Hi,

I'm really enjoying working with VDL:2, but I'm having some playback issues with a few of the sounds:

1. I'm writing something that uses both piano sounds and marimba sounds (sometimes in unison) and upon playback the marimba sounds just slightly late behind the piano.

2. I've written just a little in the battery and drumset, but the rhythms are playing back very disjointed and not at all exact (like I'm accustomed to with Sibelius). This is especially bad when I add slashes for rolls. It's really only affecting triplet-based rhythms. Quarters, eights -- they're fine.

Yes, I've checked and the performance settings are all set to meccanico. So, I'm not entirely sure if I'm having a VDL:2 problem or a Sibelius problem. And given my lack of prowess at both, either is VERY possible.

Also, I checked another Siblius file written before I acquired VDL:2 and it is playing back just fine.

Help!
Eric Rath

I think what you have to do is adjust your latency #'s so that the parts will match up. Maybe someone on here can give you more detail at the moment, as I am kind of out the door.

I know though, that it is an easy fix. I had the problem before as well when I First gt sibelius and virtual drumline1.

Thanks! That helped a lot on the timing between the instruments!

The triplet stuff is still sounding like a three-legged horse, though...

ER

These sorts of questions are system specific, hence require details to accurately anaylize.

Please supply the following:

Based on the description, there's no way to tell where the piano sound is being generated from (soundcard, external keyboard, sibelius silver/gold, etc).

Computer configuration (mac or windows, RAM, what type of soundcard, etc)

What are the VDL2 soundcard settings?

Is DFD active, and if so, what are the settings?

>>Please supply the following:

>>Based on the description, there's no way to tell where the piano sound is being generated from (soundcard, external keyboard, sibelius silver/gold, etc).

The piano is being played from my Soundblaster Audigy Card. This is at least what Sibelius is showing in the Bevices box. This is an internal sound, right? However, adjusting the latency has helped some.


>>Computer configuration (mac or windows, RAM, what type of soundcard, etc)

Windows. 1 gig RAM. Audigy2 Soundcard.

>>What are the VDL2 soundcard settings?

Not sure what you mean. Sorry...

>>Is DFD active, and if so, what are the settings?[/quote]

I don't think so.

Please note that the Sibelius DEVICES box gives you the option to select your [b]default[/b] output device as well as your input device. This is merely the setting for your [b]default[/b] output.

In the Sibelius MIXER window, you can set different [b]devices[/b] for each staff (track) by selecting from the pulldown menu. By clicking on the piano track in the MIXER, you should be able to see what that staff is set to play back through. Chances are it's set either to an Audigy device, or possibly Kontakt Player. If it's the latter, you may be able to adjust the piano's latency from the SIBELIUS Kontakt Player (gold or silver) by simply selecting Kontakt Player from the WINDOW menu, and then clicking the AUDIO SETUP button.

You can find info about VDL2's SOUNDCARD SETUP window, as well as info about DFD by referring to the VDL:2 user guide and ";read first"; document that came with your software.

>>In the Sibelius MIXER window, you can set different [b]devices[/b] for each staff (track) by selecting from the pulldown menu. By clicking on the piano track in the MIXER, you should be able to see what that staff is set to play back through.

Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth

>>You can find info about VDL2's SOUNDCARD SETUP window, as well as info about DFD by

Interface: ASIO
Sample Rate: 48000
Output Device: Creative ASIO
Output Latency: 50 MS

Also, I lined up a measure of quarters, eights, triplets, then eights again to see if playback was affecting all of it, and it was only affecting the triplets.

Thanks!

Have you tried changing your piano to a different device (in the sibelius mixer). You might want to try the Kontakt Player option or if you have an option for a Creative Labs/Audigy Synth, that might offer better results. I can't say for sure, but my guess is that if you added a soundblaster card, that Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth device may not be your best choice.

Also, what exactly is the problem with the triplets? Is it that the percussion sounds aren't even, or is it that the piano sounds aren't even? Does one or the other sound late, early? Try to be specific if you can.

Do you have DFD active? Also, what kind of processor do you have?

Jim,

Thanks for offering some help. I'll try switching my piano sound to one of the Audigy sounds.

My processor is a Pentium 4, 1.50 Ghz and 1 gig of RAM.

The triplets sound uneven, almost like eight, two sixteenths over and over. They just sound like the first note is on time, then the following two are rushed after having been late. It's especially noticeable when I add slashes for rolls. Not smooth at all.

As for DFD, I'm not entirely sure. When I click options on the VDL:2 player I only get the General Options portion, not the General Options and DFD portion like it shows in the manual. So, I guess I can't really provde the information you are asking for.

Anyhow, thanks for any help you can provide!
ER

So is it your piano sounds that aren't even, or the VDL2 sounds (or both)?

In the soundcard setup window, do you have a slider next to where it says ";latency?"; If so, try playing with that (lower or higher) to see if it helps. If not, try downloading and installing the asio4all driver at: http://www.asio4all.com. Once installed, restart your machine, and set that as your driver in the soundcard setup. You may or may not still have the option to adjust latency, but I've heard this driver to help some people with soundcard problems.

If you have the option to decrease the soundcard sample rate (in the vdl2 setup), you should. It works best at 44100. Some soundcard drivers don't allow you to go below 48000, so if that's the case, it's possible the asio4all driver may help.

Since you aren't seeing DFD options, it means you haven't installed it. DFD isn't required to run VDL2, but many people use it. You might try installing it to see if your performance improves. Download link is at: https://www.tapspace.com/updates

[quote=";Jim Casella";]So is it your piano sounds that aren't even, or the VDL2 sounds (or both)?[/quote]

Well, it was just the VDL2 sounds. The piano would playback fine. But I tried all of those things that you recommended and it is all starting to come together. My virtual drumline doesn't sound like they have a drug problem anymore!

All that is a little ";screwy"; is the timing of some of the instruments. They are not all playing exactly in time with each other. Really, I think it's the VDL2 sounds verses the bass and piano parts (non VDL sounds). So, if I've learned something from this, it's to adjust the latency so that the two elements will be sync'd up?

I REALLY appreciate the help! I wish I knew more about this sort of thing. Is there a good website to look at or -gasp- a good book to read on drivers and midi and sampling, etc.?

I'm glad to try everyone's suggestions, but I also find myself saying how or why does it work that way...

Thanks again!
ER