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Automate Guitar Hero

Monday, February 25th, 2008 – running time 16:30
Automate Guitar Hero
Cheating At Guitar Hero: An introduction to show controllers, by David Randolph

David Randolph's back to Systm with a vengeance, out from the studio and dipping into his previous life building interactive museum displays... to cheat at Guitar Hero.

Or, to look at it in a different light, David's figured out how to automate Guitar Hero by wiring one of Gilderfluke & Co's spiffy "Show Control Systems" the BR-miniBrick8 into a Guitar Hero Guitar.

And the tricky part, of course, programming it to play Foghat's "Slow Ride."

Wondering what exactly a Show Controller is? Think tiny gadget that can turn other devices on and off... or trigger them... or, you know, control them!

They're a integral part of the museum exhibits David used to make for a living!

Highlights
Guitar Hero ( 0:11, 1:48, 5:11, 5:13, 5:14, 5:15, 8:51, 0:11, 1:48, 5:11, 5:13, 5:14, 5:15, 8:51 ) hard drives ( 13:20, 13:20 ) Hillary Clinton ( 5:10, 5:10 ) amusement park ( 1:06, 1:06 ) Guitar Hero ( 0:11, 1:48, 5:11, 5:13, 5:14, 5:15, 8:51, 0:11, 1:48, 5:11, 5:13, 5:14, 5:15, 8:51 ) hard drives ( 13:20, 13:20 ) Hillary Clinton ( 5:10, 5:10 ) amusement park ( 1:06, 1:06 )

Automatically Generated Transcript(may not be 100% accurate) ( more )

" Okay."

" It's official. I stuck Guitar Hero one directory even on the easy levels though that's big on system I would teach you how to -- that. System that now the before we start to show it but I don't think our sponsors. Netflix dot com. GoDaddy. And go to my PC. Welcome to this -- I'm Dave -- off. And you might notice -- not here this week he's actually at home sick so they brought at a retirement little bit early. To -- the -- project. What we're gonna basically start off with is that the want to talk about show control. So controllers used by the museum industry amusement park anything like that. Back in the day to build it took science museum interactive exhibits stuff like that I got to play with ought. And I wanted to -- very simple one it's made by a company called guild of the out of Burbank California. And this is a little eight channel show controller. And what it basically has is that had I've -- well okay storage on. And you can store programs -- so it's not like a program like your basic stamp kids or anything like that it's actually -- visual representation. Just like you're editing actually have a time line and you decide when you wanna turn on or off each split. So what we're gonna do is we're going to actually he she or in this. On the back Guitar Hero and make it do all the button presses for the game play that way I can have perfect round. What an impact on -- bill would godaddy.com. Dot com name. The lowest 199. Plus what class posting that's neat new web site builder and much more plus into the code SYS one when he check out. And save an additional ten dollars -- in the order of forty dollars or more this. All right so actually getting started on the controller box itself there's a few interesting details about it. One you have like for the digital output on it. But you also have templates and and software I'm able to say if I press a button over here then run this program. You also have 232 port the early eighties feel on our old computers. And a program through that you also have a data go on record button on. The record button isn't that which equity can actually record button presses. However it only record one channel at a time so in this application it's not very practical. The other nice thing is that will probably is another show is that in next 512 controls we can actually that the mighty light board like systems like that. Great controller board runs up any thing you know from 924 bull honestly can pretty much -- anywhere -- down. And it's about 210 dollars from guild of fluke. I don't expect to go to the website and actually -- buy it now use PayPal that there have an older school companies so you're gonna call and actually talk to a human being. Scary but go ahead they're okay and -- that. And order it and and you can you know get on over by the late on -- thoughts system and that you're mad at them for not given us discount that by this full retail. The other item that I got from them is basically want to pleasing it's. It's this -- right here it's a very simple really bored. It converts the digital output of support of the controller and fires off a realist which actually do closures. So. That it that's -- the -- hundred dollars if you have a time and patience you can build one from. RadioShack. Or. Anyplace else tired character. That he places. But for the most part. The house. Chrysler commitment it now just open up the controller and show you guys what I -- inside -- it how about if they put about eighteen -- hundreds screws. There ago. And we get the back off and a I gotta -- table here. Erica. Okay now of course you know actually get past the first -- you know there's always gonna be more screw them now it."

" So dominant pull office will control board violate your interest to you don't really have to terror part of it -- hero controller. To do this you could actually just take for a part in you know olde Xbox 360 controller you have and do the exact same thing. Hillary Clinton -- Guitar Hero controllers because after buying Guitar Hero on Guitar Hero two Guitar Hero three and rock band. I officially have more guitars in my house that are fake and real."

