Thanks to VDL:2 guru and Finale whiz, Ted Boliske, the VDL:2 template for Finale has now been made available for opening directly in [url=http://www.finalemusic.com/finale/update.aspx]Finale 2007b[/url] (or greater) without needing to import the 2006 template.

If you are a Finale 2007b user and frequently use the VDL:2 template, this is a must-have. The template may be downloaded for free at our [b][url=https://www.tapspace.com/updates]Updates page.[/url][/b]

Thanks again to Ted for his time and dilligence in creating this valuable tool!

Awesome . . . The very question I came to ask about.

My copy of VDL:2 should be arriving any day now . . . so I should be up and running quickly.

Does the Finale 2007 template zip file include a quick ";read me"; or ";how to"; document? . . . or is it bascially the same procedure for setting up the 2006 template?

Thanks . . .

I've gotten decent results in the past using a combination of the VDL1 sounds and the old DS Soundware samples using a virtual sequencer . . . but that was seriously time prohibitive. I'm eager for playback in Finale.

M.

Welcome Mark!

The basic setup for hosting VDL2 as a VST or AU plug-in within Finale 2007 is the same as it was with 2006. Your copy of VDL2 will come with a ";Quickstart Guide"; which walks you through the steps of installing and getting it running with Finale. You'll likely want to take some time learning the various instruments in VDL2, so you can decide which staff styles (which are in the template) to set into your Finale staves.

From what you're describing, your workflow may be a little different than what you used to do, so be patient, and learn as you go. YI doubt you'll have it completely mastered in a day, or even a week. But this method of working is one of the more efficient, so in the long run, you'll probably be glad you made the jump.

Good luck!

Thanks Jim,

Okay . . . so I'm all set up with Finale 2007, running VDL:2 as VST Plugin. I've also set up the Finale template for 2007. (My machine is a Pentium 4, Windows XP . . . but I can already see I'm going to need more memory).

I've loaded the Battery Lites . . . And I'm hearing sounds through Finale.

But do I have to actually go in and edit the percussion map? . . . I'm a bit confused, because I went in just to look at it (in the template), and the left and right hand hits (for example) are mapped to the same space in the stave (or staff).

Otherwise, how do I get manual right-left playback? I thought the template would be an exact map. If I have to edit the percussion map, it's no problem. I just need to know if I'm on the right track.

M.

You shouldn't have to edit the percussion maps unless you like things to look a certain way. True, RH and LH hits are on different pitches, but you don't want you parts to look that way. So enter a G# for a RH with your midi keyboard, and Finale will know to place this entry on the appropriate line. Same thing with LH on F#, or any other pitch (sound) you want to have it play. Are you using a midi keyboard?

No, I'm not using a midi keyboard. I didn't think I needed one with 2007. Do I need a virtual midi keyboard?

M.

A physical hardware midi keyboard is the best option (in my opinion). Something like the M-Audio Keystation 49e is bare-bones, inexpensive, and will do what you need it to do. If you're dead-set against that idea, be prepared to get super clicky with your mouse which is much more time consuming. You may also find the FAQ's helpful, since this seems to be a common question. There's a topic here, that discusses that in the pre-sale questions. The 'virtual midi keyboards' could be an alternative, though (again...in my opinion) they may seem a little more confusing to setup, and as I mentioned before, require you to enter notes by clicking on a little on-screen keyboard with your mouse. Pretty clumsy if you're looking to be productive. As a general rule, any time you reach for the mouse is time lost. But what the heck...if your on a tight budget, and really don't want to get into a midi keyboard, it [i]does[/i] work. Search around the forums here if you're interested in the on-screen keyboard concept. Coach did a good tutorial on setting up the Granucon keyboard with Finale.

Hope this helps!

Thanks Jim . . . I'm on it.

M.

Jim,

Okay . . . I took your advice, and I'm using an E-MU midi keyboard (49) . . . Plus 1.2 GB of memory (soon to be 2 GB). I'm up and running, using the keyboard to enter notes into Finale.

Quick question: . . . I have my playback set to Marching Band . . . but the playback is accenting the first note of every measure . . . regardless of key velocities I enter . . . and without my adding any articulations to the notation.

What's [i]that[/i] about? . . . Surely there's a way to avoid this problem.

I'm so used to using a virtual sequencer for sample playback . . . it'll take me a while to learn the tricks of this new system.

M.

[quote author=Mark A. Moore link=topic=1556.msg7440#msg7440 date=1171690243]
Jim,

Okay . . . I took your advice, and I'm using an E-MU midi keyboard (49) . . . Plus 1.2 GB of memory (soon to be 2 GB). I'm up and running, using the keyboard to enter notes into Finale.

Quick question: . . . I have my playback set to Marching Band . . . but the playback is accenting the first note of every measure . . . regardless of key velocities I enter . . . and without my adding any articulations to the notation.

What's [i]that[/i] about? . . . Surely there's a way to avoid this problem.

I'm so used to using a virtual sequencer for sample playback . . . it'll take me a while to learn the tricks of this new system.

M.

[/quote]

Try playing back just the tenor staff. Are you hearing an accent on each first beat there? Same with other staves when solo? Or do you maybe have a metronome that's creating that strong downbeat you're hearing? I'm not quite sure what to suggest there, but it sounds like finale is doing something strange. Perhaps check to make sure the click isn't playing during playback?

Jim,

Yeah, it was happening on tenors, too . . .

I cleared the velocity setting in the ";clear midi data"; part of the ";human playback"; section of the Playback Plug-in . . . (jeez, ya gotta love the nested jargon) . . . and that seems to have solved the problem.

Stay tuned for my next question . . . ;)

M.

Well, I take it back . . .

The solution I suggested aboved kills the diddles and ";Marching Band"; playback.

So I'm still in search of a solution . . .

M.

If human playback isn't working to your needs, you might try using the TG Tools ";smart playback"; plugin. Some people still prefer to use that, while others may find human playback more to their liking (in terms of diddle playback).

Yeah, the Smart Playback is working for me. For some reason, the Marching Band option puts an automatic accent on count 1 (at least on my system).

Smart Playback is our friend. :)

M.