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Houou Don't You Want Me
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Joined: 18 Dec 2004
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4440.  Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 2:06 am Post subject: |
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| This is a quick and silly question, because I have no knowledge of the PS2 what-so-ever: My friend might be giving me working PS1 (aka PSX) controllers he doesn't need for pad-building purposes. Do PS1 controllers work on the PS2? |
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stoli
Trick Member
Joined: 27 Mar 2005
Location: Southern NH |
| 4441. Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 6:52 am Post subject: |
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| Ravenwing wrote: | | ... When I opened the controller, there was a sort of plastic "X" mounted over the X,O,Square,Triangle buttons that held the rubbery button-cushiony-stuff in place, and that made it -extremely- difficult to solder those two buttons. Did you snap that off, or did I just happen to get the "Mad Catz harder-to-solder Retro"? |
I know exactly what you are talking about. Both of my controllers had that clear plastic piece - I believe it was to help diffuse the light from the LEDs which light up the buttons - sort of like those decorative fiber optic cables. I was able to pry it off, only breaking one of the tabs so that I could replace it after soldering. Not necessary though. I will make a note of it on my site.
I have a question for you since you used the same controller. Do the words "MadCatz" on the top of the controller still light up red? They did before I attached the controller to the pad but now they don't. My guess was that adding the extra wiring somehow lowered the voltage supplied to those LEDs. It was interesting, but after I reassembled the controller on my second pad, all the wires crammed back in the case created a short of some kind and the red "MadCatz" LEDs worked again (of course the controller didn't). I just took it apart, rearranged the wires and it worked fine again, sans the red LEDs. Curious.
-Stoli
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Synaesthesia
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Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Location: Crushing all deceivers, smashing non-believers |
| 4442. Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:58 am Post subject: |
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| Houou wrote: | | Do PS1 controllers work on the PS2? |
Yes. I've not yet encountered one that hasn't, though I remember seeing on the box of my breakaway cable "may not work with all PS1 controllers." Well, the controller I'm using is a super-cheap $2 controller, so if that works, I imagine just about every other one will work, too. (Unless you happen to buy "Shady Bob's PS1 Controler")
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Ravenwing
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Joined: 22 Jun 2003
Location: Leavenworth, KS |
| 4443. Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 11:32 am Post subject: |
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| stoli wrote: |
I have a question for you since you used the same controller. Do the words "MadCatz" on the top of the controller still light up red? They did before I attached the controller to the pad but now they don't. |
Well, what I've discovered about the Retro is that the words "MadCatz" won't light up at all until you've held start and select for about 2 seconds, which I think activates it's analog mode. After putting the controller back together, I found that the lights and controller still functioned exactly the same way. After plugging the controller into my computer though, courtesy of a USB adapter, I've found that in analog mode (lights on), the controller maps the D-pad to a sort of "PoV hat" mode instead of an axis, and that could be why the controller wouldn't work for DDR. I haven't tried to put it into analog mode while playing DDR or ITG, but when I was trying to play Stepmania on my computer, the controller would not function correctly unless analog mode was turned off (red lights inactive).
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We all LIVE, therefore we are all EVIL, because the two words are one and the same...
...Oni mode is LIVE. |
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Heffenfeffer
Trick Member
Joined: 22 Apr 2002
Location: Las Cruces, NM |
| 4444. Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 1:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Ravenwing wrote: | | Well, what I've discovered about the Retro is that the words "MadCatz" won't light up at all until you've held start and select for about 2 seconds, which I think activates it's analog mode. After putting the controller back together, I found that the lights and controller still functioned exactly the same way. After plugging the controller into my computer though, courtesy of a USB adapter, I've found that in analog mode (lights on), the controller maps the D-pad to a sort of "PoV hat" mode instead of an axis, and that could be why the controller wouldn't work for DDR. I haven't tried to put it into analog mode while playing DDR or ITG, but when I was trying to play Stepmania on my computer, the controller would not function correctly unless analog mode was turned off (red lights inactive). |
For DDR/ITG, pretty much nope. I've tried analog in both and it didn't work. But oddly enough, if you've got a rumble feature in your controller, setting the Dual Shock mode on some DDR versions on 'Button' will rumble the controller every time you miss a step. It could potentially be useful as a feature in some pads...maybe hook it up to an electric shock or something for training purposes...
