I have searched the manual, this forum and the Facebook forum but can’t find an answer.
I’ve created some custom instruments, made endpoint configurations for them and added them to a playback template with instrument overrides to match the name of the new custom instruments.
But when I apply the playback template the custom instruments are never assigned the proper VST instrument and expression map. I started looking at the endpoint configuration XML files to see if I could find the mismatch but so far nothing seems unusual.
Is there a naming convention or something particular to a custom instrument that would not be able to trigger the proper endpoint configuration in a playback template?
Hi, I am the OP from the other thread mentioned, but I will say that it does feel like a different issue in the end – because for me, I didn’t actually create any new endpoint configurations or custom templates, I am (still) just trying to have Horn in F with alto clef as a custom instrument connect to the already existing normal endpoints for… Horn in F! Instead, mine is just pointing to a piano every time.
However, to your question, I have successfullly created unrelated custom instruments like some quirky percussion with specific endpoint configurations and playback templates, and they have worked for me. I might be able to help you with some advice with some additional info - what are the custom instruments, and maybe a simple project file to look at how you’ve set it up? Or screengrab of the endpoint configuration window?
I am trying to keep responses from appearing in random fashion on both threads and either being duplicates or not being related to each other, which is what happens in duplicate thread posts.
Thank you for the information, there must be something simple that I have missed. I will prepare a sample score file in a few hours when I get back to the studio. Thank you for the reply and offer to help.
I think I’m making progress. I deleted all of my custom instruments that I made and created one single one with a very different name. Instead of calling it “Violin Solo” I called it “My Violin”.
I was able to add the new custom instrument to a playback template and so far it’s worked with both Halian Sonic and Opus. I might be getting a little ahead of myself, I need to do some more testing. But if I run into more problems with this I will post the test score that I’m working on.
One thing that I ran into that I don’t think I’ve seen before is that when I create a HSO violin instrument the expression map is not automatically assigned. I thought that was happening in the past. I had to track down the expression map, import it, then I could assign it properly. I don’t know if this is a new bug in the latest version, like I said I need to test more.
Okay, I’m getting a repeatable good results. The only issues I’m having at this point is with the BBC symphony orchestra. I’m not sure what’s happening but I might just start using the Spitfire Strings inside of Kontakt. I really wish the BBC SO VST would support multiple instruments inside of one instantiation of the VST instrument. It’s one thing I really like about Opus, and of course the EW samples are so good.
Also, in the preferences I made the default playback template to not include the Iconica strings, just the HSO strings and it seems to have fixed the issue with the expression maps not showing up properly. But I’m not sure, I’m still learning Dorico.
The playback engine is one of the most important parts of this application so I’m trying to figure out every aspect of it. I really want to be able to create projects that have uniformity and are easy to maintain. That’s why I’m focusing so much on expression maps, end point configurations, playback templates, custom instruments, playing techniques, etc. It’s a lot to learn but I am really enjoying it.
I think I can call this issue solved. I appreciate the help. Best wishes!