Bridgeman83,
I didn't notice what version of finale you are using but if it's 2005 or newer the row-loff percussion (i.e. the marching percussion) has that as part of the bass drum map. If you're using 2004 or earlier then you would use the same steps as the snare..I believe, but I've never done it.
Hope this helps.

yes, I'm using 2005. Ok, thanks

As I am not fully aware of Notepad's limitations, and there are probably many being that it is a free download, Im not sure if you can use 3rd party soundfonts with it (you need a marching percussion soundfont, not a plug-in).

As you are probably already aware, Tapspace offers VDL2 (virtual drumline). This is a unique soundfont pertaining to high end sampled sound (soundfonts) of marching and concert percussion. While I find this somewhat limited and a little lacking, due to SCV's line was the source-their tuning is horrible and the deep cut Pearl tenors arent my favourite-their basses are a bit funky as well, it is very high end, more than anything out on the market. The recording environment isnt my favourite either-indoors.(?)

Finale 2005/2006 comes bundled with RowLoff's marching percussion soundfonts. While these give a good representation of the unique sounds and tuning schematics of battery drums, they are not very good. I believe it represents only one snare, one tenor and 5 basses (obviously the sound of 5 or 10 snares is much different from a solo snare-even when tight). The tenors sound very low and wet-almost like trashcans or busted timbales...the basses sound like they are from 1980.

A cheap alternative (its free!) can be found along with demos at:

http://gtwy.net/ensermac/Soundfont/

this is of a Yamaha line recorded outdoors with multiple players (the tuning sounds like cavies)...the basses are awesome, exactly how i would tune them. snares and tenors are good, although, the tenors could use more tone and less "white noise". There is even a tutorial how to easily install this into Finale and notation works the same way as does the RowLoff fonts (using the "+" and "-" keys to notate rim shots, buzzes, etc.)

with full ensemble, it sounds live! give it a shot (pun intended) and tell me what you think....

I like the Yamaha soundfonts..they're good for what they are. Here's a post where they were already discussed... http://www.drumlines.org/threads/showflat.php/Number/146824

Hey, Bill, long time no see. I think I've probably flooded your inbox by now.

I'd be happy to give one or two of 'em a shot in my free time. Just send me a PM or email with which ones (and since I'm mostly ignorant about those songs, a place in the show to find them) you'd like and I can give it a shot.

John

to nex and brass instructor...let me know what you need...i think the real top of my wish list is the 1985 Madison one (four score & ballet in brass)...this is an absolute killer combo! I can write the percussion parts for this and make an mp3 with finale, variety of soundfonts for brass and perc, mix it in adobe audition and create a great sounding demo for both of our portfolios. if you need a recording of 85 scouts, i can email you a mp3 clip. the arrangement should be trumpets, mids, baris and tuba...based on what i hear, it sounds like a lot of "big band" type orchestration.

1989 Star of Indiana's opener "Henry V" Willaim Walton, arranged by Jim Prime, transcribed by J Martin, percussion by me.

I took a bit of inspiration from the DeLucia-Dubinski arrangement, utilizing 3 different snare voicíngs throughout: concert snare, scottish snare and the battery snares.

The percussion to horn balance is obviously a bit out of wack, due to audibility purposes.

http://www.filelodge.com/files/room40/1148788/henryV.mp3

percussion only.

http://www.filelodge.com/files/room40/1148788/henryVPERCUSSION.mp3

Im using Finale 2005.

Im using Drumcorps1.2.sf2 for the battery, scottish snare, softer mallets on keyboards, etc. This was made by Henne and is great to use if you dont want to shell out a few hundred for other products and libraries.

The brass and symphonic percussion, I use a purchased sf, which really enhances.

I make several tracks (due to the playback limitations in Finale and the channels) and save them as wav's:

Brass 1
Brass 2
Battery
Front 1
Front 2

import them all into Adobe Audition where I have more control over balance, adding a chorus effect to brass to sound like 60 or so, etc. mix them, equalized, save as mp3.

if you are interested in having your recordings sound better, get a mixing application like Adobe Audition, its great.

Ill try to get some more up that really utilize everything the font has to offer.