Ah, who am I kidding, it's useless. I just posted this so that I could have post #4444. Hopefully at 4:44 PM on 7+1/2 = 4. It's my forte.
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"Your charisma exceeds that of mortal men. Many would lay down their lives for you." - Fall-From-Grace |
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stoli
Trick Member
Joined: 27 Mar 2005
Location: Southern NH |
| 4445. Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 2:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Ravenwing wrote: | | Well, what I've discovered about the Retro is that the words "MadCatz" won't light up at all until you've held start and select for about 2 seconds, which I think activates it's analog mode. |
Ahhhaaaa. I guess I should have read the directions. Sure enough, the lights still work. I guess when my controller shorted out, it just went into analog mode. Thanks.
-Stoli
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Synaesthesia
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Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Location: Crushing all deceivers, smashing non-believers |
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stickfigureman3
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Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Location: Redmond, WA |
| 4447. Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 10:02 pm Post subject: |
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Hey, I've been thinking about building a metal pad for a while now and so far the best design in my opinion was Stoli's. However, though, I've got a ton of questions based on it.
First off, can the arrows be lowered on it? If so, will the X and O buttons still be raised (a la Afterburner)?
Second, I want to use a dance pad controller on this (especially with PS2 online coming along soon). Will it work, as there's no space inside to put the control board, and this will leave out the triangle, start, and select buttons out of it? If I can use that, is there any way to mod on a triangle and start/select buttons without adding more buttons on its front (like the X/O)?
Third, how does this pad treat carpet? My mom was worried about the pad possibly chewing it up.
Also, how well does this absorb shock from stepping? My house's first floor isn't directly on a concrete foundation, so my Ignition shakes the floor pretty well. Is the metal comparable to that or better/worse?
And finally, does the lack of corner brackets affect gameplay that much, or does it work fine without them?
Any help would greatly be appreciated.
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"Let us whack mightily upon our enemy as the oaken staff assaults an unwary pinata! All for the chocolaty treasures within!" --Javier |
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Ravenwing
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Joined: 22 Jun 2003
Location: Leavenworth, KS |
| 4448. Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 12:25 am Post subject: |
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After finishing this up, I kinda feel like I'm stepping on Stoli's toes as far as Q&A goes...heh, I guess I'm just excited that the project's done. So Stoli, if I've answered any of these inaccurately or inadequately, feel free to correct me like nobody's business. wurd.
I did, however, stay at a Holiday Inn last night.
| stickfigureman3 wrote: | Hey, I've been thinking about building a metal pad for a while now and so far the best design in my opinion was Stoli's. However, though, I've got a ton of questions based on it.
First off, can the arrows be lowered on it? If so, will the X and O buttons still be raised (a la Afterburner)?
Yes; you just need to remove either one of the layers of hardboard from underneath the arrows, and make sure that your screws won't be too long as a result.
Second, I want to use a dance pad controller on this (especially with PS2 online coming along soon). Will it work, as there's no space inside to put the control board, and this will leave out the triangle, start, and select buttons out of it? If I can use that, is there any way to mod on a triangle and start/select buttons without adding more buttons on its front (like the X/O)?
It will work, you'd just need to either save the original circuitboard housing from the pad and drill holes for the buttons, or build a control box housing for it, where you can make buttons for each button you need. Slvrshdw could help you with this...he made a pretty sweet control box for his pad. (I'm pretty sure it was him, anyway...)
Third, how does this pad treat carpet? My mom was worried about the pad possibly chewing it up.
As long as you tape up the edges of the sheet metal as per the instructions, it should be fine.
Also, how well does this absorb shock from stepping? My house's first floor isn't directly on a concrete foundation, so my Ignition shakes the floor pretty well. Is the metal comparable to that or better/worse?
