How viable are soft pads?

Re: How viable are soft pads?

dude... Just don't
The soft pads are terrible! And also you can just use your keyboard just fine!

Re: How viable are soft pads?

Some soft pads are alright, just dont try to full combo max 300, pad errors will get you every time. You can AAA up to easier Heavy songs, thats about the limit

Re: How viable are soft pads?

I'm already a very good keyboard player.
I want to get into pad

Re: How viable are soft pads?

do you know which ones are alright?

Re: How viable are soft pads?



there are metal pads for less than 400 bucks but you gotta order from Poland so dunno how expensive shipping costs will get

Re: How viable are soft pads?

Get one with a foam insert. Sorry I don't know brands. I bought some years ago and Im only just starting to need a replacement.

Be ready to spend like 50$ tho. The 20$ ones are going to be TERRIBLE and not worth it at all.

Re: How viable are soft pads?

You don't have a lot of options for foam but the RedOctane ones are alright.

I'd recommend playing them until you're up around ITG 11s/12s and getting frustrated with the quality of the pad. By then you'll need to seriously consider a metal pad to improve. The Maty Taneczne Polish ones posted in this thread are probably the best cost-efficient choice for a metal pad that can handle up through like ITG stamina 16s.

Re: How viable are soft pads?

What can I do once I get past 16s? (Might not happen)

Re: How viable are soft pads?



Are these just always going to be out of stock? I've been waiting like a year now.

Re: How viable are soft pads?

stepmaniax pads i think

Re: How viable are soft pads?

don't listen to me though I try to BS through keyboard charts on a $20 soft pad

Re: How viable are soft pads?



this guy's apparently gonna distribute these pads in the US, so that should lower the cost a bit.

Re: How viable are soft pads?

Precision dance pads are okay if you don't care about quality. I have owned two and they are kinda roughshod construction. You will have to be able to fix them up on your own because they have zero customer service. It doesn't suprise me that it's still "out of stock". You'll also have to make your own bar setup unless they get more kits together.

StepmaniaX is cool but incredibly expensive for what you're getting out of it. $1k for a metal pad seems overkill if it's just for you in the basement or whatever. It'll have good build quality but will have a long waiting list to buy one. You can customize it a bit as well, of you feel like it. I believe it also supports 9 directions. Comes with bar setup.


The best bet so far is to see if you can find a red octane or blueshark metal pad or the thick foam soft pads somewhere like eBay. Or if you find an old precision somewhere and do some tinkering. The next big thing will be Impulse pads made by some people from the ITG scene but they have only made a few test pads so far. You can follow them on their Facebook page but it hasn't been updated since July.

Also the pics are gone but if you want a quick and dirty bar setup guide I have one here. Should accomodate a soft pad just as easily


Edit: That polish pad looks sick though ngl. I might look into that some more since I've been meaning to replace my omega

Re: How viable are soft pads?

Can second that Precision Dance Pads are kind of low tier for the price. I play on one and considering I don't play much anyway because of my ankles they do the job but I really wish I didn't spend near 600 for it.

Can also second that if you can find the Red Octane thick form pads they are probably good if you want to just play something like 8s/9s on the old DDR scale and not worry that much on AAAing everything. We use to duct take that sonabeetch to the floor but chances are good you are not as heavy as I was/am and it won't slide that easily.

As far as metal pads are concerned, any old ones like Cobalt Flux or Blueshark that you find will likely need some serious work. If I was to buy another I would either wait on Impulse or just save the 3,000 bucks for an old cab instead. I have had way better luck fixing the actual cabinets then I have had with any home set up over the years.

I thought Impulse would be out right about now but I guess they got delayed? Wasn't it touted as coming out Winter 2018 at one point?