My home built metal DDR pad (Part IV)

[ChilliumBromide]

I actually depends on the system and controller. If it's for StepMania, you can definitely use one controller for two pads, and even add in a control box for each player, since all you need for that is a 14-button controller, and a Dualshock 2 registers as a 4-axis, 16-button controller. If it's for PS2 use (which is kind of lame anyway, to tell the truth), you can't use one controller EXCEPT with SuperNOVA2 and possibly SuperNOVA, but you'll need to do some research for that. If you seriously want to try that, I can try to get you the details of how the 1-controller double mode (I know this feature exists at least on SN2, because I've used it in desperate times) works. I think you'll need to wire up to L, D, R1, L1, SQU, X, TRI, and O. as L1, D1, U1, R1, L2, D2, U2, and R2, respectively. You can also check for yourself, because I'm a busy person. If you do this, I would advise you plan on switching to StepMania full-time ASAP, because SN2 takes about 2 weeks to get really boring.
_________________

I used to be active here lol

[ffff]

Yeah, sorry I'm a little vague. I want it for Stepmania, which means I can make 2 pads with 1 controller, simultaneously? What about the wire? If 8feet+ would fry your controller, wouldn't 14 6 feet wires wired to it fry it up as well?

BTW, there are many reasons why I decided to build a soft one.
-I want to experience it
-I don't want a reliable soft pad(bought)
-I don't have tools to build a solid one
-I won't be living in this house for anytime longer. I'll be migrating

I stumbled upon this website, which inspired me to build a soft one, though this guy's wiring is definitely not for the average people.

http://www.gadgetvenue.com/custom-made-dance-pad-06043752/

[mikieson]

[stuffmonger]

[ChilliumBromide]

Well, it looks like lists of four things are all the rage here now.

1. A homepad is the best pad you can own. Period. That doesn't mean that you can build a pad that's better than a BeatGear, but I know a few people (devout, infamous360, weston, and some of the others I've talked to) who could if they put their mind to it.
2. An arcade pad will run you $2500 through betson. Unless you're making pads on a budget of more than $2500 per pad, you're saving money on the best, since it's almost impossible to find a legit BeatGear pad, and Konami's the next best commercial pad available.
3. If you can build it from scratch, you can replace it from scratch or fix almost any problem. 4 of 5 dentists say that being able to repair your DDR pad easily is good for your pubic hair.
4. You shouldn't have pads frying. I've personally never fried anything I've made and I've never heard of these silly rules. A long wire WILL NOT fry your pad simply because it's a long wire. Go ahead and make a 14-button DDR doubles pad with dual CB; if it fries, I'll send you another USB controller chip free and know better next time.
_________________

I used to be active here lol

[ffff]

[cbarbera]

Hey everyone,

I dicovered this thread by way of a google search and have been glued to all these great posts. As a result, I'm thinking of embarking on my own metal pad building project. I just have some questions.

My plan is to use Riptide's design, but modify it a bit to make it slimmer. It's an absolute requirement that I make the pad as thin and low to the ground as possible for storage purposes. I need to be able to slide this thing under a sofa when not in use, or my wife will flip out. Therefore I'm aiming for a thickness of 2 or 2.5 inches.

Anyway, is there anyway to accomplish this within the scope of Riptide's design? His arrow wells looked very deep, and overall I thought they could be made smaller, but what do I know? I'm a novice.

[stuffmonger]

[ChilliumBromide]

[cbarbera]

Hmm. Thanks for the replies. I'll think on it a bit. Devout's Stealth pad seems to meet my requirements and might be a good first timer board to make since it's a simpler design with less parts.

My only complaint about the stealth pad is that it has no flair or arrow panel graphics. It's more like a fine piece of furniture. If only there was a way to spice it up. I'm open to ideas there as well. But I digress. I've gone off topic a bit here.

[ChilliumBromide]

There are certainly ways to add flavour and flair to a Stealth, but in doing so, you'll need to sacrifice some degree of simplicity and spend a little extra money. One thing you can do is add a laminated cardboard graphic over the metal panels. Another thing you can do is simply paint or dye the non-button panels. You can even use the basic design concept to build a pad that looks and functions almost exactly like a $300 Cobalt Flux for half the price.
_________________

I used to be active here lol

[slvrshdw]

to cbarbera:
if you do plan on using the riptide plan, like i did, and recommend it

i actually did use the 1x4s instead of 2x4s (i actually made some of each, and the 1x4 ones are WAY lighter and still dont slip)
so yeah, go with that
_________________

[cbarbera]

Those are some great ideas. I'm still in the planning stages on what I want to do. In the end I may make my homepad as a blend of multiple designs. Once i price out the sheet metal, and plexiglass, I'll decide if i wanna go in a more modded riptide or kicked up stealth direction. I'm also really digging the DJ3 design.

[Weston]

That reminds me... if anyone has videos of the DJ3 design or high score screenshots using this pad design, let me know and I'll link them on the Pad Performance page since I really haven't played home versions for almost a year.

[Mateui]

[ChilliumBromide]

[cbarbera]

Ha! Hi there Weston. Just thought I would mention that I love your pad design. I'm considering yours very highly. I only wish I could see some building videos or photos of the inside (ah-la riptides vids). I'm having some trouble wrapping my head around the contact design and their placement. It's a really nice looking pad.

In the end I may try out the Stealth design as a first foray into pad building and then follow it up with a more complex design like yours.

[Mateui]

[Weston]

[cbarbera]