Virtual Drumline™ has
made its mark as the industry standard for marching and concert percussion
sounds. Composers, percussionists, studio musicians, and educators alike will
discover a sonic onslaught of variety in Virtual Drumline, featuring the world
champion percussion section of the Santa Clara Vanguard. Using Virtual Drumline
along with your favorite music composition software will arm you with an enormous
palette of percussive possibilities.
ENDLESS VARIETY AND DETAIL FOR
ULTRA REALISM
Virtual Drumline is not just about marching drums.
Its huge collection of orchestral, world, effect, drumset, rhythm section,
and drumline instruments are programmed with virtually any articulations and
playing techniques imaginable. Enhanced multi-sampled velocity layers, attack/release
and EQ control, multiple mallet selections, rolls, glissandi, solos and ensembles,
and automatic RH/LH alternations are but a few of the powerful features programmed
into the VDL instrument collection.
NO SAMPLER REQUIRED!
The entire VDL library integrates seamlessly into Native Instruments' powerful Kontakt Player software (included). There is no need to purchase a separate sampler program.
This player is capable of loading up to 64 channels of MIDI in stand-alone mode
or can be run as a VSTi, AU, DXi, or RTAS plug-in within various music applications.
It is a Universal application compatible with Intel/G5 Macs or Windows and will
incorporate seamlessly into Sibelius or Finale**, which both come with built-in
support for Kontakt Player.
**Template recommended for notation programs. Learn more.
Since Finale (2009 or newer) ships included with a small sub-set of "VDLite" instruments from VDL,
you may have already tapped into what it sounds like. There's a whole lot
more to be found in the full version of VDL 2.5, though. Click
here to see
how the full version of VDL compares to what comes with Finale.
*UPGRADING FROM VIRTUAL DRUMLINE 2
The "upgrade" version
of Virtual Drumline 2.5 is only available for registered users of VDL:2. Since
this upgrade requires shipment on a new DVD, the nominal $19 upgrade charge
pertains to licensed VDL:2 users wishing to upgrade. Now that the introductory
period has ended, we are no longer offering free upgrades for newer VDL:2 users.
Upgrades are only available directly from Tapspace. You must supply us your
VDL:2 serial number before adding this item to your shopping cart. To avoid
delay in processing your upgrade order, be sure you have entered your serial
number accurately (including hyphens) before adding to your shopping cart .
We cannot process upgrades without first verifying your VDL:2 registration.
Only one upgrade per VDL:2 serial number may be ordered, and upgrades will
only be sold to the individual to whom the VDL:2 serial number is licensed.
What's New in VDL 2.5
Now integrated into Native Instruments’ powerful Kontakt Player 2
engine
Universal application for Mac-Intel speed and compatibility
Load up to 64 channels in stand-alone mode
Save multi’s for easy loading of projects
Host VDL instruments alongside other Kontakt Player 2 formatted libraries
in the same player
New instruments – steel drum orchestra (lead pan, double seconds,
triple guitar, 6-piece bass pan set), rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass
guitar), waterphone, showband single tenors, swish knockers, typewriter
Instrument Bank support
Enhanced velocity control for more natural accent/tap sensitivity
More specialized controls for enhanced customization on each instrument
(EQ control, attack/release control, Auxilliary send levels)
Monitor Mod-Wheel or Keyswitch settings onscreen
Much improved DFD (direct from disc) streaming functionality
Unlimited polyphony
Rack view and minimized view
Integrated effects
Searchable electronic documentation
New NI Service Center application to manage activations and updates
Instrument List
Accessories
Bell Tree
Brake Drums
Castanet Machine
Castanets All
Castanets RoseWood Hand
Claves Pearl Synthetic
Claves Rosewood
Cowbells
Finger Cymbals
Guiro
Maracas Rawhide
Metal Guiro
Rainsticks All
Rainsticks Cactus
Rainsticks Plastic
Ratchet
Egg Shaker
Ganza
Shaker Metal Canister
Shaker Plastic
Shakers All
Slapsticks
Sleighbells All
Sleighbells Chrome
Sleighbells Dark Brass
Rock Tambourine
Tambourine Orchestral
Triangle Able 6in.
Triangle Grover 6in
Triangle Grover 9in.
