i'm really new to Virtual Drumline, and before i purchase anything, i want to know if accelerandos and ritards are possible with this software. also, i bought Encore notation software, and i was wondering if when i got VD: 2 if encore would benefit me in any way still, or would it just rot, unused.

Accels and rits are done within your notation program, not VD:2. VD:2 is a collection of sampled instruments triggered instead of the stock midi sounds you hear through general midi.

VD:2 will have its own sampler included with the library (brilliant). Encore should work with VD:2. You will just need to tell Encore to play through the included sampler rather than the default setting.

Gabe