Let me start by saying I am running on 512 MB ram dual channal.  So that might be the problem??  However the programs seem to be operating ok and somethimes the playback is fine.  Other times some of the voices drop out.  Does anyone know a solution other than upgrading my RAM.

Let me start by saying I am running on 512 MB ram dual channal.  So that might be the problem??  However the programs seem to be operating ok and somethimes the playback is fine.  Other times some of the voices drop out.  Does anyone know a solution other than upgrading my RAM.

I forgot to mention I am running these programs on

Windows XP
Intel Pentium 4 Processor 2.80 GHZ 533 FSB
512 MB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 400 MHz
80GB Ultra ATA//100 7200 RPM Hard Drive

Not to ask the obvious, but maybe you can help us answer this.  What things are different about your environment when you get drop-outs from when you don't?  Possibly it always works the first time, or when there's just a few notes, or it's ok when you're not running other programs...  who knows...  but if you can tell us what you see as different, we can help a lot easier.

Sorry for the lack of detail......There is nothing very consistant about the loss of voices.  One time it is fine, then the next I lose certain voices.  I try to close any programs that I do not need.  I am using a full percussion score, but because of only having 512 ram I am using some GM sounds.  Because I am using VDL 2 sounds and GM sounds I am still using a Virtual midi cable even though I am using finale 2006.  It actually tends to work better the more times I play it......but sometimes it takes MANY plays to hear all the voices.

OK, try this...  reboot, don't run anything other than the bare minimum you need for your playback.  Try playing it a few times, and observe whether anything is better or worse.

It very well may be a ram issue.

Also, since you're running in standalone mode, let us know what your VDL2 settings are for soundcard interface, latency, and DFD. These settings can all definitely affect your playback.

The soundcard interface is Direct sound

The latency is 7 ms

and the DFD is just on the ";normal"; preset

Thanks for the help.....the program is amazing and the access to this forum is GREAT!

OK. In your DFD settings, change it to ";small instruments"; then increase the ";reserved voices"; to 256 - then hit ";apply"; before closing.

Your soundcard driver may also be a concern. Direct Sound (see VDL2 glossary) won't perform as well as ASIO. You may have a basic, consumer soundcard without ASIO drivers, in which case you may want to look into trying something like ASIO4all, until you can upgrade to an audio interface geared a little more toward pro audio.

If you have a MultiMedia setting under ";interface,"; you may want to try that and see if it gives you better results.

Your latency is set very low, which is putting a big strain on your CPU. Raise the latency to about 40ms or so, that should help. You may have to fiddle with this setting to find what works best. If you go too high, your faster rhythms (like rolls, etc) may start to sound a little cockeyed.

Let us know if any of those settings help.

Thanks!!  This helped a lot.  Drop outs became very infrequent.  I am still going to upgrade my RAM and soundcard.  But everything is coming through and sounding great!!