Water Triangle
Vibra Slaps
Granite Blocks (AutoRL MW)
Jam Blocks
Temple Blocks (AutoRL MW)
Woodblocks Three
Chimes with Sustain Pedal Control
Chimes Hammer (PED)
Chimes LoXtnsion (PED)
Chimes XyloCap (PED)
Chimes XyloTube (PED)
Combination Instruments
BD and Tam Tam
Finale Marching Perc Map
General MIDI Set
Latin Combo (AutoRL)
Metal Combo (AutoRL)
Rack Combo A (AutoRL)
Rack Combo B (AutoRL)
Cymbals (suspended)
China Cym 14in
China K 19in
Chinas All (MW)
Hi Hat (MW)
Hi Hat Manual
Oriental Trash 18in
Ride Cymbal
Sizzle Cymbal
Splash Cyms
SusCym 15 K Zildjian
SusCym 18 Constantnople
SusCym 20 Constantnople
Swish Knockers (MW)
Zil-Bels Hi Lo
Gongs
Bowed Gongs
Chinese Gong 12in
Circus Gong
Fuyin Gong
Jing Gong
Opera Gong 10in
Pasi Gong 12in
TamTam 30in European
TamTam 34in Zildjian
Wind Gong 22in
Wind Gong 30in
Marimbas
Marimba RoseW Birch
Marimba RoseW Hard (MW)
Marimba RoseW Hard LITE (MW)
Marimba RoseW Med (MW)
Marimba RoseW Med LITE (MW)
Marimba RoseW Soft (MW)
Marimba RoseW Soft LITE (MW)
Marimba Syn Birch
Marimba Syn Hard (MW)
Marimba Syn Hard LITE (MW)
Marimba Syn Med (MW)
Marimba Syn Med LITE (MW)
Marimba Syn Soft (MW)
Marimba Syn Soft LITE (MW)
Rhythm Section
Bass Guitar
Electric Guitar (MW KS)
Piano (PED)
Timpani
Timpani FX
Timpani Glissandi
Timpani Hard (MW)
Timpani Hard LITE (MW)
Timpani Med (MW)
Timpani Med LITE (MW)
Timpani Soft (MW)
Timpani Soft LITE (MW)
Vibraphones
Bowed Vibes
Vibe FX
Vibes Hard (MW)
Vibes Hard LITE (MW)
Vibes Med (MW)
Vibes Med LITE (MW)
Vibes Rattan
Vibes Soft (MW)
Vibes Soft LITE (MW)
Vibes with Sustain Pedal Control
Vibes Hard (PED)
Vibes Med (PED)
Vibes Soft (PED)
Vocals
Drum Major
Vocals
Whistles and Bird Calls (in Effects)
Acme Siren
Audibon Bird Call
Nightingale Audibon Combo
Nightingale Whistle
Police Whistle
Slide Whistle
Wind Chimes
Patio Chimes
Treeworks Double Row
Treeworks Echo Chimes
Treeworks Single Row
Treeworks WChimes All
WChimes with Mallet
World Percussion
Agogo Bells
Ankle Bells
Anklung
Bongos (AutoRL)
Bongos Manual
Cabasa High
Cabasa Low
Cabasas Hi and Low
Congas (AutoRL)
Congas Manual
Djembe 14in
Djembe Big
Shakerines
Shekere
Taiko Drum
Timbales (AutoRL)
Timbales Manual
Xylophones
Xylo Bright (MW)
Xylo Bright LITE (MW)
Xylo Med Dark (MW)
Xylo Med Dark LITE (MW)
Xylo Rattan
Xylo Rubber (MW)
Xylo Rubber LITE (MW)
KEY TO TERMS: (KS) - Instrument contains Keyswitch
functions (MW) - Instrument contains special features controlled
by Mod-Wheel (AutoRL) - Instrument uses "Auto Right/Left" feature
to automatically rotate between right and left handed strokes (PED) - Instrument may be controlled via standard sustain pedal Manual - Instrument allows manual user-control over right and
left-hand strokes LITE - Instrument is streamlined to help conserve system resources
System Requirements
5 GB of free hard disk space
DVD drive to install software
RAM: 1 GB or more recommended
PC users - Windows XP (required by Kontakt Player 2)
PC users - Pentium 4 or Athlon 2.4 GHz or higher recommended
Macintosh users - OS X 10.4 or higher (required by Kontakt
Player 2)
Macintosh users - Mac-Intel or PowerPC G5 recommended
Note:Virtual
Drumline is not a notation program.
For more info on this and other pre-sale questions, please visit Tapspace
FAQ Central.Performance Note: The
KONTAKT audio engine is extremely powerful and will rely on your computer’s
CPU. Virtual Drumline 2.5 will work best on faster and more current CPUs.
In addition to running this software, please note the additional requirements
of your operating system and notation or sequencer program. The more sounds
you wish to run simultaneously, the more your computer specs will come
into play.
