Retrofit the RockBand hub for pc use (without external power)

Alrighty, well while searching for a decently priced usb gamepad, I wandered into a GameStop, There I did find a 10 dollar usb gamepad, but I also noticed they had a used rockband hub with power supply for 2 bucks. Well, this actually gives me two awesome parts that I could use. The first being the hub itself. The second being a power adapter that I can retrofit a female usb fitting on, and instant usb charging for a cellphone, ipod, w/e. But more on that later. The Rockband hub requires an external power source, rightfully so as those 360 controllers have a pretty mean amp draw on them. However, I have a keyboard, mouse, cellphone, and gamepad that could all be using only one port on my pc, instead of 4. So, not wanting to use the external power to the hub (like a normal person) I wanted to power this off my computers bus. Please note: After you perform this NEVER EVER plug it back into the wall, I'm not really willing to find out what would happen.

Step 1: Crack open the casing.

Easily enough, if you have fingernails, running them along the sides where the top and bottom meet, you'll find the casing will pop right open

Comments

[cotton]

 fail the ps2 ones works without a mod SUCKA :P

[xXdRaGoNrIdDeRXx]

you know you can always bridge them with a diode and then you can use both usb and power adapter.

[tgbennett]

mhm, mine worked with out doing anything to it.

[aloneinshadow]

Worked beautifully! Took me all of 2 minutes to do the mod and now I don't have to mess with another nasty power cable. Works fine with Rock Band and other add ons (I've tried an mp3 players, my fan stand, and battery charger).

[frotastic]

i keep getting a low power notice ..... any suggestions?

[double_d_mfl]

Thank You SOOOOOO MUCH!! I am horrible at soldering, but i managed to not short things out this time again, THANK YOU! saved me $20 xD

[KitsunePaws]

haha, glad I could show you the way :P Just keep in mind, it may not work all that well with rockband now. It might, but I can't test that as I don't have a 360 :) And what I found helped me a lot when I was trying to start soldering, make sure you tin the wire first, but, if you get wire that's a little thicker, and pure copper and bend it the way you want it, you can normally just let it sit there and go to town :) Glad I could help :)

[double_d_mfl]

haha yeah, i havnt had a chance to test it out with rock band on the 360, but, then again, i have never used it to begin with, the 360 has two usb ports in the front, and one in the back, enough for the mic, drums, guitar, and i have a wireless les paul. yes, tinning makes it so much easier, i actually soldered this thing with a small allen wrench held over a torch, not the easiest or cleanest, but it worked :P and again, thanks for the 'ible, i always wondered if it was possible :)

[Chefboy6382]

macro?

[KitsunePaws]

I've uploaded a better photo at the end to give a more detailed shot.