I bought VDL 2.5 and Sibelius 5 over the summer and have tried many many times and still cannot gt the VDL sounds and the upgraded wind sounds in Sibelius to playback. Ive gone throgh the set-up many many times and do every step yet still no sound. SO.....I'm going to suck it up and buy a new sound card and keyboard. What do you folks out there recommend? Im on a Dell using Windows Vista 64-bit and I have plenty of RAM and harddrive space to support the programs. Thank You.

[b]Soundcard:[/b] M-Audio Audiophile 2496 is a safe bet. I used one for years before switching to Mac, so I'd recommend that as you get plenty of bang for your buck - and they have Vista 64-bit drivers. Also available from Tapspace.

[b]Keyboard:[/b] Depends on how big you want it, and your budget.

-The Axiom 25 is a great thing in a small package.
-The M-Audio Keystation 49 is what I'e been using for 4 years and it's nevr let me down. 
-Akai MKP25 (If you want smaller) - great feeling keyboard in a small package. 
-Axiom 61 - larger in size with lsider, knob, and some assignable midi pads.
-Keystation 88es (if you want a full sized keyboard)
-Keystation Pro 88 - full sized with plenty of sliders and knobs

I've tinkered with all of those, and would be happy with any of them for myself. Hope this helps.

[quote author=Bryan Harmsen link=topic=3357.msg17699#msg17699 date=1255654859]
[b]Soundcard:[/b] M-Audio Audiophile 2496 is a safe bet. I used one for years before switching to Mac, so I'd recommend that as you get plenty of bang for your buck - and they have Vista 64-bit drivers. Also available from Tapspace.

[b]Keyboard:[/b] Depends on how big you want it, and your budget.

-The Axiom 25 is a great thing in a small package.
-The M-Audio Keystation 49 is what I'e been using for 4 years and it's nevr let me down. 
-Akai MKP25 (If you want smaller) - great feeling keyboard in a small package. 
-Axiom 61 - larger in size with lsider, knob, and some assignable midi pads.
-Keystation 88es (if you want a full sized keyboard)
-Keystation Pro 88 - full sized with plenty of sliders and knobs

I've tinkered with all of those, and would be happy with any of them for myself. Hope this helps.
[/quote]

The New M-Audio Axiom Pro controllers now include hypercontrol (also in Sibelius).  Basically it means that you can do quite a bit commands straight from the controller (playback, mixing, number pad, etc.).

Wow, Gabe - that thing looks pretty slick! A few more clams that the rest, but that HyperControl feature opens up a whole new world of possibilities of what you will be able to do with a MIDI controller.

How well will HyperControl integrate with Logic and other DAWs?

[quote author=Bryan Harmsen link=topic=3357.msg17701#msg17701 date=1255688749]
Wow, Gabe - that thing looks pretty slick! A few more clams that the rest, but that HyperControl feature opens up a whole new world of possibilities of what you will be able to do with a MIDI controller.

How well will HyperControl integrate with Logic and other DAWs?
[/quote]

Absolutely.  It comes with the presets for the Major DAW (Logic, Sonar, Digital Performer).  It is also completely customizable.  The presets are easy to load and use.

Where on the website are the downloadable drivers for Vista 64?

[quote author=seth_h link=topic=3357.msg17747#msg17747 date=1256062211]
Where on the website are the downloadable drivers for Vista 64?
[/quote]

On the M-Audio website it's under Support>Drivers and Updates

I have an Oxygen 8 from M-audio and the sound wasnt playing before because the drivers weerent on it so I couldnt install it and was just using it plug'n'play. D you think downloading the driverswill fix the problem?

First, make sure when you post that you do so in a way that's intelligible.  I had to read that three times to get the idea of your question, because you had 4 thoughts crammed into one sentence.

Most likely, installing the drivers will help. Download them and try, as that's the only way you'll find out. However, if the device works with plug and play, there's no reason you should be able to use it as an input device in Sibelius.