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Christian Stepmania Coding – southfresno

southfresno " width="64" height="64"> Junior Member Posts: 6 From: Fresno, CA Registered: 08-01-2007	Hi everyone! especially Clint I stumbled upon this site because I was desperately looking for some fellow Christians who play Stepmania and might be able to make steps. I found some threads where Clint proposes some kind of contest to rouse the creative juices of potential stepmakers. I've had Stepmania for a year and a half now, and I've had a fantastic redoctane pad since Christmas. The problem is that I haven't been able to find Christian songs with steps on the net. I've dabbled with making steps myself with limited success. I can make okay easy songs, but I have a real hard time matching the complexity, speed, and effects of other songs around. I was wondering a) if someone would like to make some steps (I have all the songs you'd ever need) b) where there might be more Christian Stepmania enthusiasts whom I could enlist. My ultimate desire might be to form some kind of community where fellow Christian Stepmaniacs can work together to code songs and share files/ideas. But for now, am I sparking any interest? Does anyone already have a cache of Christian songs with steps to download? I'm also active with the youth group at my church and we'd love to use Stepmania for an activity night (with proper songs). If you would like to participate, let me know by posting here. I have a plethora of danceable Christian songs (Techno, some Christian Reggaeton and Reggae, and especially 3H - Holy Hip Hop), which I am able to edit down to a playable length. I also have an excellent digital BPM analyzer. OK everyone! I hope you're as excited as I am! Drop me a line! And again, great to be here! [This message has been edited by southfresno (edited August 01, 2007).]
InsanePoet Member Posts: 638 From: Vermont, USA Registered: 03-12-2003	Dude, do some Stryper songs. ------------------ "I find myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world!" -C. S. Lewis
HanClinto Administrator Posts: 1828 From: Indiana Registered: 10-11-2004	Hey SouthFresno, welcome to CCN! quote: Originally posted by southfresno: I stumbled upon this site because I was desperately looking for some fellow Christians who play Stepmania and might be able to make steps. I found some threads where Clint proposes some kind of contest to rouse the creative juices of potential stepmakers. Great -- I take it you're talking about this thread? Glad to see that you found it. quote: Originally posted by southfresno: I've had Stepmania for a year and a half now, and I've had a fantastic redoctane pad since Christmas. That's great -- I was blessed by a friend who gave me a nice Ignition3 -- fantastic pad. quote: Originally posted by southfresno: The problem is that I haven't been able to find Christian songs with steps on the net. I haven't found very many either. There is one Christian song on the StepMania Song Download Page called "Turkish Delight", by the David Crowder Band -- it's from the Chronicles of Narnia soundtrack. The steps are a little on the easy side by StepMania standards, but they're pretty good and it's a very enjoyable play-through. It was done by a guy called Invot, and he lists on his blog that he's reading Proverbs right now, so I'm assuming he's a Christian. Did you happen to play through HZFollower9's steps that he posted in the other thread? I thought it was absolutely fabulous -- I'd love to see him submit that to the next StepMix contest. quote: Originally posted by southfresno: I was wondering a) if someone would like to make some steps (I have all the songs you'd ever need) From the contest thread: quote: Originally posted by HZFollower9: also, i am interested in making steps for more songs (preferably techno, although i will give christian music a shot), if anyone'd like to send me the song (any format works). also, as i improve in ddr, i should be able to make harder steps for a song disclaimer: no illegal copying, etc. Have you contacted him about it? quote: Originally posted by HZFollower9: b) where there might be more Christian Stepmania enthusiasts whom I could enlist. My ultimate desire might be to form some kind of community where fellow Christian Stepmaniacs can work together to code songs and share files/ideas. Have you touched base with anyone in the Dance Praise community? I think they're up to 5 expansion packs now -- I own the first 3, and they're great. I was even able to make the steps for one of the songs on the Hip Hop and Rap expansion. quote: Originally posted by HZFollower9: I'm also active with the youth group at my church and we'd love to use Stepmania for an activity night (with proper songs). Yeah -- again, I'd highly recommend Dance Praise. It works just great with my Red Octane pad, and they have an absolutely huge selection of (properly licensed) music that works great as a youth group activity -- we've used it at our church. Again, so glad that you're here! I'm sorry I don't have time to offer you to work on step sets with you, but I hope you can find other people who are interested as well. In Christ, clint
MastaLlama Member Posts: 671 From: Houston, TX USA Registered: 08-10-2005	quote: Originally posted by InsanePoet: Dude, do some Stryper songs. I SECOND THAT! ...although more for novelty reasons than dance-able reasons
InsanePoet Member Posts: 638 From: Vermont, USA Registered: 03-12-2003	quote: Originally posted by mastallama: I SECOND THAT! ...although more for novelty reasons than dance-able reasons Because Christianity = awesomeness, Metal = awesomeness... Stryper = x2 awesomeness. Do the math. I think there could be some good dancable stryper songs. "Makes me wanna sing" might be a good one. ------------------ "I find myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world!" -C. S. Lewis [This message has been edited by InsanePoet (edited August 02, 2007).]
