Difficulties using my BBCSO Core Template

Hello everyone, my name is Trevor Collins, and I’m a huge fan of Dorico, I actually just upgraded to 4. But anyways, I also just purchased the BBCSO Core library, and am very excited to get to using it. However, I’m having some difficulties at the current time and could really use some help. Let me first start by saying that even though I may be self-taught in music theory, I at least know most of the terminology. However, that’s not really the case being also self-taught in software such as Dorico and these VST libraries. I hardly know any of the terminology or how to properly navigate around things, ESPECIALLY when it comes to the VST libraries. So please use very easy to understand, and detailed directions.

Now, I’ve found the page with the link for the Playback Template for BBCSO and the installation video as well. I’ve followed the instructions, and I think it works fine for the included instruments. However, I need to include some works that at least contain the pre-installed Halion Sonic Sounds (in particular the Piano). I watched the video and read the included document, which say that when you add a new player that isn’t included in the template, it should automatically assign it to Halion Sonic Sounds library. The issue I’m running into is that, regardless of whether I have the template loaded and then add the Piano, or I simply start off with the Piano and two or three other instruments all from Halion Sonic sounds, and then Switch to the BBCSO Core template, for some reason, when you are in, “Play,” mode, and you look at the instruments under the, “VST and MIDI,” there is never an additional VST instrument box for the Piano. For some reason it always leaves it out. In fact it does this for every instrument that isn’t included now. But the biggest reason the Piano is such a big deal for me is because it’s how I write my initial sketches/drafts before I orchestrate, and I’d like to be able to copy and paste the Piano part over instead of having to switch back and forth between files, because, unfortunately, I don’t have a printer. I’m sure a lot of this is actually having to do with the setup in Halion, but here’s a few pictures so you can see what I’m referring to…
Here’s what the loadout look’s like of the solo Piano in Halion Sonic sounds:


Here’s what the, “Play,” mode looks like with an added Bassoon and Clarinet and IN the BBCSO Template (note the lack of Halion for Piano):

And finally, I don’t know if this plays a role or not, but I happened to notice, on the last picture, towards the bottom, “instruments” was selected to be shown, but, “Piano,” was missing. However, when I deselect it, and select, “Midi,” note what happens…

My other major issue that is causing me some concern is simply the fact that Dorico is continuously popping freezing on me for short lengths of time now (anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds) saying, “not responding.” Before I had Dorico I had Sibelius with a sound library as well, and it constantly froze on me too, but what’s concerning here is that I have my BBCSO saved to an external hard drive, and it is also freezing on me at times when I’m not even using it. Should this be cause for concern?
Again, I love Dorico so very much!! It’s been great to use, the support has been wonderful, and I’m excited to get back in it. Thanks in advance.

I’ll ask my colleague John, who created the BBCSO playback template, to weigh in here. I’m sure he will have some ideas about what might be going on.

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I haven’t added HSSE+HSO as a fallback automatically with that template (as mentioned in the BBCSO Core Information.pdf that’s included in the zip file) but you can if you wish - or you can add another piano or other library too and build up your own set of favourites.
There are some details here in this video too (it’s about BBCSO Discover, but the principles are the same): Expression Maps and Playback Templates for Spitfire BBCSO Discover | Discover Dorico - YouTube

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Ok, I must have misunderstood somewhere on HSSE+HSO being a fallback. My mistake. Thank you very much for the fast response, I was able to go right in and it immediately fixed it like a charm! This is why I love Steinberg so much and made the decision to switch from Sibelius when my last computer crashed! Amazing software and customer support! Again, thank you very much, and I hope you have a great day!

Regards,
Trevor Collins

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Thank you very much! Your colleague has already reached out to me, and my issue has been resolved. As I said with him, this is why I made the switch from Sibelius to Dorico when my computer crashed a few years ago. Not only is the software amazing, but the customer support is incomparable! Again, thank you so very much for your help and time! Have a great day!

Regards,
Trevor Collins

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