I use the standard key strokes )Shift/option and Control) to input notes an octave higher or lower than the Dorico default. This only seems to work if the notes values is unchanged. If I change the note values the input defaults to the nearest notes to the previous one input. I have to then move the notes down/up an octave before continuing which is time consuming and an absolute pain. Is there something I am missing. The manual seems silent on this.
Welcome to the forum, Philip. Can you say a bit more about what method of input you’re using? Are you using the default duration-before-pitch method, or the alternative pitch-before-duration method?
If you’re using duration before pitch, then you should find that the octave of the note you input is determined by the interval between the last note (or the “hot spot” of the prevailing clef, e.g. the second line up in the staff for the treble G clef, if there’s no note in the staff) and the letter name of the note you type on your keyboard: if you add Shift+Opt it will go one octave higher than that pitch, and if you add Ctrlit will go one octave lower than that pitch.
Even if you specify a duration multiple times in between inputting notes, when you type the letter name of the next note, that is the point at which the octave is calculated, and any modifiers are taken into account.
I use the duration before pitch method.
This am the modifiers seem to be working on rare occasions and not others. As I have said it rarely works when I have changed the note duration.
BTW I think you mean Control will set the note an octave lower, or should do.