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HowTo Build a Quality DDR Deck

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the dance-till-the-revolution-comes dept.

Compu486 writes "In an effort to show that quality dance gaming systems can be done affordably, Inventgeek.com has put together an article showing how to make DDR systems better than arcade quality for not a lot of cash. Using this type of system and the free stepmania, hopefully schools in West Virginia can save some scratch and buy some modern text books."

4 of 96 comments (clear)

  1. Need raised panels by starbuck8968 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    You can tell that the author is not a seasoned DDR freak like there are out there.
    The arcade pads, higher end home ones (cobalt flux), and even the foam pads have raised sections so that you know where you are while you're playing. It's very easy to get lost and start stomping the wrong buttons while playing on heavy (hard) or challenge mode.

    --my 2 cents

  2. Quality for $1000? by Solokron · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I am going to have to disagree. You can build a reputable steel one for less than $100. Howtos are all over the web. The Cobalt flux is far more affordable at $299 as well. Fantastic quality, takes a beating and the polycarbonate plastic and galvanized steel can stand up to a barage of vehicles running over it with no problems. http://www.cobaltflux.com/media/MikesDDRandFoogyDo ogy_Runover+Holic.avi

    --
    30% off web hosting. Coupon code "SLASHDOT".
  3. Re:Free? by advocate_one · · Score: 2, Interesting

    well, they could always make a school project out of it to develop their own songs and step routines... multi-disciplinary cross-over... get more functionality out of it, plus the kids could get a skill for life rather than just using pre-prepared pap and having no learning experience

    --
    Donald 'Duck' Dunn: We had a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline.
  4. Check out the DDRFreak forums on this by marcansoft · · Score: 2, Interesting

    http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=592 54

    That topic has *lots* (too much, probably) of info on this. There are several different designs. Personally I would think that the wood-based ones developed there are better (and they are the most common). I am designing a CCFL-lighted(one tube per arrow which light up permanently, when you step, or when you're SUPPOSED to step depending on mode), microcontrolled (PIC18F4550 based), pressure-sensor-based (no moving parts, at least not substantially moving), adjustable (you can set up how much pressure trips the state machine and registers a step), triple-system (USB,XBOX,PS2) wood DDR pad (check out the last couple of pages on that thread).