Welcome! This is my first mod guide, wish me luck! A plug: my friend and host, Youngprer, and his website www.youngprer.com And me, the_agent, and mine agent.youngprer.com In the event that an image or mirror link below does not work, enter this directory, but please, only as a last resort. I cant take too much traffic http://agent.doesntexist.com/junk/ddr/pad_mod/ Today I bring you the DDR Pad Mod - Featherweight!. It's a simple mod really, and it makes a HUGE difference [at least at first, long term testing has not yet been done with the finished product] To start you off, a picture: http://agent.doesntexist.com/junk/ddr/pad_mod/pad.jpg Now I know what you're thinking, that looks ****ty well, simply cover the rest with carpet! I'm contemplating it for aesthetic needs, but for the purpose of the guide, it's trivial. You people arent [quite] idiots! First of all, you start with a blank sheet of plywood. I'll post no picture, its not worth it. Try and make the plywood at least 6 inches wider than your pad on all sides [ add a foot to length and width ] This is the proposed size of your plywood. If it doesnt quite make it, no big! Thats what's great about zip ties! Now, you must get some cable clamps. I used 1/8th inch clamps, size is not a huge deal, just be sure your zip ties can get through with no problems. http://agent.doesntexist.com/junk/ddr/pad_mod/cable_screws.jpg Remove the large central metal piece, this isnt used in my mod http://agent.doesntexist.com/junk/ddr/pad_mod/discard.jpg I'm sure you can figure out the next step. You need to make the holes for the cable clamps, so you need to first arrange the pad and figure out where the clamps should go! Note the first image. Simply lay down the pad and go about 5 inches straight away from the location of the tarp clamp, discussed later. Basically 5 inches from the pad on the sides, and 5 diagonally on the corners. If the distance doesnt make it, it doesn't matter, as long as there's enough space for the zip tie to be effective [note my bottom tie and clamp] Self explanatory, I know. You'll need 2 small holes large enough for the cable screw to fit through. These should line up parellel to the portion of the pad where they'll be fastened. http://agent.doesntexist.com/junk/ddr/pad_mod/fastener.jpg So far, so good, eh? Now that you've taken the time to make all the holes and tested each for the fitting of the screw, put in each of the screws and fasten them on the bottom with the hex-nuts. You need to find a piece of material to place under the pad. Playing on the wood does not cause splinters, really, but doesnt feel that great on the feet. I used a section of old carpeting seen here: http://agent.doesntexist.com/junk/ddr/pad_mod/carpet.jpg This is old carpet, quite soft; the weave is long, I think. What do I know, I'm just a kid? Make the carpet the same size as the pad, no more, no less, really. Set it off to the side now. Now you bust out the tarp clamps. What are tarp clamps you say? I'm glad you asked. Tarp clamps are plastic clamps made for securing tarps, that way you can use a bungee cord [if no hole was present before]. http://agent.doesntexist.com/junk/ddr/pad_mod/tarp_clamp.jpg Clamp the clamp just over the material that makes up the edge of the pad. Go in a little more if you wish, it will grip better. Close the clamp as tight as you can get it. Do this in all 7 places [ 4 corners, 3 sides ] Once the cable clamps are in place on the board, the tarp clamps are in place on the pad, and the carpet is cut out, it's time for zip ties. http://agent.doesntexist.com/junk/ddr/pad_mod/cable_ties.jpg Zip ties, or cable ties, are formed plastic pieces with ridges all along the length of the tie, and a plastic "head." Insert the thin end under the cable clamp with the "insert" side of the head up. Put the tie through the tarp clamp and back through the head, loosely. Once all ties are in place, go around and tighten each one a small amount until they are very tight. You dont need to turn into Thor here, noone's life is on the other end of the line. If a tarp clamp pops off the pad and you accidently tightened the cable when it did, do not fret. You can use a pin or needle to hold out the "tooth" on the tie's head so that you can put slack in the tie. I recommend taking the end all the way out. After you successfully adjust the tie, make sure to push on the tooth so that it grabs easily. Push it in. Once all the ties are set, you're almost done! Insert your carpet piece so that it sits comfortable under the pad. It's DDR time! The finished product again: http://agent.doesntexist.com/junk/ddr/pad_mod/pad.jpg again, you could simply carpet the whole thing. If you do this, I recommend placing the cable clamps first, then cutting a hole in the carpet on top. I didnt fasten down my carpet, but I know that I need to. I'll probably borrow a friend's staple gun for that. http://agent.doesntexist.com/junk/ddr/pad_mod/receipt.jpg $12.85 is a small price to pay for this luxery! enjoy! -the_agent
You may prefer something a little stiffer under the pad for greater sensitivity. If this is the case, I would consider adding a piece of something like cardboard or plywood on top of or in place of the carpet, or using carpet thats more like a doormat.
very nice, i would consider doing something like this but i'm actually in the process of building a full size pad out of metal (i'll post some pics when i get off my arse and finish it) but your doing this at about a a fourth of what i'm spending and it's a relatively easy way to solve a common DDR problem, All the other bit-tech DDR-ers give the boy a shout!
Actually for extended playing carpet seems like a good idea, because shoes are a no no on those pads, so a nice carpet bottom is actually a pretty good idea.
there were people at quakecon playing that game. granted there wernt that many of them, but they did have it setup on one of the 42in plasmas at the front so they can play. JEEVES
ddr is awesome when you get a disk with good music. though carpet in this setup does make you feel like a featherweight, the pad doesnt recognize your step as easily, or quickly, but man, it feels great! I ended up putting a foam board [like a poster board] under the pad and above the carpet, and the sensitivity is a lot better thanks for the great comments!
Yay another DDR player It seems to be finally getting a bit more attention in the US and UK now, about 5 years after it neeed it To be honest... metal platforms are the way to go.
yes, DDR is beginning to consume the minds of the young. i agree that metal pads are probably better, though my sock playing friend doesnt like it as much as redoctane's foam pad; however, metal pads cost $110 [plus shipping?] whereas this totals at $35, pad included.
I can't speak for the rest of the world, but during my senior year in high school last year it was one of the biggest things to do after school.
actually you can build a very nice metal pad for around 50 bux , i'll make up a guide when i finish mine in the next week or so
Nice, I bought a 3 dollar pad (lpt1 port on ebay) and I did my own mod, HAS LASTED 3 YEARS OF HEAVY MODE AND STILL WORKS
i like it so its just 2 layers of plywood with holes in the first where the arrows are and duct tape holding down? clever
yeah...I'll post a guide at my site http://www.united-modders.tk later tonite, btw THAT SITE JUST OPENED...SIGN UP IN THE FORUMS
