Redoctane X-Plorer Controller

Publishers Activision and RedOctane released the "RedOctane X-Plorer Controller" bundled with Guitar Hero II for the Xbox 360, some bundles of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, or available separately. This same controller was also bundled with for the personal computer (PC) and Macintosh. The Xbox 360 controller works with the PC using a driver with Windows (XP SP2 or Vista only). The case for the game disc and manual of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock for the PC called the controller the "Guitar Hero 3 Official PC Guitar Controller".

The RedOctane X-Plorer Controller for these games is baised on the Gibson Explorer, a type of electric guitar. It is also the only guitar controller officially supported by Aspyr Media (developer of the PC and Macintosh releases) [cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/49827 | title = Wireless 360 "Guitar Hero III" Controller Compatible with PC Version | publisher = Shacknews | last = Bergfeld | first = Carlos | date = 2007-11-07 | accessdate = 2008-01-31] . The guitar controller plugs into the Xbox 360 via the USB ports. The PC and Macintosh releases have the same software limitation of two local players at a time. The guitar's cord uses the break away cord connection [cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/xbox/review/R26694.html|title=The "X" Difference| publisher=GameFAQs|date=2001-11-27|accessdate=2008-07-12] , like controllers of the original Xbox console.

The controller includes two input connections:
*Xbox 360 accessories, like on the Xbox 360 controller [cite web | url = http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360wirelesscontroller/controllerevolved.htm | title = Xbox 360 Accessories - Controller Evolved | publisher = Xbox.com | last = McLain | first = Alex | accessdate = 2008-07-12]
*RJ14 connector, to be used for a Effects pedal add-on that was never released [cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3158406 | title = Guitar Hero 2 Manual Confirms Effects Pedal | publisher = 1up.com| last=Kollar | first=Philip | date=2007-04-02 | accessdate = 2008-07-12]

The insides of the guitar show a few interesting things:
*The RJ14 connector only uses two of the possible four wires (seen on Model number: 95065)
*There are two jumpers (JP1 and JP2) that are labeled on the curcit board, but are unused (seen on Model number: 95065)
*The strum bar is a rocker switch using three wired for connectivity (seen on Model number: 95065)

When the controller is connect to a Windows Vista or Windowx XP PC, it shows up as a game controller [cite web|url=http://randomfeatures.blogspot.com/2008/01/guitar-hero-3-for-pc.html|title=Guitar Hero 3 for PC|date=2008-01-02|accessdate=2008-07-12] . This allows you to see button presses and the tilt sensors. Currently, only one tilt sensor is used by the Guitar Hero games.

References

There are 3 USB ports on the Xbox 360. This should be updated.