Best DDR Metal Pad

I'm also thinking of getting a metal pad, since I didn't take my soft pads with me and there's no rhythm games here within an hour's drive. I'm looking for something multiplatform and high reliability/low maintenance, along with bar and possibly doubles support. The kicker is that I'd really like to try out the upcoming 8-panel mode, and I don't have a 360 or PS3 yet so it'd be nice if the pad worked on either. So far it looks like I'm going to miss out on 8-panel =/

---

I guess it depends whether you want to use it to get better at DDR, play DDR and have it feel just like the arcade, or whether you just want to pass a buttload of hard songs.

I'm not sure what metal pads are like these days, but from the older ones I've played on, I found that nothing ever feels exactly like the arcade, and anybody insisting that their pad *DOES* is just trying to justify their $400 purchase. :{

And of course, if you just want to pass insane things, a Redoctane Ignition softpad is probably the best choice. Silenttype01 has some awesome videos of his doubles setup, using Ignition 3s.

I have a TX-2000 that has the same setup and bar, but different colors.

---

I care a lot more about PA than just passing stuff, and I want to be able to feel where I am on the pad. Also, a bar would be nice.

As for my passing ability, I'm still working on Unlimited. That's not something I'd call "insane" Probably the hardest I've cleared on a soft pad is 888 (1x chair) at a friend's place, while going through Quest mode. The cpu beat me and I had to do it again

And I realize it's not going to be exactly like the arcade. Unlike my friend thegutter's computer, Stepmania has a tendency to skip for me, and some background videos like PSM will pwn the game and make my steps literally fall 3 seconds late.

---

I have a Cobalt Flux with the "Arcade mod kit" (which actually makes it feel a lot less like teh arcade), and I can't complain. It never pad-misses, and the response time has made me a lot better at PA'ing. The panels sink into the pad a little, when you press them (like DDR X), and the black panels are raised, so I had to completely forget everything I knew about DDR (from playing Pump), and start lifting my feet off the panels when I play.

It obviously doesn't feel like playing in the arcade, but then I don't think anything does. It doesn't feel awkward to play, and the response is so good that my average score on a most 9-foot songs went from around 80% to 96% in about 2 months of playing on it. After a few days, going to an arcade and being able to slide my feet across the pads, and hold onto the bar feels like cheating.

My usual process of learning a song like Pluto Relinquish or NGO Oni is to play it on the Cobalt Flux on a reduced speed with assist tick on, then play it on regular speed until I'm confident that I can scrape a pass 90% of the time. After that, I'll usually go to the arcade, and nearly full-combo it on the first go.

The main thing for me, though, is being able to play original stepfiles reliably, and know that everything is completely fair. You can't take any shortcuts, and you have to lift your feet, so you really appreciate well-made stepfiles (see : Dancing Wipeout / DMAxel), and it's basicaly as much fun as playing in the arcade.

I wouldn't reccomend a Cobalt Flux for "emulating" a DDR machine, but as a tool to practice on, it's worth the money, and it's basicaly invinvible. I know that in 50 years time, my kids will be able to play on it. Now that my Pump It Up mat has started to tear itself to shreds, I consider the CF the best videogame investment I've ever made (and I paid £500 for it. I'm sure it's cheaper in america)

I'm going out, but when I get back, I can make a video to show illustrate how it's different from the arcade, and how it compares to a (perfect) softmat?

That sounds great! I'd like to see that. I'm gonna be up a little while longer - since I started night shift, my sleep schedule has been reversed haha.

And yeah, Wip3out makes a lot of good pad files. I've been wanting to play The Icy Phoenix, 20031023 (True Style), Un Monde Parfait remix, ...wait, there's too many to list! I get distracted easily X)

Oh, finally got post #573.

---

If you want to be able to slide your feet around easily on your CF, just take the mod kit off. I played a 20 song course yesterday on my injured ankle, and I was sliding my feet the whole time because it hurt to actually play.

TSM: Have you tried turning off bg videos on SM? If they're keeping you from playing the songs, then surely you're happier without them.

I think my sig shows my my CFs work for PA. I've heard claims on r21freak though that they aren't suited for anything harder than an ITG 13. That doesn't really seem relevant to you right now though.

---

I do end up removing videos from most files I play, but you'd think the Cover mod would get rid of the lag. =P

---

Ok, I just played 2 songs to try and show how , how hard mats move around when you bar rape on the, how the Cobalt Flux responds to streams, how you can't play it exactly as you'd play DDR, and how none of this really matters, because I love it anyway ^^;

I played Max300 at the end to show that the pad won't move around underneath you, no matter how fast the streams are.



I know you're all much better players than I am, so I'm sure you'd get a much better performance out of it. I'm obviously very small and very light, and even I've never had any pad misses on it. the reason I didn't AAA Exotic Ethnic is simply because I can't. The pad IS harder to play on than an arcade machine, and there are a couple of songs I can pass in the arcade and on a soft mat, that I can't quite pass on a CF, although the CF is 100% reliable when it comes to scoring, which the arcade and soft mats aren't. On an arcade machine, I usually "NG" at least half of the freeze arrows, because of my weight.

If you want me to film any specific songs, or test anything on it, please let me know. I couldn't really think of anything to film, besides "watch how this pad never moves, and lets you 98% 9-footers!!!". I can't really show you how it works with a bar, though, because I don't have one, and have no idea how to use them. I tried to show what I *THINK* would happen, though.

edit : Wow, that's the most unflattering picture ever :{

Tyma: You have a much better surface to place your pad on than most people. Everywhere that I'd used my CFs, I can rely on them to move 2-3 inches during a 9 footer, bar or no bar. The only exception is at home, where I have that wooden frame that goes around both of them. Even that gradually moves though.
If you're careful, and keep your screw tight, it's safe to play barefoot on a non-arcade modded CF. I do it all the time. I can't speak for how it is with the mod kit, because I don't have a mod kit. I also play barefoot at the arcade.

When I have lots of money saved up, I'm going to get an Afterburner pair, just to learn how it differs, so that I can actually compare the two.

---

Well now I'm interested to see the worst situation :{