southfresno " width="64" height="64"> Junior Member Posts: 6 From: Fresno, CA Registered: 08-01-2007	I tried to pm HZfollower9, but got an error message. Also, there isn't an email address on record. And no, I haven't contacted anyone in the DP community. Wouldn't I have to purchase their program first before I can add expansion packs? I prefer the wide possibilites and price of Stepmania. There's a Hip Hop expansion?? explain! Where can I find a song list? @mastallama and insanepoet: Sounds to me like you're volunteering! Unfortunately I've never heard of Stryper and am not familiar with any songs by him? it? they? Anyway,if you'd like I can set you up with everything you need and you can then try to make steps yourself and then share it with the rest of us. Also, what's this dancinggorrilla stuff I keep hearing about? I heard it can make steps, but I haven't been able to find a download.
InsanePoet Member Posts: 638 From: Vermont, USA Registered: 03-12-2003	Just so you know, Stryper is an 80's Christian hair metal band. Might be more suitable for something like guitar hero. ------------------ "I find myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world!" -C. S. Lewis
HanClinto Administrator Posts: 1828 From: Indiana Registered: 10-11-2004	quote: Originally posted by southfresno: Wouldn't I have to purchase their program first before I can add expansion packs? I prefer the wide possibilites and price of Stepmania. Dance Praise does indeed cost some money (though I think it's quite reasonably priced). And right now, it doesn't allow you to add your own music and make your own steps (though I wrote a program so that I could modify the steps of songs that are already in there). If the price of the game is an issue -- maybe you could try and enter this year's CCN Speedgame contest and win yourself a copy? quote: Originally posted by southfresno: There's a Hip Hop expansion?? explain! Where can I find a song list? Yaup! -- you can find the song list for it on the Dance Praise website (I'd give you a more direct link, but you have to navigate through the Flash website. It's on there though, and gives the whole list with song samples that you can listen to). We want to see more Christian games on the market, and the only way that people can afford to make them is if we buy them. I know it's hard to afford such things sometimes, but just keep it open as an option. Who knows -- maybe your youth group would be willing to buy a set -- it might not that much, depending on the youth group's budget. quote: Originally posted by southfresno: Also, what's this dancinggorrilla stuff I keep hearing about? I heard it can make steps, but I haven't been able to find a download. Sorry, never heard of it. --clint
MastaLlama Member Posts: 671 From: Houston, TX USA Registered: 08-10-2005	quote: Originally posted by southfresno: @mastallama and insanepoet: Sounds to me like you're volunteering! Unfortunately I've never heard of Stryper and am not familiar with any songs by him? it? they? Anyway,if you'd like I can set you up with everything you need and you can then try to make steps yourself and then share it with the rest of us. Actually, yeah...I would like to help out! It may have to be after the Speed Game Competition is over though.
southfresno " width="64" height="64"> Junior Member Posts: 6 From: Fresno, CA Registered: 08-01-2007	Deal. Anyone else?