" Though. What's the notices they have a ribbon cable that runs up for the five buttons on the fret board. And that's really what I did I just thought it wired for each one of those. But they also had -- common wired -- ground wires. Four different ones like one in theory but one theory use the same ground wire but even for you to different. Even as a technically ground Kong. And then five is that though. Then you come over and -- notice around the side the strum bar there is and thank god actually labeled it there's an up. But down. And the GP idea. General purpose interface cards in general purpose input output and he talked. So what it has is that is that -- which is that I really only one that's well no benefit happy. One up and down motion. So they saw the wires on run about your critic Leo. In the past we've talked about you know how to use the Tony utility on the -- multi years. That's how I've found what instant what here."

" Thanks to Netflix for sponsoring this episode system with Netflix you can read over 75000 titles online with free shipping both ways to your home. They now have over forty shipping centers almost all the deliveries happen in just one business -- The Netflix plans start reported in nine as a new member you get -- no risk two week free trial membership. Check it out at Netflix dot com slash systems these."

" And then after you plug it all up."

" Get a little ribbon cable out here. What does well in which you know -- report. You don't have to have the ribbon cable if you use in Ohio but that's reason realize. So that we can isolated. From. -- cross talk or goes to college but I would talk about those. Theories. Com we use the -- ports that like this here. Aren't the next thing is. You don't have this around your house I'd be surprised this is normal US BR's 230 adapter. -- with -- also sells them or is yours. Or. It. What -- youthful what that then."

" And and we have to plug in power. For the device. Man now effects that powered up. You'll notice it's got you know wonderful power and it's actually going to start run the program at a party put in there from earlier. And you can literally see this'll last flight here's the strum bars for the song. This is holding down green -- now ray. The yellow. So that's -- long wealth stance and there all right. The relevant software up here and the software's actually freely give it to you with Google many brick eight. And it's called PC Mac. We all know my wonderful by the PC versus Mac so it's -- program. And you'll notice on here. That I've already got ahead instead of the individual channels which of the green red yellow blue and ours like we used to -- And make an Apple assumption that you already know how to play Guitar Hero if you don't. Stop watch this show go out like our -- play it come back and watch on -- thank. Okay now you'll notice -- over time I've actually set and I based that means thirty frames a second. -- each one of these giant locks here is the second law. And you can see my strum bar. Is actually heading for each one of the eighties and and I changed --"

" Access to here's the power light and there's the green has -- and on the green button. And you're about to watch the strong from a conference -- the second. Don't there's first round thickest Robert Strom ball ball ball now on the red aspect on the greens drums from strong and all the notes read. It's just like any rocker out there and there's yellow. Anything but don't have to go all the way up but I did go ahead and wire all the buttons and with. Which is pretty. They go here's my realized. Here is my individual cable in here this is -- literally ran it and there's which one's which 23456. And seven. Seventh which is closed feel it which was the red green orange blue. And then there was the strung up and -- down. And there ego the memo wrote written cable comes over. And goes over to this wonderful device. After that if this device the digital bios was -- on top. Eight of those as well. There is DMX down here. There's power. There's input -- and be ready to go. And then that click it and you'll notice it also runs the show and their sticker --"

" Wait for the strong. Strum strum strum strum strum restaurants from green don't don't don't don't don't don't don't don't don't don't don't don't don't."

" But it thanks to go to my PC dot com for sponsoring -- them with go to my PC can access the entire desktop and that's them from anywhere. No configure IP addresses and it works automatically with fire. -- your computer adjustments. Ought not to go to my PC dot com. And you got access to your PC anywhere you've got a browser and net access go to my PC is simply the easiest way to access computer from -- So work on your office computer from home your home computer from work. Fix your dad's computer from anywhere in the world the best part you can try for free for thirty days -- go to my PC dot com. And click on -- try it free but do -- favor into the code SY ST yeah no me. 'cause you know it helps us when you view that the trials for the services -- simple and it definitely worth a look these. All right so I get the basic gist of how the program actually works by looking through everything's going on here screen."

" After have not all set up you have course you know going to preferences go to your hardware. And set it up to upload the code to it. And just like anything that's the guy who accuse the right com war but then you'll do with it alt auto down. Some there some of their higher end models -- the wrong that you -- hire him functionality. But the the programs and software. On a download. We just barely rolling out the -- And always have it is on startup -- first show and the first show horses guitar. And this is actually my list of shows like have multiple shows in here and went through one at a time that. So we're going to build that show. Save it to the desktop. And we're gonna download that show. Over to the box."

" Now it's on its upgrade don't. And let LL have to do is go ahead and hit fire. So what I'm gonna do fire officer going to. In the model T 32 adapter."