Stoli can offer more insight on this than me...I don't play mine on a carpet. On my hardwood floor, however, I -can- say that playing on the pad with shoes definitely shakes things up more than an Ignition pad does. Haven't tried it barefoot on a non-solid floor.
And finally, does the lack of corner brackets affect gameplay that much, or does it work fine without them?
Works fine. With the exception of DDRhomepad's design, it seems corner brackets are pretty much just there for a more arcade-like feel anyway.
Any help would greatly be appreciated. |
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We all LIVE, therefore we are all EVIL, because the two words are one and the same...
...Oni mode is LIVE. |
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HitokiriX
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Joined: 27 Mar 2004
Location: Berwyn, PA |
| 4449. Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 12:45 pm Post subject: |
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Hey guys. Just came back from camp....and I'm pretty sure almost all my questions have been answered except one: Stoli, does your pad design create sound when you step on the arrow panels? Not the sound of your shoes tapping the polycarbonate arrow panels...the metal on metal sound of the contacts tapping each other.
If so, has anyone ever figured a way to damper this sound? It really annoys me for some reason (I flinch everytime I watch Riptide's last video of him playing D2R and the DDR pad makes TONS of noise everytime he steps on the arrows). |
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stupidbarber
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Joined: 28 Feb 2005
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| 4450. Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 11:13 am Post subject: |
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| HitokiriX wrote: | Stoli, does your pad design create sound when you step on the arrow panels?
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I agree with you, HitokiriX. Noise from the arrows is obnoxious. Seems like some people report that Stoli's design has very low noise (like Ravenwing's result, see previous page). I'm right in the middle of construction, and I decided to use a rubber mat instead of the wood underneath the panel switches. So far, I've tested one panel, and it is great: completely silent. I'm finishing the other three arrows this weekend.
I have a question for people, about thoughts on the best height for the stationary squares. I guess the Stoli design has them flush with the arrow switches. I'm used to the Ignition pads, which have the arrows slightly elevated compared to the non-switch squares. That helps a lot in knowing where your feet are if you start to drift during an intense song. On the other hand, I see that some people like the new Afterburner, and the CF pad modification that lets you have sunken arrow switches, supposedly more like an arcade machine. I'm putting on the stationary squares last (to make sure I'm happy with the switch action first.) And I'm considering raising them just a few millimeters higher than the switches. Will this slow down our footwork? Is it harder to slide from one square to another if you have to accomodate raised squares? |
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Synaesthesia
Trick Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Location: Crushing all deceivers, smashing non-believers |
| 4451. Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 11:33 am Post subject: |
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Depending upon how high the arrows are raised, and your method of sliding, I'd think you might notice some problems. In a softpad with raised arrows (like anything "Ignition-style"), the top layer (the fabric with all the designs on it) helps to smooth out the differences between heights, respectively. Plus, what is used to raise the arrows isn't solid like a piece of metal or Lexan or something. I'd think that with raised arrows on a metal pad, you'd notice a lot of tripping, if you're not careful. The arrows on my pad line up perfectly with the non-arrows, and I don't have any problems with losing my place (drifting) on the pad. The Lexan feels different enough from the metal that I know where my feet are at all times. Personally, I never got good at sliding. I just progressed to the point where I naturally lift my feet the bare minimum to conserve energy. I'd think that you wouldn't want to do much sliding on 10+ footers.
If you want to have raised arrows for sure, but it turns out the edges are sharp, you might try using a Dremel drill or something to grind the edges, giving them a slope instead of a right angle. That might keep you from tripping (or hurting socked/bare feet) while sliding.
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kalakaflaca
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Joined: 06 Sep 2004
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| 4452. Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 7:24 pm Post subject: pum it up home pad?? |
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I´m almost ready to build my homepad..any of you have ideas how to build pump it up style??..i know they work with 5 arrows ..4 on the corners one on the center..but I don´t understand how..is it possible to build my home pad like that??..any idea,tip or info will be greatly appreciated..