MastaLlama Member Posts: 671 From: Houston, TX USA Registered: 08-10-2005	quote: can set you up with everything you need What all do I need?
kenman Member Posts: 518 From: Janesville WI Registered: 08-31-2006	Sryper, now that goes back a year or two! I have their first album, pressed in white vinyl! ------------------ Howdy all! Check out http://art.twobrotherssoftware.com/shs.html, my latest CD. If you ain't in the forums, you in the againstums :)
MastaLlama Member Posts: 671 From: Houston, TX USA Registered: 08-10-2005	quote: Originally posted by kenman: Sryper, now that goes back a year or two! I have their first album, pressed in white vinyl! /me drool... I have a ton of their songs and just re-bought 2 of their CDs
southfresno " width="64" height="64"> Junior Member Posts: 6 From: Fresno, CA Registered: 08-01-2007	OK, here's what you need: You will have to download the Stepmania program. Here's the link: http://www.stepmania.com/wiki/Downloads You will also need to download this BPM analyzer program: http://www.download.com/MixMeister-BPM-Analyzer/3000-2169_4-10290907.html?tag=lst-0-1 Here's how you proceed: Edit your song. If you don't have an editor, use Audacity: http://www.download.com/Audacity/3000-2170_4-10606824.html?tag=lst-0-1 Your song should be between 1:30 and 2:30 long. I'm pretty sure your song in its original format will be longer. Make sure to capture the essence of the song. If you have trouble with song editing, get someone else to help you. If you can't cut it down because that would violate the spirit of the song, just remember: It takes stamina to even do a song that lasts two minutes. Few people can dance five minutes straight. Your song will be unplayable. Now that you have your song, install the other programs. Run Mixmeister and analyze any song you want to program. Make sure to record the BPM EXACTLY! Then follow this tutorial for Stepmania to make your steps: http://www.stepmania.com/wiki/Create_Your_Own_Songs Make sure to follow each step precisely. Set the BPM (with F7 and F8) according to what you analyzed in the other program. The Beat 0 offset is just something you have to do by trial and error (F11 and F12). Make sure you do this on the very first measure. If your song changes speeds, it may be hard to get an accurate BPM. Perhaps you can cut your song up into different parts and have Mixmeister analyze each part- then change the BPM on the appropriate measure in Stepmania. Once BPM and Beat 0 have been set, you're ready to put in arrows. Try to do 3 different versions, easy, medium, and hard. First, the easy. You can stick to quarter notes, with a rare 8th note perhaps (change with left and right). Make sure to leave space so that the human player has enough time to catch his or her bearings before each step. Beginners don't like songs that are too hard, so make it easy!! Make sure to test your songs. To select portions, use the space bar to make a selection. Press p to play. Once you're done, save it and exit. Now do a medium version. Change difficulty and source difficulty to Medium. Once again press "Create with blank" and then "Edit existing" and do what you did before, but make it harder. Add a couple more doubles. More 8th notes perhaps. Whatever you want. Please try to avoid overly repetitive patterns. Some repetition is nice. Your steps should interpret the song, so try to give them that feel. OK, once you're done, share them with the rest! Here's how: http://www.stepmania.com/wiki/Export_and_Share_a_Song Any questions? Put them right here. Also you can email me. I'm still looking for someone to edit some Christian techno and hip hop songs! That is, edit for length, and/or edit steps. Either or is fine. Also, volunteers for artwork would be welcome, too. In Christ!! Matt
MastaLlama Member Posts: 671 From: Houston, TX USA Registered: 08-10-2005	so, what dancepad do I need to get and where can I get it?
southfresno " width="64" height="64"> Junior Member Posts: 6 From: Fresno, CA Registered: 08-01-2007	well, that depends on how much you want to spend. For testing and programming purposes you can just use the keyboard. I also like playing with a gamepad- you're able to learn how to do more difficult steps that way, too. The best dance pad is the red octane afterburner: http://www.redoctane.com/redoctanemetalpad.html It costs $250. It's metal, very durable, connects to usb, xbox, and ps1 and 2. If you're not as avid, you can purchase a cheaper one. Red octane has one for 79.99 on sale now: http://www.redoctane.com/ignitionpadv3.html
southfresno " width="64" height="64"> Junior Member Posts: 6 From: Fresno, CA Registered: 08-01-2007	I just spent about 30 hours last week getting stuff ready for my church's event last night. It was awesome! I had 7 Christian techno songs that turned out great that I programmed, 2 that a friend did, and one Christian R&B song, as well as some more that I had the computer do. Turnout was great- the kids played Stepmania all night long (4 hours). We hooked it up to a big screen in the gym and had a big ol' sound system. It was everything I was hoping for. No Stryper though- Sorry! Maybe next time.