Cheap DDR howto?

[Mazer]

So I was at this party yesterday (yes, I was the only non-Asian there). Y'know, where everybody uses Greek letters alot and only one person knows how to use them as Greek letters.

And I noticed somebody brought and XBOX and a big DDR pad. Since I first learned that people can talk about "DDR" without referring to RAM (about 3 years back) I instinctively laughed at this sight. Fortunately, I was told that somebody would be getting some extra controllers and a copy of Halo shortly. Somebody asked if I was going to play and I said "I'll wait for Halo"

Halo came, we played, I didn't like it. Long story short, I want to run with WASD and aim with a mouse. Go suck on it, we aren't here to listen to anybody talk about how this setup is good for anything. Here's the weird part: I said "I wanna play DDR"
Eventually we got bored of the bastard TKer and there wasn't really enough players, so we went back to DDR. Damn, it's actually fun.

So here's my question:
How can I get a cheap (but good) setup of DDR going at home? I'm not going to buy an XBOX, and probably won't buy any other console either.
I've been told to ask AsianSensation about this. Something about a cheap adapter to plug a PlayStation pad into my PC. I gather that there's a version of DDR I can get for computer. Is it any good? They say you can download any song you want, but do you have to get steps for the song or is it automatic or what? Is it better than just using a PS emulator and downloading/copying the ISO for that version?

Also, most importantly, where should I get myself a pad? I asked at the party and he (Jimmy) said that a good decent one would be about $50 CDN. Then I asked about a less than decent pad and he said abotu $30, but I should go with the $50 anyways.

Come on, Asians, we're all friends here. Offer me your advice on this topic or I'll be forced to come over and arm-hair-strangle you.

[Paul]

Um... if you don't wanna go run around everywhere looking for a pad, you can always get (can't think of name) anyway, I had the CD... it had a shit load of songs and the program in it... but meh I forgot. What is it that you want again?

[the_short1]

hahahahahah


yea.,.. no ones wants to buy a XBOX!


GO ps2!

even if it dont got halo.. it still pwns xbox..


DDR.. yea i thought this was about ram at first... hahahahah


mazer... dont blame u... keyboard better for halo anyways...

hmm... does anyone know where to get a mod to turn a n65 controller into a USB gamepad? since we kidna of topic here

[mod:e2cf7925f5]Offtopic like hell. -200 bits. This is about DDR.[/mod:e2cf7925f5]

[Mazer]

Paul Bian wrote:

Um... if you don't wanna go run around everywhere looking for a pad, you can always get (can't think of name) anyway, I had the CD... it had a shit load of songs and the program in it... but meh I forgot. What is it that you want again?

What am I going to do with a shitload of songs if I don't have a pad? I know where to get the PC version of DDR (StepMania) and worst case scenario I can just find an ISO for the PSX version as I mentioned.

Damnit all, why hasn't AsianSensation posted?

[Paul]

AsianSensation hasn't posted in some time... but anyway, my friend, she's been looking all over for one, but can't find one, so I suggest... Ebay. It could be on there.

[Mazer]

Yeah, I was going to check over there, but my main concern is finding a PS to USB adapter. I know that there's levelsix.com, but I'd rather not have to order online. Especially from outside of Canada.

[AsianSensation]

well, I was about to suggest LevelSix, I received mine from there, the pad and the USB adapter, but I had a US shipping address.

Level Six was the cheapest I've seen, if you want though, it's called the EMS USB/PS2 adapter. I'm sure if you search for USB PS2 adapters, there are lots of sites that has it. Even the local Radio Shack or Games stores should have it.

Another thing, as for the pad, I really suggest you buy a foam pad, if not metal. If you buy a soft one, it'll go bad on you really really really fast. Trust me, I have a foam pad, and it's being held together by duct tape and I've only had it for a year. If you can fork it up, get a metal pad.

[Mazer]

Haha, umm no. Well how expensive would a metal pad be? Also, if I were to order this, would it be cheaper to have it sent to a US address? And could I use yours?

[Paul]

If there are instructions for building a nuke online, I don't see why you can't find instructions for building a DDR pad, and if u are proficient in shop, maybe you can construct your own? or maybe get together with asiansensation, take apart his ddr pad, and you 2 work on another one that is metal? I think its a good idea.

[Mazer]

Hahaa. You up for that Asian?
Actually, right now I'm looking for a site that shows you how to make a homemade adapter, that way I'll only need to steal some Chinese kid's pad. That part should be easy.

[AsianSensation]

Notice I said "had" an U.S. shipping address. No longer have it anymore.

Also, if we are taking apart my pad, we better get two metal pads as a result. Though there are sites that tell you how to assemble metal pads from scratch. Too bad I'm a n00blet when it comes to electrical and wires and stuff like that.

Though I'm pretty sure we don't even need to take apart a DDR pad to make one ourselves. If we do, buy the cheap ass ones that are $10 each, we'll take those apart. Metal pads arent cheap at all, they go over the $100 mark most of the time. My foam pad was somewhere around $40 USD, with taxes.

Though I'm for the idea of making a DDR pad.

[Andy]

friend of mine bought two metal pads for 300 bux american

[the_short1]

radioshack... beelive it or not ... they have a good deall


ps & ps2 controller to usb adapter... only $9.99


im buying one next time in in that area.....


enjoy...



http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=21185&item=8128194276&rd=1

^ ddr pad for under 15 $ can

[naoki]

Hmm. Well I know Dodge and his fellow Asians have CD's filled with Step-mania songs so you don't hafta worry about that.

But if you can, try to get a pad like Azn_S's from Red Octane. They also sell a metal pad (I think) but the foam ones are great for beginners up to amateur experts since they absorb all the shock from bouncing.

I remember reading about building a DDR pad, and how you needed to buy a cheap PSX controller (prolly even cheaper than a DDR pad) and use its wiring to place the appropriate buttons under your metal mat. The toughest part I think would be finding a cutter to cut the appropriate plastic/metal pieces

[Mazer]

Yeah, Asian showed me a bunch of links. Looked in my garage the other day, and it turns out I've already got most of the materials. More or less (it'd be my pad, I'll make it half-ass if I wanna). All I need to look into is grabbing a PSX controller (not a Sony made) and getting the plexi-glass. I just hope I don't need to sheets of plexi for each arrow like the guy says. Other than that, the hardest part would be convincing my dad to let me do this, and convincing him to do all of the soldering for me. I'd also need some pwnzor graphics for the arrows.