[size=18pt][color=Blue][i]Please read these tips before posting in order to help expedite the troubleshooting process:[/i][/color][/size]

Hello everyone…especially those of you that are new! We're glad to have you in the community! There are lots of helpful people on here, and providing detailed and accurate information will help them help YOU more quickly.

Here's what you should do before posting:

[i]#1 - VDL User Manual[/i]

The very first thing you should do is read through your VDL User Guide. Much care has been taken to ensure that this manual is cleanly organized and easily navigable. The information you're looking for may very likely be in there waiting for you to read it. If you're unsure of where to find the User Guide, it can be found inside the Documentation folder in the directory where you installed Virtual Drumline.

[i]#2 - FAQ[/i]

[size=10pt][b][color=Red]Check the FAQ area.[/color][/b][/size]  (click here -->)[b][url=https://www.tapspace.com/support/faq/]https://www.tapspace.com/support/faq/[/url][/b]   People likely have had your problem before, and the answer may be in there.  Spend a moment or two there first, and you may save yourself A LOT of time. The FAQ area is easily searchable. If your answer isn't there, you'll very likely be able to ask a BETTER question because you read about others.

Here's what you should do when it's time to post:

[i]#3 - Templates[/i]

Are you using a template for VDL within Finale or Sibelius? Many current VDL users who use the library within either Sibelius or Finale also use custom templates provided by The Write Score ([b][url=http://www.thewritescore.com]http://www.thewritescore.com[/url][/b]). If so, it's very important for you to read the Readme that came with that template to ensure that you have a) installed all template files in the right location; and b) know what you're doing. The TWS templates come with [i]excellent[/i] user instructions; it's very likely the answer to your issue lies within!

[i]#4 - Eyes and Ears[/i]

OK, so you didn't see the answer you needed yet. Perfect; you're in the right place to ask a question! Observe what is going on with your system, and prepare your post with a description of what is happening. Remember: Other members can't see your computer screen or hear the audio coming from it. Don't just say, ";Something sounds weird."; Say *how* it sounds weird. A full description will help everyone work on your problem, and avoid bad guesses.

[i]#5 - Your Vitals[/i]

Your basic info is always necessary…PC or Mac? RAM amount? Soundcard? (Hardware plays a large role in computer audio. It's important to add information about your rig to your post in case one of the gurus on here recognizes a known conflict or incompatibility.) After that, any other information that might have anything to do with your problem is important. For example, are you having problems with Kontakt or Kontakt Player? Say you're using Kontakt and what version. MIDI Keyboard? Add in which one. If it might have something to do with the problem, put it in there. Better too much information than too little.

A quick rundown of the information you'll need to provide:

1 - VDL version
2 - Kontakt or Kontakt Player version
3 - Sibelius or Finale? (or a sequencing program?)
4 - Computer specs - Windows or Mac, RAM, CPU
5 - MIDI settings (IN and OUT) for your notation program and VDL
6 - Are you using VDL by itself (stand-alone mode), or as a plugin in another (host) application?
7 - Soundcard settings inside Kontakt Player
8 - Any other pieces of your configuration that will help illustrate what you're doing.

You might even think of adding your system vitals to your signature, which can be edited here:
https://www.tapspace.com/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=3;sa=forumProfile

[i]#6 - Work flow[/i]

Finally, don't forget to talk about the steps that you've taken to get where you are. Are you trying to do something with Sonar? Finale? Sibelius? Cubase? Exactly what were you trying to do? [i]In detail[/i], list the steps you took, the results you expected to get, and the results you actually got. And then, what steps have you taken to try and solve the problem? What have you tried that didn't work? Most importantly, if you have something that can be reproduced, list the steps one at a time so someone else could make the problem occur and then offer a fix.

If a screenshot would be helpful in illustrating the issue you're experiencing, you can attach one to your post. THESE ARE IMMENSELY HELPFUL. On a Mac, use Command-Option-4 and then drag-select the area or window that you want. On Windows, use the PrtScrn or Alt-PrtScrn buttons.

OK, you're ready to post. [b]Remember to describe the situation so that when people read it, they will know what it looks and sounds like, what you're using for hardware, and what steps you've taken.[/b] You'll get to the bottom of your problem in no time!

Happy drumming!

Amen to that.

Bravo Drumcat!  If you don't like typing out your specs every time, just put it in the signature!

[quote author=Cobybos link=topic=1410.msg6401#msg6401 date=1162225761]
If you don't like typing out your specs every time, just put it in the signature!
[/quote]

Great advice Gabe! Forgetting to list system specs is probably one of the most common reasons for back-and-forth responses before meaningful help can be offered. For anyone having a tough time figuring out how to edit their signature, you can do so within the ";profile"; section of your forum account. Here's a shortcut:
https://www.tapspace.com/forums/index.php?action=profile;sa=forumProfile

Drumcat - great post! We should make this a ";sticky"; reminder.

As a reminder - especially new folks, you won't receive much help unless you list some of your specs. Here's a good starter list of what you should include when you're posting so others might be able to offer you some guidance.

1 - VDL Version
2 - Kontakt Player Version
3 - Sibelius or Finale (or neither?)
4 - Computer specs - Windows or Mac, RAM, CPU
5 - MIDI settings (IN and OUT) for your notation program and VDL
6 - Are you using VDL in stand-alone mode, or as a Plug-in?
7 - Soundcard settings from stand-alone version of Kontakt Player
8 - Any other pieces of your configuration that will help illustrate what you're doing.

Apparently the sticky lost its stick.  ;)

Didn't know these stickies were so realistic! Thanks for the heads-up. Re-stuck...

Ya, gotta go name brand, Jim.  XD

How do you record music. do I ned to buy the sibelius program or does it come with the vdl? If I need to buy a Sibelius how do I hook the vdl to it?

Tanajah - It's ironic that you're posting this question to this topic. Read the first post, and you'll see what I mean. Starting with the FAQ would be a good start:
https://www.tapspace.com/support/faq

Sibelius is a notation program. If you want to write notation, it's a good option to consider.

Virtual Drumline contains tons of percussion sounds. If you want nice sounding percussion with your writing, it's a good choice.

Here's a link to tutorial screencast videos on using Sibelius and VDL in tandem with each other:
https://www.tapspace.com/support/tutorials/Sib51.html

If you have further questions that aren't answered in the FAQ, it's okay to post to the forum here, but please be sure to post your questions to the appropriate boards or topics.

Jim,

You and drumcat deserve a lot of credit for trying - as hard as any I've seen.�� I've learned a great deal by reading many, many of the posts in the Forum.�� And, I still have not read them all.�� Its one of the best ways to figure this stuff out.

I'm new here to the Forum but if I could get across to anyone that's new, its follow the advice that's been posted on the Forum and read the FAQ section of Tapspace.com.�� Bottom line - when I'm learning something new I usually don't read the manual - but sometimes YOU GOTTA READ THE MANUAL!�� [b]Learn the process [/b] that these guys and others are freely sharing.�� It makes it��easier to help someone new.��

Several thumbs up to Jim and drumcat.

It seems that the majority of performance related problems are related to the latency setting being too low.  Systems tend to default to 20's or lower, when they should really be 40 or higher. 

Only a very fast computer with a professional sound card will be able to have smooth playback with low latency.

This should answer most of the ";my playback sounds scratchy"; questions.

[quote author=Jim Casella link=topic=1410.msg11593#msg11593 date=1200007829]
Tanajah - It's ironic that you're posting this question to this topic. Read the first post, and you'll see what I mean. Starting
[/quote]

i chuckled a bit when i read this