Just downloaded the new $15 VDL template and followed the instructions and I can't see the new VDL instruments in my create instruments area of Sibelius.  As I see it, there are 3 pieces of info that have to be in the right folders on my hard drive, the Sibelius files, the Kontakt stuff, and the VDL stuff.  Can anyone running Win 7 please send me a cheat sheet so I can set up these folders and files in the proper place.  I am trying to avoid a complete re-install of everything.

Thanks,

PZ

http://www.thewritescore.com/sibelius-templates-installing-a-soundset.html

Patrick - We don't sell a $15 template. Do you mean the 2.5.5 library update? That has nothing to do with your Sibelius files. It's just a library update for Virtual Drumline.

It sounds like you may be confusing the VDL library with the template you'd use for your Sibelius notation software. We don't sell templates any more. You can find those at [url=http://www.thewritescore.com]The Write Score[/url].

Yes, that is what I purchased.  My elation at the release of a 10 voice bass instrument (finally after years of patient waiting) has quickly turned to despair.  When I open the Available Devices window in Sibelius, the Kontakt player is not even listed...then I downloaded Kontakt Player 5 only to read that it is not comparable with my current setup: Sibelius 6 with VDL 2.5.5 in Win 7 64bit .  I have really screwed things up and I need help as I need to finish my charts for UVA.  Is there anyone who can help me?  Walk me through a complete re install of the product? Anything, because the FAQs and forum responses are not helping.  Please.

Patrick,

I don't think you need to do a complete reinstall. You can request a copy of Kontakt 4 [url=https://www.tapspace.com/product.php?productid=203]here[/url]. Once you've installed it, if you don't see VDL in its Library browser, just click the ";Add Library"; button.

It's still unclear on if you're using a Sibelius template. That's what would enable you to see the VDL-formatted instruments within the Sibelius program. More info on that product at [url=http://www.thewritescore.com]The Write Score[/url].

Helpful things to be in possession of to write for 10 basses:
1. VDL 2.5.5
2. Sibelius 5, 6, or 7.
3. The Write Score VDL Template 7.0a

Joe,

I have all 3 of those things you recommend.  My current dilemma is that I can see the Bassline 10 instrument in the create>instruments window but I can't seem to access the sounds.  I know that one of the main issues I am having is with the location of the Kontakt player files.  When I open the playback window, all I see for playback options is Sibelius Player and the only sound set is essentials...none of the VDL sounds are showing up.  Can you tell me where Sibelius looks for the sound sets so I can be sure to move all of my new VDL 2.5.5 sounds there?

Thanks in advance.

Here's an excerpt from the Troubleshooting section of the VDL 2.5.5 manual:
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If, in the Sibelius Playback Devices window, you find that Kontakt is not available as an ";available device"; option, it means that the Kontakt.dll file (the VST file) did not get copied into the paticular folder where Sibelius expects to see it. On Macintosh computers this isn�۪t an issue, but on Windows computers users must copy the file here manually.

[b]Solution:[/b] Locate the Kontakt VST file. When you installed Kontakt, this file should have been installed at C>Program Files>Native Instruments>VSTPlugins. The file will be named for your version of Kontakt (i.e., Kontakt5.dll if you installed Kontakt version 5). Then copy this .dll file and paste it into the VSTPlugins folder where Sibelius is trying to locate it.

[u][b]Sibelius 7:[/b][/u]
[u]Windows XP:[/u] [i]C:\Program Files\Avid\VSTPlugins [/i]
[u]Windows Vista/7:[/u] [i]C:\Programs\Avid\VSTPlugins[/i]

[u][b]Sibelius 6 and earlier:[/b][/u]
[u]Windows XP:[/u] [i]C:\Program Files\Sibelius Software\VSTPlugins[/i]
[u]Windows Vista/7:[/u] [i]C:\Program Files\Sibelius Software\VSTPlugins[/i]
---
Also be sure you've copied the 32bit or the 64bit version of the .dll file based on whether you're using a 32 or 64bit operating system.

Sound sets are different. Don't confuse a ";sound set"; with your VDL library. Sound sets are .xml files that are specific to Sibelius, and come included with your Sibelius template, and they need to be placed in a specific location as well.

Here's an article from The Write Score that explains where these need to be placed.
http://www.thewritescore.com/sibelius-templates-installing-a-soundset.html

The VDL_SoundSet_7.0a file is in the folder that WriteScore recommends.  I can see the BassLine 10 instrument in Sibelius when I use Create Instruments...I just can't hear them in the playback and when I select individual notes in Sibelius, I get a path error.  Sorry I am such a pain.  Everything was working fine until I tried to upgrade to 2.5.5.  I really appreciate your help.

Z

Sounds like you're making some headway, Patrick. Thanks for hanging in there!

If the VDL_SoundSet_7.0a file is now in its correct location, be sure you've also assigned it in the Playback Devices window of Sibelius. You should see this to the right of your activated Kontakt instance in the ";Sound Set"; column. Be sure to select [b]VDL SoundSet 7.0a[/b] here.

Also, be sure that the staff you're entering notes into has been assigned with the VDL 10-bassline Instrument instrument of your choice (Manual/AutoRL). You should see this in the [i]Create>Instrument[/i] window (if you're creating a new staff) or [i]Create>Other>Instrument Change[/i] window (if you're changing the instrument on an existing staff). Since you're using the template you should see a ";-VDL Template 7.0a"; category under the ";Choose From"; pane.

[quote author=patrickzampetti link=topic=4398.msg23056#msg23056 date=1340205257]
... and when I select individual notes in Sibelius, I get a path error. 
[/quote]

Patrick, what does the error say? Or just attach a screen shot of it.

Now, when I open up the mixer, I have only the basic VDL instruments that come in the Sibelius Essentials sound library that ships with Sibelius. It is pretty clear that the new VDL sounds are not available.  I think the main problem I am having is with Kontakt Player 4...it says it installed correctly but then crashes when I try to open it by itself. I get an error message saying Kontakt Player has stopped working and that Windows is looking for a solution.  I am running Win 7 64 bit with an Intel i5 chip and 8 gigs of ram. 

Can I go back to Kontakt 2 and still be able to run Sib 6 with VDL 2.5.5 abd the Sib 7,0a template?

Sorry to hear about the trouble, Patrick.

If you're not seeing the template instruments in your Sibelius mixer, it probably means you didn't select the correct sound set in the Playback Devices window. If you're using the template as it's designed, you shouldn't have to select any instruments in the mixer as they'd be auto loaded based on the instrument assigned to each given staff. This is, of course, assuming you're working in a file that originated from the template itself. With this method, each mixer track would be set to ";(auto)"; at which point it would know to load the desired sounds based on what instrument you assigned to the staff.

It sounds like you're either not actually using a template (the .sib file itself), or perhaps didn't select the actual sound set that came with the template. Possibly both. Sorry if this is information you already know. If the whole template method of working is still a bit elusive to you, the documentation that comes with it is extremely thorough.

I'm not sure why Kontakt 4 is crashing on you. When you say you try to open it by itself, you're talking about the actual application itself, right? This would be standalone mode. It may not be a bad idea to do a reinstall of that program just to be sure. Are you getting a crash when you're hosting it as a plugin in Sibelius?

VDL library version 2.5.5 is not compatible with Kontakt Player 2. If you wanted to use KP2, the latest library version that's compatible would be 2.5.2, which would require a minimum of Kontakt Player 2.2.4. I haven't heard of any of these sorts of crashing issues with Kontakt 4 though, and it should perform [i]much[/i] better than K2.