Dance Dance Revolution Metal Pad for PC

[unclet]

I am aware of the sites which give detail on how to make one of these DDR pads, but since I am totally swamped making my Mame driving cab, I would prefer just to go ahead and buy a nice metal DDR pad instead of spending time to make one.

Anyway, does anyone know where to get a nice metal DDR pad which is sturdy and will not fall apart in a year?

I see a bunch on Ebay, but all state that they are for PSX, PSOne and PS2.   I guess that means they are for PlayStation only ....I am not sure???   I would like to get one so I can hook it up to my computer and play via my Mame standup cabinet (which is already built).

Any ideas why the metal DDRs do not interface to a PC, or am I missing something?  Can I hack one of those PlayStation ones on Ebay to connect to my Mame machine (or gameport of a computer).   If so, how?

[SirPoonga]

Yeah, the $125 on ebay I hear is good.

Interface to PC
http://www.redoctane.com/emsusb2.html

redoctane is a good site.

[unclet]

Just went to your site and found out they are "No longer Available for delivery", although I get the idea.

Where else can I get this type of converter?

[SirPoonga]

the ems isn't the only convertor.  Look on adaptors list on stepmania.com to get a list of adaptors that work with dance pads.  Then just doa  search for them.

also check out the forums at www.ddrmaniax.net.  Lots of info on adaptors that work.

[Aceldamor]

I've been toying around with the idea of adding one of those DDR Pads to my cab, but in the store they seem to move around quite a bit when you jumping all over the place causing the pad not to respond correctly.....I remember the having the same problem with my Power Pad for my NES.

Would it be any better to "sandwitch" one of theese pads between 2 pieces of plexi and just put some non slip pads on the bottom piece of plexi? Or, would doing this reduce the response you get from the pad even more?

Hell I figure those damn DDR games would be one hell of a workout, but I am not about to sweat like a hoe in church while in public....not to mention make an ass of myself in the process.  This would be an activity better left at home.  

[SirPoonga]

Ace, you need a good hardpad, not a soft pad.  Hardpads won't move around.

[AlanS17]

Sandwiching between plexi wouldn't work because it would register one giant step every time you press anywhere on the pad.

A hard pard is the only good option unless you don't mind the ducktape technique (self-explanatory).

[hooded_paladin]

build your own.  It's a good way (I think it's pretty much the only way) to get a satisfactory, good looking and good working pad for less than $500.  www.geocities.com/ddrhomepad is one design - it's thin, easy to build and estimated $135 in materials (well stocked workshops will have some of the stuff it calls for, especially leftover lexan)
The other main one is Riptide's. (based on Patsters, but patsters site doesn't have instructions)  It has room for lights and a back bar, but isn't as simple.

[AlanS17]

Well redoctane also sells their own for $199, and it seems sturdy. In fact, it seems rather like the one mentioned above. Except this one comes with a 60-day warantee rather than building one and finding out you screwed up.

For a guaranteed good, working product I think it would be worth the extra few dollars if you REALLY want a DDR pad.

I would build an arcade machine from scratch, but a DDR pad sounds like it would be easy to screw up.

[SirPoonga]

I have heard these are pretty good.  And yeah, you can play pump it up with it too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3039738604

[hooded_paladin]

I would build an arcade machine from scratch, but a DDR pad sounds like it would be easy to screw up.

it's a tiny bit less fool proof, but the effort people put into cabs looking GOOD is more than the effort people put into DDR pads working well.  Mostly, if you didn't screw it completely up, it'll take you some foam moving but you CAN adjust it.

[SirPoonga]

I would build an arcade machine from scratch, but a DDR pad sounds like it would be easy to screw up.

it's a tiny bit less fool proof, but the effort people put into cabs looking GOOD is more than the effort people put into DDR pads working well.  Mostly, if you didn't screw it completely up, it'll take you some foam moving but you CAN adjust it.

Right.  Put more time into it the better the results.

[pointdablame]

If money is no option, get a CobaltFlux pad.  It is the best there is, bar none.

If money is a concern, I've heard good and bad things about the ones on eBay. Some swear by them and some swear AT them.

If I were you, I'd get a CobaltFlux if I could afford it, or build my own and know that it's done right.

PS - I'm at work right now, but I think the CF site is cobaltflux.com, otherwise just google it.

[SirPoonga]

that one I linked is a newwer one to the ebay scene.  The ones I hear that are ify are the ones that have Neo on them.

[Shieldwolf]

have you seen the ones with the bars?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3040492892&category=11322

[SirPoonga]

Hey, I have to get around to asking one of those sellers if there is a warranty or something on those.

[paigeoliver]

I have heard these are pretty good.  And yeah, you can play pump it up with it too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3039738604

Can you play pump it up with those? Is the center one a step also? It would have to be in order to play pump it up.

[SirPoonga]

I have heard these are pretty good.  And yeah, you can play pump it up with it too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3039738604

Can you play pump it up with those? Is the center one a step also? It would have to be in order to play pump it up.

Oh yeah, that would be helpful to make the center a button.  I don;t think it is.  However, you could make the bottom or top button the center button for a hack.

[Frostillicus]

I have heard these are pretty good.  And yeah, you can play pump it up with it too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3039738604

Those do look like nice pads for $125, too bad shipping is an additional $65.

