*I apologize if this has been addressed but I could not find this using the search option*


I just installed VDL 2.5 on my PC and I have Finale 2008.  Using the setup wizard, I am unable to find VDL in the drop-down menu in the Instrument Set.

I  have downloaded the updates and I have copied the files I was supposed to in the VST. 

All I see in the drop-down menu are:

SmartMusic SoftSynth
Garritan Concert and Marching Band
Garritan Instruments for Finale



Thanks for your time and help.

VDL is not suppose to show up in the Setup Wizard. Download the latest Finale template from Tapspace and make sure that you've checked ";Using VST"; in the MIDI/Audio menu.

Also, in the future please list your system specs and all steps you've taken. This helps in being able to better identify the problem and find a solution. As an example, I can only presume you are using a Windows OS and not the Mac OS because you mentioned VST.

Ted Boliske

My bad.  I assumed by saying I was on PC that would suffice. 

So to be clear, I can't load Garritan CMB and VDL in the Instrument set?

I really have no desire to load the Finale Templates as I want to use a full percussion ensemble and/or concert/marching band from time to time. 

Seems like a big hassle to have to load each sample/staff one at a time.  Loading them in the setup wizard/instrument set would be much easier, me thinks.

[quote author=danielmontoyajr link=topic=2535.msg13533#msg13533 date=1213897510]
My bad.  I assumed by saying I was on PC that would suffice. 

So to be clear, I can't load Garritan CMB and VDL in the Instrument set?

I really have no desire to load the Finale Templates as I want to use a full percussion ensemble and/or concert/marching band from time to time. 

Seems like a big hassle to have to load each sample/staff one at a time.  Loading them in the setup wizard/instrument set would be much easier, me thinks.
[/quote]


I missed the PC, sorry.

The reason you can't use VDL through the Setup Wizard is because Finale does not contain the Percussion Maps specific to VDL. These are in the templates and make working with all of the various sounds available much easier. The templates can be changed to fit your individual needs. If you want to do marching band work just add the staves for your winds and brass, save this file as your marching band template and it will be ready any time you wish. The same would be true for concert percussion, start with the template and modify it to your needs. The key to is that the templates contain the VDL percussion key maps. These maps are what Finale uses to know which sound to playback, what notehead to use, which staff position to place sounds on, etc. when writing.

If you have limited experience with software based synths, samplers and sample players, I strongly suggest doing some reading and research. It is a very deep subject area.


Ted Boliske

I did a little work to set up the smart wizard functionality several months ago. I got it working for both F2k7 and F2k8 but haven't had the time to carry out further tests. There was very limited interest in testing out this functionality with other Finale users however Jim has the required files hosted on the Tapspace website.

Check this link for details, download the files and follow the included instructions.

https://www.tapspace.com/forums/index.php?topic=2159.0

Let me know if this works for you.

Derek

Thanks!

I'll take a look at it.

If you don't want to use the templates, which really is very easy, open the VDL template, save the maps as a library file, and load the library into whatever you're doing.  It's a pain the first time but it should only have to be set up once.