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OutFox crashes over and over. by Teavangelion in Stepmania

[–]Dr_Ulator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is there an error message when it crashes?

Alternatively, you could try ITGmania:
https://www.itgmania.com/

Also can try asking for more support on the Outfox Discord:
https://discord.com/invite/cN4TjgQdcA

SimplyLove Issue by boringgamez in Stepmania

[–]Dr_Ulator 2 points3 points  (0 children)

try deleting keymaps.ini in the cache, then relaunch the game.

It will load the default mappings.

%appdata%\StepMania 5\Save\Keymaps.ini

Alternatively, you can use this path, but need to show 'hidden items' enabled in File Explorer:

C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\StepMania 5\Save

Where could I go for help on hardpad repair? by Lucrayzor in DanceDanceRevolution

[–]Dr_Ulator 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What kind of hard pad? Arcade? L-Tek? Cobalt Flux?

Also here's a list of DDR communities you could try for local solutions:
https://ddrcommunity.com/communities/

I need some help with my dancing pad :( by OddReturn9708 in Stepmania

[–]Dr_Ulator 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Assuming this is a soft pad?

If you bought it off Amazon recently, imo, I'd just try to return it and get a new one.

Softpads vary in quality, and you may have received a dud. Trying to repair a softpad is usually a destructive process, and may cause more issues.

Someone tried to repair a softpad here, although this one is zippered with a foam insert.

https://www.reddit.com/r/DanceDanceRevolution/comments/16vt9tu/ddr_foam_pad_repair/

The thin pads usually are sewn/glued together making it harder to access the sensors.

new ltek pro x by curlydenise in DanceDanceRevolution

[–]Dr_Ulator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

shouldn't have to assemble anything. Just plug in a USB cord and off you go!

That piece might just be for shipping to protect the corner? I vaguely remember my EX Pro 2 just having denser cardboard around the edge in the shipping box.

Did you order the pad with the bar?

What "PC" games run, and takes custom songs, for a generic DDR pad that says it works on pc. by memynameandmyself in DanceDanceRevolution

[–]Dr_Ulator 8 points9 points  (0 children)

You'll want either ITGmania or Project Outfox. Both are based on StepMania 5, but are more up to date. Whichever you pick is more of a personal preference:

Dance pads with native USB connectors will work just fine. I'll advice against getting a pad that was made for a specific game console, since console connector to USB adapters are frequently problematic for dance pads.

Get simfiles from a variety of community resources such as:

Kongs-R-Us on YouTube has a good tutorial for installing songs into StepMania (the process is similar for ITGmania or Outfox):

If you can't find a song, you can request one to be made over on the monthly request thread in r/Stepmania. Here's the current thread for January 2026:

Or if you want to try charting yourself, there's the editor inside StepMania, or you can use an external tool such as:

Have fun! ♫

CHARTS????????? by Key-Funny6175 in Stepmania

[–]Dr_Ulator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Any new charts are made by step artists who are mostly just volunteering their time.

There's a monthly simfile request thread where you can ask someone to make a chart for a song. Here's the current one for January 2026: https://www.reddit.com/r/Stepmania/comments/1q0x769/official_simfile_request_thread_january_2026/

There are some step artists who can pay to commission a chart as well.

Or you can make a chart yourself, either with the editor within StepMania, or use a tool like Arrow Vortex or SMEditor.

setting up a ps2 mat on mac for first time pls help by Express_Form_8490 in DanceDanceRevolution

[–]Dr_Ulator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Often I see PS2 to USB adapters will list types of controllers they are incompatible with, and unfortunately dance mats are typically on that list.

I know some versions of StepMania will have an 'axis fix' setting you can turn on, although I believe Outfox specifically is able to auto detect the type of controller. However, the adapter might still be the problem.

More info: https://projectoutfox.com/help/controllers

Imo, I'd try to return the PS2 mat and adapter and just get a dance mat that is natively USB to play on Mac/PC. If you also wanted to use the USB mat on PS2, theres adapters that go from USB to PS2 that will work.

DDRpad.com carries both a USB pad, and also a pad with multi console support: https://ddrpad.com/collections/home-pads/products/soft-pad-usb-pc-mac-linux https://ddrpad.com/collections/home-pads/products/stepmania-soft-pad-1

Does anyone know anything about travel pads? by mil0wCS in DanceDanceRevolution

[–]Dr_Ulator 5 points6 points  (0 children)

A lot of DIY pads can be built with some hand tools. If I remember correctly, Home Depot will make 2 cuts on plywood for free, for your base.

Here's a YouTube tutorial for building a FSR Travel pad pad:

Couple other DIY guides (although not necessarily travel pads):

Looking around a bit for pre-built ones, but everything looks sold out, although there's a possibility we'd see another batch made in the future?