[Snarbald]

I got a Red Octane metal pad at an anime convention for $150. Its been holding up pretty nicely and I didn't have to have it shipped that way.

[paigeoliver]

Personally I am still waiting for a REAL set of Pump it Up pads to appear on ebay. It will happen eventually. The whole dance craze thing seems to be dying down, and soon all those 50" Pump it Up machines are going to start getting parted, and converted to lightgun games or something.

[unclet]

Thanks for the replies.....a lot of good interesting stuff here.   I might just look at the next auction which comes to town and see what they have a well.

[unclet]

I was told some "converters" which allow the DDR to function on a PC do not actually allow multiple buttons on a DDR pad to be pressed at the same time.

Is there any truth to this?  If so, how do I know which converter works for the most realistic DDR play.

UncleT

[tmasman]

Most of them that you find online will mention this one way or the other. Most of the older ones made it look like a joystick to Windows, so it wouldn't allow you to hit left and right at the same time (or up and down)...
Many newer ones recognize them all as simply buttons which allow you to hit any combination at the same time.

Just make sure you are sure the one you are getting mentions this functionality.

~ tmasman

[bionicbadger]

http://www.stepmania.com/stepmania/adapter.php

Is a list of tested adapters, the problem isn't multiple buttons usually, really, its opposite buttons, like up+down or left+right.

I still say building one is the way to go.  I did it, its much easier than building a cabinet.  Sturdy as hell, and cheaper than many of the options listed.

[SirPoonga]

Yea, because think about it, other than the DDR pads, when are you pressing up and down at the same time  Though I don't get why or how those adaptors don't allow that anyway.  Must be in the usb chip programming.

For those who have built your own pads, what did you use as the "spring"?

[hooded_paladin]

the ddrhomepad design uses foam weatherstripping.  It's nice, solid foam that comes in a self-adhesive roll.  Another pad design used some sort of plastic tubing that springs back quickly.  The official thread for these designs is http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=59254

[SirPoonga]

I know what the ddrhomepad uses.  I just wonder what others that have made one use?

[hooded_paladin]

then read the whole post!  either they use weatherstripping or some sort of springy plastic tubing.  You can ask at the thread I mentioned, because BlueBeefMan's design uses the springy plastic tubing in his design, which is otherwise nearly the same as Riptide's.

[SirPoonga]

I'm wondering how well weather stripping works.  I'd think it would have a spongy feel, not an arcade feel.  not only would the material have to spring back quickly, it would have to go down really easy.

All riptide's movie links are broken
And BlueBeefMan's site doesn't come up for me

[hooded_paladin]

I know what you mean, I was afraid it would be spongy or unresponsive.
But the secret to it working is, it's quite compressed already.  With the corner brackets holding the top of the step down, the foam is already small and so it squeezes and bounces back quickly.
The first panel I made, which was self-designed (to be cheap, because I couldn't afford plexi and corner brackets)  was absolutely horrible.  Well, my sheet metal system was flawed but also, the lack of corner brackets meant each step floated 1/4" above where it presses down. There was no way you could get it to respond on time.
You'll only get a spongy feel if you make an entire square out of the foam, because the air can't escape fast enough.  There's no problem with the foam if it's well adjusted enough.

[SirPoonga]

right, I've been thinking of making my own.  Do you have your weather striping near the edge? or any in the center area?  I figure supporitng hte square more towards the center (say 1/3 the way fromt he edge) would be the best.  If all support with weather stripping is at the edge eventually the square will bend down in the middle.

[hooded_paladin]

I think the optimum place to put it would be on the edges of the square where there is no sheet metal- since the foam can't compress to nothing, if you put it between the sheet metal pieces then the sheet metal HAS to bend to respond.  In actuality, the sheet metal is bent anyways, and could bend up or down in the center depending on where your foam is.  It might bend down in the middle with the foam around the outside, but I think it'd be less responsive with the foam in the middle.  But I'm not sure if it matters very much.  You can always move it around if it doesn't work out well.

[SirPoonga]

I'm going going to do mine with sheetmetal.  I am going to do the patster route, small piece of sheet metal hitting screws , not one big piece of sheet metal touching another piece of sheet metal. I plan on having two screws around the edged and a screw in the middle under the square.  With screws I can adjust the sensitivity then.

[RedSquirrel]

I had a metal one, but i didnt like it. I dont think it was very responsive especially on hard songs.. so i sold it.

[bionicbadger]

I used sheetmetal contacts with the foam tap stuff on the edges.  I used 3/8" foam instead of 1/2" becasue thats what the store I went to had.  The foam is on the edges in pieces with space to let air out, none in the middle, and a cut up piece of mousepad is in each corner.  I have no problems with sensitivity, my pad panels can do at least 6 or 7 contacts per second if I need them to.  I just suck at DDR, I don't play on heavy, but my pad has performed perfectly so far.    

The only thing I've noticed is that after 25 or so hours of use, some of my screws holding down the lexan have to be re-tightened, I guess all the jumping on them slowly works them loose, but it only takes a couple minutes to re-tighten.

[Hoe]

I know what the ddrhomepad uses.  I just wonder what others that have made one use?

My buddy used wether stripping on his, works fine. I was playing around with some concepts and I found a cut up mouse pad works good.