What even IS BMS?
BMS is a file extension that stands for "Be-Music Script" and/or "Be-Music Source". This file extension is primarily used for making keysounded notecharts that simulate the gameplay of the beatmania/IIDX arcade by BEMANI/Konami. BMS did also got a few modded extensions, like PMS or BML. PMS is a pop'n music simulator, and BML is the same as BMS except it adds Long Notes support. BMS can either be 5key or 7key, Double Play charts are also present (10key or 14key).
How do I play it?
BMS must be played through a simulator. Many options exist, like beatoraja, Bemuse, Lunatic Rave 2 and etc.
Beatoraja is more modern, comparing to now discontinued Lunatic Rave 2, albeit a lot of people still prefer LR2 over beatoraja and other simulators, and a for a good reason: Dozens of skins and other content was being made mostly for Lunatic Rave 2 + The simulator itself still has a lotta features that are not present in other BMS-players.
Where do I find charts?
BMS Charts can be found on various resources, although I can't really tell which one is the most common. BMS OF FIGHTERS event songs can be also found on The Web Archive. For more information you can check the BMS Community Resources website. But personally I used BMSWorld.NZ for 5 key charts and The Web Archive for cranky's BMS and other stuff, like the BM98 BMS Collection.
My Set
- Keyboard: MSI Vigor GK30. A pretty decent gaming keyboard. This is the device I primarily play BMS with.
- Controller: beatmania ASCII controller for PS1. Not recommended unless you are a collector + It only has 5 keys and forces you to use the turntable on the right side. Planning to make my very own 7 key controller.
- Headset: HyperX Stinger 2. A pretty nice headset, although i'm not really sure about the quality of the cable LOL.
Skins I Use
5 KEY
Modified fivemania purpleMIX v1.11 (download is available on the main page)
7 KEY
Modified OVERACTiVE DX3 v2.00 (I won't share the modified version just because the changes are very minor, but here's the original skin)
Software
- Lunatic Rave 2 SD
- BMx Sequence Editor (Nekokan Edit)
Keyboard Layout (for VSRGs, of course)
5 KEY LAYOUT
D F SPACE J K + LEFTSHIFT
(LEFTSHIFT is for scratching, if we are talkin' about BMS or beatmania)
7 KEY LAYOUT
A S D SPACE J K L + LEFTSHIFT
(LEFTSHIFT is for scratching once again)
Thank you for viewing this page and I hope you'll be having a nice start in BMS!
