8 replies to this topic

[JSkater]

(Copy and pasted from NHQ)

Hey guys, your local shirt ninja is looking for an affordable way to get two dance pads (preferably metal, but nice soft mats would do nicely as well), and either DDR Ultramix 1 or 2 (Xbox) for under $150. (Hell, under $120 would be cool, but remember, I'm looking for metal pads.)

I've been looking at this, but I don't know the quality of the pads. I'm planning on modding the softpads if I get them, but I'd rather get metal pads.

Here's what I'm aiming to make, once I get one or two hardpads:



Yes, I know this may be asking a bit too much, but I'm hoping theres some home DDR players that can help me out.

[taita cakes]

Make sure you use something better than a thin plywood sheet, because they're is going to be a whole lot of jumping, pounding and heavy weight on it. And yeah, make sure you're L-Brackets are properly bolted because there's nothing worse than a wobbly support. I guess you know all this anyway.

Tee hee. I white guy on DDR. You make me larf

[Jangadance]

Again, I say please don't build that shoddy support beam. You'll look like a goon if you use it, they only have it in arcades because the pad is elevated and they'd be held liable if people fell. Looking forwards to hearing about your finished product though. Dance on. P.S. DDR for PS2 > DDR for Xbox

Oh, P.P.S. don't IM me about this you jerk.

[TheHaze]

This is the pad I have. It's really quite nice and doesn't slide around on the floor.
Plus it wont kill you feet like a metal pad, but it's not my money.

[Zero Talent]

Yeah, I was considering building something like that for a friend of mine. He bought a cheap little $15 soft pad setup and a PS2-USB dongle, and just yoinked this version of DDR with everything up to 7th mix or so... And some Disney Rave thing he insists on using every time he gets up there... *seeth*

Anyways, our idea was really similar, except we wanted to make the dance pad part of a multi-layer setup using 1/2" hardboard. We were running through the different methods of actually activating the pad, and though mechanical through metal sheet springs seemed like the best method, I was really itching to use phototransistors.

The ideas are only really worth five minutes of bored palaver, however, so I wouldn't ask me. Just remember: Don't settle for a boring block of wood with a pad on top. Separate the parts of the pad and build them into the wooden block, at least. Make custom mechanical or electronic trigger pads under clear acrylic panelling/buttons, bling it out with LED's, and paint the rest of it a glossy black for the full effect.

Also, unless you actually use the bar, leave it out. Storage, and your mom, will love you for it.
[obligatory]Just like she did me, last night.[/obligatory]

[cxwq]

Zero Talent, on May 28 2005, 03:16 AM, said:

[obligatory]Just like she did me, last night.[/obligatory]

The world (or at least Zero) as we know it has come to an end.

[Team Slaya]

Personally, i don't think that you need to blow $100+ on DDR pads, because i've had two $20 Gamestop ones for almost a year now and they still work fine. One of them has the usual plywood insert with a plastic cover over it, but the other one has a 3/4" layer of foam and then a thin (Less than 1/2", I think) piece of plywood under that. I usually use the foam one, but when i'm really doing something harder, like Max's or Paranoia's, for instance, i use the plywood/plastic cover one.

I know this doesn't work for most people, but it did for me. I hope this helps.

TS

Edited by Team_Slaya, 28 May 2005 - 09:04 PM.

[Formerly Sane]

I would avoid all of these complicated plans and expensive pads and just duct tape on of the soft thin ones to the floor. I have two and even though one is about half as thick as the other one, they both work fine taped to the floor.

[JSkater]

This is exactly what I was looking to hear: Wether or not the soft pads are good or not. I'm able to get a MadCatz BeatPad and DDR Ultramix all for about $50, I think I'll get that and see if I want to stick with it, and then upgrade if I wish.