I'm totally new to the computerized music but am ready to take the plunge. The first thing I want to buy is Virtual Drum Line 2. I'm having a hard time understanding what it can do by itself vs. what I need more software for. If I get just Virtual Drum Line 2, can I write music and print the music I write? And can I play the music too? Or do I also need to get something like the Finale notation software to write the music, and something else to play it?

The FAQs and other stuff for Virtual Drum Line 2 are written for people that have already been doing this a while. It's hard to understand for us new comers what we need to buy before getting started. I don't want to have to spend thousands to get started but I also don't want to spend too little and not be able to do anything.



Thanks in advance for any help.

Dummerboy,

The important thing to realize is that VDL:2 doesn't actually load directly into Finale or Sibelius (or notepad, or others mentioned). As long as you can send MIDI out of one program, VDL:2 can receive it from your MIDI drivers. So technically, VDL:2 is compatible with all the programs mentioned.

Where Finale and Sibelius will have the benefit is that they both use percussion mapping features that will allow you to ENTER a certain pitch, and have it DISPLAY on an unrelated staff line. This is important so that your printed notation looks correct. If all you're interested in is the sounds, then you'd be fine to use any program that's capable of transmitting MIDI information.

If you haven't worked much with audio/midi software before, please be patient, taking care to learn about the technology as you go. There are several good resources on the internet that can help you learn along the way.

Here are a few:
https://www.tapspace.com/forums (you are here...)
http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/
http://community.sonikmatter.com/forums/
http://osxaudio.com/forums/index.php

It will work with Finale, Finale Allergro and Sibelius. VDL2 was beta tested using Finale and Sibelius. I tested it with a demo of Finale Allegro. It might work with PrintMusic 2004 if: you use the Finale 2004 templates and you are willing to settle for only 16 midi channels.

Ted

But VDL 2 doesn't have a demo that can be tried, so it means I'm out $200 if it turns out the only thing it works with is full blown Finale. I'd really like to see the list of compatible software posted on the VDL 2 website. I'm sure Tapspace has tested it to make sure it works with various other software. I'd just like to see what it has been tested and certified to work with.

Finale will work and Finale Allegro should based on the listed features. As for the other products I don't believe they will work. All of the finale products have demos which can be downloaded.


Ted

Is there anyone from Tapspace reading these messages that could perhaps post a list of which Finale products are compatible with Virtual Drumline 2? The guys over at Finale don't seem to know and say to ask the Tapspace guys. It would be really nice to know which of the notation products will or will not work before spending a bunch of money. Thanks in advance.

Notepad won't work. You're limited in the number of staves, measures and pages along with most of everything else. I use the full version of Finale and know very little about the other versions. Best thing to do is check the Finale website (makemusic.com). As far as recording software, there are freeware/shareware programs that will get you going. Something simple as recording audio that plays back through your sound card to full blown professional apps which would allow you to create CD quality recordings, if you know what you're doing. Bottom line is you will get what you pay for. Check out hitsquad.com/smm for demos and freeware/sharreware apps.

Ted

I have a MIDI keyboard and the sound card so I'm in good shape there. It sounds like I also need to purchase Notation software and Recorder software.

I've looked at Finale but the price tag has always scared me away. Will VDL 2 work with any of the lower cost Finale programs, such as Finale Notepad 2005? Notepad Plus? Printmusic? Allegro? (or maybe Finale Guitar?) Or does it require full blown Finale?

What is recommended for compatible recording programs? I couldn't find anything that looked like a recording program on the Tapspace store site.

Thanks

[quote=";ted_boliske";]Virtual Drumline is a sound library, meaning it is a collection of audio files. VDL 2 is a step up from version 1 in that this library includes the needed software to load the sounds files. You will still need some type of notation program for creating printed music. You will also need a sound card (if you're on PC) to hear the sounds, and a midi keyboard or controller to easily enter and play your music. If you also wish to make recordings of your work, you will need some type of program to do this as well. The cost of all of this will depend mainly on how far you wish take everything. Minimum cost will include VDL 2, the notation program, midi device and a couple of cables. Check the Tapspace store for prices on most these items. HTH.

Ted[/quote]

Virtual Drumline is a sound library, meaning it is a collection of audio files. VDL 2 is a step up from version 1 in that this library includes the needed software to load the sounds files. You will still need some type of notation program for creating printed music. You will also need a sound card (if you're on PC) to hear the sounds, and a midi keyboard or controller to easily enter and play your music. If you also wish to make recordings of your work, you will need some type of program to do this as well. The cost of all of this will depend mainly on how far you wish take everything. Minimum cost will include VDL 2, the notation program, midi device and a couple of cables. Check the Tapspace store for prices on most these items. HTH.

Ted