I'm sure this topic has been covered numerous times, but I haven't been able to locate a thread of FAQ yet.

For reference, I am using VDL2.5 with Finale 2008 on an iMac.

To make this really specific: As an example, I have a marimba part that also uses some non-pitched percussion, including a sus. cymbal and a big tam-tam.  I have no problem loading multiple patches into one line and getting them to play back correctly.  However, I'm not sure how to get the gong and cymbal to display as I wish them to.  Whether the gong plays a roll or eighths note with a wood stick or triangle beater,  I want that instrument to occupy the same position on the staff.  Since this part is mostly marimba and uses the standard notation option in the Staff Attributes menu, the gong does not display as it would if I had loaded the ";gongs"; percussion map, so when I enter a particular sound (long roll, scrape with triange), it displays as whatever pitch I play on the input keyboard to generate that sound.

How would I alter the maps such that I can input the correct gong sound, but it will always display in the same staff position in an otherwise keyboard part?

Thanks!

Hey Doc,

My Finale chops are a little rusty, so I'm sure some of the guys who still use it could give you more accurate info.  However, as far as I know it involves a staff style change that should be included in the template.

I'm sure Scott and some of the other Finale guys will be able to chime in with specifics.

Roger that gold leader -- a staff style change should be the way to go, provided you're using the correct template.

Blake,

A Staff Style is indeed what you will need.  Enter the note as you need, and at first it will be way above the staff or way below.  Not to worry.  Go to the [b]STAFF TOOL -->STAFF MENU -->DEFINE STAFF STYLES[/b].  Click on [b]NEW[/b] and then give it a name like Rack Combo A, etc (whichever staff type you need to change to).

Here is a video explaining.  We are going to be posting more  videos like this soon, but this will help.  This is not the official Vid, but just a quick one that I made for you to show this process.  The official one will go more in depth.  Make sure to check the documentation in Finale on creating a Channel Change Expression so that you can actually hear the sounds you are wanting beyond this.  It is a two step process in most cases to get everything looking and sounding right.  You may need to download the QuickTime Player from [url=http://www.apple.com/quicktime]www.apple.com/quicktime[/url] in order to watch this MOV file unless your current media player is set to play this type of movie file.

[url=http://www.box.net/shared/sdujz8jptn]http://www.box.net/shared/sdujz8jptn[/url]

Thanks for this Scott -- good reminder about the 'Transposition' step in defining the right clef. I would have forgotten this...

Glad I was able to help.  Blake, let us know if there are any further questions or if you need any further clarification.  We are happy to help.