My home built metal DDR pad (Part IV)

G Force · Basic Member Joined: 22 Jan 2005

I want to build a stepmania machine. There's a lot of issues with this, but I want to focus on ths physical part of the pad first. I want to build a pad that looks and feels similar to that of a DDR machine. This is because I would like to eventually use it in an actual arcade.

I have been tossing around ideas of how to accomplish this, but I would love to get some help. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.
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SuRfReAk · Trick Member Joined: 19 Dec 2004

Stepmainia=computer? Me + computer hardware= screwed. Me + Computer software=

And jolly good luck.

EDIT: LMAO nicoga...lmao...
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nicoga3000 · Trick Member Joined: 18 Jan 2005 Location: Illinois

I apologize for so many posts, but I want to know if anybody has the solder points for an official Xbox S controller? (the smaller ones...) If you can help me, I would REALLY REALLY appreciate it!

I'm having TONS of issues with the soldering...
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ch · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 12:47 am Post subject:

gforce: riptide pads would be the way to go. they have room for lights, they are the proper height, and yoeres room for bar support. i also reccomend parallel playstation converters, they have almost no lag. emulatronia.com.

nicoga: if you got a pic of the inside of the controller, we could help better.
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CStarFlare wrote:

I approve of the direction this thread is going

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090310025322668

SuRfReAk · Trick Member Joined: 19 Dec 2004

So no one's got any more suggestions for the FAQ?
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ch · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 1:06 pm Post subject:

an overview of how to make good metal panels (both folding and cutting)

the layout for a sortpad's solder points (and a link to a website on how to solder)

uh

and external button enclosures (TerTerBox, Alien, etc)
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CStarFlare wrote:

I approve of the direction this thread is going

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090310025322668

RedXander · Basic Member Joined: 13 Feb 2005

Iâm building my own DDR pad. Iâm using DDRhomepad's design. I've already connected three metal panels together. I have a few questions though.

1)I put wooden supports underneath the metal panels. Now it says to make the arrow panels with pegboard with supports beneath them. After I make all of the arrow panels do I put one big piece of pegboard beneath the whole thing? How would I seccure the arrow panels to the rest of the thing?

2) Also, is this pad design good if I don't want lights? should I have followed the other guide?

3) I hear its not good to use sheet metal contacts but rather mesh stuff. What is that? Should I use it?

daitenshi · Trick Member Joined: 11 May 2004

cartoonhero:
I would think usb would have less lag than a parallel, since it is a much faster port. I'm curious to why a parallel would be faster... explain?

ch · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 8:37 am Post subject:

from personal experience. i bought a usb adapter and it was kinda slow. i made a parallel adapter, and it was faster. also, usb adapters have to go through a microcontroller, while parallel adaptors are hooked directly to the system bus.

also go to the adapter thread for further info
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CStarFlare wrote:

I approve of the direction this thread is going

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090310025322668

mtwieg · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 10:35 am Post subject:

I could write a section on soldering/wiring/contacts. However, I don't know much about putting lights in, but I still have expertise on electronics.

ch · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:24 am Post subject:

ill pm you the light writeup before i finish it then, so you can look it over
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CStarFlare wrote:

I approve of the direction this thread is going

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090310025322668

latindude88wpg · Trick Member Joined: 12 Nov 2004 Location: winnipeg, mb

i can contribute with some pictures of an usb gamepad with the solder points labeled. would that help?

ch · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 12:05 pm Post subject:

how about how to locate solder points?

following traces, determining a ground...
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CStarFlare wrote:

I approve of the direction this thread is going

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090310025322668

latindude88wpg · Trick Member Joined: 12 Nov 2004 Location: winnipeg, mb

i can try and do that. it's pretty straight forward anyways, so i'll try to open up as many controllers as i can and take pictures to make it easier to understand.

and there's always the stepmania lights tutorial (click on my signature)

SuRfReAk · Trick Member Joined: 19 Dec 2004

I'm already writing an FAQ on how to solder a controller... I'm including a bunch of stuff about finding grounds and soldering.
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desousa · Basic Member Joined: 10 Feb 2005

Aight, I wrote this topic for riptide's ddr pad design, its for people who want to use their pads on a computer! Check it out

http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=100892

ch · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 6:34 pm Post subject:

yea, put that under controllers too
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CStarFlare wrote:

I approve of the direction this thread is going

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090310025322668

nicoga3000 · Trick Member Joined: 18 Jan 2005 Location: Illinois

Alright...I FINALLY got the pad finished, and the arrows register fine, but there's one issue. Freeze's are the best example...Any time I hit ANY arrow, the screen registers it a quadrillion times. On freezes, the green tail just flashes green and black super rapidly the whole time. It's like that for all 4 arrows. Does anyone have any idea how I can fix this problem? =) Thanks a bunch!

EDIT: I'm using an XJoyBox to convert PS to XBOX. Has anyone else done this and experienced the same problem? My papi and I think it might be an interface issue. If you have, please tell me what kind of controller you used. Thanks! And I checked the wires, they're all fine. But I should ask, what do you mean by loose?[
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ch · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:57 am Post subject:

make sure your wires arent loose, and that your two contacts are coming together cleanly

and that you dont have turbo turned on on your controller
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CStarFlare wrote:

I approve of the direction this thread is going

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090310025322668

SuRfReAk · Trick Member Joined: 19 Dec 2004

I wouldn't use a converter at all. Just solder an Xbox pad or controller, and buy male/female cat5 (or whatever wire you're using) wire connectors at radioshack. Attach the wires from your new solderec conrtolelr to a male end, and the wires from your pad (cut from the original controller) to a female.
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