chair mat soft pad mod --- for people who play on carpets

VelocityWave · Trick Member Joined: 02 Apr 2006

Not sure if this has been posted before but I see a lot of softpad mods on this site that require a lot of time and effort. I did this one a while ago, It only takes a few minutes and made my old bundled softpad play almost as well as my metal pad.

I went down to staples and bought one of those chair mats intended for carpets. It has small plastic spikes in the bottom. I bough the largest size they had and once I had cut off the "tounge" on the front it was the perfect size for my DDR pad. All I did then was duct tape the pad down to the mat. The only problem with this design is it will only work in carpeted areas. But now I don't end up with my pad sideways on the other end of the room after a song. It also makes the pad hard so its easier to use.

I'll take a picture later and put it up if anyone is having trouble understanding what I mean.

TRPX_Mudkip · Trick Member Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Location: Madison, WI

I understand exactly what you mean, but does it help the pad sensors at all, by actually having a sort of solid piece underneath them?
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VelocityWave · Trick Member Joined: 02 Apr 2006

Well it helps them in a sense. Before I did this mod, every time I touched an arrow, I had to press it hard because it kept sinking into the carpet. Having a hard surface underneath makes it so you don't have to press as hard, and your foot doesn't sink in. Makes it much easier to play IMO.

shurf · Trick Member Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Location: NJ

This sounds useful. I hate when I play on the carpet because the carpet always absorbs the impact and I seem to lose energy faster. So a hard surface would definitely help.

Could you take a picture soon? I'm curious to know how it looks.

NinjaDux · Trick Member Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Fo Co

It's an ok idea, the mats still move around like carpet does, but make sure you dont play with the mat upside down
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DarkCore · Trick Member Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada

That's a decent idea, but I say a piece of plywood underneath it would help more.

mthegreatone · Trick Member Joined: 25 Sep 2005

VelocityWave · Trick Member Joined: 02 Apr 2006

hmm you may be right about the plywood. I just figured it was an easier method of modding. I've been using this setup for about 4 or 5 months with no trouble at all. Because of the spikes it grips my carpet like no other (im not even kidding my metal pad slides more than this thing). AnywayI'll let you know if the chair mat cracks, but the buttons on the pad seem to be wearing out faster than the mat under it.

linkmaster_6 · Trick Member Joined: 21 Apr 2006

its funny that you posted this becasue i had the same idea and did it.
that pad i use is ok but it doesnt move at all even when i played drop out

VelocityWave · Trick Member Joined: 02 Apr 2006

Yeah that looks pretty similar to mine. The mat I got has far more spikes in it and it looked a little firmer than the one you have there. I think rubbermaid was the manufacturer,

shurf · Trick Member Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Location: NJ

It looks good. I want it.

It doesn't even look like its taped down.

linkmaster_6 · Trick Member Joined: 21 Apr 2006

no its not taped its elmers spray glue and lots off staples

VelocityWave · Trick Member Joined: 02 Apr 2006