Just started playin SM, suggestions?

[SqueeMiester]

Hello, I've just downloaded and played SM for the first time, and needed some fingers pointed.
I've downloaded a song pack from a site called bluexoon, and those seem to be a bit too much for me at the moment, considering how different SM feels from playing FFR.

Is there a way to center the keys (steps) in the middle of the screen, and also can anyone suggest a few sites for song packs that aren't TOO hard, but not too easy? (I play up to "Very Challenging", some, "For masters only" on FFR if that helps) Even some for future reference.

Any other modifications for SM and what not would also be cool.

[thebnq]

Centre the keys, go to Options ->gameplay options ->solo singles on

I think Keyboard collaboration is pretty good start.



Yeah, for the double digits in posts. XD

[TC_llama499]

add your cMODS(c600,c625,c650 ect...) vvvvvvv

http://www.flashflashrevolution.com/...ad.php?t=10284

[Patashu]

if you're okay with the weird way it feels you can play songs you find too hard on lower rates (or even with the nojumps and shuffle mod)

for packs that are about that easy to begin with tho try CKMP 1, 2, 3 and F5 and KBC 1, 2 and 3 and KBMP 1 and 2 and PIMP and VGMP1

after that you've got PPP1 and SMG1, then ODI1 and VGMP2 and SMG2 and KBMP 1.5, then RF and ODI2 and VGMP3, oh yeah and all the HSMPs which are basically collections of hard keyboard singles and packs for future generations

edit: OH and make sure you have event mode on and menu timer off.

[Djr Rap dancer]

Ask to guys ^^
The got some files from me.
Can may be send you them if they are smart.

[Nightfirecat]

If you really need easy songs, go download some DDR packs... They are about as easy for keyboard/SM as you'll get.

Also, when you add your Cmods, make sure you go into your english.ini and put in that your Cmod value has a value in the dictionary--like C600=C600 or similar to how it's set up in the Language folder of the themes folder.

[Patashu]

Originally Posted by Nightfirecat

If you really need easy songs, go download some DDR packs... They are about as easy for keyboard/SM as you'll get.

not -that- easy, he said he can do VCs

[Djr Rap dancer]

Originally Posted by Nightfirecat

If you really need easy songs, go download some DDR packs... They are about as easy for keyboard/SM as you'll get.

Also, when you add your Cmods, make sure you go into your english.ini and put in that your Cmod value has a value in the dictionary--like C600=C600 or similar to how it's set up in the Language folder of the themes folder.

Frist song i had dl, its on stepmania site.
Got easy one there....
I remember : Mr. Roboto
lmao and pacman.....ect.
Very funny simfiles ^^

[igotrhythm]

I'd agree with Nightfire here. The DDR packs might be an essential tool for getting his timing down...after all, it's widely known that SM's judging is more strict than FFR's, so he's basically learning how to play all over again.

Ironically, I'm going through a nearly identical process because I recently increased my speed mod from C525 to C600 and my performance (my performance, not my computer's...lol) is suffering like you wouldn't believe. >_<

[SqueeMiester]

Thanks for all the help. There's one other thing that's bothering me though.
It seems that steps "lag"? (sorry about my ignorance) It comes to a section with bridges or multiple steps in a line and I miss some even though I know I hit them on time.

[Patashu]

stepmania treads 'chords' differently from ffr

in ffr, each note is a separate individual entity; you either hit a given note or miss it
in stepmania, each note is grouped in with the same notes that come at that instant; so if two notes come at once, either you hit both or miss both. (the judgement is given at the point where you hit the last note of a chord, so you can 'gallop' into a jump when playing index or pad to hit it all on time)
this also means, for instance, that if a pattern has a jack on one arrow through the entire thing then you can hit quads and get everything on time until the jack ends, because no chord can register until all its notes have been hit
however freeze arrows are always treated as separate entities even if they're part of a chord, so keep that in mind

[DarkAdrian]

Originally Posted by SqueeMiester

Thanks for all the help. There's one other thing that's bothering me though.
It seems that steps "lag"? (sorry about my ignorance) It comes to a section with bridges or multiple steps in a line and I miss some even though I know I hit them on time.

Does the arrows lag when they are coming up? Usually fixing it is easy, just go to All Programs > StepMania > StepMania Tools and Package Exporter, when you have opened that look under Game Settings and click on the button that says Change Settings, now you can change the Graphics API and Sound API, when I first had StepMania it was lagging mad on my Vista PC but when I changed the Sound API to WaveOut it wasn't lagging no more ( I heard that the Default on Sound API functions diffrently on Vista, most people with Vista has some sort of problem running StepMania ) also changing the Graphics API can help too, there will be diffrent results with diffrent video drivers so try each one out. What version of StepMania do you have?

[revolutionomega]

smoke weed, get angry and drink red bull
i don't smoke btw lol.

[GodfatherArtist]

Watch some videos of some of the top players on youtube (such as Laggy, Izzy, Arch0wl, Nima, .... well the list goes on for a while). Izzy has quite a collection of videos to watch (just search IzzySM on youtube and you should find his videos).

[AznGreen]

Originally Posted by GodfatherArtist

Watch some videos of some of the top players on youtube (such as Laggy, Izzy, Arch0wl, Nima, .... well the list goes on for a while). Izzy has quite a collection of videos to watch (just search IzzySM on youtube and you should find his videos).

i don't see how watching players would help anything related to this thread.

go to bemanistyle.com or use ffr to download some songs so you can play it of course. then i recommend you to look for packs to start off your collection. you can also get new arrows, themes, announcers, characters(if your into that kind of stuff), and fix your option to the way you want it. just have fun with it.

[Devilsrejectedsoul]

otaku's dream packs are awsome :] try them out

[Nullifidian]

Originally Posted by Devilsrejectedsoul

otaku's dream packs are awsome :] try them out

ew, those files are terrible lol
deleted them the minute I tried them out

ps. Custom noteskins seem to help me alot. They might help you as well.
I use the noteskin Metal which gives me a way better MA than the rest of the noteskins. You can find noteskins (and themes and stuff) at http://www.stepmaniathings.com/

[Gundam-Dude]

Originally Posted by _.Spitfire._

ew, those files are terrible lol
deleted them the minute I tried them out

OD1 and 2 were complete garbage. OD3 and 4 were still bad but there were like ~5 files in each with replay value and were alright. OD5 would be their best one by far since about half of the files don't suck dick and have some replay value.

Go with what Patashu said.

Also, as Spitfire mentioned, try out different noteskins. I personally find Orbular much easier to read than arrows (especially for dumpstreams and if you play on a rather slow speed).