Mod Rock Band 2 Cymbals for Electronic Drums, Guitar Hero, or Rock Band 1

Yes, I've found a way to use the new rockband cymbal pack on the old Rock Band one kit or an Electronic drumset! It's pretty simple so here we go!

Step 1 Stuff

Alright so you're going to need some materials for this project. Go to your nieghberhood electronic shack and buy these materials.

*** MATERIALS ***

Electrical Tape or Solder
Screwdriver (Phillips head)
Rock Band 2 Cymbal Expansion Kit
Scissors

For Rock Band 1 kit: 1/8 inch mono audio wire
For Electronic Kit: 1/4 inch mono audio wire

Comments

[hamolton]

nice idea and link :) will these work with with rock band 3 pro mode?

[Kethler]

Has anyone tried this mod to make the Rock Band II cymbals work on the GHWT drum set?

[Kethler]

Pic of the finish product..

[Kethler]

Update. I used your mod last night - worked like a charm. Bypassing the circuit board inside the rockband cymbal was the key to making them register with the Guitar Hero drumset - ty. Just a couple of things I'd point out:
1: if you are going to solder the wires (as I did) disassemble the drum set and uplug the connector from the circuit board (may not be necessary, but I always error on the side of caution). While dis-assembled, you can remove the old mounting posts for the GHWT cymbals.
2. I used the stock mounting posts for the Rock Band cymbals where the legs meet the bottom of the drum pad. Have a full roll of electric tape handy, as you'll have to increase the diameter of the leg a little bit to get a tight grip. I also created a stacked roll just underneath the bracket on the leg so the bracket couldn't slip down over time.
3. Instead of gutting the old wiring off the new cymbals, I just hard wired it to my existing drum set (come to find out, both of my GHWT cymbal wires had become chaffed from use). Some sort of break away mechanism to detach the wires may be in order if you plan to move your set, but mine pretty much stay put so wasn't required.
4. I did have some sensitivity issues with double notes off the yellow cymbal. I was able to pretty much overcome this by lowering the cymbal closer to the drum pad and (as others have mentioned) taking a mouse pad: place a hole in the center and laid it on top of the cymbal, secured by the mounting cap. The one I choose to use also had a palm rest which I placed to the rear of the cymbal as a counter balance. A little trim work at the front of the cymbal and no problems.

Nice write up MilotisX - Thanks for the pointers!

[MilotisX]

Im so glad that you used this! I really wasn't sure if anyone else had any idea what i was talking about, I'm somewhat of a beginner, so i'm glad that i at least got you started, I'l add your notes into the ible if you want!

Thank you for the feedback!

[beastman27]

Hey does anyone have any idea if this will work with the Rock Band 3 PRO mode?
I have rock band 1 drums for wii and i want to get the cymbals without having to buy a new drumset.

[Bruno1]

Hi ! Thank´s for share. Im a drummer thinking take your project route.2 questions: is the pad very loudy ? It seems to be a hard plastic and not rubber to mute sound and give it some softness. Thank,s.

[MilotisX]

while the cymbal is plastic, The area where you would hit is padded with rubber that makes it reeeealy quiet. much more than the drums from rock band. Thanks for checking ths out!

[nickelbackfan]

So you can buy rock band two cymbals and after all this you can turn it for rock band 1 cymbals?

[MilotisX]

indeed

[eustaqui]

Thank you very much, I had both cymbals broken on my ghwt drums, and this works perfectly!!!

[MilotisX]

thank you sooooo much for the feedback!! I'm really glad it worked out for you!

[ZackBlack]

I did this myself for my drum kit. I didn't need to re-wire them though, I just ripped out that electronic board and resoldered the existing wire to the pezo. Good 'ibble though.

[MilotisX]

same concept haha

[eustaqui]

It works, it works on ghwt drum!!!!!!!

[Robot Lover]

i have this thing that you can put onto the end of the cord that looks like and works like the last pic on step 1

[Robot Lover]

kinda sucks huh?!

[Robot Lover]

i would let you have it but i have no clue who the heck you are.

[MilotisX]

im sry dude but what are you talking about? hahaha is it this http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21X8WQY957L._SL500_AA240_.jpg ???? thanks though haha

[Robot Lover]

yeah

[MilotisX]

yeah u need more than that to make it work

[Robot Lover]

sorry for all the comments but good job.

[MilotisX]

yeah btw u were wrong i don't know if you got that

[ShadowChaosControl]

couldn't one just use an adapter, and not have to cut any wires, i have a couple adapters lying around my house

[MilotisX]

nobecause the wire desn't come straight from the piezo, thats where the work comes in