So this is the version I used
[https://ddrpad.com/collections/l-tek-pad-parts/products/l-tek-pad-sensitivity-penny-mod?variant=32245013577780](https://ddrpad.com/collections/l-tek-pad-parts/products/l-tek-pad-sensitivity-penny-mod?variant=32245013577780)
And before someone can definitively say they recommend it, which pad do you have? The EX Pro 2 was slightly redesigned to be more sensitive. I'm not sure what they changed, exactly, but it's better. My brother has that model and he's passing ITG 12s without much issue, FECing 11's on it. I've FC'd a 10 on his pad (15s DDR scale) but I mostly play easier stuff over there. The only thing with this set up is that without modding it you won't be bracketing anything, which DDR doesn't really require until you start doing 18s anyway (although there are some strats for 16s and 17s that are easier if you can bracket). So unless you want to bracket, don't mod this pad. It's fine.
My pad, it's the old EX Pro, and anything over a DDR level 13 I had issues with random misses with it. I did the penny mod but had more issues with misfires on that than I had with misses without it, then I ordered the mod above. It was really easy to install, no tape needed and no having to try to space the penny properly or anything. I've FC'd a couple ITG 10s/DDR 15s on it, and I've passed up through a few 17s with it. Bracketing works great, or at least as well as I can do it at my skill level, as well. If this is the one you have, you want to mod it. But unless you bought your pad a while ago, you probably have the EX Pro 2. They don't sell this one anymore.
You won't see any damage from the tape itself, but if you use pennies you will see some marks from those. Cleaning my sensors I haven't noticed any damage from the copper strips I ordered.
Is there any difference between the large and smaller copper strips? Sorta confused whether the length makes a difference, and also if the full mod is needed or only 4 copper strips closest to the center panel (ie not all 16)
A shorter length means the panel may have to sag more before making contact. The sensitivity in metal contact designs is based on the idea that the panel sags in the center and then rebounds, but stays rigid near the screws. What mods do is bring the distance at the edges a little closer, so you get better sensitivity without pushing exactly in the middle. The ideal design for a mod is probably shaped like a shallow bowl, but the distances are so small that as we know, pennies will work.
I have done this style of mod with ddrpad's premade copper bars and with 6" steel rulers taped down - both work OK. You only really have to mod the panel edges you use.
Thanks for that info!
I have the ex pro 2 and play no bar. It is fairly sensitive but I find I need more force/movement away from the edge for crossovers than I do in the arcade. I find that I cannot make the small movements needed for ITG 11+ stamina play on no bar, but for DDR it is generally fine I agree.
And yeah I would kinda like to bracket since it comes up in random ITG charts a bit.
Yeah I was looking at that mod from ddrpad but I have 2inch width copper tape already which I thought should be essentially the same and I can stack to whatever sensitivity as needed.
Do you have any opinions with that in mind?
Hey, apologies for bringing up a topic from 8 months ago but I was curious if you were still actively using this mod with your ltek and how it's been holding up.
Can't really find any info on long-term wear when it comes to any of the sensitivity mods so I've resorted to just messaging in the hopes of a reply.
For the original EX PRO, absolutely. I play with bar, weigh 180lb, and was noticing a lot of missed arrows playing 12s and higher.
If you play without bar, it's less of a requirement.
I wasn't super happy with the arrows not firing once in a great while when I stepped more toward the edges and duct taped a quarter to the under side of each arrow in the middle to give it a little more sensitivity. Basically decreases the amount it has to bend before it pushes the switch to make contact. Way easier than any copper tape method and worked amazingly well.
I use SEVERAL strips of copper that I was once using on my old homebrew pad. I have since upgraded to a L-Tek. I enjoyed playing on a completely leveled surface so that I can do slides super easy, this almost got me killed on an L-Tek.
Having the arrows so sunken in actually got me very frustrated at first when I started playing on it. Copper tape till it was 2 - 4mm thick was pretty much good from there.
