FAQ: DualShock4 on PC (Mapping for MXS)

[BuryYourHead707]

This FAQ will explain to you the different options you have connecting your DS4
to your PC, as well as how to use the DS4 properly with MXS.
Let's get started!

1) Connecting your DualShock4
There are two ways you can connect your DS4 controller to your PC.
A) Wired with a MicroUSB cable.
Plug it in and wait for the driver to install.
When you're done with the controller, just unplug it and set it aside.

B) Wireless with a Bluetooth stack. (Any BT will work, unlike DS3)
First you want to press and hold the "SHARE" button, then press and hold the "PS" button also
until the light-bar on the front of the controller starts blinking white.
Once your controller is blinking, go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers >
Bluetooth Personal Area Network Devices and click "Add Device".
"Wireless Controller" should pop-up in the list of devices to add, so add that and wait for the drivers to be done installing.
When you're done using the controller, either hold the PS until the white light turns off, or disable the Bluetooth stack.

Now that we have the DS4 connected to our PC, we need to set it up properly for MXS. (That's why we got it right?!)

2) Setting up the DS4 for MXS
Because the DS4 doesn't have an official driver, or Xinput support, it uses DirectInput.
This causes both R2 and L2 triggers to perform as buttons and an analog axis.
This will prevent you from mapping the triggers in game to anything requiring analog.
Every other button works properly and can be mapped in-game, just not the triggers.

First thing you want to do is find your CONFIG file in your Personal Folder.
Once you have found it, open it with Notepad++ so we can edit a few things.

This is what my config looks like, I have the R2(axis 4) as Throttle, L2(axis 3) as Front brake.

Code: Select all

throttle_key=(-1.000000,1.000000)WirelessController axis 4
front_brake_key=(-1.000000,1.000000)WirelessController axis 3
rear_brake_key=(k)WirelessController button 0
left_key=(-0.062500,-0.937500)WirelessController axis 0
right_key=(0.062500,0.937500)WirelessController axis 0
clutch_key=(k)WirelessController button 4
upshift_key=(0.000000,-1.000000)WirelessController axis 5
downshift_key=(-0.000000,1.000000)WirelessController axis 5
dab_key=(k)WirelessController button 1
back_up_key=(k)WirelessController button 2
lean_forward_key=(-0.000000,1.000000)WirelessController axis 1
lean_backward_key=(-1.000000,1.000000)WirelessController axis 1
pause_key=(k)WirelessController button 13

So basically, remember that Axis 4 is the Right Trigger and Axis 3 is the Left Trigger.
That way you can map them wherever you want instead of just copy/pasting mine.

**!Analog Sensitivity!**
I noticed that some people who have tried the DS4 say that the "range of movement" or the sensitivity of
both the sticks and triggers are lesser than that of the DS3/X360 controllers. I can assure you that this is FALSE.
This controller has a much wider range of sensitivity that any other controller I've used. It all comes down to the
parameter is tied to the axis it the config.

Here is an example of the X360 parameters.

Code: Select all

throttle_key=(-0.062500,-0.937500)Controller(Xbox360WirelessReceiverforWindows) axis 2

Notice how the parameters are (-0.062500,-0.937500). (No Throttle, Full Throttle)
Because X360 uses Xinput, these parameters are fine for MXS, but the DS4 is going to deal with 1's and 0's.
We need to change (-0.062500,-0.937500) to (-1.000000,1.000000). -1 to 1 is the full range on both the analog sticks and triggers.
Make sure to apply these parameters to every axis in the config, then test in game.

Great! Now your DualShock 4 is ready to use with your PC and MXS!
Any game supporting Directinput will be able to use this controller, but you might have to find that
specific games' config to do the analog triggers.

As far as Xinput games, there is a program called x360ce that allows any controller
to be emulated as an X360 controller. I've never used the program yet, so unfortunately I can't go
into any detail on how it works. Here is the link: https://code.google.com/p/x360ce/
If there is a demand for an x360ce FAQ I will get familiar with it and make one.
Otherwise enjoy the best PC controller ever!! (besides kb/m XD)

man I swear some posts these days could fill up a Bible

Is that an issue man? I posted all of that information to help people... That's why it is titled as a "FAQ".

[Viriya]

Good for helping the community out!

[suzuki98]

picked up a ds4 today does anyone know how to make some keyboard buttons to it on my ds3 with motioninjoy i had exc and tab mapped to my controller. and help on how to do it with the ds4

[motochris192]

Or... You could download the ds4 to xinput wrapper. A fella named InhexSTER made it on pcsx2 forums.
It's like the ds3 tool but for ds4. I use it and it works like a charm.

Download the most recent version and just follow instructions. The plug in play capabilities of ds4 right out of the box sucks. This will make a huge difference.

Link: http://forums.pcsx2.net/Thread-DS4-To-XInput-Wrapper

[suzuki98]

i tried that but i have throttle on r2 and when i use l2 it shuts off my throttle. in tried joytokey and i can map keyboard buttons but they don't work in game but work with notepad and eveything else just not in game.

[ty casey]

no words can explain how much i luv u right know.......

[MX PRODIGY 17]

Podium, he is helping people, if you don't like it then gtfo.

Solid post that may get me looking into a ps4 controller. Thanks

[kX450F_21]

In notepad, how do you exactly edit the code into it?? i have tried deleting the old code and pasting the stuff you posted but it doesn't seem to work.
please help!

[ty casey]

i noticed this actually makes the bike a lot slower the bike dosnt go to its full speed?

[poesty]

how do you change it for a mac ?

[poesty]

nobody ?

[Pumaxcs]

Like getting it set up to work on Mac or getting it set up on the Windows crossover App?

If just Mac they have a app for it, not sure how it works on any crossover app though.
http://www.backwardscompatible.co.uk/us ... cbook.html

[poesty]

the only problem is that r2 en l2 only al or nothing is........ideas ?

[Angel_RM125]

Hey, first off thanks for this FAQ

I have a ps4 controller now and I'm trying to use that bad boy on mx sim. Well I found my config file and posted the code you applied but everytime I open the actual game it goes back to the standard keyboard config. I have MXS Garage and I know that is resetting my config file back to the keyboard settings because my bike set up and everything else stays exactly the same after i've saved the code you put on my config file on notepad.

The problem is I can't find where to change my controller settings on MXS Garage. The only place I can change my controller settings (as far as I know) is in my config file or in game.
If I change it in my config file it'll just get replaced back to my keyboard settings thanks to MXS Garage (not bashing Garage, love it, but here its annoying)
And if i change my controller settings in the game my R2/L2 act as buttons, not as axis, which is the whole point of this FAQ you posted up. What do you guys recommend? And thanks in advance for your input

[tymotoboy53]

Hey guys I've been playing for about 1 year now with the dualshock 4 but never saw this post...was wondering what all of these numbers mean and such for mapping the controller. It works fine on tracks that don't take very many mb but when I play an rf national it suddenly the input will lag out, causing the throttle, upshift and downshift, front brake, rear brake and sit/dab button to stick at any time. I would really appreciate if someone could help me with this. I'm actually starting to become a more than fairly decent rider in the game but this issue with my controller is DEFINITELY holding me back. I've used DS my whole life on playstation and that's what I'm accustomed to, but if I have to I'll sacrifice for the wired 360. Thanks again would really appreciate the help.-An MX sim noob that wants to take the next step