Kalakaflaca |
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HitokiriX
Trick Member
Joined: 27 Mar 2004
Location: Berwyn, PA |
| 4453. Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 am Post subject: Re: pum it up home pad?? |
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| kalakaflaca wrote: | I´m almost ready to build my homepad..any of you have ideas how to build pump it up style??..i know they work with 5 arrows ..4 on the corners one on the center..but I don´t understand how..is it possible to build my home pad like that??..any idea,tip or info will be greatly appreciated..
Kalakaflaca |
As of now I dont' see a point in doing it since pump it up has not yet come to the PS2 game console (at least I think so...). But if it did come out for console gaming the problem still exists that you can't change what each arrow panel works as (left, right, etc.). I think in the end you'd have to build either 2 pads from scratch, or buy the cobalt flux (if I'm not mistaken it should have the ability to change between DDR and PIU). |
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HitokiriX
Trick Member
Joined: 27 Mar 2004
Location: Berwyn, PA |
| 4454. Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:54 am Post subject: |
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| stupidbarber wrote: | | HitokiriX wrote: | Stoli, does your pad design create sound when you step on the arrow panels?
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I agree with you, HitokiriX. Noise from the arrows is obnoxious. Seems like some people report that Stoli's design has very low noise (like Ravenwing's result, see previous page). I'm right in the middle of construction, and I decided to use a rubber mat instead of the wood underneath the panel switches. So far, I've tested one panel, and it is great: completely silent. I'm finishing the other three arrows this weekend. |
Hm.....so you just placed a rubber mat square under the bottom contact?
Do the contacts sit on top of the rubber mat while the rubber mat is glued to the wood base? And do the wires coming from the contacts sit on top of the rubber mat as well? Sorry for all the questions, it's just I want it all to be understandable in my head before I put it into practical use. |
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stoli
Trick Member
Joined: 27 Mar 2005
Location: Southern NH |
| 4455. Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:25 am Post subject: |
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| HitokiriX wrote: | Hey guys. Just came back from camp....and I'm pretty sure almost all my questions have been answered except one: Stoli, does your pad design create sound when you step on the arrow panels? Not the sound of your shoes tapping the polycarbonate arrow panels...the metal on metal sound of the contacts tapping each other.
If so, has anyone ever figured a way to damper this sound? It really annoys me for some reason (I flinch everytime I watch Riptide's last video of him playing D2R and the DDR pad makes TONS of noise everytime he steps on the arrows). |
I've never seen the video so I can't speak to that, but I don't notice much noise produced by the contacts. The only other finished pad using my design (that I know of) is Ravenwing's and he mentioned on the previous page that his pad is "noiseless" as well. My pad is used on a carpeted basement floor and Ravenwing's is used on a hardwood floor with a rubber pad between the floor and the pad (I think). I guess it probably depends on your dance style?
-Stoli
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kalakaflaca
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Joined: 06 Sep 2004
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| 4456. Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 8:07 am Post subject: |
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I found this..Pump it up on Play station 2..that´s good!...
"Any hardcore PIU fans among you will also be pleased to hear that the North American PS2 and Xbox versions of Pump It Up: Exceed will feature all of the tracks from the recently released Korean home version plus six additional, all-new tracks. "...now I think the hard part is to set up the switch..but following Stoli,RipTide or other design I could do...since this mat has 5 bottom I suppose that 4 will go to the corners..and 1 on the center..I´m not sure if that center switch could be working ok if leading to Start on the control ...these controls I have work on PS1 or PS2..I have to be sure how those wires coming fron switch panel will go to control..Please, any idea or tip will be aprecciated..
Kalakaflaca |
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stupidbarber
Trick Member
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
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| 4457. Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:01 am Post subject: |
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| HitokiriX wrote: |
Hm.....so you just placed a rubber mat square under the bottom contact?
