Rock Band 4 on Xbox One Instrument Compatibility FAQ

A list of Xbox 360 instruments that work with the Xbox One

By
Eric Qualls
Eric Qualls
Writer
Former Lifewire writer Eric Qualls has been covering the Xbox line of consoles and Xbox games since August 2004.
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Updated on September 17, 2023
Reviewed by
Jessica Kormos
Jessica Kormos
Reviewed by Jessica Kormos
  • Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others.
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When Rock Band 4 was first announced, Harmonix promised that it was working on making as many of the Xbox 360 drums, guitars, and microphones compatible with the new game as possible. Harmonix has since revealed an extensive list of backward-compatible instruments that work with the Xbox One, so you can use your old Xbox 360 guitar with Rock Band 4 thanks to the Xbox legacy game controller adapter.

This information applies to all versions of the Xbox One, including the Xbox One S and Xbox One X.

Rock Band Legacy Adapter for Xbox One

Because the Xbox 360 controllers use a proprietary wireless signal and the Xbox One uses Wi-Fi Direct for its controllers, using your old wireless Xbox 360 instruments on Xbox One requires an extra adapter. The legacy adapter for Xbox One is a small USB device that you plug into your Xbox One that enables your console to receive signals from your wireless Xbox 360 drums and guitars. In contrast, the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 both use Bluetooth, so no special adapter is needed to play older Rock Band instruments on the PS4. 

The legacy adapter comes bundled with some standalone versions of Rock Band 4. Other hardware bundles that include the new Xbox One guitars, drums, and microphones do not come with the legacy adapter, but you can purchase one separately online. If you buy the digital version of Rock Band 4 on Xbox One, you'll be given instructions on how to get the legacy adapter.

Only instruments from the same console family are backward compatible, so only PlayStation 3 (and some PS2) instruments work on PS4, and only Xbox 360 instruments work on Xbox One.

Which Xbox 360 Instruments Are Compatible with Rock Band 4 for Xbox One?

Just about all of the wireless Xbox 360 instruments are compatible with Rock Band 4 on Xbox One. Most wired instruments, like the original Rock Band drums and guitar or the Guitar Hero 2 controller, are not compatible.

Rock Band 4 Backward-Compatible Guitars

  • Rock Band 1 Wireless Stratocaster
  • Rock Band 2 Stratocaster
  • Rock Band 3 Stratocaster
  • Beatles Rock Band Hofner Bass
  • Beatles Rock Band Rickenbacker 325
  • Beatles Rock Band Duo-Jet Guitar
  • Guitar Hero 5 Guitar
  • Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar
  • Guitar Hero 3 Les Paul
  • Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock Guitar
  • Guitar Hero Aerosmith Les Paul
  • Mad Catz Precision Bass
  • Mad Catz Fender Telecaster

Rock Band 4 Backward-Compatible Drums

  • Guitar Hero World Tour Drums
  • Rock Band 2 Drums
  • Rock Band 3 Drums
  • Beatles Rock Band Ludwig Drums

It's possible to mix and match the new Xbox One instruments with your old Xbox 360 instruments while playing Rock Band 4. You can connect up to four instruments at a time. 

Rock Band 4 Backward-Compatible Microphones

Any wired USB microphone released with previous Rock Band games will work. You do not need the legacy adapter to sync microphones. So long as a controller is synced to your console, you can just plug in your microphone via the USB port.

How to Sync the Xbox One Legacy Adapter

Once you've determined which of your old instruments are compatible with Xbox One, you must set up the legacy adapter. Make sure the instruments that you wish to sync have fresh batteries and follow these steps:

  1. Turn on your Xbox One and start Rock Band 4.

  2. Plug the legacy game controller adapter into the console.

  3. Hold down the Xbox 360 button located in the center of your drum kit or next to the directional pad on your guitar. A green light around the Xbox 360 symbol should start blinking to indicate that the controller is waiting to sync.

  4. Simultaneously hold down the sync button on the legacy adapter and the small wireless button on your instrument for about two seconds.

    For Rock Band guitars, the wireless button can be found where the amp plug would be.

The green light around the Xbox 360 symbol on your instrument should stop blinking, and a solid green light will appear in one of the four corners indicating which player the controller is assigned to.

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