" Plug in my ribbon cable. And where it got these measurements from or how I figured out I want to start or stop each button push. Is. I want that -- right there. And that that there were it is now here's the problem. The Xbox the 360 he has three games that you know they'll have voting. It's not exactly going to be the same amount at times no matter how them out of time no matter how many times you try. So com. Sometimes it works sometimes it does this is due primarily -- hard drives for the dvd drives variable rates so when it does work. Awesome you'll note in the first couple notes that doesn't work. Those going to power it up and -- place here."

" So actually helps sometimes it gets out of -- That's gonna happen. If you keep trying multiple times eventually we'll get back and think through what programming with. So let's travel more time here hopefully action. So that's -- supposed to work ideally. It took us about. And tries to get it perfectly well that earlier on the it around but all data actually we had perfectly in things right. So -- let's play with at one of the nice things to actually watch on the back of it and it's just -- he's just always impressed. -- This. We don't get annoyed by slow ride much that of the classic rock and with it all pre game day at all. So powered up scarcity kind of the what they're really board is doing on the back -- the lines. And now of course that's the power now holding down the green. And wait for it. And here's the strong client strum strum strum strum red. And then backed green. --"

" Human graveyard show this is more excited Napoli. Way because it's like these programs don't know any language is don't have any compiler. -- pretty little time lines though we -- final cut express it that that's. You are ready to go with the simple act. All right I hope -- you'd think that -- abduction. Q let's -- controllers Leo Laporte dance more channels they have a lot of analogue control on music -- stuff like that. If anything go to guilt -- website and start browsing through some other products. -- Hopefully next week we'll get that passed back and until then thanks for what system."

" Okay."

" It's official. I stuck Guitar Hero one directory even on the easy levels though that's big on system I would teach you how to -- that. System that now the before we start to show it but I don't think our sponsors. Netflix dot com. GoDaddy. And go to my PC. Welcome to this -- I'm Dave -- off. And you might notice -- not here this week he's actually at home sick so they brought at a retirement little bit early. To -- the -- project. What we're gonna basically start off with is that the want to talk about show control. So controllers used by the museum industry amusement park anything like that. Back in the day to build it took science museum interactive exhibits stuff like that I got to play with ought. And I wanted to -- very simple one it's made by a company called guild of the out of Burbank California. And this is a little eight channel show controller. And what it basically has is that had I've -- well okay storage on. And you can store programs -- so it's not like a program like your basic stamp kids or anything like that it's actually -- visual representation. Just like you're editing actually have a time line and you decide when you wanna turn on or off each split. So what we're gonna do is we're going to actually he she or in this. On the back Guitar Hero and make it do all the button presses for the game play that way I can have perfect round. What an impact on -- bill would godaddy.com. Dot com name. The lowest 199. Plus what class posting that's neat new web site builder and much more plus into the code SYS one when he check out. And save an additional ten dollars -- in the order of forty dollars or more this. All right so actually getting started on the controller box itself there's a few interesting details about it. One you have like for the digital output on it. But you also have templates and and software I'm able to say if I press a button over here then run this program. You also have 232 port the early eighties feel on our old computers. And a program through that you also have a data go on record button on. The record button isn't that which equity can actually record button presses. However it only record one channel at a time so in this application it's not very practical. The other nice thing is that will probably is another show is that in next 512 controls we can actually that the mighty light board like systems like that. Great controller board runs up any thing you know from 924 bull honestly can pretty much -- anywhere -- down. And it's about 210 dollars from guild of fluke. I don't expect to go to the website and actually -- buy it now use PayPal that there have an older school companies so you're gonna call and actually talk to a human being. Scary but go ahead they're okay and -- that. And order it and and you can you know get on over by the late on -- thoughts system and that you're mad at them for not given us discount that by this full retail. The other item that I got from them is basically want to pleasing it's. It's this -- right here it's a very simple really bored. It converts the digital output of support of the controller and fires off a realist which actually do closures. So. That it that's -- the -- hundred dollars if you have a time and patience you can build one from. RadioShack. Or. Anyplace else tired character. That he places. But for the most part. The house. Chrysler commitment it now just open up the controller and show you guys what I -- inside -- it how about if they put about eighteen -- hundreds screws. There ago. And we get the back off and a I gotta -- table here. Erica. Okay now of course you know actually get past the first -- you know there's always gonna be more screw them now it."

" So dominant pull office will control board violate your interest to you don't really have to terror part of it -- hero controller. To do this you could actually just take for a part in you know olde Xbox 360 controller you have and do the exact same thing. Hillary Clinton -- Guitar Hero controllers because after buying Guitar Hero on Guitar Hero two Guitar Hero three and rock band. I officially have more guitars in my house that are fake and real."

