DDR Musings

[Donger]

I know that there are several people that have created home made metal pads for this game.   Has anyone hacked the official arcade platform to work with a PSX or PC?  Theoritically, tt can't be much more difficult than some of the wiring projects around here.

Thanks.

[unclet]

Do you have access to real arcade DDR pads?  If so, contact me .

[DarkKobold]

Idon't think many people have them. I'd sure like to see internal pics to see how they work. The easiest thing to do would be to get a hold of a manual online, if you can find one. You'd find the pinout of the pad, probably.

[Donger]

I guess its a tall order to hack one of these things, considering the fact that they still make money in the arcades, plus they cost a hell of alot to purchase/maintain.

No, I dont have a platform myself.

[HaRuMaN]

I never understood the fascination with DDR...  I go to the arcade and see kids sweating their ass off, jumping up and down on a metal pad...  

Go figure...

[Donger]

Its a good game.  Try it at home (with a friend), it's fun.  Its obviously not meant for people who don't like to be noticed in crowds  

Unfortunately, what you're seeing are DDR scrubs.  Most kids nowadays try to complete the fastest and most difficult songs.  Hardly any play 'freestyle', so you're probably not getting a good feel for the true nature of the game.

[b3atmania]

I guess its a tall order to hack one of these things, considering the fact that they still make money in the arcades, plus they cost a hell of alot to purchase/maintain.

No, I dont have a platform myself.

I second that!

I believe the DDR panels are different from the metal pad home versions that are being sold. I have this (http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=0&products_id=3681&) metal pad but, although sturdy, the panels press down like switches. The arcade panels do not press down if you step on them, so its not arcade perfect.

There is a good reason the arcade panels don't press down. The switch travel makes the fast songs where you have to tap in very quick succession unplayable. I have heard the arcade panels use some kind of sensitive membrane switches.

Anyone if anyone can source original pads and switches I would very much take part in a bulk order. Same goes for Beatmania turntables and switches, btw.

[paigeoliver]

If you really want one, then just order a complete unit from your local distributor. It might not be cheap, but it will be new, and should last basically forever (any secondhand pad you find is gonna be thrashed).

The Pump pads are membrane switches, so I would guess the DDR ones are like that too.

[Sephroth57]

yeah that would be the "best" thing to do but for most of us out of the question cost wise. a new DDR machine is like 2000+$ depending on which mix you get. and its not like wed be able to find pads sitting in the back without a main unit cause everyone knows they make money and would fix them. we need someone who does arcade repairs on these to shed some light on this for us

[Stingray]

I don't get the DDR thing either, but I came across this on ebay today and thought someone here might be interested:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3068964298&category=21185

-S

[Sephroth57]

damn that pad looks really quality and thats a good price, i paid 350$ for my pair about a year and a half ago. but theyre kinda thin and have no bars. but they work great still, i reccomend MyMyBox brand for anyone buying pads. although id like to see a review on that new pad

[b3atmania]

I don't get the DDR thing either, but I came across this on ebay today and thought someone here might be interested:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3068964298&category=21185

-S

That's exactly the one sold at Lik-Sang. It looks good on the outside. See my earlier post about why its not arcade-perfect.

I'm hoping I can upgrade mine with true arcade panels that don't press down when you step on them. As sold, the platform is not suitable for advanced players as it cannot register steps accurate enough to perform the difficult-level songs.

I'd advise against getting it unless you are sure you can upgrade it to something arcade-perfect.

[pfriedel]

If you want arcade perfect without spending $2k, buy the CobaltFlux pads.  Sure, at $280 per they're still a little spendy, but I think they're as close as you'll get to the arcade at home, without actually buying arcade controls for god knows how much.

[Sephroth57]

i dont really see the problem with the non-arcade pads. sure they press down a little bit like a button and that is different then the arcade pads but you get used to it quickly and i can full combo songs at home easily. i can pass so deep, max 300, sakura all on my home pad which has buttons that press in. its not "arcade true", but it works and its not a billion $$

[paigeoliver]

I wasn't suggesting buying an entire machine from the distributor. I was suggesting buying an entire arcade pad unit (new), those have GOT to be available from Konami, and might not be THAT expensive (still thinking hundreds of dollars each though).

[Snarbald]

http://www.channelbeat.com/products/parts/dance_dance_revolution_parts/130.html

[Stingray]

Ouch! $380!

-S

[shmokes]

This looks pretty good for the money and it sounds like there's no clicky.  Same place as that $380 arcade one:

http://www.channelbeat.com/products/parts/dance_dance_revolution_parts/237.html

[pfriedel]

That looks like a low-rent mymybox ripoff.  Basically the edges are held in place, and it depends on the acrylic to bend to meet the contact fingers at the bottom.  It can be hacked into a decent pad, but it's still kinda questionable as shipped.  And if you're shipping it from HK to the States, figure on spending another $80-ish to EMS, it gets spendy quick.