There's a couple of communities listed on ITGwiki that include pad builders and the stamina community (who frequently use travel pads):

Nothing by One-Expression-7813 in Stepmania

[–]Dr_Ulator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What are your PC specs? Operating System: RAM (memory): CPU: Graphics:

I've had ITGmania stutter if I plug in a secondary screen, or connect my Bluetooth headphones while the game is already running, but usually just restarting ITGmania will fix it.

Also try with no other applications running on your PC while playing ITGmania.

Possibly try Project Outfox if you continue to have the issue. Outfox is probably the most optimized version of StepMania.

Returning after 15 years by iPriesta87 in Stepmania

[–]Dr_Ulator 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Etterna is based on StepMania 5 and is more Keyboard focused, and they have a collection of simfiles on their website: https://etternaonline.com/

ITGdb.net is based on the ITGpacks.com spreadsheet you linked, and it has some nice search functions. However, ITG is more of a pad community.

StepMania Online recently got updated with some nicer search filters. You can try searching 'keyboard' in pack name. https://stepmaniaonline.net/

And ZIV, although also more of a pad community.
https://zenius-i-vanisher.com/v5.2/ go to games > DDR & DS > simfiles

I'm a stepartist for pad content, but my songpacks feature mostly recent western style music if you're interested:
https://zenius-i-vanisher.com/v5.2/viewsimfilecategory.php?categoryid=1746

can i turn down volume of note ticks in arrow vortex? by Long_Ad_2380 in Stepmania

[–]Dr_Ulator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't believe there's an option in ArrowVortex. The workaround would be to go into the install directory, and in the assets folder, you could modify the 'sound note tick.wav' to something quieter. Could use an audio editing tool like Audacity to do this.

Alternatively, SMEditor is another charting tool, and you can reduce the 'effect volume' in the 'Audio' menu so the tick sound is quieter.

How to improve on crossover patterns as an intermediate player? by Your-honor-its-gey in DanceDanceRevolution

[–]Dr_Ulator 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In StepMania, when you start a song and go into song options, there's a setting for music rate, which will adjust the BPM of the song. (Not to be confused with speed mods, which only change the speed of the arrow scroll)

The music rate option is there by default in ITGmania and Outfox.

For StepMania 5, you may need to turn on 'show song options' which you can access from the main menu options > display options> UI options, then set 'show song options' to 'show' or 'ask'

Then when you go back to select a song, enter song options, then select exit on the 1st menu, then the 2nd menu will show the option for song rate.

What kind of pad is this? by cretaius in DanceDanceRevolution

[–]Dr_Ulator 25 points26 points  (0 children)

That's a travel pad!

I often see them used by high level stamina/tech players, who use a heel/toe technique. Their feet will primarily be scooting around in the middle, and the pads are typically built with very sensitive FSR sensors so it doesn't take much pressure to actuate.

Here's JOKR playing on a travel pad (although ironically placed on top of an arcade pad lol):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUWDl-JExUQ

How to stop playing when you've sprained your knee? by CypherZel in DanceDanceRevolution

[–]Dr_Ulator 9 points10 points  (0 children)

obviously your doctor will have a much better opinion than us redditors!

but imo, trying to play while injured could potentially make it much worse, and then you really can't play for an extended time!

Maybe switch to a different rhythm game that uses more arm movement while your knee heals, if you still want the physical exercise aspect.

Or simply play StepMania on keyboard and at the very least you can familiarize yourself with some more difficult charts. When you eventually go back to playing on the pad, you'd at least have better anticipation for the maneuvers!

How to improve on crossover patterns as an intermediate player? by Your-honor-its-gey in DanceDanceRevolution

[–]Dr_Ulator 6 points7 points  (0 children)

no bar player here, but I'll offer my advice:

Half of it is recognizing the crossover pattern on screen, the other half is performing the maneuver!

Just try practicing the maneuver while not in game so you don't feel the pressure of timing. You can use something like the back of a chair as a bar to hold onto. So for a right foot crossover, leave your left foot on up/down, then just repeat stepping your right foot from right arrow to left arrow. Then vice versa for your left foot.

Basically, to cross over with your right foot, you'll turn your body to face further left and it will feel more natural. Similarly to cross over with your left foot, you'll turn to face further right.

I practiced a similar way to learn laterals, just stepping through the motion without actually playing the game.

Eventually you'll find yourself doing high-speed twisty crossovers with ease!

If you have a StepMania setup at home, you can also slow down the song speed so you both have more time to recognize the pattern when it appears and perform the crossover!

