HELP: Connecting & Configuring 2 IPAC-4 together for MAME

[alfredov]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to this forum and was hoping someone could help me with my mame project. I need help connecting and configuring 2 IPAC-4 (56x2 input) together. Ive spend many hours researching the web and reading off of IPAC-4 website but still am unable to succeed.

My setup consists of:
P1 = (8Way) Joystick + 8 buttons
P2 = (8Way) Joystick + 8 buttons
P3 = (8Way) Joystick + 8 buttons
P4 = (8Way) Joystick + 8 buttons
P5 = (8Way) Joystick

P1 Start, P1 Coin
P2 Start, P2 Coin
P3 Start, P3 Coin
P4 Start, P4 Coin

Escape
Escape
Tab
Enter
Pause
Vol +
Vol -

For reference, you can see my controller here: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B3_UuNnCEAEMVwH.jpg

As you can see from my setup above, I need a total of 68 inputs. Inputs for the first IPAC4 up to input 56 work perfect. As soon as I attach the secondary IPAC4 via the pass-through of the first and connect my extra buttons to it, the IPAC4 program thinks that I have only 1 IPAC4 so when pressing buttons that are assigned to my secondary IPAC4 it just mimics the same inputs as what the first IPAC4 is setup for. How do I configure and assign other buttons to whats connected to my secondary IPAC4?

[Locke141]

First off you should include the pic in the post. There are two ways to do this.

One: Attach it under the post by clicking on the plus sine under the box where you wright the post.

The second is to post the pick in http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,136713.msg1481659.html#msg1481659
Then copy the image location, use the insert image tab, and paste the address between the internet magic stuff.
Like this.



If it was my build I would ask my self what games I would need all of these inputs for. Then if there  was that one game I needed this setup for I'd get a cheep zero delay encoder for P5 and use a shift key for all that admin stuff in on the I-pac. 

You could also get a  KeyWiz40 to be your second encoder.  http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=303&zenid=3vdfhbapsvb351ogjq6cprdma5

Andy my have a way to make this whole two I-pac4 thing to work. Again, I would ask my self "Do I really need all these inputs?"

[JDFan]

If I was you I would ask my self do I really need all these inputs?

Would have to agree with this -- Is there any game that would ever use that many inputs - I can't think of any - figure pretty much any 4 player game uses fewer than 3 buttons for the 4 players - so there's 10 buttons that will never get used (buttons 4-8 on players 3 and 4) - Makes no sense to have a player 5 either so there's 4 more inputs wasted ( If you are wanting it as a dedicated 4 way for pacman etc. just wire it in tandem with player 1 joystick) - Figure just that adjustment brings you down to fewer than the 1 I-pac 4 provides - so then you have an extra I-pac 4 to sell or use for the next build ( or trade to Malenko for an I-pac 2 and a bit of cash - See his thread in the Buy Sell Trade sub forum !! - Linkie ( http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,142922.0.html ))

[Locke141]

figure pretty much any 4 player game uses fewer than 3 buttons for the 4 players

+1 With the caveat there are some modern 4 player steam games like hammer watch that need at least 6 buttons to be playable.   

That is why I have 6 buttons + two admin for all four players on my pedestal.

[JDFan]

figure pretty much any 4 player game uses fewer than 3 buttons for the 4 players

There are some modern 4 player steam games like hammer watch that need at least 6 buttons to be play able.

Ahh forgot about the steam games -- Malenko does mention the Keywiz in his trade thread so maybe trading him the I-pac 4 for the Keywiz would work then !

[AndyWarne]

There would be no problem using two I-PAC 4 boards together if you really do need more than 56 inputs.

[Locke141]

There would be no problem using two I-PAC 4 boards together if you really do need more than 56 inputs.

Does he just need to use the accompanying soft ware to change the key mapping on the second board?

[alfredov]

Thanks for all the feedback. I took the idea for my controller from the UA2 Quad controller http://www.mameroom.com/Products_Quad_Kit.asp and http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=116661.0. I understand that I have tons of buttons, but then again I really like the idea of not getting the keyboard out for anything. Just using my extra buttons for whatever makes it simpler to maneuver via the controls. Does anyone know how to hook up 2 IPAC4 together and how to configure them? What software to use? etc? If it becomes too much of a headache I might just do what 'JDFan' suggests.

