Do I have to reload the instruments and adjust the settings every time I open the VDL2 Kontakt Player? Or is there a way to have it save your last used instruments and settings?

If you are using the VDL2 player in standalone mode (note...this is [i]not[/i] Kontakt, it's a Kontakt Player...big difference), you will have to load your sounds each time. You may find it helpful to start with some of the pre-designed ";multis"; to save some time (accessible via the LOAD button).

If you are using VDL2 by ";hosting"; it in another program (like V-Stack, Bidule, RAX, etc), then you'd be able to save that session and have your instruments and settings all recall.

Furthermore, if you're using VDL2 by loading its sounds directly into KONTAKT (the full version of Kontakt), it will allow you to save these setups as your own customized ";multi.";

We may have some new things on the horizon that can help the convenience factor here, so stay tuned. For now though, the Kontakt Player does have it's limitations in Standalone. That software was initially designed with the majority of users hosting it in sequencers, so for the purposes of notation it can change the workflow a bit.

One last thing. You didn't mention what else you are using VDL2 with (Finale/Sibelius). Finale 2006 adds the option to host VDL2 (or any other NI virtual instruments) directly in Finale itself, which would allow all settings to be recalled each time you launched your score. I'm probably stating the obvious here, but figured it's worth mentioning for anyone who might not be keeping up with the rapidly changing world of sample/notation software.

Using Sibelius 4 / WinXP / 4GB RAM

On a related note ... Shall I assume that the only way to play back a [i]full[/i] battery/pit score (such as is on the templates provided) is to use the full version of Kontakt, or one of these additional hosting program thingy's? (Aside from what may be [i]on the horizon[/i] :-))

Mark,

yes--you are correct in that assumption.  For anything over the 8 instruments that you can load into the kontakt player you would need a host or K2.

Chris

Two things...  It's technically possible to have more than one instance, is it not?  Second, what's the free VSTi host guys?

More than one instances of ";standalone"; operation has been reported as being possible for windows users, though it's technically not something that's supported. Essentially, all you do is make a copy of the VDL2 application (name it something different like ";VDL2-B"; or something like that). Once you've launched both instances, assign VDL2-A to your first virtual midi port input (i.e. MIDI Yoke 1), and then assign VDL2-B to your second virtual midi port input (i.e. MIDI Yoke 2).

The free host program is a Mac OSX one called AULab (included with OSX in 'developer tools' disc). Corey Peterson wrote an excelent tutorial on using it here:
https://www.tapspace.com/forums/index.php?topic=899.0

As for free VST hosts for Windows, I'm not sure I know of any. I believe Bidule gives you a limited time free-use, before it locks. To unlock it, it's $75. It's a very cool program which will also allow you to record the audio playback coming from your hosted instruments. http://www.plogue.com

Native Instruments also announced KORE, which sounds very interesting. We'll see what that holds when it becomes available.

[quote author=cmac76 link=topic=994.msg4091#msg4091 date=1139594872]
Mark,

yes--you are correct in that assumption.�� For anything over the 8 instruments that you can load into the kontakt player you would need a host or K2.

Chris
[/quote]

You can make two instances work -- I did all last summer -- but it was very sketchy. I had to be VERY nice to my computer to make sure everything would run with enough RAM and I still didn't get the crispest or most reliable playback. A purchase of the full version of Kontakt is in my near future.

If I knew better then, I would have done half of my score, put it into Audacity, then the other half, then put that into Audacity. But buying Kontakt sounds like the way to go, rather than all of my ";duct taping...";

I stand corrected.  I did not think that it was possible for more than one instance of the standalone to work at the same time.  Thanks for clarifying and sorry for the incorrect information.

Chris

[quote author=cmac76 link=topic=994.msg4095#msg4095 date=1139695314]
I stand corrected.  I did not think that it was possible for more than one instance of the standalone to work at the same time.  Thanks for clarifying and sorry for the incorrect information.

Chris
[/quote]
Actually, it's not technically ";supported"; so you were actually somewhat correct Chris. :) I think it's just a method that'd been discovered as sort of a workaround for some who venture to go there.