I am a somewhat beginner at DrumMania, please help

[[TBU] Keitaro]

i have been playing ddr since summer 2000, beatmania since summer 2001, and IIDX/guitarfreaks/keyboardmania/popnmusic/drummania since a few months ago. i am deciding to put my energy into DM now, and want some help. for the last few days i have been playing bandjam on the keyboard, and can now pass used to rock n'roll on basic with a B and get to the ending five notes on advanced. i can also pass some other 2s and 3s... i play on 1.5x or 3x, because 1x, 2x, 4x etc seem to throw me off beat. when it comes to real play, i played one game a year ago at AI and failed on a 9/100. a little more recently i passed a 10/100 on autopedal and a 12/100 with pedal... i dont remember what they are. i have determined i do not need auto pedal.

got a few Qs:

1. for now i intend to play on bandjam, but when i go jps2, what mix is a good beginner/intermediate one and has good selection? (i found a deal where i can get DM1 + konami controller + gf4dm3 for $270.. should i go for it?)

2. i am definitely buying the topway controller they sell at redoctane soon o i can play and want to know... what are the details on the problems ive heard? (sensor quality? that pedal?)

3. i'm pretty sure it's on gf9/dm8... but what mix is used to rock n roll from? i wanna buy the soundtrack... my god that song kicks a$$!

thanks!
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The Berkeley Underground

[Milza]

2. I am definitely buying the topway controller they sell at redoctane soon so I can play and want to know... what are the details on the problems I've heard? (sensor quality? that pedal?)

I have one and it works great, but the sound of plastic on plastic is a bit loud and the pedal is a POS (mine broke after a couple of weeks, can't even put it back together). However, don't buy it from Redoctane. The same pad is available for $10 less at JapanVideoGames.

[[TBU] Keitaro]

thanks.... umm does anyone know what gun pedal works with the controller?
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The Berkeley Underground

[davidbrit2]

Any light gun pedal that uses a 1/8" mono headphone plug will work. I did the same thing, but the pedal was a bit flimsy and wore out (multiple times.) Now I use a keyboard sustain pedal from Radio Shack that cost about $8. You'll need a 1/4" mono to 1/8" mono adapter, too, but it works really well. And I've had pretty much no problems with my Topway controller. The low tom is a little sensitive, and usually will misfire if you miss a pad and whack the plastic, but all the pads respond very nicely. And here's some advice about BandJam: stop. Now. ;-) Playing DM on a keyboard is NOTHING like the real thing, so quit now before you learn any bad habits.

As for versions to buy, GF4+DM3 seems to be the easiest to find, and it's got a really nice song list, too.
Music List
It usually sells for around $60 or $70. 1st Mix isn't terribly worth the high prices, unless you have a soft spot for 1st Mix, or you really want to play Koi No Dial 6700 on DM (which is understandable.) The timing is a bit off on 1st Mix, though.

And don't use normal wood sticks with the Topway. It's loud as hell, and the length is really awkward for the relatively small controller. Just use the included plastic ones. They are perfectly suited for their purpose.

[[TBU] Keitaro]

[davidbrit2]

[[TBU] Keitaro]

ummm i have the EMS USB 2.... does that not work?
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The Berkeley Underground

[MeltyKiss]

http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=64695 - Drum Mania discussion in there please.
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...apart of Team W.D.C. and DDR Freak Sneak Crew (Does anyone even remember either of these two anymore?)
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