Questions About Soft Pad Modding

evilkoala · Trick Member Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Location: West Virginia

I am wondering if I can get some questions answered about this mod:
(All questions about performance. I can build it!!!)

http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=105345

(Directions for the wood and plastic covering mod)

1. How durable is the soft pad with the mod. How long can/does it last with Std./Hvy. songs?

2. Does the modded pad move enough to notice?

3. How much better are your song grades compared to a soft mat? Not like it matters much to me, but I have heard rumors of people AA'ing 7s with the modded mat, so is the mod that good?

Just doing a little research on this, and I hope you guys can help me.

Thanks!!!

mouseish · Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:06 am Post subject:

MDF board is great for this, but moves a bit. Put some rubber stuff or something else on the bottom to fix that. My mod is just like that on the bottom, but I put quarter inch lexan tiles on the top of the pad so I can wear shoes and feel a bit more CF/arcade like. I'll get yelled at by -Afronova- if I post the link again, but its on the 5th page of "A word about flat softpads". (Im joking about getting yelled at). The lexan makes these things really nice. The first time Ive passed paranoia brothers on a softpad

REK · Trick Member Joined: 10 Dec 2005

That's the mod I use. I play on it every day.

My soft pad is the official Konami one that comes with the games, but my first pad like this was a $10 ebay one and it still works after a year. I used, like, 3/4 thick plywood. The plastic cover is what you would use to roll your computer chair on in a carpeted room. Got it at Staples. None of those sharp things on the bottom, look out for those. Had to have some friend of mine use a nail gun like thing to get through it, though. The things holding it in place looks like huge paper clips.

But you q is about performance. It barely moves. Make sure to get extra thick plywood so its heavy enough not to move. I can do Max 300 (H) on it. I can AA 8s and 9s. It's lasted months and still as good as when I first made it, but my old one I've had for about a year and a half that was of much worse quality (cheaper soft pad, weak cover, not as thick wood) still works. I've had some of my noob friends stomp on it and everything. But keep in mind it's mine, and since this is a mod, everything could work out different. If you want absolute specifics for what I used, ask. I can probably get back to you tomorrow.

Really can't reccomend this mod enough. Keep in mind though that thick plywood is expensive, and the computer chair - carpet cover I use now was $20 at Staples. Plus a soft pad. I figure the Konami bundle one is best?

Jotz · Basic Member Joined: 02 Oct 2005

I created a softpad mod using an official Konami pad (it has no non-slip surface so it is identical to the Mad Catz pads), some hardwood floor covering, and 2 pieces of cardboard. It doesn't sink down at all because the cardboard is semi-durable and i used two layers. To make this mod non-slip, I highly recommend you stop at your local dollar store and pick up some "grip it" material. Three of them ($3) is enough to cover the whole bottom = 0 slippage.

This mod works perfectly, though I don't have the skill to AA 8 or 9 step songs.

evilkoala · Trick Member Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Location: West Virginia

Thanks for the advice. Would a soft pad like gamestop's brand under this modification perform worse, because that's the one that I am thinking about getting. They are $20.

Here's the link:

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=801817

Again thanks, because I can't afford a high end metal stage!

Reiser · Trick Member Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Location: Calgary, Canada

I modded my soft pad like this, and it lasted for over a year. And once the pad stops working you can probably reuse the wood and the plastic covering. On carpet it slips a little bit, and on a hard surface it slips a lot, but as mouseish said you can put some rubber stuff on the bottom to prevent this.

I have some questions though about this, though, too:

Is it safe to use shoes? I have never tried, but it seems like it wouldn't make much of a difference. And if you mod two pads like this, is there a good way to attach them for double play?
_________________

The Count of Tuscany

mouseish · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 4:42 am Post subject:

Im not sure about the mat on top being shoe safe, but with my lexan toppped pad, it works fine

Ikari Warrior · Basic Member Joined: 13 Oct 2005

I'd get the pads in the In The Groove bundle at Best Buy (store or online).
2 Redoctane soft pads and the game for $30. And they're supposed to be pretty good pads. That way you'd always have an extra pad.

mthegreatone · Trick Member Joined: 25 Sep 2005

not all softpads are created equal. it probably is a good idea to mod a third party pad with wood. but surprisingly, i've had my konami soft pad for nearly a month and it hasn't even worn out yet (the one that comes with the ultramix 3 bundle). i was pleasantly surprised. that still doesn't mean i've turned my back on metal pads though.