XZ Mods Beta 0.5.1-Beta

MODS menu

Extras

Games, USB apps, reporting a problem and the About page.

Applies to MODERN and CLASSIC

EXTRAS holds what is not about playing a set: games, apps from a USB, reporting a problem, the About page and the language of the MODS menu. Nothing here starts on its own. The XZ always starts in its normal DJ view, and a game or app opens only when you choose it.

Open MODS with MENU, then choose EXTRAS in the section rail.

The EXTRAS page

    1. Press MENU
    2. Tap EXTRAS
    3. Turn ROTARY SELECTOR 3 clicks clockwise
    4. Press BACK
MODS · EXTRAS
The parts of EXTRAS.The parts of EXTRAS.
The parts of EXTRAS.
  1. 1
    GAMES

    Doom and Chex Quest, Beat Arcade, Wave Rider, Rhythm Lab and Static Surfer.

  2. 2
    USB APPS

    XZ SDK apps from a USB.

  3. 3
    REPORT AN ISSUE

    Send a problem, a question or an idea from the player.

  4. 4
    ABOUT XZ MODS

    Credits, links and support.

  5. 5
    Dock

    Explains the highlighted card. For GAMES it reminds you that audio keeps playing.

  6. 6
    LANGUAGE

    The language of the MODS menu on the player.

The HOME card for EXTRAS counts the games and the apps found on your USBs, for example 6 games | no USB apps.

Games

Every game runs on the XZ itself. The music keeps playing while you play, and PLAY and track search keep their normal jobs in Beat Arcade. Doom and Beat Arcade make no sound of their own.

    1. Press MENU
    2. Tap EXTRAS
    3. Tap GAMES
    4. Turn ROTARY SELECTOR 2 clicks clockwise
MODS · GAMES
Every game, plus USB WAD LOADER and MY HOUSE / SETUP.Every game, plus USB WAD LOADER and MY HOUSE / SETUP.
Every game, plus USB WAD LOADER and MY HOUSE / SETUP.
  1. 1
    DOOM / CHOOSE WAD

    Classic Doom or Doom II. Choose the game files next.

  2. 2
    CHEX QUEST

    The original Chex Quest.

  3. 3
    BEAT ARCADE

    Pong and Breakout scored on the beat, played with the jog.

  4. 4
    WAVE RIDER

    Surf the playing track's waveform with the jog.

  5. 5
    USB WAD LOADER

    Choose a Doom base game and an optional add-on from the USB.

  6. 6
    MY HOUSE / SETUP

    Checks for the engine the My House mod needs.

  7. 7
    RHYTHM LAB / 10 STUDIES

    Ten short rhythm studies played on the pads.

  8. 8
    STATIC SURFER

    A runner game set to the playing track.

GameWhat it isNeeds
Beat Arcade experimentalSolo Pong, Pong Duel on both jogs, Solo Breaks and a two-player Breakout. Tap CUE on the beat to build chargeNothing. Built in
Wave Rider experimentalThe loaded track's waveform becomes hills. Steer with the jog, hold CUE to add weight. Solo, Co-op or VersusNothing. Built in
Rhythm LabTen short rhythm studies for the jogs and pads. They are prototypes, and you can rate each oneNothing. Built in
Static SurferA rhythm platformer. Tap to jump and tilt the jog to pass through the glyphsNothing. Built in
DoomClassic Doom or Doom IIGame files on the USB
Chex QuestThe original Chex QuestGame files on the USB

Moving around a game

You do not need the touchscreen in any game.

    1. Press MENU
    2. Tap EXTRAS
    3. Tap GAMES
    4. Tap WAVE RIDER
    5. Turn ROTARY SELECTOR 1 click clockwise, then push it
    6. Push ROTARY SELECTOR
    7. Push ROTARY SELECTOR
    8. Turn the left jog wheel
    9. Turn ROTARY SELECTOR 1 click clockwise, then push it
    10. Press CUE on the left deck
    11. Turn the left jog wheel
    12. Tap the screen
ControlIn a game
Turn the encoderMoves a ring over the controls on the screen
Push the encoderPresses the control under the ring
BACKSteps back
TouchPresses what you touch. The ring hides until you turn the encoder again

Beat Arcade experimental

Turn the jog to move your paddle and tap CUE on each beat as the moving light meets the target. Good notes build charge. Eight good notes in a row earn a shield, and sixteen build a Drop that fires on the next downbeat.

