Report: Rocksmith Custom Downloadable Content (CDLC) 1. Executive Summary
Custom Downloadable Content (CDLC) refers to community-created song files for Rocksmith 2014 Remastered Ubisoft delisted Rocksmith 2014 from stores in October 2023
due to expiring music licenses, the CDLC community remains active, allowing players to expand their libraries with thousands of unlicensed songs. 2. Core Requirements & Setup
To enable CDLC on PC/Mac, the following components are typically required: The "Cherub Rock" Bypass
: Most CDLC files are coded to mirror the ID of the official DLC song "Cherub Rock"
by The Smashing Pumpkins. Players must own this official song for the game to "recognize" and load custom tracks. DLL Patch (D3DX9_42.dll)
: A specific DirectX 9 dynamic link library file must be placed in the Rocksmith root folder (typically SteamApps\common\Rocksmith2014
). This file acts as the enabler that allows the game to read unauthorized CustomsForge Account : The primary hub for finding and downloading CDLC is CustomsForge
, which hosts a massive database searchable by artist, album, and arrangement type. 3. File Management CDLC files use the rocksmith cdlc
extension. Proper organization is essential for functionality: : Files must be placed in the \Rocksmith2014\dlc Platform Compatibility : PC files typically end in , while Mac files end in Management Tools : Applications like Rocksmith Custom Song Toolkit CustomsForge Song Manager (CFSM)
allow users to repair outdated files, normalize volume, or add Dynamic Difficulty (DD) to tracks that lack it. CustomsForge 4. Legal and Technical Considerations
CDLC (Custom Downloadable Content) for Rocksmith 2014 Remastered
refers to user-created songs that are not part of the official game library. While Rocksmith 2014 was delisted from digital stores in October 2023, a dedicated community continues to support it through platforms like CustomsForge. Playing CDLC
To play custom songs on the PC version of Rocksmith 2014, users generally need to:
Own Official DLC: You must own at least one official DLC song (the community standard is "Cherub Rock" by Smashing Pumpkins) to serve as a base for the custom files.
Install a Patch: A specific .dll file (often referred to as the CDLC Enabler) must be placed in the game's root folder to allow it to recognize custom files.
Manage Files: Custom songs (in .psarc format) are placed in the /dlc/ folder within the Rocksmith installation directory. Creating CDLC Report: Rocksmith Custom Downloadable Content (CDLC) 1
Creating your own custom tracks is a multi-step process involving several specialized tools: My 2600 article - Rocksmith Remastered - CustomsForge
You're referring to Rocksmith, a popular music learning platform, and its downloadable content (DLC) packs, specifically the ones related to the iconic rock band, CDLC (Custom Downloadable Content) likely stands for.
Rocksmith allows users to learn and play their favorite songs on guitar or bass using a special cable and their instrument. The platform offers a vast library of songs, including many from well-known artists and bands.
The CDLC packs for Rocksmith typically include a selection of songs from a particular artist or band, and they can be purchased and downloaded directly to the user's Rocksmith account.
Some popular CDLC packs for Rocksmith include:
These packs usually contain 5-10 songs from the respective artist or band, and users can learn to play them using the Rocksmith software.
Are you a Rocksmith user looking for a specific CDLC pack or song to learn, or perhaps you're interested in purchasing a new pack?
Rocksmith+ (the new subscription version) has no CDLC support and likely never will. So the CDLC feature remains a unique, powerful reason people stick with the older Rocksmith 2014 instead of upgrading. Queen Guns N' Roses Foo Fighters Green Day
Bottom line: CDLC is what turns a good learning tool into an endless jukebox. If you're on PC, it's a game-changer. If you're on console, it's a tease.
Rocksmith 2014 does not natively read CDLC files. You need a patch that tricks the game into thinking your custom files are official DLC.
1.2.1.0 or newer).D3DX9_42.dll file.C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Rocksmith 2014).So, you’ve mastered the songs that came with Rocksmith, but you’re tired of playing the same classic rock staples. You want to play modern metal, obscure indie tracks, or that one anime theme song that Ubisoft would never officially license.
Welcome to the world of CDLC (Custom DLC).
This guide covers what CDLC is, how to safely use it, and the tools you need to turn Rocksmith into the ultimate music learning machine.
In simple terms, Rocksmith CDLC is user-created content that adds songs to the game that were never officially released by Ubisoft. Unlike standard DLC, which costs $2.99 per song, CDLC is free (with one major legal caveat we’ll discuss).
These custom tracks are fully functional. They include:
Essentially, CDLC turns Rocksmith into a "play anything" engine. As of 2025, the community has created over 50,000 custom arrangements, covering virtually every genre from bluegrass to black metal.
Inside that same Rocksmith 2014 folder, check for a subfolder named dlc . If it doesn't exist, create it. This is where every CDLC song file will live.