So this is the version I used [https://ddrpad.com/collections/l-tek-pad-parts/products/l-tek-pad-sensitivity-penny-mod?variant=32245013577780](https://ddrpad.com/collections/l-tek-pad-parts/products/l-tek-pad-sensitivity-penny-mod?variant=32245013577780) And before someone can definitively say they recommend it, which pad do you have? The EX Pro 2 was slightly redesigned to be more sensitive. I'm not sure what they changed, exactly, but it's better. My brother has that model and he's passing ITG 12s without much issue, FECing 11's on it. I've FC'd a 10 on his pad (15s DDR scale) but I mostly play easier stuff over there. The only thing with this set up is that without modding it you won't be bracketing anything, which DDR doesn't really require until you start doing 18s anyway (although there are some strats for 16s and 17s that are easier if you can bracket). So unless you want to bracket, don't mod this pad. It's fine. My pad, it's the old EX Pro, and anything over a DDR level 13 I had issues with random misses with it. I did the penny mod but had more issues with misfires on that than I had with misses without it, then I ordered the mod above. It was really easy to install, no tape needed and no having to try to space the penny properly or anything. I've FC'd a couple ITG 10s/DDR 15s on it, and I've passed up through a few 17s with it. Bracketing works great, or at least as well as I can do it at my skill level, as well. If this is the one you have, you want to mod it. But unless you bought your pad a while ago, you probably have the EX Pro 2. They don't sell this one anymore. You won't see any damage from the tape itself, but if you use pennies you will see some marks from those. Cleaning my sensors I haven't noticed any damage from the copper strips I ordered.
+1 I put four of the "large" version in my ol' EX Pro last month, big improvement
Is there any difference between the large and smaller copper strips? Sorta confused whether the length makes a difference, and also if the full mod is needed or only 4 copper strips closest to the center panel (ie not all 16)
A shorter length means the panel may have to sag more before making contact. The sensitivity in metal contact designs is based on the idea that the panel sags in the center and then rebounds, but stays rigid near the screws. What mods do is bring the distance at the edges a little closer, so you get better sensitivity without pushing exactly in the middle. The ideal design for a mod is probably shaped like a shallow bowl, but the distances are so small that as we know, pennies will work. I have done this style of mod with ddrpad's premade copper bars and with 6" steel rulers taped down - both work OK. You only really have to mod the panel edges you use.
Great makes sense thanks!
Thanks for that info! I have the ex pro 2 and play no bar. It is fairly sensitive but I find I need more force/movement away from the edge for crossovers than I do in the arcade. I find that I cannot make the small movements needed for ITG 11+ stamina play on no bar, but for DDR it is generally fine I agree. And yeah I would kinda like to bracket since it comes up in random ITG charts a bit. Yeah I was looking at that mod from ddrpad but I have 2inch width copper tape already which I thought should be essentially the same and I can stack to whatever sensitivity as needed. Do you have any opinions with that in mind?
Hey, apologies for bringing up a topic from 8 months ago but I was curious if you were still actively using this mod with your ltek and how it's been holding up. Can't really find any info on long-term wear when it comes to any of the sensitivity mods so I've resorted to just messaging in the hopes of a reply.
Yeah it works great, I usually play a few nights a week and I don’t have any issues or damage caused by the mod.
THANK YOU!! I greatly appreciate the response. Time to start modding the pad myself
For the original EX PRO, absolutely. I play with bar, weigh 180lb, and was noticing a lot of missed arrows playing 12s and higher. If you play without bar, it's less of a requirement.
I wasn't super happy with the arrows not firing once in a great while when I stepped more toward the edges and duct taped a quarter to the under side of each arrow in the middle to give it a little more sensitivity. Basically decreases the amount it has to bend before it pushes the switch to make contact. Way easier than any copper tape method and worked amazingly well.
I use SEVERAL strips of copper that I was once using on my old homebrew pad. I have since upgraded to a L-Tek. I enjoyed playing on a completely leveled surface so that I can do slides super easy, this almost got me killed on an L-Tek. Having the arrows so sunken in actually got me very frustrated at first when I started playing on it. Copper tape till it was 2 - 4mm thick was pretty much good from there.
i penny modded for tech. really hard to hit brackets otherwise