HOWTO: Build a Stepmania Machine

[Anthony of [TGA]]

Ok, this has always been a question, now here is the answer. Once and for all.

I do not have many pictures right now, but this guide will tell you how to build a stepmania machine.

Things you will need:
A computer with an AGP Slot
J-Pac (www.ultimarc.com) (PS2 is better then USB)
ArcadeVGA (www.ultimarc.com)
Screw Driver
Wire

Things I Recomend:
Sound Blaster Live 5.1

Ok, heres the deal. Take the DDR PCB out of the ddr machine. With the ArcadeVGA installed on the PC run the VGA cord fromt he PC to the JPac. Then run the JPac to the computer's PS2 keyboard slot. Plug the jamma harnest into the JPac.

Take the screw driver and take the 2 metal panels that cover the pad controll boards off of the pad. These panels will be the one to the right of 1P Up and to the left of 2P Up. Now that you are looking at the two controll boards, you will see 4 pad connectors, 1 power connector and 1 main connector running to each board. Use a small length of wire to bridge Wire 1 of the main connector (black) to Wire 3 of the main connector (white). This will allow the JPac to controll the entire pad now, not just 4 of the 8 arrows. You can now re-assemble the pad.

Now, using the screw terminals on the jpac run a wire from a ground and a button screw to the service button, because the service button will not work with the JPac regularly.

Install the JPac software and turn of "Shift Keys". If you do not the 1P start button will not work right.

Now for Stepmania. You need to use Stepmania CN Arcade Build 5 to make this function right. With the JPac it often picks up single depressions as double taps due to the way the sensors are set up. AB5 offers a Debounce function that will stop that. Setting Debounce = 0.060000 stopped that issue for me without hindering performance. I have seen sever AAs of Max. with it, so I know it is not too big.

For the lights, you will need to contact Charles Lohr about purchasing a lights controller. I hve used his units and they work perfectly. Go to www.CNLohr.net for contact information.

Any other questions please feel free to ask.

Heres a pic of the machine that I build for Tokyo Game Action in Woonsocket, RI.

Link removed, Reason: Ad site now

NOTE: There are legal issues when using Official Konami Graphics / Song. I had to go through one hell of an ordeal to be legally sound with DDR Forever's use of said songs / graphics. Please be aware that converting a machine to a SM Machine and using said graphics / songs can and may result in legel ramifications from Konami. Buildign and selling kits using this method WILL result in legel ramifications by Konami. This HOWTO was made for educational purposes only. I am not in any way responsible for what happens legelly / mechanically with your machine should you chose to use these instructions.

[_rdm_]

picture doesnt work anymore :$

[Jongo]

SM on an arcade machine, never heard of that being done before.. sweet.

[Blue0ctane]

Jongo: Not sure if this is just a hax0red Extreme or getting Stepmania onto a machine, but it's still a damn fine video.

[Akira]

i'm so dizzy after watching that video

I think it is just stepmania running on the cabinet

[dieKatze88]

Originally Posted by Akira

i'm so dizzy after watching that video

I think it is just stepmania running on the cabinet

Judging by the arrows, its an ITG hack.

[TougaKiryuu]

Originally Posted by dieKatze88

Judging by the arrows, its an ITG hack.

I retract my last statement, cameraguy just plain sucks

another edit: Okay maybe I don't.. P1 is using stepmania NOTE... so thats not an ItG hack

[Akira]

Originally Posted by dieKatze88

Judging by the arrows, its an ITG hack.

I see...

Regarding on the PM you sent me on 6.0, what is the easiest way on how to boot stepmania?

(except for running it on HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Currentversion/Run)

[EdBoy]

Originally Posted by Akira

Regarding on the PM you sent me on 6.0, what is the easiest way on how to boot stepmania?

(except for running it on HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Currentversion/Run)

Would making a CD with it, setting it to Autorun, and setting your BIOS to start from CD work?

I'll ask my dad, he's smart with this...

[TougaKiryuu]

Originally Posted by EdBoy

Would making a CD with it, setting it to Autorun, and setting your BIOS to start from CD work?

Who wants to reboot their entire computer to play a game?

[Akira]

We're talking about a MACHINE that runs alone and needs less maintenance.

I'm finding the safest and the easiest way to boot stepmania by itself.

[ranatalus]

just to let you know anthony

the link for the SMArc build you use is gone

[TougaKiryuu]

reason being for that is we're using a new build: AND THIS ONE SUPPORTS VIDEOS!

seriously though, your best bet is debian or slackware with bootscripts; personally I'm designing a personal OS for anime mix and i will be SMART about it and password lock the bios of the machine -_-

by the way: Missions are cool.

[Mooga]

There are easy ways to make a computer auto-boot a program...
I just don't know of any off-hand...

If you are using a *nix computer make sure to give yourself SSH accsses so you can add songs and such without messing with the dance box. For windows do a locked share or something similar...

[ranatalus]

Originally Posted by TougaKiryuu

reason being for that is we're using a new build: AND THIS ONE SUPPORTS VIDEOS!

oHO

either way do you happen to know where that link is? I actually prefer using SMArc myself

either that or you could give me that new build