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Virtual Light Machine for Atari Jaguar CD FAQ

by BHodges

Version  1.0
Created  12/21/08

This document Copyright 2008 by Brian Hodges.  This FAQ is not to be posted
without explicit permission by me.

All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their
respective trademark and copyright holders.

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Table of Contents

I.    Introduction
II.   Frequently Asked Questions
III.  Version History
IV.   Contact Information

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I.    Introduction

This is a FAQ for the Atari Jaguar CD application, Virtual Light Machine.  This
is an ACTUAL FAQ, a series of Frequently Asked Questions with answers.  Even
though I've written many guides for GameFAQs, this is my first true FAQ, so
please bear with me if it seems a little off.

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II.   Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the Virtual Light Machine?

The Virtual Light Machine or VLM, is a music visualization program that was
built into the Atari Jaguar CD unit.

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What exactly is a music visualization program?

It is a piece of software that displays graphics that change or "dance" in
time with the music being played.  If you've ever played a CD or mp3 in Windows
Media Player, then you've probably seen this before.  Back when this first
came out, it was pretty revolutionary.

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Who created it?

The Virtual Light Machine was created by Jeff Minter aka the "Yak".  He is the
same man who created Tempest 2000 and Defender 2000.

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When was it released?

The Jaguar CD-Rom unit was released in 1995 and the Virtual Light Machine came
built in.

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Where can I get one?

Like I mentioned, it comes built into the Jaguar CD, so you're going to need
one of those.  If money is no object, the easiest way would be to order one 
from goatari.com for $220.  Otherwise, your best bet is to try eBay, expect to
pay at least $80 plus shipping.

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How do I use the Virtual Light Machine?

Put a CD in your Jaguar CD (make sure there's no game in the game slot).  You 
will be taken to the Control Panel.

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Controls:

A Button:    Toggle display between Control Panel, VLM with on-screen display,
             and VLM with no OSD.
B Button:    Play
C Button:    Stop
Left:        Rewind
Right:       Fast Forward
Pause:       Pause
Up:          Increase Volume
Down:        Decrease Volume
Keypad:      Input the track number(WTA) or modify VLM (VLM)  (Press Option
             while Control Panel is CLOSED to toggle between the two)
Option:      Select Options (Control Panel) or Toggle between WTA and VLM modes
             (VLM screen)

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Options:

Pressing the Option button lets you change three different types of options.
Use the control pad to highlight the one you want to modify and press B to 
change that option.  When you are finished, press Option again to return to
the Control Panel.

Track Order (Left Option Box)

Normal:   Play the tracks in order
Random:   Randomizes the track order
Program:  Let's you choose which tracks and which order to play them.  When
          this is selected, press Down to go to the track list.  Press Left and
          Right to select a track box.  Press B to delete that track.  When the
          current box is empty, use the number pad to type in the track you
          want to play in that position.

Repeat Options (Middle Option Box)

No Repeat:     No tracks will be repeated and music stops after last track.
Repeat Disk:   After the last track is finished, it will loop back to the first
               track.
Repeat Track:  The current track will be repeated.

Visualization (Right Option Box)

VLM:     The Virtual Light Machine will display graphics during music play.
VLM R:   I'm not sure what this does, it looks just like VLM.
CD+G 1:  Turns off the Virtual Light Machine.

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Virtual Light Machine Visualizations

Once you have music playing, press A to exit the Control Panel.  There should
now be a light display.  There are actually 81 different display variants  to
choose from!

While on the VLM screen, press 1-9 on the number pad followed by a second 
number to pick the variant.  (If doing this ends up switching the current track
instead, you need to press Option to toggle VLM mode on).  If you have the
on-screen display active, the current variant will be shown in the bottom left
(e.g. 3-2).  

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III.  Version History

1.0   12/21/08  Created FAQ.

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IV.   Contact Information

You can contact me at Bhodges080@aol.com

I would appreciate hearing what you thought of this guide and any thoughts
you have for improving it.  Be sure to let me know if I have missed anything.

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