Football fans may recognize this. This spot has aired frequently on ESPN and ABC during the college football season. Written using Sibelius, Logic, and percussion sounds exclusively from Virtual Drumline.(quicktime required)
This is an arrangment for steel drum band using the VDL 2.5 steel orchestra and drumset patches. These were created in exclusively Sibelius 4, recorded through Wiretap with a bit of reverb added.
This is an arrangment for steel drum band using the VDL 2.5 steel orchestra and drumset patches. These were created exclusively in Sibelius 4, recorded through Wiretap with a bit of reverb added.
Written for the Tate Creek Indoor Percussion Ensemble from Lexington, Kentucky, this original piece was part of their WGI Independent Open fourth place finish. Bass, harp, and wind sounds are from other sources, but all percussion sounds are VDL.
From Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition," this excerpt was arranged for arena marching percussion ensemble. All sounds are from Virtual Drumline 2.5, and playback was all created directly in Sibelius 5.1. Audio recording and reverb were rendered using Audio Hijack for Macintosh.
Native Echoes
arr, Robbie Green
sequenced by Bryan Harmsen
This is an arrangement of the Tapspace piece Rite of Passage by Jesse Monkman, adapted for arena marching percussion ensemble. This is a licensed arrangement which is available from VisAudio Designs. All percussion sounds and bass guitar are from VDL 2.5.
Indoor
marching percussion ensemble arrangement for the Twin
Cities Area Independent Percussion Ensemble. All sounds in this demo
(except synth sounds) come from VDL 2.5 (including electric and bass
guitars).
Virtual
Drumline 2.5 brought the addition of some basic steel drum orchestra
instruments. In this demo you'll hear the set of six bass pans with double
seconds, followed by triple guitar, then the melody on lead pan where
you'll hear the instrument alternate between regular strokes and tremolo
rolls (controlled with mod-wheel, and available on all steel drum instruments).
12-tone
percussion etude from the new Tapspace book Up Front Etudes. This
demo makes great use of the various orchestral tambourine articulations,
rolls, and thumb rolls, as well as various timpani glissandi. Vibraphones
also demonstrate various pedaling techniques that can be employed with
VDL.
From
the new Tapspace book Up Front Etudes, this short arrangement
from Carnival of the Animals highlights the conecert snare drum,
and 18" Zildjian Constantinople crash cymbals while also demonstrating
extreme range of the marimbas and xylophones.
This
concert percussion ensemble arrangment of
the famous classical guitar transcription is published by Tapspace,
but also works as a great VDL:2 demo to show the strength of our
mallet percussion sounds. All sounds are from VDL.
Full
percussion ensemble arrangement using marching battery, as well as
several concert and world percussion instruments. This demo also uses
snareline and tenorline instruments that have been "reefed" up
slightly with VDL's simple "tune" feature to better match the
sound of your drumline tuning preference.
Vibraphone
and Marimba duet. This demo uses the medium mallet vibes and medium
mallet synthetic marimba from VDL and illustrates the expressive nature
of our mallet keyboards.
This
is a full marching battery/pit score written to accompany a full
band program for the 2005 LD Bell marching band from Hurst, TX. Uses
a wide variety of concert and marching percussion instruments, all
from VDL.
Medium,
Hard, and Soft mallets playing a variety of articulations including hand
dampening, center of the head, rolls, bowls, and various glissandi effects.
A
random collection of various effects including: Vibe FX, Bell Plates,
Thundersheet, Cactus Rainstick, Frogs, Tambourine, Snare Drum, Ocean
Drum, Bass Drum, Flexatones, Tam Tam, Echo Chimes, Meinl Birds, 18" Constantinople
Cr. Cyms, Concert Toms, and Propane Tank.
Some
of the different articulations on Congas, Timbales (w/Mambo Bell), Shekere,
and high Jam Block (clave), accompanied by rosewood marimba with medium
mallets and timpani with soft mallets.
This
demo features un-edited playback of a standard MIDI file simply using
sounds from VDL. Featured are the medium dark xylophone mallet and
soft mallet on rosewood marimba.
The
customized music in this demo was created to accompany a 30 second
TV spot for the Zildjian Cymbal company which will air on ESPN2 for
the 2005 DCI Summer Music Games world championship broadcast. All percussion
sounds are from Virtual Drumline.
Full
marching percussion score from Key
Poulan Music. Sequenced by Bill Castillo from arrangements by Shawn
Glyde and Dan Bryan using percussion sounds exclusively from VDL
(except cuica).
