So I was writing a bassoon part which go up to a high-d, d5. Dorico 5 does not seem to have a sample for this note or for some reason it does not playback. Most bassoon go up to e5 and some players can do g5.
So Dorico can’t play back the Rites of Spring if it stops at d5.
Now the thing that got me more confused is on Dorico for iPad it played back d5 on bassoon no problem.
So I’m wonder is there a setting in Dorico 5 causing this playback issue or is there a bug with the sample.
In Dorico for iPad, unless you have paid for a subscription or the Lifetime Unlock, you are using the basic General MIDI-style sounds, which cover the whole range of MIDI notes from 0–127. In Dorico for macOS/Windows you will be using higher-quality samples from either Iconica Sketch or HALion Symphonic Orchestra, and these patches only cover the ranges of notes recorded in the original recording session, which is not the entire range of MIDI notes.
I wasn’t involved in the recording of any of the samples that are included with Dorico. HALion Symphonic Orchestra was recorded nearly 20 years ago, and Iconica Sketch was recorded by Orchestral Tools I think a decade ago by now. There are always compromises involved in every sample library project, some extremes of register or additional technique that would be ideal to have but which cannot be captured for want of time, money, or other resources. (It bothers me much more, for example, that there are no solo strings in Iconica Sketch, but I don’t run around accusing people of being unserious for their lack.)
Man I’m just so surprised at a professional tool like this would not have the full range of the instruments. It is very disappointing Finale didn’t have this issue, I guess I can figure out how to use the Garritan sounds so I can get the full range of the instruments.
You can of course use the same bassoon sound in Dorico for macOS/Windows as you do on the iPad. Apply the HALion Sonic Selection playback template in Play > Playback Template and you’ll get the same GM-style sounds that cover the whole range of the MIDI keyboard, at the expense of the samples sounding much worse in general.
There are actually a great many issues with ranges in the Garritan instruments; though they do have the advantage that you can edit the note ranges in the instrument definition files, albeit by re-pitching the highest/lowest available sample, which has realistic limits.
Just to help prevent disinformation on the internet.
Here is the Garritan ranges: GPO 5 instruments overview
And you will find they match orchestration books (Adler recommended) and cover the ranges instruments have keys for. While there are Extended Techniques for higher notes for some instruments, Garritan covers all the notes the instruments have keys for and expected to play in man body of the literature. Even student bassoon have keys for eb5 and most professional horn e5 and sometimes f5. https://foxproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/LetsPlayBassoon.pdf
So I’m expect extended technique ranges just the basics.
So forgive me for being disappointed in so a highly touted product that keeps fall short for me as a professional composer and musician.
Perhaps not the Bassoon, but there are plenty of issues with ranges of other instruments in Garritan. My point was merely that this did happen in Finale as well.
But yes, it is possible to use any libraries you like, including Garritan. I’ve created Expression Maps for GPO5 here.
Again lets not spread that false info. I used Garritan since it came out and while it is by no means a great sound library it ranges will match orchestration books, they understood the assignment.
Thanks for the link to the link I’m check that out. I have yet to really spend much time on playback system, which looks so much better then Finale’s.
Hopefully I can figure out how to mix and match. In finale I often would just set an invisible control to swap channel for a few notes just use a different sample and then switch back. Each Bank could be a different player so it was a simple way to get the sound I wanted when I needed it.
Please don’t accuse me of this again: these are often-made complaints on the MakeMusic help forum.
The GIFF and GPO5 E-flat Clarinet has a low note of G3, and should go down to E3.
GPO5’s Timpani 2 is missing a fourth compared to Timpani 1 and 3.
GIFF Tuba Solo low range is missing a fourth at the bottom.
The GPO5 Tenor Choir doesn’t even have a top A, and the Basses stop at the A below Middle C!
The GIFF Contrabassoon doesn’t have the top A (written G flat) that the GPO5 ones do.