A Quick Poll

Please rate your opinion on each of these questions on a scale of 1-10


If a song's stepchart follows the lyrics/vocals, it's immediately worse than a song that follows a beat/rhythm of the song.
1- never true
10- always true

A song's stepchart must follow the beat precisely in order for me to like it.
1- strongly disagree
10- strongly agree

If possible, please explain why it's considered "bad" to create a stepchart to the lyrics/vocals of a song.

That's pretty much it. If I have more questions to ask you guys, then I guess I will. But answers will be much appreciated and will be used in my own stepcharting experiences, as well as [hopefully] other peoples' experiences.

1
1

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1
1

3
2

5 - depends on how the rhythm of the vocals are. if the vocals are nice and on the beat (i.e. most of Little Star) then i don't have a problem with it. however, if the vocals are oddly timed or otherwise off the beat then yes, it will bring down the stepchart.

1 - no. it can be abstract and it works great as long as it's not hideously overstepped, like the 5thMIX data bank charts.

2
1

If a song's stepchart follows the lyrics/vocals, it's immediately worse than a song that follows a beat/rhythm of the song.
3 - It really depends on the song itself. Sometimes stepping the vocals makes for a more fun chart than strictly following the accompanying music.

A song's stepchart must follow the beat precisely in order for me to like it.
3 - It doesn't have to be precise (leave precision to IIDX and keyboard charts and such) but you should at least make some sort of effort to follow the music. As long as the player can understand what sounds you're following, there's no issue.

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If a song's stepchart follows the lyrics/vocals, it's immediately worse than a song that follows a beat/rhythm of the song.
5. It honestly depends on how closely the steps follow the vocals and how well the vocals actually fit with the song. If the vocals have a nice pattern to them, then I don't see much of a problem (unless it's followed all the way through the song; at that point, you might as well just try to make Karaoke Revolution edits).

A song's stepchart must follow the beat precisely in order for me to like it.
2. I would like a song to follow the beat, yeah, but it doesn't need to be note-for-note. I mean, we're here to play DDR, not IIDX. As long as the chart flows well and actually works with the song, I couldn't give a rude heck.

If possible, please explain why it's considered "bad" to create a stepchart to the lyrics/vocals of a song.
Sometimes the vocals for a song just don't work with the song. *cough* Drake's verse on "No Guns Allowed"*cough*
Sometimes there is something else in the song that would be better suited to step to.
Sometimes the song's vocals are ass and you need something else to work with.
Sometimes the song has no vocals.

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Thanks for the responses so far, I really appreciate them.

If a song's stepchart follows the lyrics/vocals, it's immediately worse than a song that follows a beat/rhythm of the song.
5
It depends on what the song is. If the lyrics/vocals can make for a good rhythm that won't bore someone, then do them. If the lyrics/vocals are repetitive and boring, then don't.

A song's stepchart must follow the beat precisely in order for me to like it.
7
If you're putting things on a song that don't merit it, then your file should be deleted.
Damn those files that put gallops where they don't make sense. I know you want to add flare or whatever you like to call it...don't.
You should make complete effort to follow the music.

5
Stepping only vocals is boring
Stepping only drums/percussions sounds is boring
Knowing what is relevant to step is what makes pad charts interesting

8
IIDX and "ITG" (if that still makes sense lol) player opinion... but... yea
I like when I can exactly tell why there is a jump or a specific pattern.
Experimental charts aside, I'm not a fan of understepping, I usually try get as much of the song as I can in the chart.

If a song's stepchart follows the lyrics/vocals, it's immediately worse than a song that follows a beat/rhythm of the song.
1- As many others said, it depends on the song. I try to avoid stepping songs in which the vocals have a more prominent rhythm than the actual song. But basically if a stepchart only focuses on the vocals when there is a much clearer and more interesting musical accompaniment, of course it's probably worse than a stepchart that focuses on that beat. I've stepped songs that focus on the vocals of the song and they've come out pretty good though.

A song's stepchart must follow the beat precisely in order for me to like it.
1- My preference for stepcharts just depends. It depends on the song. For hardcore techno songs, I almost expect the chart to be a massive stream of arrows perfectly matching the song's beat. If I'm playing a chart for a very light pop song that focuses on the rhythm, I'll probably get bored really quickly if it just focuses on the music's rhythm. Whatever makes the chart more fun, I don't really care.

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