Full marching percussion ensemble demo. All sounds
are exclusively from VDL (except synth).
User Submissions
Virtual Drumline is helping people all over the world
in creating music for percussion instruments, and we're always excited
to hear the sort of work VDL users are creating. On this page are some
tracks we've received directly from users. Click tracks in
the player to hear demos. Below, learn more about specific tracks and
the people behind them. If you are a VDL user and would like to submit
a demo please visit
this page on our forum for instructions.
Note: Tapspace is not responsible for the content
of user submitted demos.
MORE
INFO ABOUT THE TRACKS
Fight or Flight by Derek Brodie and Phil Coulter
Arranged from Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite,"
this piece was written for Vintage Percussion, a UK-based senior percussion
ensemble who competes in both the WGUK circuit in the UK and the CGN circuit
in the Netherlands. "Fight or Flight" was sketched out in Finale
2007 & sequenced in Sonar 7.0.2. All instruments are from VDL2.5, with
the exception of a vintage electric piano which is from Garritan's JABB.
Energies
of the Life Stream by Nieves Villasenor
This
piece was mixed using Apple's Garage band (also used for recording voice,
applause, and effects). All percussion sounds are from Virtual Drumline.
Jesu,
Joy of Man's Desiring arr. Match Bradford III
This
arrangement for marching band was created directly in Sibelius 5.1 on
a laptop using wind sounds from
"Sibelius Essentials" and percussion sounds from Virtual Drumline.
Paranoid
Android by Radiohead arr. Andrew Anderson
Percussion
ensemble arrangement using a wide variety of percussion sounds, all
from Virtual Drumline.
Bent Bryan Harmsen
This
is an original piece written for indoor arena drumline. All sounds used
in this recording are from VDL 2.5 (except synth).
Repo
Men Fred Emory Smith
This
is a mainstream cue that was written for film. While it's not written
strictly for percussion, VDL makes a lot of appearances with bell tree,
triangle, djembe, marimba, xylophone, and wind chimes.
Westview
HS Percussion Feature 2007 Submitted by Sam Tarrel
arr. Ronnie LaGrone and Eric Swanson
This
is a percussion feature for the Westview High School marching band from
Beaverton, Oregon. All percussive elements in this demo are being played
with sounds from VDL 2.5 from Finale 2007 on an Intel iMac.
Fallout Ryan Jones
Short
drumline solo for the East Lyme High School drumline. This was written
using only the snareline, tenorline, and bassline sounds from VDL:2 using
Sibelius 4 and Kontakt 2.
Using
a myriad of VDL:2 instruments and a variety of other unique effects,
this arrangement for marching band achieves great levels of expression.
Sequencing and sound design by Bruce Richardson and David Knight.
Moonlight
Sonata
3rd Movement Beethoven
arr. Gabriel Cobas visit Gabe's
site
3rd
movement of Beethoven's famous "Moonlight"
piano sonata arranged with VDL:2 for percussion octet. Instrumentation
calls for glockenspiel, xylophone, four marimbas, timpani, and two vibraphones.
Laideronnette,
Empress of the Pagodas
(from Mother Goose Suite) Ravel, arr. Gabriel Cobas visit Gabe's
site
Arrangement
for percussion quartet using two marimbas and two vibraphones with
some suspended cymbals. This piece uses numerous articulations available
within VDL:2 including vibe dampening and marimba rolls, as well as
a some varied mallet selections.
Pie
and Chips Jeremiah Fowler
A
short rudimental piece using marching battery drums, all from VDL:2.
Arena
marching ensemble featuring several latin percussion instruments from
VDL:2, along with a wide variety of concert percussion and marching
battery instruments. Part 2 and 3 are Jesse's latest additions to this
piece, and have now made for a production indended to be heard without
gaps between movements.
Cop
Drama Jim Casella
Programmatic
piece for concert percussion ensemble and rhythm section. All percussion
sounds are from VDL:2. Rhythm section sounds are from other sources. (New
recording! Updated June 2008)
"Lost" Tony Lymon
Indoor
percussion theater show for Petal High School in Petal, MS. All percussion
souds are from VDL:2, with string sounds from Kontakt 2, and effects
from downloaded internet sources. More info about the piece on our
forum here.
University
of Alabama "Million Dollar Band" promo Neal Flum
Shown
on the big screen at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa to introduce
the UA "Million Dollar Band", VDL:2 user, Neal Flum wrote
the drumline track that accompanies the video which plays to tens of
thousands of hungry football fans. Written using Finale and sounds
exclusively from Virtual Drumline 2. (quicktime required)
Fantasy Scott Hirsch
Short
interlude for front ensemble (concert percussion) orchestrated for
3 marimbas, 3 vibes, glock/xylo, glock/xylo, timpani, 2 aux.
