I’m a newbie refugee from Finale, working my way through learning Dorico.
I’m using (because I can find no escape from it) the default playback in Dorico. I was fond of Finale’s MIDI playback mode (as opposed to VST; there was only an easy choice of two).
Is there something like an equivalent within Dorico, and, if so, how do I find it?
I’ve watched most of the Anthony Hughes videos on Dorico playback and I’m hoping for a simpler solution. Relative to what I think I’m looking for, his material ranks somewhere between rocket science and neurosurgery. Great, but way over my head and beyond my needs.
Thanks.
Will Corbin
I think you’re confused on what specifically a VST is. You can think of a VST as an app that can play sounds. The way VSTs communicate with a program like Dorico is a standard, meaning you can use any VST with any program that can run VSTs. This is how both Finale and Dorico have playback. Finale’s sounds run in a VST program called the ARIA Player. Dorico’s default sounds run in a VST called the HALion Player.
If you’re asking how to use the Finale sounds you’re used to in Dorico, it is possible but will need some setup.
By default, Dorico should use the sounds it comes with for playback. Are you not hearing sound when you hit play or enter in a note? You might want to check your audio output
If you just use the default Playback template, then all the instruments will play back, and you’ll get feedback when entering notes, and you can export audio; and you won’t have to do anything.
I’m not confused. Finale offers two obvious choices on its main Windows menu under “MIDI/Audio.” They are “Play Finale through VST” and “Play Finale through MIDI.” I prefer the sound of the MIDI option, which seems to use sampled sounds instead of electronically generated material.
I’m getting the VST sound of whatever sound template Dorico chose for me. I don’t like it, and I’m wondering if it’s possible to choose another direction relatively simply.
Play Finale through MIDI is Finale’s way of saying they’re hosting the vsts inside of the Finale program themselves so you don’t have to set it up. Source
The playback system Dorico comes with is also sample based. If you want to use your finale sounds then you can download the playback template for Garitan here
It’s the opposite. Finale’s SmartMusic SoftSynth is synthesised – e.g. computer generated waveforms; whereas most VSTs (like Garritan) use samples-- e.g. real recorded audio from a live instrument.
There are any number of alternative sample libraries and VSTs that you can use. There isn’t an entirely separate method of performing the same function, though, as in Finale.
As said, Noteperformer is the popular choice for realism versus ease of use.
If you really prefer MIDI synth sounds, then use the Elements Playback Template which will steer you to Sonic sounds.
But seriously, as Jesper says, Note Performer would likely be more pleasing and is very simple to use. One can buy it in installments, and it is not very expensive as sound sets go.