    1. Press MENU
    2. Tap EXTRAS
    3. Tap GAMES
    4. Tap BEAT ARCADE
    5. Turn ROTARY SELECTOR 1 click clockwise, then push it
    6. Turn the left jog wheel
    7. Press CUE on the left deck
    8. Press pad G on the left deck
    9. Tap the screen
    10. Tap the screen
ControlAction
JogMoves the paddle. In the menu, chooses a game
CUE or pad AStrikes on the beat. Starts, resumes and rematches
Pad BWide paddle for 16 beats
Pad CSaves one miss with a shield
Pad DQueues a Drop on the next downbeat
Pads E and FAim the next return
Pad GChanges the scene between Tunnel, Grid and Orbit
Pad HLines up with the mixer tempo, or taps a tempo
PLAY, track searchWork as usual on the music
DJ VIEW on screenSaves the round and gives every control back to the deck

Tap the source display at the top of the game to choose where the beat comes from: an analysed USB track, Pro DJ Link, the mixer tempo or four taps on pad H. For mixer tempo, set Beat FX to the channel you play, usually MASTER, and use AUTO BPM.

While Beat Arcade runs, touching the platter does not pause or scratch the music. Choose DJ VIEW before you go back to mixing.

Wave Rider experimental

Choose Solo, Co-op or Versus, then the deck whose track you ride. In Solo that deck's jog steers. With two players, the left jog is player 1 and the right jog is player 2.

A missed landing never stops the music.

Doom and Chex Quest

Doom and Chex Quest need game files on the USB. The XZ Mods app can download and check free Doom shareware, Chex Quest and Freedoom data when you prepare the USB. For the full Doom or Doom II you supply your own files. See The XZ Mods app.

    1. Press MENU
    2. Tap EXTRAS
    3. Tap GAMES
    4. Tap USB WAD LOADER
    5. Turn ROTARY SELECTOR 1 click clockwise
DOOM
The Doom page before its game files have been checked.The Doom page before its game files have been checked.
The Doom page before its game files have been checked.
  1. 1
    Status

    USB GAME SETUP NEEDED until the files and engine have been checked.

  2. 2
    Controls

    What each control does while the game is open.

  3. 3
    Notes

    The buttons belong to the game while it is open. Exit gives back the DJ screen. Game sound is off.

  4. 4
    SET UP DOOM

    Reads START DOOM once setup is done. Starts the game full screen. DJ audio keeps playing.

  5. 5
    USB WADS

    Opens USB WAD LOADER to choose the game files.

Player controlIn Doom
JogTurn left or right
PLAY, or pad AWalk forward
Pad BWalk back
CUE, or pad CShoot
Pad DUse, for example open a door
Pads E and FStrafe
Pad GEnter
Pad H, or BACKGame menu
Turn and push the encoderMoves through the game menu and enters

To end the game, touch EXIT. The player goes back to the screen you had before.

GAME SETUP
The three setup steps for Doom.The three setup steps for Doom.
The three setup steps for Doom.
  1. 1
    Steps

    Find the Doom engine on the USB loader, choose a base game and optional map, then start Doom to check.

  2. 2
    Where the files go

    A WADS or VJTOOLS/DOOM folder on the USB.

  3. 3
    The XZ Mods app

    Prepares a Doom USB for you.

  4. 4
    CHOOSE USB GAME FILES

    Opens USB WAD LOADER.

  5. 5
    BACK TO DOOM

    Returns to the Doom page.

USB WAD LOADER
The loader with no game files found yet.The loader with no game files found yet.
The loader with no game files found yet.
  1. 1
    File list

    One row per game file on the USB. Choose the base game, then an add-on if you want one.

  2. 2
    PREV and NEXT

    Pages through a long list.

  3. 3
    RESCAN USB

    Searches both USB ports again.

  4. 4
    NO ADD-ON

    Plays the base game with no add-on.

  5. 5
    SETUP

    Opens GAME SETUP.

If the list says PUT .WAD FILES ON USB, THEN RESCAN, copy the files to the USB on a computer, put it back and push RESCAN USB.

My House experimental

My House is a Doom mod that needs the GZDoom engine. The MY HOUSE page checks for that engine and the files, but the classic Doom engine cannot load this mod, and the XZ Mods app no longer copies it to the USB.

    1. Press MENU
    2. Tap EXTRAS
    3. Tap GAMES
    4. Tap MY HOUSE / SETUP
    5. Turn ROTARY SELECTOR 1 click clockwise
MY HOUSE
The My House check.The My House check.
The My House check.
  1. 1
    Steps

    Find the GZDoom engine, choose the Doom II data and MYHOUSE.PK3, check and start.

  2. 2
    Limit

    The classic Doom engine cannot load this mod.

  3. 3
    CHECK ENGINE

    Checks the engine and My House files on the USB.

  4. 4
    BACK TO GAMES

    Returns to GAMES.

USB apps experimental

USB APPS runs apps built with the XZ SDK from a USB. DJ controls keep working while an app runs.

