1. The default staff type for Marimba/ Sus Cym and Vibe/ Sus Cym only has 4 lines. Odd for sure, but easily fixable.

2. The key signature does not show. I go into edit staff types and check the box to show the key signature but it won't.

3. I am trying to write in a chromatic run. It will LOOK correct (F,F#,G,G#, etc.) but it will playback wrong (F,F,G,G,etc.). Has anyone ever had that happen before?

Sounded cool Eric!

I've really enjoyed using Kontakt Gold. To me the sounds aren't totally realistic in all instruments, but you still really get the idea across. When it comes to percussion sounds, the VDL:2 still is the best option (although, the tabla sounds pretty good to my ear by itself...).

I had to arrange an old stand tune of R.O.C.K. in the USA for our Junior High Drumline. There also wasn't a score for the parts, so I just put everything into Sibelius, used Kontakt Gold for the wind sounds and VDL:2 for the battery sounds. It was a lot easier to use both Kontakt and VDL:2 than I thought it would be.

The result was a pretty decent rendition of what it should sound like. The VDL sounds really helped the ";authenticity"; of the overall sound of the piece.

If you want to check out the finished product, follow this link:

http://www.canyonisd.net/rhs/clubsorg/percussion/music/rockusa2.mp3

I hope that Sibelius will catch up with Finale and their new usage of the Garritan sounds. The Garritan aren't the best in the biz, but their still pretty sweet for those of us who can't afford multiple computer set-ups and lots of expensive software.

ER

Kontakt Gold is basically the same in Sib4 as it is in Sib3. It's decent. It gives you all the band sounds you'd need, some of which are better than others. Having those directly available within Sibelius is nice for convenience too, though running the Sibelius Kontakt Gold player simultaneously along with several VDL2 instruments can also place more burden on CPU.

When it comes down to it, playing back full wind and percussion scores using high-end sounds like VDL2 is very processor intensive due to the very high level of polyphony being asked. It's nothing like using the tiny footprint of GM sounds. Folks who are really serious about this type of highly polyphonic playback often use multiple computers to share the burden. Definitely makes things smoother.

As far as Gold being worth it, it depends on what you want. Gold gives you 32 loadable slots where Silver only gives you 8. That alone may make it worth it. Other than that, compare the additional instruments available in Gold (i.e. there's no Tuba in Silver), to figure if you really want those. You can always use substitutions in the meantime (like bassoon for tuba). It's not ideal, but if you aren't too worried about accuracy it may be fine.

I don't know about the Kontakt stuff.  I barely have a handle on the VDL:2 stuff yet! 

Is buying the Kontakt Player Gold worth it?  Will it provide all of the wind sounds I need for band scores?

And check out Sib4.�� The dynamic parts alone have saved this composer/writer/arranger several hours already!
[quote][/quote]

Our Sibelius 4 will not GET HERE FAST ENOUGH! I can't wait to take advantage of all of the new features!

Hey, how are the Kontakt Gold sounds using 4?

ER

I could go either way on that.

I like the look of it being a complete 5 line staff, yet, keeping it is as the 3 line staff helps me keep track of where I made the staff type changes in the music in case I need to go back and make adjustments.

I heart gbass.

That was the ticket.�� Thanks a ton!

Does everyone keep the staff on the default three-line or do they ";edit staff styles"; and change it to a normal five-liner?�� I don't mind the three-line...just have not had time to get used to it!

And check out Sib4.  The dynamic parts alone have saved this composer/writer/arranger several hours already!

I haven't used Sibelius 4 but I know in Sibelius 3, you can change the staff type for an individual measure. I'm sure this process is the same between versions. I know that I did that a bunch w/ my keyboard parts for the band show I arranged.

Basically you will use the normal 5 line staff type, then highlight the measure you want to change the staff type and change it through the create menu to the susp. cymbal type. Then go to the next measure you want to change back to the regular 5 line pitched staff and do the same process. it will change the staff type from that point on in the music.

Jim,

I suppose I am confused about the two different staff types.  I am actually working through this dilemma at the present time in my closer, trying to add a simple whole note roll tied to a quarter in 4/4.  I am getting the stock six ledger lines!

In Sib 4 can I change my staff type for a single measure to make the cymbal look and sound correct?  How exactly might I go about writing cymbal parts on the marimba/vibe music that are readable and play back correctly?

As always, thank you for your JediMIDI expertise!
~MDM

I am having trouble�� getting the sus/crash cymbal sounds to be with an ";x"; and only one ledgerline above the staff in Finale 2005.�� I have gotten it to work in Sibelius before but not in Finale.�� Am I forgetting a step so that I dont have to write Cymbal parts in my mallet lines 10 lines above the staff?�� Or, do I have to just make a different ";print"; version when I hand out to kids.....

Any help would be appreciated.

Also worth mentioning...
Since the staff types ";vibes sus cym"; and ";Marimba sus cym"; are only intended to make use of the sus cym mapping, your regular chromatic notes may not play properly when one of those staff types is assigned. For proper pitched playback, be sure to do:
Create>Other>Staff Type Change>Pitched>5 line

If you use these staff type changes a lot (I do!), it's not a bad idea to set up a keyboard shortcut as a timesaver.

Those staff types are only meant to be used if you are writing for the suspended cymbal that is included in the top range of vibe or marimba instruments. For regular vibe/marimba (pitched) parts, simply assign a Pitched>5-line staff type.

Since those sus cym notes are so high, using the vibe or mar ";sus cym"; staff types gives you the opportunity to create a better looking part.