I have to start by saying that i just came across this site yesterday and i am very interested in VD...but i have been out of the loop for awhile when it comes to the new software...here are just a few questions that i have...

I have a Realtek AC97 soundcard on my motherboard...does anyone know if this is compatible with soundfonts?

If Realtek AC97 is not compatible with soundfonts, would it be better to get a soundblaster card or purchase kompakt?

Which program is better, Finale 4.0 or SIBELIUS 3?...which one works best with VD?

Do i really need a midi keyboard, or can i write with just the mouse like in ENCORE?

For now that is it with the questions...thanks for all of the help...

everyone enjoy the sweetbeats...

[quote]I have a Realtek AC97 soundcard on my motherboard...does anyone know if this is compatible with soundfonts?[/quote]

Most likely, no. The most compatible soundfont cards are made through Creative. I think the Realtek cards are standard, motherboard cards with limited capabilities.

[quote]If Realtek AC97 is not compatible with soundfonts, would it be better to get a soundblaster card or purchase kompakt? [/quote]

Depends on how much you want to spend. The soundblaster will do less harm to your wallet, but you will also be limited in the amount of samples you can use depending on how much memory you have. VD comes with different sized libraries to cater to your computer needs. With Kompakt, you can use the full version by way of Giga sample importing.

[quote]Which program is better, Finale 4.0 or SIBELIUS 3?...which one works best with VD?[/quote]

I personally love Sibelius 3 and I know that VD works with Finale and I know the guys at Tapspace prefer Sibelius. For me, it is easier to work your way around Sibelius. If you have put in serious time learning Finale, you may want to stick with that. If you are a new notation user, I highly recommend Sibelius.

[quote]Do i really need a midi keyboard, or can i write with just the mouse like in ENCORE? [/quote]

while pointing and clicking work, you will save yourself headache and time by purchasing a midi keyboard. Because VD uses a number of different samples notated on the same line, pointing and clicking will only get you one of the available samples. With the snare voice, there are quite a few different sounds mapped to the one snare line. A lot of users here use the Oxygen 8. It is simple, compact and is not expensive compared to other "fancy" midi controllers.

Hope this helps. There are lots of users on here eager to help you get started.

Gabe Cobas

gabe...

i appreciate the advice...i ended up going out and buying soundblaster Live 5.1...like you said it was a lot cheaper. so i can start out and learn all of the basis through using the mouse...and then move to the midi keyboard...by using the mouse i will not be able to get the different sounds with the snare line??? i am confused here...

My history with notation applications is mostly with an old school version on ENCORE...i have done some writing with finale...but not a lot...

well...i appreciate the respose gabe...and i have found looking over the forum a very helpful tool already...i will probably have many more questions in the coming days... 8)

[quote]by using the mouse i will not be able to get the different sounds with the snare line??? i am confused here...[/quote]

You can use the mouse to input. I may not be the best person to comment since I have always used the midi controller. From what I have heard, pointing and clicking is more burden than benefit. The VD FAQ has a section on this:

[quote][b]Do I need a MIDI keyboard?[/b]
Yes. Because there are so many sounds within Virtual Drumline��, it's been mapped in a way so that it's easiest to input notes with a MIDI keyboard. We realize that not everybody uses a MIDI keyboard to notate music with Sibelius (or other notation programs), but you'll save yourself hours of labor and stress using the simplicity and speed of keyboard note-entry. These days, you can buy an inexpensive (roughly $150-$200) USB MIDI keyboard controller, that connects to your computer directly without the need for an extra MIDI interface. Check out some of the USB keyboard controllers at M-Audio. The Oxygen8 is very popular and inexpensive. The only drawback is that because it only has 25 keys, you have to switch octaves frequently on the keyboard.[/quote]

Gabe

so it just sounds like to me it is going to be a very time taking project with the mouse...but everything can be done...

i purchased the package of VD and notation software...so when i write the music in the software, and i play it back (after changing all the in's and out's) it will sound like the samples from the site correct??? i mean it will play back with the real drum sounds???

Yup, pretty cool, huh? When I started, I spent hours writing little licks and dittys just to see the capabilities of the program. Have fun!

Gabe