Red Octane Afterburner issue

360freak · Basic Member Joined: 03 Jan 2008

I just got my Red Octane Afterburner pad today. I'm trying to hook it up to my computer to use with stepmania. When I plugged it in, I got the usual usb be sound from Windows, but no new found hardware thing popped up. So I downloaded the driver that's nearly impossible to find and can only be accessed from a link in the FAQ for the control box from the Red Octane site and installed it. The install only really quickly copied a few files. So I start Step Mania and go to the mapping, and I'm still not getting any response from the pad. Any tips?

Thanks

stuffmonger · Trick Member Joined: 08 May 2008

belink · Trick Member Joined: 12 Aug 2007

Go to the Control Panel, then go into Game controllers. Do you see it listed? Does it respond to input?

360freak · Basic Member Joined: 03 Jan 2008

The pad decided to work after a new found hardware bubble decided to finally pop up. Thanks though guys.

A couple of questions on the afterburner though:
Is it supposed to feel like sturdy, heavy metal, or like flimsy metal? I feel as though, especially when I step on the back part of the pad w here the logo is, that the metal warps and makes creaking sounds when I step on it. When I bought it, I was under the impression that it would be like a real arcade pad with sturdy panels, not bendable panels. I thought the panels wouldn't recess more when stepped on, and instead just stay in place and make that sort of vibration sound that sounds like the panel is a little loose like with all DDR machines.

yukihime · Trick Member Joined: 12 May 2008 Location: Philly, PA

Hi there

AFAIK, at least I've not run across one nor have I seen anything here (and these people know just about every type of pad around) ... there's not a home use pad that will "stay in place and make that sort of vibration sound" ... I think, and please correct me if I'm wrong, the only way you're going to get that type of stay in place and especially the vibration thing IS to contact Betson? or Channelbeat? or check the marketplace here and buy an actual arcade machine.

The AB, from my understanding *note, I do not own an AB or any metal pad for that matter*, the panels are recessed and they do "flex" some when you step on them. Which does kind of equal bendable.

The creaking may simply be a matter of a) breaking the pad in; b) you're playing on a thick carpet (some metal pads really hate carpet!); or c) the screws need tightening or loosening just a bit.

The only other thing I can think of off the top of my pointed head is ... do the sheet metal mod on the panels. The AB does use foil and I'm not sure (don't have one yet), but I believe the sheet metal *may* make the panels a bit less flex-y.

I'm in the market for a metal pad myself and I think it's gonna be an AB. I'm just so tired and confused by all the back and forth.

The "best" pad for arcade-type feeling without being an actual arcade machine is supposed to be the Blueshark ... if you can get one. But that's a topic for the Blueshark thread.

Good luck and please let us know how your AB is performing please? Could be helpful for those of us waffling between CF and AB.

I'm sure you'll get some more responses from people who do have an AB on the creaking, etc. issues.
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ChilliumBromide · Trick Member Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Location: Beaverton, OR

The creaking is actually coming from the plywood they use to fill it. You can replace that, but it's a bitch to get out. Worry more about the corner brackets. Those have a tendency to get bashed in because of the cheap plywood triangles they sit on. I'd pull those out and replace them with select 3/8" fir triangles glued on with krazy glue ASAP. The panels are thin plexiglas. If you want something that won't crack, just get lexan the same thickness (1/8"), and cut it to size and shape. You can get some graphics printed at Xerox or Kinkos pretty cheap, then just glue them on and put some clear food wrap over the graphics. Put a 10.7"x10.7" steel square with the corners cut off under that panel and then reattach the panel. You've now built Cobalt Flux panels for an AfterBurner.

DISCLAIMER: this is actually an idea that just popped into my head. It SHOULD work, but I haven't tried it. If you're not too sure, just keep the old panels on. Even when they crack, they're fine until they split in half.
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