The
Wild River (Mvt. 1) Scott Hirsch
First
movement of a chamber piece for concert percussion ensemble. Instrumentation
includes: Glock, glock/xylo, 3 vibes, 3 marimba (one low F), Mallet
Kat or Xylosynth (non VDL in demo), Synth (non VDL non VDL in demo),
timpani, 7 auxilliary percussion parts.
Indoor
marching ensemble featuring a diverse array of VDL:2 concert and marching
instruments.
Malaguena
arr. Andrew Anderson
Marching
Band arrangement for Sumter HS (Sumter, South Carolina). Wind
arrangements are heard lower in the mix using a different playback
device. All percussion sounds from VDL:2. This works as
a good example to show how VDL:2 can enance general MIDI wind arrangements.
Dancer
in the Dark
arr. Andrew Anderson
Marching
Band arrangement for Sumter HS (Sumter, South Carolina). Wind
arrangements are heard lower in the mix using a different playback
device. All percussion sounds from VDL:2, featuring ocean
drum, bowed vibes, shakers, meinl birds, drumset snare, hi hat, djembe
14", hand claps, and various VDL:2 keyboard percussion instruments.
UW
Huskies - Stands Tune David Reeves
Listen
to the groovy beats of the University of Washington drumline in this
chart written for the stands at Huskies football games. You'll hear
some VDL:2 vocals ("U-dub!"
- all alphabetical characters are available plus more), plus snareline
ride cymbals, tenor mallet/stick clicks, and the VDL:2 metronome to kick
it off.
Paradiddle
Plus John McFarland
This
is a short drumline paradiddle exercise which illustrates how VDL:2's
RH and LH hits can be used to enhance sticking realism.
DCI/ESPN2
Trailer Jim Casella
All
percussion sounds in this TV commercial spot come from VDL:2. You'll
hear the VDL:2 Trash Can and Taiko Drum start off the piece which uses
drumline/percussion to accompany a more mainstream, orchestral application.
Symphony
No. 5 (fast) Shostakovich
Arr. John McFarland
Indoor
marching percussion ensemble arrangement utilizing a huge variety of
battery articulations as well as numerous concert percussion instruments.
Symphony
No. 5 (slow) Shostakovich
Arr. John McFarland
Conclusion
to indoor marching ensemble arrangement featuring various concert instruments
including example of the vibraphone motor usage, tam tam scrapes, timpani
rolls, and concert snare drum.
Full
marching/concert percussion ensemble piece. Written for North Mesquite
HS in Mesquite, Texas. Most sounds used are from VDL:2.
Africa arr. Andrew Anderson
Full
marching percussion ensemble arrangement featuring full battery and
numerous pit and world percussion instruments. More details about this
recording are listed on the Tapspace
Forum.
Xylophonia J. Green
arr. David Ratliff
Percussion
ensemble featuring xylophone, accompanied by 4 marimbas, 2 vibes, timpani,
and marching battery drums. The drum major is from Virtual Drumline
2 as well!
La
Forza del Destino G. Verdi
arr. Luke Aylsworth
Concert
percussion ensemble using all VDL:2 sounds. Written for 14 performers
using a wide variety of standard percussion instruments.
VDL 2.5 Reviews
Norman Weinberg
Soundware Roundup article, August 2004
DRUM! Magazine
“Here's an idea. Take one of the best drumlines on the planet and build a sample library around them. This package is the creation of Jim Casella, one of the most respected leaders in the drumline community, so you know that the product is going to be first-rate...This package is complete with all the bells and whistles that make the special sounds and playing techniques of the drumline such an exciting sonic exploration. Did they leave anything out? I don't think so...This is an outstanding tool for anyone who writes or arranges music for drumline at any level – high school, college, or championship competitions.”
Bryan Harmsen
“Virtual Drumline has become an integral part of my workflow when it comes to working on any music project that involves percussion. Adding VDL to your music composition suite would be a boon to you, your students, and your clients!”
Cory Shuman
“I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate Virtual Drumline. It is amazing program. It helps me so much! I am sure you get this a lot but I just wanted to say thanks for the invention!
I do not know if anyone has done this before but I am about to use VDL to trigger sounds in bands that I play in. I play drumset for a couple of different artist and sometimes we use percussion parts and I am making real sounds through your VDL program. I just wanted you to know that your program is a great tool! Thanks so much!!”
