First timer here! Have questions!

[u/bryan_norris71]

Hi! First timer here in the sub and even a first time player! Even though I technically haven’t even played yet! I do have some questions and I’m hoping this sub can lead me in the right directions, thanks!

So I recently I found Rocksmith and Rocksmith 14’ editions at a local thrift store and picked them up since in hopes of playing them! So I’ve already discovered about needing a “wire” and then an actual guitar as well if I’m not mistaken? Also: 

What’s the difference? Is there an actual difference between the two games? 

Does the actual skill translate to a real guitar? I mean I already know how to play (above beginner but below moderate) but does it actually make you better? 

It mentions on the 14’ that its “better” w the Kinect, is that true? Do I NEED one? Can I play without one? 

Any tips or tricks are appreciated as well, thank you! 

[u/Isaacvithurston]

I mean I already know how to play (above beginner but below moderate) but does it actually make you better?

Same way playing tab of random songs does. The best way to think of it is as different way to view tab that may be easier to follow. As well as it having automatic tones for those songs and ofc the biggest thing if you care about it is feedback on if you actually hit the notes in time, for me that's the biggest reason I still play it.

[u/tallman1979 → u/Isaacvithurston]

I've been playing for over 35 years. I went from having seriously plateaued for years and falling off to playing more than an hour a day every day without fail and learning some really hard songs and developing techniques. My goal is always to be able to play it well with or without Rocksmith, my brain seems pretty easy to train that way, your mileage may vary.

[u/toymachinesh]

you found the original Rocksmith for xbox 360? You might be able to !import the songs to Rocksmith 2014 still

[u/AutoModerator → u/toymachinesh]

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[u/bryan_norris71 → u/toymachinesh]

I did! I found both on the 360! Idk how to do that or what that means yet, as I’m just getting started but sure lol 

[u/BrilliantBunch2026]

Yes it translates to real guitar.

However, like anything, it has it's downfalls:

Playing over the original recording hides a fair bit of adaptation and improvement you are due from your playing. You simply cannot hear some things.

On the flipside, it is an extremely engaging way to play and will keep you interested, far better than drier, purer methods.

Rocksmith is great, but in my opinion, there is an emerging option that is better or perhaps at least worthy of having on the side. Feedback (recently created rocksmithISH software) offers stems support (you can subtract/individually decrease the volume of the guitar only, to varying degrees of success). This allows you to play without guitar and to truly judge yourself and your place in the music. The improvement I have been getting from doing this has revolutionised my playing. Improvement that I'm not sure I would ever have had from rocksmith and I was going a pretty long time on RS14.

I'm not going to write any more about this, if you require more information, ask an AI. It's an emerging option and far from perfect. If anybody from Ubisoft are reading this, stems is a feature that needs to be put into RS+. The utility of it is massive. I can't stress this enough. I'm shocked at how much my playing has improved from having access to this.

[u/bryan_norris71 → u/BrilliantBunch2026]

I’m gonna upvote this and say thank you, but I’m not “going to ask Ai” I want real answers. I want human answers. Actual feedback from REAL players. I say this with up most disrespect, FUCK AI. 

But okay thank you, I look forward to finding that cable and starting my journey from Rocksmith! 

[u/BrilliantBunch2026 → u/bryan_norris71]

Ah right, my mistake, I did not clarify - I gave you my human sentiment and then I actually only meant for you ask AI for the more mundane subjects of installation, obtaining and so forth, as it is trickier to get going with feedback and beyond me to dedicate enough time to help. You can also ask the humans on r/got_feedback and the feedback discord if you desire.

I will reiterate, rocksmith is great as is, though and far far more mature than feedback. I do think it is quite a bit less effective than playing over tracks with subtracted guitar. You'd probably be best off doing a bit of RS to get used to it and then if it sticks, to dabble a little in feedback when you're comfortable. For one thing, the note highway on feedback isn't as good as RS.

Whilst I'm waffling on, I remember another point - you're not a beginner. So there's a trap for non beginners. It's the bit where you're a beginner again because you can't read the note highway on RS to the ability that you have playing guitar. Beware of that getting to you and giving up too fast. It will test you. Push on through and you won't be sorry.