane mode.

GH5, WOR, Band Hero Kit

GH5 Drums.png

Platform(s): Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
Pros: Good pads, supports 2x pedals, velocity-sensitive.
Cons: Questionable cymbal quality, flimsy frame.

Windows
Mac
Linux

GH World Tour Kit

World Tour Drums.png

Pros: Typically cheaper than the GH5/WOR Kit, velocity-sensitive.
Cons: Low quality cymbals, flimsy frame and pedals.

Windows
Mac
Linux

Logitech Premium Wireless GH Kit

GH Logitech.png

Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
Pros: Supports 2x Kick pedals, high quality pads and cymbals.
Cons: Very hard to find. Similar to the Ion kit it typically sells for as much as real e-kit.
Consensus: The most well built 5-lane kit, if you want 5-lane this is the probably the best one to get, but sadly you're unlikely to ever find it for a reasonable price.

Windows
Mac
Linux

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