[Locke141]

Thanks for all the feedback. I took the idea for my controller from the UA2 Quad controller http://www.mameroom.com/Products_Quad_Kit.asp and http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=116661.0. I understand that I have tons of buttons, but then again I really like the idea of not getting the keyboard out for anything. Just using my extra buttons for whatever makes it simpler to maneuver via the controls. Does anyone know how to hook up 2 IPAC4 together and how to configure them? What software to use? etc? If it becomes too much of a headache I might just do what 'JDFan' suggests.

Your computer will see the Ipac as keyboards. As a best guess I would say that you could hook the second one into your first using the PS2 passthrough port on the first or hook them both up to you computer using USB.

Out of the box both I-pacs should have the same default settings. To change the default setting in the second I-pac you need WinIPAC Interactive Panel Designer or the Programming Utility for Mac http://www.ultimarc.com/download.html. The nice thing is the second I pack will remember it s new settings even if you power off and move it to a new computer. 

This seems to be an expensive and overly complicated way to do what you want. JDFan is spot on with the whole just splitting the connections  from player 1 to the 4 way joy stick. That should cut out 7 connections right there.

I-Pac's also have a Shift key option. In the photo of my build above you can see a cover switch to the lest on the front face, thats my Shift key. I have it setup so all the player one buttons become the admin keys when the shift  key is pressed. That's why I used a covered switch. 

My setup consists of:
P1 = (8Way) Joystick + 8 buttons =12 positive connections
P2 = (8Way) Joystick + 8 buttons =12 positive connections
P3 = (8Way) Joystick + 8 buttons =12 positive connections
P4 = (8Way) Joystick + 8 buttons =12 positive connections
P5 = (8Way) I am assuming you meant (4way) Joystick but as far as the number of connections goes it does not matter. If you do as JDFan recommends it has = 0 new connections.   

P1 Start, P1 Coin =2
P2 Start, P2 Coin =2
P3 Start, P3 Coin =2
P4 Start, P4 Coin =2

If you use the a shift key the below can all be done with the play one keys.

• Escape
• Escape
• Tab
• Enter
• Pause
• Vol +
• Vol -

Thats 56 connections + a shift key. The only problem with setup is there is only 56 keys on an I-pac4. I think there is a way to make it so the shift key is an combinations of buttons like like holding P1 start and Coin.

Update: I just checked and two keys held at the same time can be the shift key. You could split the line from the two keys and have them meet at a dedicated shift key. For example split the p1 start and p3 start so the both go to there primary switch and have the splits from each meets at a dedicated shift key. That way when you press the shift key both get pressed at once. 

[Malenko]

What locke said plus, using shifts, you can hold down , for example P1 start and each player's button 1 be their coin up. And you are at 52 connections.


A single IPAC4 could be used. If I can use a 2player encoder on my 4 player cab, you can use a 4player encoder on a 4 player cab   My main want for an IPAC4 is to add a 4th button to my outside players, I had no idea 2 of my buddies like the DnD games so much.

Here is my CP:

2 player smash tv is so much fun on this thing.

[AndyWarne]

There would be no problem using two I-PAC 4 boards together if you really do need more than 56 inputs.

Does he just need to use the accompanying soft ware to change the key mapping on the second board?

Yes. Although it should work without changing anything because Mame will see them as 2 separate devices. This might be a bit of a configuration headache in Mame though and there is a chance the devices could get swapped over in Windows or Mame so it would be best to assign different keycodes. Not all of them can be different though as there are not enough keycodes available.
Whenever anyone emails me to ask how to connect more than 56 inputs I always suggest re-visiting the panel design. More than 56 controls, each with a unique connection is too many IMHO.

[DeLuSioNal29]

I only have one I-Pac4 in my quad panel.


I was able to "double-up" the inputs for 4 of the joysticks:  Player 1 (left stick) was merged with Player 1's 4-way and the flight stick.  Player 1 (right stick) was merged with Player 3 joystick.  Player 2 (right stick) was merged with Player 4 joystick.
I also "doubled-up on buttons:  Side pinball buttons were merged with Player 1 & 2 buttons.  Flight stick buttons merged with player 1 buttons.  4-way joystick buttons merged with Player 1 buttons.  Pause buttons (2 of them) merged together for the "P" key.

Total inputs saved:  26 inputs!  You need to think "outside of the box", anything is possible!  Good Luck!

DeLuSioNaL29

[alfredov]

Thank you very much everyone. This is exactly what I needed to know. I will 'think outside the box'  a bit more. I will make it work with 1 IPAC.