" Though. What's the notices they have a ribbon cable that runs up for the five buttons on the fret board. And that's really what I did I just thought it wired for each one of those. But they also had -- common wired -- ground wires. Four different ones like one in theory but one theory use the same ground wire but even for you to different. Even as a technically ground Kong. And then five is that though. Then you come over and -- notice around the side the strum bar there is and thank god actually labeled it there's an up. But down. And the GP idea. General purpose interface cards in general purpose input output and he talked. So what it has is that is that -- which is that I really only one that's well no benefit happy. One up and down motion. So they saw the wires on run about your critic Leo. In the past we've talked about you know how to use the Tony utility on the -- multi years. That's how I've found what instant what here."

" Thanks to Netflix for sponsoring this episode system with Netflix you can read over 75000 titles online with free shipping both ways to your home. They now have over forty shipping centers almost all the deliveries happen in just one business -- The Netflix plans start reported in nine as a new member you get -- no risk two week free trial membership. Check it out at Netflix dot com slash systems these."

" And then after you plug it all up."

" Get a little ribbon cable out here. What does well in which you know -- report. You don't have to have the ribbon cable if you use in Ohio but that's reason realize. So that we can isolated. From. -- cross talk or goes to college but I would talk about those. Theories. Com we use the -- ports that like this here. Aren't the next thing is. You don't have this around your house I'd be surprised this is normal US BR's 230 adapter. -- with -- also sells them or is yours. Or. It. What -- youthful what that then."

" And and we have to plug in power. For the device. Man now effects that powered up. You'll notice it's got you know wonderful power and it's actually going to start run the program at a party put in there from earlier. And you can literally see this'll last flight here's the strum bars for the song. This is holding down green -- now ray. The yellow. So that's -- long wealth stance and there all right. The relevant software up here and the software's actually freely give it to you with Google many brick eight. And it's called PC Mac. We all know my wonderful by the PC versus Mac so it's -- program. And you'll notice on here. That I've already got ahead instead of the individual channels which of the green red yellow blue and ours like we used to -- And make an Apple assumption that you already know how to play Guitar Hero if you don't. Stop watch this show go out like our -- play it come back and watch on -- thank. Okay now you'll notice -- over time I've actually set and I based that means thirty frames a second. -- each one of these giant locks here is the second law. And you can see my strum bar. Is actually heading for each one of the eighties and and I changed --"

" Access to here's the power light and there's the green has -- and on the green button. And you're about to watch the strong from a conference -- the second. Don't there's first round thickest Robert Strom ball ball ball now on the red aspect on the greens drums from strong and all the notes read. It's just like any rocker out there and there's yellow. Anything but don't have to go all the way up but I did go ahead and wire all the buttons and with. Which is pretty. They go here's my realized. Here is my individual cable in here this is -- literally ran it and there's which one's which 23456. And seven. Seventh which is closed feel it which was the red green orange blue. And then there was the strung up and -- down. And there ego the memo wrote written cable comes over. And goes over to this wonderful device. After that if this device the digital bios was -- on top. Eight of those as well. There is DMX down here. There's power. There's input -- and be ready to go. And then that click it and you'll notice it also runs the show and their sticker --"

" Wait for the strong. Strum strum strum strum strum restaurants from green don't don't don't don't don't don't don't don't don't don't don't don't don't."

" But it thanks to go to my PC dot com for sponsoring -- them with go to my PC can access the entire desktop and that's them from anywhere. No configure IP addresses and it works automatically with fire. -- your computer adjustments. Ought not to go to my PC dot com. And you got access to your PC anywhere you've got a browser and net access go to my PC is simply the easiest way to access computer from -- So work on your office computer from home your home computer from work. Fix your dad's computer from anywhere in the world the best part you can try for free for thirty days -- go to my PC dot com. And click on -- try it free but do -- favor into the code SY ST yeah no me. 'cause you know it helps us when you view that the trials for the services -- simple and it definitely worth a look these. All right so I get the basic gist of how the program actually works by looking through everything's going on here screen."

" After have not all set up you have course you know going to preferences go to your hardware. And set it up to upload the code to it. And just like anything that's the guy who accuse the right com war but then you'll do with it alt auto down. Some there some of their higher end models -- the wrong that you -- hire him functionality. But the the programs and software. On a download. We just barely rolling out the -- And always have it is on startup -- first show and the first show horses guitar. And this is actually my list of shows like have multiple shows in here and went through one at a time that. So we're going to build that show. Save it to the desktop. And we're gonna download that show. Over to the box."