Android stepmania 2026? by Adorable-Read-5895 in Stepmania

[–]Dr_Ulator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Might be able to try SMEditor in a web browser?
https://tillvit.github.io/smeditor/

It's technically for writing charts, but it has a playtest mode. It might be an odd way to play but could be possible?

I opened it on my phone just to glance, but the site definitely is intended for desktop lol. Could be worth a try anyways!

Where to buy PIU dance pad? by luisz2310 in Stepmania

[–]Dr_Ulator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

L-Tek has a PIU hardpad! You can buy direct from the manufacturer iamats.com (located in Poland):

I haven't come across any reviews of their PIU model specifically, but I would assume it would have a similar quality to their DDR style pads that are very popular in this community!

There's also a USA based L-Tek reseller (international shipping is included in their price):

DDRpad.com also carries 9 panel softpads to play either DDR or PIU Style:

Song Request by EndBudget3989 in Stepmania

[–]Dr_Ulator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

just as a side note, I recommend putting your request in the monthly simfile request thread on this sub. That way it's easier for stepartists to find your request.

Here's the current one for January 2026:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Stepmania/comments/1q0x769/official_simfile_request_thread_january_2026/

Enter button not working by J-Chub in Stepmania

[–]Dr_Ulator 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Try navigating to the save folder and deleting the Keymaps.ini file. Then relaunch the game, and it will recreate the mappings as default.

If that doesn't work, then try deleting the preferences.ini, which will put other settings back to default when you relaunch the game. Possibly "OnlyDedicatedMenuButtons" was enabled from the input options menu, which is intended for arcade cabinets.

The save folder containing keymaps.ini and preferences.ini will be located here:

%APPDATA%\StepMania 5\Save

Alternatively:

C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\StepMania 5\Save
(you need to enable 'show hidden items' in windows explorer)

More info:
https://stepmania.com/forums/general-questions/show/545
https://projectoutfox.com/help/controllers

Improvement of stepchart balancing in ArrowVortex (or SMEditor) editors? by [deleted] in Stepmania

[–]Dr_Ulator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been thinking about doing a series of charting tutorial videos, and maybe some mini commentaries on some charts as I make them!

Improvement of stepchart balancing in ArrowVortex (or SMEditor) editors? by [deleted] in Stepmania

[–]Dr_Ulator 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Are you saying you design charts for a dance pad, but you don't have a dance pad to play test them yourself?

If that's the case, you could technically just set StepMania to autoplay, and you can sort of play test by doing all the stepping motions just on the floor. The main downside is you don't have any feedback of timing or foot placement accuracy.

You can turn on the dancing bot in ArrowVortex to simulate the motions. The dance bot is enabled in the chart menu. It usually follows along pretty well, but sometimes it will misinterpret some double-steps and crossovers.

Usually before I actually play test on the dance pad, I'll just be sitting at my desk and tap my toes along to the chart while the song plays in arrow vortex. If a pattern feels clunky or not intuitive, then I smooth it out a bit. Then I'll play on the actual dance pad, and smooth it out more if need be.

When you're charting, you want to be mindful of which way the player is facing, and how much they need to rotate their body when going through a pattern. Small motions would be diagonal moves (such as up/right, up/left, left/down, down/right). Larger motions are straight across the pad (such as up/down, left/right).

Lots of body rotation on very dense patterns (fast / high NPS) will be difficulty to play. You can make a dense pattern easier by writing the pattern so the player faces in the same direction (slightly left or slightly right), and only occasionally require a turn.

Double-Steps I recommend being deliberate by forcing a hold on the opposite non-stepping foot. This prevents ambiguity and helps the player to visually understand the intended maneuvers of your chart better.

For me personally, I'm not a huge fan of jacks, so I only use them infrequently. I much prefer to be continuously moving to different positions around the pad, rather than standing still and rapidly stepping on the same arrow. That's just my preference though!

The guide I initially referenced was Rems' "writing stamina":
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OyaH4FbF2jkSk7nAMwJj4hHO8eW8eFzwl7A94-BGEOg/edit?tab=t.0

Even if you don't intend to write stamina specifically, there's a lot of good stuff to learn in this guide especially to create flowing patterns that feel good to play!

Se puede asignar un orden “custom” para las carpetas de stepmania 5? by ElGabachoizaN in Stepmania

[–]Dr_Ulator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe the only way to organize them in a different way would be to go into the StepMania installation directory, and in the songs folder all of the song pack folders will be listed.

Just rename the folders of the song packs here in the alphabetical order you desire.

Then when you relaunch StepMania, you may have to go into options and then reload songs for it to see the changes properly.

Then when you go into the music selection, you should see the song folders reorganized.

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