Do the contacts sit on top of the rubber mat while the rubber mat is glued to the wood base? And do the wires coming from the contacts sit on top of the rubber mat as well? Sorry for all the questions, it's just I want it all to be understandable in my head before I put it into practical use. |
The rubber work mat I found turned out to be similar in thickness to Stoli's 1/2" + 1/4" hardboard, so I just substituted it. I can't find the label right now, but when I go back to the hardware store, I'll see if I can find the exact name.
Basically, though, I followed Stoli's directions exactly other than the material replacement. So I attached the rubber to the base with screws (not glue, in case I have to detach it for some reason). There was not a need to countersink the screw holes because the rubber deformed enough so they wouldn't stick up. I didn't bother with the central screw, just one at each corner. I did glue (spray glue #90) the sheet metal squares to the rubber, actually before I attached the latter to the base, just so I didn't have to newspaper/tape everything up. Turns out more glue is better than less, in this case. For one of the squares, the metal + rubber was slightly bowed up along one edge (not sure if I had bent the metal a bit before gluing) but it was easy to tack it down by just adding an extra screw along that side when attaching to the base.
I also cut slots for the wires in the edges, just like Stoli instructed. Cutting the rubber squares with a table saw worked pretty well, other than the discomfort of tiny flecks of hot rubber being spit back (it was better when I wore long sleeves). No obvious damage to the table saw. But, cutting the slots (with a sabre saw) and drilling holes in it was a bit tricky because the rubber tended to "heal" itself, so it was hard to see exactly where I had made the cuts and holes.
Now I've completed all four pads, and tried it out. It does work great. Stepping on the panels is as quiet as my Ignition pads. However, I'm not sure that it is any better than using wood. For my second pad, I'm thinking of using wood under the switches to compare. I have to admit it is a little easier to work with than rubber, mainly for the reason I said about not seeing where holes, etc are. At the very end, I discovered that using White-Out to mark holes, slots, etc works well |
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Synaesthesia
Trick Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Location: Crushing all deceivers, smashing non-believers |
| 4458. Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:38 am Post subject: |
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| kalakaflaca wrote: | I found this..Pump it up on Play station 2..that´s good!...
"Any hardcore PIU fans among you will also be pleased to hear that the North American PS2 and Xbox versions of Pump It Up: Exceed will feature all of the tracks from the recently released Korean home version plus six additional, all-new tracks. "...now I think the hard part is to set up the switch..but following Stoli,RipTide or other design I could do...since this mat has 5 bottom I suppose that 4 will go to the corners..and 1 on the center..I´m not sure if that center switch could be working ok if leading to Start on the control ...these controls I have work on PS1 or PS2..I have to be sure how those wires coming fron switch panel will go to control..Please, any idea or tip will be aprecciated..
Kalakaflaca |
I seem to recall that on the R2 Exceed release, the controls for using the Dualshock were using the shoulder buttons for the directions, and X as the center, which was rather intuitive, IMO. I don't know how the controls will be mapped for the US release, or if there will be controller options to map your own controls. I think it would be wise to wait until the game is released to ascertain such information. As for the actual pad construction, I imagine if you built the typical DDRHomepad template, except inverting the arrow and non-arrow sections, that would work just fine. (Having 4 non-arrows where the DDR arrows would be, and so forth.) I've not actually mapped out the dimensions of the arcade PIU pad, so I don't know if what I suggested is confluent with arcade pads. Your best bet might be to find the arcade dimensions, then use the DDRHP template (in terms of how arrows and non-arrows are generally constructed) to create your PIU pad.
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im a lasagna whale
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DoodieBody
Basic Member
Joined: 14 Jun 2005
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| 4459. Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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Pretty much finished with my home made pad! Everything is up and running, just need to make a box for my circuit board.
Just test ran my first few songs and...my feet hurt, my scores went down, and I frustratingly miss steps because I don't push quite hard enough...WOO HOO! Mission accomplished, I feel just like I'm at the arcade, lol. I used vinyl tubing that home depot sells for 99 cents for 10 feet, put about an inch of it in each corner, works like a champ. I'll have to see how it wears in, may or may not have to add more.
Anywho, just like to thank everybody for their hard work and making this project possible for the clueless people like myself  |
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