" Now it's on its upgrade don't. And let LL have to do is go ahead and hit fire. So what I'm gonna do fire officer going to. In the model T 32 adapter."

" Plug in my ribbon cable. And where it got these measurements from or how I figured out I want to start or stop each button push. Is. I want that -- right there. And that that there were it is now here's the problem. The Xbox the 360 he has three games that you know they'll have voting. It's not exactly going to be the same amount at times no matter how them out of time no matter how many times you try. So com. Sometimes it works sometimes it does this is due primarily -- hard drives for the dvd drives variable rates so when it does work. Awesome you'll note in the first couple notes that doesn't work. Those going to power it up and -- place here."

" So actually helps sometimes it gets out of -- That's gonna happen. If you keep trying multiple times eventually we'll get back and think through what programming with. So let's travel more time here hopefully action. So that's -- supposed to work ideally. It took us about. And tries to get it perfectly well that earlier on the it around but all data actually we had perfectly in things right. So -- let's play with at one of the nice things to actually watch on the back of it and it's just -- he's just always impressed. -- This. We don't get annoyed by slow ride much that of the classic rock and with it all pre game day at all. So powered up scarcity kind of the what they're really board is doing on the back -- the lines. And now of course that's the power now holding down the green. And wait for it. And here's the strong client strum strum strum strum red. And then backed green. --"

" Human graveyard show this is more excited Napoli. Way because it's like these programs don't know any language is don't have any compiler. -- pretty little time lines though we -- final cut express it that that's. You are ready to go with the simple act. All right I hope -- you'd think that -- abduction. Q let's -- controllers Leo Laporte dance more channels they have a lot of analogue control on music -- stuff like that. If anything go to guilt -- website and start browsing through some other products. -- Hopefully next week we'll get that passed back and until then thanks for what system."

travislopes

Started discussion: February 25, 2008 @ 4:03pm GMT

Episode 39 - Automate Guitar Hero [Discussion]

David Randolph's back to Systm with a vengeance, out from the studio and dipping into his previous life building interactive museum displays... to cheat at Guitar Hero. Or, to look at it in a different light, David's figured out how to automate Guitar Hero by wiring one of Gilderfluke & Co's spiffy "Show Control Systems" the BR-miniBrick8 into a Guitar Hero Guitar. And the tricky part, of course, programming it to play Foghat's "Slow Ride." Wondering what exactly a Show Controller is? Think tiny gadget that can turn other devices on and off... or trigger them... or, you know, control them! They're a integral part of the museum exhibits David used to make for a living!

computoman
about 1 year ago

show controllers.

This was a good show for a premise on what the neat things you can do with a show controller. I can see why the compact unit will be so popular in the entertainment industry. Those of us who can not afford the mac computers and controllers will probably still play the never failable air guiitar while listening to the good old radio. As a family project will probably could just take the old piece of junk that can run the ipcop or an old 486 laptop and use the parallel port from it and a few bucks in parts to do the same thing to control some switches. Maybe hook it to a remote controller for a remote controlled model truck with a battery powered wireless camera. it should not be hard to program in basic. Now that would be real fun.
Will_Stutler
about 1 year ago
i have only just started watching this show, so i don't know how much my thoughts matter about it, but why on earth would any one pay so much money just to cheat at a flippin game

IMHO guys i think that you should start doing CHEAP/FREE piratical stuff
like the USB thing you guys did last week.....or painting of the laptop thing you did a few weeks ago
esalonia
about 1 year ago
Great job with the show. That looks like it was a lot of hard work to get it all wired up and working properly. Seems a little expensive and time consuming to beat the game, but the concept and seeing it work, is nice, none the less. Keep it up.
guardian653
about 1 year ago
Neat idea--abet an expensive one... Still anything that has some amount of programming is a plus in my book.

(Is it just me or has there been a lot more commercials inserted into System lately?)
ToadX
about 1 year ago
Excellent show! I loved it. I always want to see technical projects like this on Systm rather than watching you guys do stuff like paint a laptop.
ddreier
about 1 year ago
I think this was a great show, I liked seeing what you can do even if it's out of the reach of the average consumer.

I'm also looking foward to seeing more with that "Show Controller" especially the DMX part, as that's something I'm interested in atm.
[mad]berry
about 1 year ago
As Bert(pixel perfect) always says:

"It's not the result that matters, it's how I got there"

Thanks for the intro into show controllers.

[mad]Berry
MD2389
about 1 year ago
Honestly, I'm just glad they brought back Dave. Its nice to see something a little more complicated this time around. :)
themattman
about 1 year ago
Dave Randolph is back!
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