    1. Press MENU
    2. Tap EXTRAS
    3. Tap USB APPS
    4. Tap SET UP APPS
    5. Turn ROTARY SELECTOR 1 click clockwise
MODS · USB APPS
USB APPS while the app manager is not running.USB APPS while the app manager is not running.
USB APPS while the app manager is not running.
  1. 1
    AUTOLOAD

    ON starts apps in the autoload folder when their USB goes in. OFF starts apps only when you run them.

  2. 2
    Status

    How many packages were found, or why there are none.

  3. 3
    Message

    The one thing to do next.

  4. 4
    PREV and NEXT

    Pages through the apps.

  5. 5
    RESCAN USB

    Searches the USB again for apps.

  6. 6
    SET UP APPS

    A four-step guide from finding apps to a live test.

Put apps on a USB in VJ.Tools/XZ-SDK/Applications. Apps in VJ.Tools/XZ-SDK/Autoload start on their own when AUTOLOAD is on.

Each app row shows what kind of package it is and its state.

StateMeaning
RUNNING ON SCREENAn app is showing on the player
RUNNING IN BACKGROUNDA service is running
APPLIEDA profile package is in use
FAILEDThe app stopped. Push RUN AGAIN
BLOCKEDThe package cannot run. Push SET UP to see how to fix it
CHECKINGThe app manager is still reading the package
SET UP APPS
Step 1 of SET UP APPS, with the app manager not running.Step 1 of SET UP APPS, with the app manager not running.
Step 1 of SET UP APPS, with the app manager not running.
  1. 1
    Step

    Which of the four steps you are on.

  2. 2
    Step tabs

    DETECT, FOLDERS, INSTALL, LIVE TEST. Tap one to jump to it.

  3. 3
    Result

    What this step found.

  4. 4
    What to do

    The one action that fixes it.

  5. 5
    CHECK AGAIN

    Runs this step again.

  6. 6
    BACK TO APPS

    Returns to USB APPS.

  1. Detect. Finds the app manager and any apps on the USB.
  2. Folders. Choose START WHEN I TAP RUN or START ON USB INSERT.
  3. Install. Copy apps to the USB. The page shows the packer command for the desktop.
  4. Live test. Push RUN TEST APP. When it shows, push IT WORKS.

Report an issue

REPORT AN ISSUE sends the maintainer a problem, a question or an idea from the player. You say what it is about and, if you like, what happened. The player adds its own details. A topic and SEND take three presses.

    1. Press MENU
    2. Tap EXTRAS
    3. Tap REPORT AN ISSUE
    4. Turn ROTARY SELECTOR to SOMETHING ISN'T WORKING and push it
    5. Push ROTARY SELECTOR to choose SKIP, I'LL ADD IT ON MY COMPUTER
  1. What's this about? Push one of the five topics, or NOT SURE.
  2. What happened? Type a few words, or push SKIP, I'LL ADD IT ON MY COMPUTER.
  3. Ready to send. Check the summary, then push SEND REPORT.

With the encoder, push three times: the first topic, SKIP, then SEND.

REPORT AN ISSUE
Step 1: what the report is about.Step 1: what the report is about.
Step 1: what the report is about.
  1. 1
    WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?

    One question. Each topic goes straight to the next step.

  2. 2
    Topics

    SOMETHING GOT WORSE, SOMETHING ISN'T WORKING, IT SHOULD WORK DIFFERENTLY, I HAVE A NEW IDEA and HOW DO I...?

  3. 3
    NOT SURE

    Skips the question. The report still goes.

  4. 4
    Steps

    Where you are: step 1 of 3.

WHAT HAPPENED?
Step 2, before you type. SKIP is lit: one push goes on without words.Step 2, before you type. SKIP is lit: one push goes on without words.
Step 2, before you type. SKIP is lit: one push goes on without words.
  1. 1
    OPTIONAL

    You can send a report without typing anything.

  2. 2
    Your words

    Up to 280 characters. The count is on the right.

  3. 3
    Keyboard

    Turn and push the encoder, or tap the keys. The first letter is a capital.

  4. 4
    SKIP, I'LL ADD IT ON MY COMPUTER

    Goes on without words. Your computer asks what happened later.

  5. 5
    NEXT

    Goes on with what you typed.

Once you type, NEXT is lit instead.

READY TO SEND
Step 3: what will be sent.Step 3: what will be sent.
Step 3: what will be sent.
  1. 1
    ABOUT

    The topic you chose.

  2. 2
    WHAT HAPPENED

    Your words, or a note that you add them on your computer.

  3. 3
    ALSO INCLUDED

    Added by the player: the XZ Mods version, your settings, this stick's loader ID, the recent USB diary and the screen you were on. No music, track names or file names.

  4. 4
    IT GOES TO

    The XZ Mods inbox when the player is online, otherwise this stick.

  5. 5
    CHANGE

    Goes back to that step. Your words are kept.

  6. 6
    SEND REPORT

    Sends it.

