NOTION Music Forum

I'm interested in editing/customizing the rulesets for VSL. I have no idea where to begin. I'm on a Mac, any suggestions?

I don't own VSL, but I've created some of my own rules for GPO and a few other libraries. I would start by looking at the rules documentation here (http://www.notionmusic.com/support/downloads.html) under the "other" tab. I would also look at a few examples of rules provided by Notion as well as rule sets posted on the forum (viewforum.php?f=24).

Try experimenting. It can be quite time consuming, but the point of the rules is to make mundane things (like channel changes or keyswitches) automatic so you can freely compose without worrying about loading the correct patches, etc.

Keep in mind that the best rules set won't make for a completely realistic or musical playback; some MIDI events (like some continuous controllers) should be recorded (versus programmed) for realistic playback.

Having tried a few approaches with customized VSL instruments...
The simplest method I have found quick success with is to set a CC# to an unused instrument parameter (like filter, or attack) and then making a rule that tests for an articulation marking to apply a value to that CC#. Just be sure to add a line to the "reset" rule that defaults that CC# to a good "normal" value for notes that are not marked with any accent.

Going a bit deeper, I have gotten the most expressive stuff by lining up a bunch of keyswitched cells in the VSL instrument editor, and starting by first copying one "normal" cell to all of the new cells and then making subtle changes to each cell to get sounds appropriate for the different kinds of articulation markings or technique markings, and adding a rule to hit the keyswitches per those articulations.

WHEN the good folks at NotionMusic enable the new "ctrl-Y" feature for assigning custom rules to an instrument in the score, then I will post a bunch of custom rules like that with corresponding VSL Spec-Ed I patch-settings.

Degriffee,

I'm almost exclusively working with VSL SE +, using the given Notion's Vsl rules !

So,
I would be very interested to know what kind of modification you have done about that !

Programming is not my way at all...

If you want to show or share I would be very pleased.

Let me know

Best
Alain LeBlond
Composer born in 1957

@Degriffee:

WHEN the good folks at NotionMusic enable the new "ctrl-Y" feature for assigning custom rules to an instrument in the score, then I will post a bunch of custom rules like that with corresponding VSL Spec-Ed I patch-settings.

Great!!