First of all can I say thanks to everyone thats posted on here, Im not the most computer litterate person but this forum has been a lot of help in getting me to understand my computer, notation programme and a of course VDL!

Im all up and running creating scores but at the moment they are still quite basic, Im not using the VDL full range of sounds particularly for Battery Instuments because I cant figure out how to change the notes so that they play sounds asssigned to other notes on other octaves. Ideally I want the score I use to create the sound file to be the same as the score I print out to give to the members.

After looking around on here I see there are a few ways of doing this but have not really found a definitve 'how to' yet ...

1) Add a piece of code entered as text e.g, ~C3, 142, but it doesnt seem to work and even if it did how would I be able to correspond the sound I want with the code

2) I buy a midi keyboard, however due to lack of space and the fact Im really only writing the drum and percussion parts Im not sure its worth buying one yet.

3) There may be a way in sebelius to assign sounds to the different type note heads available

Any help on this would be muchly appreciated

Tom Pat - all the way from the uk

Sibelius 3
2.0 Ghz
2 gig Ram
VDL 2
Midi Yorke

Tom,

When entering midi messages, make sure you are using technique or expression text to enter.  Also, you need to assign the message [b]before[/b] you want it to take effect in order for the change to happen in time.

Yes!  Buy a midi keyboard, VDL:2 is easiest when used in conjunction with a controller.  An Oxygen 8 is a nice two octave controller for those with limited space.

Hopefully you are using the VDL template provided by Tapspace to do all your VDL writing.  The note heads are already programmed to change with the sound (ie. x for rimshots, etc.).

Let us know if you have more questions!

Hi

think a keyboard may be on the cards...

Thanks for the info, after checking it I found I have to move the notes up one on the stave to get the effects. Which is cool for the snares. Is there a way to put it all on one line so when I enter the notes Im not having to select whole sections to move up?

However this doesnt apply to the quads and bass drums, note head changes seem to not really efect most drums except spocks and bottom drum.

Do people on here normally create one file for recording a file and then produce another for handing out?

Thanks for your help

The beauty of the templates that we created is that you don't have to create two different scores.  You may want to consider upgrading to at least Sibelius 4 since there is no template for Sibelius 3 that I recall.  You can create a template for Sibelius 3, but it's been so long since I've used it that I'm not sure I'd remember how to create them.

Hey guys

A couple things I may be able to help with:

[quote author=tompatuk link=topic=2030.msg10270#msg10270 date=1191850699]
1) Add a piece of code entered as text e.g, [b]~C3, 142[/b], but it doesnt seem to work and even if it did how would I be able to correspond the sound I want with the code
[/quote]

To add to what Cobybos said:�� If you are having trouble with the MIDI messages ";taking";, make sure the syntax is correct. In the example above you have ";~C3, 142";, there should not be a space between the comma and second number. Also, I believe that all of the modwheel commands should read ";~C1,xx"; - not ";C3";. (I have not used Sib 3, but Sib 2 worked this way.) Refer to your version of the Sibelius Reference under [b]MIDI Messages[/b] for more information.


[quote author=Bill link=topic=2030.msg10273#msg10273 date=1191874274]
You may want to consider upgrading to at least Sibelius 4 since there is no template for Sibelius 3 that I recall. ...
[/quote]

You can get a Sib 3 template�� here:�� [url]https://www.tapspace.com/updates/[/url]

The completion of the Sibelius 5 Template is right around the corner, I recommend that you wait for that to be released before upgrading - and then go straight to 5.

[url]https://www.tapspace.com/forums/index.php?topic=1999.0[/url]


[quote author=tompatuk link=topic=2030.msg10272#msg10272 date=1191867377]
Tom wrote:�� Do people on here normally create one file for recording a file and then produce another for handing out?
Bill wrote:�� The beauty of the templates that we created is that you don't have to create two different scores.
[/quote]

I have almost always done it this way in the past (even with the templates), but will be getting away from this as much as possible in the future. Some of the functionality in the Sibelius 5 Template will help to alleviate the need to have a ";play"; and ";print"; version for each project.


One last thing:�� Definitely get a MIDI keyboard for note input; this will save tons of time, regardless of what instruments you are writing for.

OK, that was more than a couple. Anyway, hope this helps.

Late
Hugh

One last note on ~C3, 142.

The first variable is the [b]controller number[/b]. So in the example above, you are calling for a command on Controller 3. The modulation controller is universally known as Controller 1. So for starters, ~C1 would be the syntax you'd use to activate a mod-wheel command.

The second variable (142 in the example above) is the [b]value[/b] you want to set the controller to. Given the binary nature of the MIDI standard, you basically have from 0-127 to work with. A value of 142 doesn't exist.

So to more correctly illustrate, if you wanted the modulation controller to be all the way up, you'd enter:
[b]~C1,127[/b]

As Hugh already correctly noted, there should also not be a space after the comma. I believe this is all covered in the Sibelius documentation under ";MIDI Messages.";

Thanks for chiming in Jim.

That better explains what I was thinking. :)

thanks guys

Midi Keyboard is on its way!

It's a good investment for the productivity gains.  I never leave home without mine. :P

[quote author=Justin Belcher link=topic=2030.msg10287#msg10287 date=1192042762]
It's a good investment for the productivity gains.�� I never leave home without mine. :P
[/quote]

I agree completely!