BACK goes back a step. If you leave the page before sending, your words wait for you there.

After you send

The report goes one of three ways. Whichever it is, nothing is lost and you never type it again.

    1. Press MENU
    2. Tap EXTRAS
    3. Tap REPORT AN ISSUE
    4. Turn ROTARY SELECTOR to SOMETHING ISN'T WORKING and push it
    5. Type test report on the screen keyboard
    6. Tap NEXT
    7. Tap SEND REPORT
    8. Tap EDIT REPORT
    9. Tap CHANGE
    10. Tap HOW DO I...?
    11. Tap NEXT
    12. Tap SEND REPORT
    13. Tap DONE
The screen saysWhat happenedWhat to do
SENT and a reference like R-4F7K-2M9QIt reached the XZ Mods inboxFinish it on your computer: the XZ Mods app reminds you and shows the same reference
SAVED ON THIS STICKThe player is offline, its clock is not set, the loader is from an older XZ Mods app, or the inbox did not take itPlug the stick into your computer. The XZ Mods app opens the report
NOT SENT YETIt could not be sent, and the stick could not take itDo what the line says (put the stick back, use a writable stick, make room on it), then push TRY AGAIN

A saved report waits in VJ.Tools/XZ-Mods-reports/pending/ on the stick, up to 32 of them. The XZ Mods app sends it from there and moves it to sent/. TRY AGAIN sends the same report, so the maintainer gets it once.

Report an error from the dock

When an error shows in the dock's top row, REPORT THIS beside it opens REPORT AN ISSUE at WHAT HAPPENED? with SOMETHING ISN'T WORKING chosen. Push SKIP and SEND REPORT, and the error goes with it. Every report includes an error on screen, however you open it.

    1. Press MENU
    2. Tap REPORT THIS
    3. Tap SKIP, I'LL ADD IT ON MY COMPUTER
    4. Tap SEND REPORT
REPORT THIS
A player warning in the dock, here E-8307: USB ACCESS ERROR, with REPORT THIS.A player warning in the dock, here E-8307: USB ACCESS ERROR, with REPORT THIS.
A player warning in the dock, here E-8307: USB ACCESS ERROR, with REPORT THIS.
  1. 1
    REPORT THIS

    Opens REPORT AN ISSUE about this error. Touch only: with the encoder, open EXTRAS › REPORT AN ISSUE.

REPORT THIS
In MODERN a deck's counter error keeps the dock's top row, with REPORT THIS beside SHOW DECK.
In MODERN a deck's counter error keeps the dock's top row, with REPORT THIS beside SHOW DECK.
  1. 1
    REPORT THIS

    Reports this error. SHOW DECK closes MODS onto the deck.

What the player sends

The report holds facts the player can check, never text read from its screens:

It never holds music, track or playlist names, file names or network addresses. Only the maintainer reads it. You can also report from the XZ Mods app. See Messages and troubleshooting.

Language

LANGUAGE sets the language of the MODS menu on the player. All 15 languages show in their own names. Tap one, or turn the encoder to it and push. The choice is saved on the USB with your other settings, and BACK returns to EXTRAS.

MODS · LANGUAGE
The LANGUAGE page with English chosen.The LANGUAGE page with English chosen.
The LANGUAGE page with English chosen.
  1. 1
    Chosen language

    The language the MODS menu uses now.

  2. 2
    Other languages

    Each one in its own name and script.

The translations are machine-made and still being reviewed. Some lines stay in English, and track names, the player's own screens and the printed button names never change. The XZ Mods app has its own language choice; see Desktop language.

About XZ Mods

    1. Press MENU
    2. Tap EXTRAS
    3. Tap ABOUT XZ MODS
    4. Turn ROTARY SELECTOR 2 clicks clockwise
ABOUT XZ MODS
The About page with XZMODS.COM highlighted and its QR code shown.The About page with XZMODS.COM highlighted and its QR code shown.
The About page with XZMODS.COM highlighted and its QR code shown.
  1. 1
    Credits

    Who made XZ Mods.

  2. 2
    Links

    XZMODS.COM, INSTAGRAM, BOOK OPTICMYSTIC, VJ.TOOLS, GITHUB / SOURCE, CREDITS / NOTICES and SUPPORT / CASH APP.

  3. 3
    QR code

    The highlighted link as a QR code. Scan it with your phone.

  4. 4
    Address

    The link the QR code opens.

  5. 5
    Thanks

    Thanks, and a reminder that XZ Mods is an independent project.

  6. 6
    Loader

    The ID of this stick's loader, written by the XZ Mods app. Reports from this stick carry it. An older loader shows Loader: not identified and can still report.

Turn the encoder to a link, then push or tap it to show it as a QR code. Scan the code for CREDITS / NOTICES to read the full credits, licences and matching source. Support is voluntary. Every feature stays available without it.