Forums » Input, Adapters & Controllers » 64-bit Drivers?

I bought some generic metal dance pads maybe six years ago off ebay and they've worked well for years on 32-bit versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 without any drivers to install - I just plugged them in, Windows saw something, and I started Stepmania 3.4 before Windows said the device was unrecognizable and they worked fine (if I waited until Windows saw the device AND said it was unrecognizable, I had to restart my computer because it wouldn't let Stepmania see it after that point).

So one new computer later and I discover my ddr pads don't work with Windows 7 64-bit. Just to make sure it was not the pads, I plugged them into my old computer with W7 32-bit and they worked just fine however in the new computer, Stepmania 3.4 and 5.0 does not see them no matter the method I use to plug them in - Windows does see the dance pads right away. I tried to find a generic 64-bit driver for dance pads, but couldn't. Has anybody else had this issue and got their dance pads working?

Finally, I'm highly considering springing for this pad: Impact Arcade. Has anyone tried it, and if so, does it work with W7 64-bit?

Last edited: 25 July 2014 10:57pm

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I haven't got any solution for the metal pads (since I haven't got them myself), but if you're looking for new pads the Omega GX is the way to go (I linked the ITGX just because it's closer to the one you linked).

That said, if the pads have a separate control box you can either swap it out with a different one or if not then rewire the pads to a different controller that *does* work.
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I appreciate the link shakesoda; from the pictures I saw on google images and youtube, I can't really tell if the arrows are recessed or not, or if it's just one flat surface because the website says the arrows feel recessed, but I always hated way before I bought metal dance pads and played on those cheap plastic mats and could never tell if I was hitting the mat correctly or not. Being able to feel the arrow tiles is a must for me! Otherwise, those look like pretty solid boards, and significantly cheaper than the ones I linked. If you've tried that board, would you mind telling me how's their performance? Durability? And of course, do they come with custom Windows drivers?
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I appreciate the link shakesoda; from the pictures I saw on google images and youtube, I can't really tell if the arrows are recessed or not, or if it's just one flat surface because the website says the arrows feel recessed, but I always hated way before I bought metal dance pads and played on those cheap plastic mats and could never tell if I was hitting the mat correctly or not. Being able to feel the arrow tiles is a must for me! Otherwise, those look like pretty solid boards, and significantly cheaper than the ones I linked. If you've tried that board, would you mind telling me how's their performance? Durability? And of course, do they come with custom Windows drivers?

You can feel the arrows on the Omega GX, but they're much more pronounced on the ITGX. They don't need custom drivers, they just work out of the box (with everything I've tried). I haven't had to do any maintenance since getting the pad and it's very sensitive. The panels do have some give to them, unlike arcade panels, which makes some charts difficult (>10s take much more energy relative to AC pads - but the pad responds well enough for whatever you can throw at it). I'm going to post a full review at some point, but the bottom line is that you're not going to find anything better currently. They're maybe... the third best pads ever made for consumers, and the first two actually used arcade type sensors and panels (and haven't been available in half a decade).

Last edited: 4 August 2014 11:58am

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Hello everyone,
I have the same problem as taem. I have an old computer with Vista version where I installed stepmania and I work fine with the 2 DDR dance pads I have.
I want to try those dance pads on my other computer with Win 7 64bits but the system does not recognize my DDR pads.
Need I install some drivers? If so, anyone could help giving me the exact name of those drivers and an internet page where download them?
Thanks a lot,
Pink
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Hello.
I have a old pastic pad, and it dont work in windos 8 64 bits.
Where can I find one driver?

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StepMania doesn't support drivers for dance pads, you must contact the dance pad manufacturer directly.

As for all of the dance pads on PrecisionDancePads, our products are functional on Win 7 and 8 32bit/64bit. We basically support any device you desire, soon to add support for iPad/Android tablets and cell phones. Just contact us with any specific questions if you are unsure.

As for reviews of our pads, there are a bunch on Amazon, you can read what people say about the transition from arcade to our metal pads is like or just their opinion in general and there are TONS of videos on youtube.
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I just purchased two of these dance pads from Precision Dance Pads. Very excellent customer service - would definitely recommend! Once the pads arrive, I'll post a review and upload a video of them in action.
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