the USA beatmania controller

[Shadow_65]

I picked up the us release of beatmania this past week, and i hvae played it for a bout 15 hours now, i gotta say, im not having problems with it, im surprized see how the japaneese controllers seem to need to be moded. Well the controller is good to me, If anyone wants to add comments on it, or when i get done writing it, read my review and help me, i would be much abliged.
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[Dan Druff]

The American version is my first exposure to beatmania IIDX. All the threads about beatmania IIDX always refer to the modding of the controller. Unfortunately, I have no idea what they're talking about. How do you mod a beatmania controller?
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This is DDR. Don't hate the game; hate the player.

[ライス]

[Synaesthesia]

Compared to a modded KOC, the American one feels like you have to hit it a mile early.
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im a lasagna whale

G_G

[DefaultGen]

Well the buttons have springs now, where the KOC didn't right?

I still did the turntable mod, I don't see any difference between the 2 turntables.

[Shadow_65]

personally, ive had some bad experiences in the past with modding things that wernt the same as what was spose to be modded, so ill just take the chance of it becomingcrappy. But i still would like to know what they look like on the inside, if anyone has pictures they would pst?
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[0rion]

I've modded my American version the day I got it, and it's worked fantastically ever since. The procedure is very similar to that of the Japanese version with just a few minor changes.

First, cut the cardboard pieces into squares, not circles. This is because you'll be putting them inside of the BUTTONS, not the plungers. You might consider slightly thicker cardboard as well.

You can still file down the buttons, as well; only bear in mind that the plastic is actually thicker and more sturdy for the buttons on the US version (possibly an all-time FIRST), and it'll therefore take a lot longer to do than it does with a Japanese one.

Also, as a minor note, the screws are the same size on the outside and the inside of the controller (unlike the Japanese version, which had slightly smaller gold-colored screws on the inside). The screws, however, are all much smaller and thinner than on the Japanese version (in addition to being all black), so be DOUBLY careful not to lose them.

I hope that advice comes in handy for you.
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-Sir "O"
There's a little yellow bird on my avatar. (Brawl FC: 4640-1720-6690)

[Marq(uistadorous)]

I'm a complete beatmania newb (ive played it once) and I am getting the new US ps2 beatmania. Will the controller it comes with be good for ME if I don't mod it
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[0rion]

Yeah, it'll be just fine for you until PA/JGA becomes an issue. Until you really start trying to earn AAs and AAAs, the controller will be just fine.

I'd still consider modding it now just to save trouble down the road, though. If nothing else, I'd recommend at least filing down the buttons so they don't begin to stick.
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-Sir "O"
There's a little yellow bird on my avatar. (Brawl FC: 4640-1720-6690)

[mastapsi]

Alright, I've played on both and here is my verdict.

It still needs to be moded.

The needed mods are the wax paper mod (they didn't change the turntable one bit), and the card board mod (for responsiveness)

It's no longer needed to shave the keys, as Konami added a track on each corner of each key for the key to run on so it don't move out of position and get caught up under the edge.

Also, having taken apart the controller, there is no springs in the key as was thought.

[Shadow_65]

hmm, thats pretty interesting. I assume then that the modding will be a little less difficult? Also any idea on what the total power needed by the beatmania comtroller is? I'm trying to see if different perifials (sp?) will make a system need more power... But i have to say, the controller is a god-sent. I personally didnt want to pay the 60 or so dollars for a japaneese controller and then have to pay another 60 per game and have to mod my ps2 on top of that. Even if im justusing some of the onoken bms's this will be nice. I am going to test out ntpad and my parallel port adaptor tonight with this.
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[Marq(uistadorous)]

Could someone tell me where to find the needed mods for the us beatmania controllers
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[Shadow_65]

[Marq(uistadorous)]

I still want instructions for moding a US beatmania controller. Oh yeah, I have a random question. What side do most people have the turntable on, right or left? I mean what's the default side?
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[Shadow_65]

hey, sorry for not getting it up, one of my gret friends passed away in a car crash on sunday, so ive not been able to do it, i will try to have it by the end of the week.
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[Marq(uistadorous)]

[Shadow_65]

its okay man, life goes on, im actually gonna see if i can do any thing tmorrow with it, because its a modified version of the japaneese controller it wont be as hard, but i will definately make a page with steps to do it and such, so i may have somthing by 2morrow night.
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[usamablackbelt]