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Will Rocksmith Work on PS5? A Compatibility Guide for Music Gaming Enthusiasts

Rocksmith+ works on PS5, and Rocksmith 2014 plays through PS4 backward compatibility. Learn which setup, cable, and audio settings fit your instrument.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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Yes. Rocksmith+ runs on PS5. Ubisoft announced the PlayStation launch on June 6, 2024, and says the service teaches guitar, bass, and piano on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. Rocksmith 2014 is a separate PS4 game, and it plays on PS5 through Sony’s PS4 backward compatibility, not as a native PS5 edition. Which setup you need depends on which Rocksmith you mean and which instrument you play.

Which “Rocksmith” you mean

The name covers two different products, and they reach PS5 in different ways.

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Product PS5 status What to check Source
Rocksmith+ (Ubisoft subscription service) Supported. Ubisoft’s launch announcement dated June 6, 2024 says it can be played on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. Instruments covered: guitar, bass, and piano. Access is tied to one Ubisoft Connect account across platforms. Song availability can vary by region. Ubisoft launch announcement and Rocksmith+ service pages
Rocksmith 2014 (PS4 game) Runs on PS5 through PS4 backward compatibility, per Sony’s support guidance. It is not a native PS5 edition. Confirm the game is in your PlayStation library. Sony states that PS4 game discs cannot be used on a PS5 Digital Edition. Whether the game can still be newly bought digitally is not stated in the Ubisoft or Sony sources cited here. PlayStation Store listing and Sony backward-compatibility guidance

Ubisoft’s announcement put it this way: “In addition to PC via Ubisoft Connect, iOS and Android, you can now learn to play guitar, bass and piano with Rocksmith+ on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4!” If you are buying fresh, the subscription is the version Ubisoft is actively positioning for PS5. Check the PlayStation Store and Ubisoft’s current pages before you pay, because listings, subscription options, and regional catalogs change.

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Connecting your instrument

Setup differs by instrument. Start with the connection that matches what you play.

#1 Best Overall

Electric guitar or bass

Ubisoft recommends its Rocksmith Real Tone Cable for electric guitar and bass. Ubisoft describes it as a way to connect “any instrument with a ¼” output directly to your PlayStation via USB.” If your instrument has a standard 1/4-inch output, the cable is the direct route.

  1. Plug your instrument into the cable’s 1/4-inch end.
  2. Seat the breakaway connection fully, then plug the cable’s USB end into a PlayStation USB port.
  3. Turn up the instrument’s volume and tone controls. Ubisoft notes that low settings can make the signal hard to read.
  4. In the game, select the Real Tone Cable as your input.

If the game cannot find the cable, check that both the USB connection and the breakaway connection are secure, then try again.

Acoustic guitar or bass without a 1/4-inch output

If your acoustic has no 1/4-inch output, Ubisoft recommends its Rocksmith Tuner mobile app on iOS or Android instead of the cable. Use these conditions:

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  • The phone and PlayStation must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • The phone app and the console must be signed in to the same Ubisoft Connect account.
  • The phone must be compatible with the app. The cable is not needed.

Piano and keyboards

Ubisoft supports a digital keyboard connected by USB or MIDI. Connectors vary: some keyboards use USB-B, some USB-C, some Micro-USB, and some five-pin MIDI. Five-pin MIDI works through an adapter to USB. Check the keyboard’s manual or specifications before you buy a cable, and confirm which output port it has. An acoustic piano, or a keyboard that only produces sound through its speakers, is not supported by a cable route. For those, Ubisoft recommends the mobile tuner app.

Rank #3
ROCKSMITH REAL TONE CABLE (WORKS WITH PS3 & XB3) [video game]
  • Compatible with all consoles that support the Rocksmith Game as well as PC
  • Plug any real guitar into Xbox, PS4, PS3, etc.
  • Features breakaway design
  • 11.25ft / 3.429m Cable
  • Rocksmith video game not included
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Reducing audio latency

Lag between playing a note and hearing it on screen is the most common complaint for music games. Ubisoft’s setup guide gives these PS5 audio adjustments:

  1. Go to Settings → Sound → Audio Output → Audio Format (Priority) and select Linear PCM.
  2. On your television, receiver, or sound bar, turn off extra sound processing. Enable the television’s Game Mode if it has one.
  3. Avoid Bluetooth or wireless headphones. Do not plug headphones into the DualSense controller. Ubisoft says both add latency.

These are Ubisoft’s recommendations. They reduce delay, but the amount of delay still varies from one setup to another.

Before you buy or start

  • Confirm which Rocksmith you are using: Rocksmith+ on PS5, or Rocksmith 2014 from your PS4 library.
  • Match your connection to your instrument: cable for 1/4-inch electric instruments, the tuner app for acoustic instruments, USB or MIDI for keyboards.
  • Check the song catalog for your region before you plan around a specific track.

This guide relies on Ubisoft’s and Sony’s published documentation, not hands-on testing of each setup.

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Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 3
ROCKSMITH REAL TONE CABLE (WORKS WITH PS3 & XB3) [video game]
ROCKSMITH REAL TONE CABLE (WORKS WITH PS3 & XB3) [video game]
Compatible with all consoles that support the Rocksmith Game as well as PC; Plug any real guitar into Xbox, PS4, PS3, etc.
$64.95

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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