The Vienna VSL SE Library for Brass contains samples called “Trumpet-ens 3” and “Trumpet-ens 6”, Horn-ens 4, Horn-ens 8, etc.
In Dorico, I create a new score, define two section players (one in C and the other in Bb), load the “Trumpet-ens 3” VST into the first and load “Trumpet-ens 6” into the second.
I assign their EM (e.g. Studio SE - Trumpets) and save the end-points as “Studio SE - Trumpet-ens 3” and “Studio SE - Trumpet-ens 6”, respectively. Everything plays back as expected.
With the score still open, I create a new playback template (called “test”) into which I load only these two created endpoints created above, and save; I then apply and close the template.
Dorico assigns exactly the same definition to both : “Trumpet-ens 3”. Ens- 6 is nowhere in sight.
Why is that?
Same problem with section players for flutes, clarinets, horns, trombones, etc.
I have a similar setup with Eastwest ensemble patches and the endpoints work for me. I don’t actually show them in my print layout, though. One thing I did was to change the instrument names (Setup → Edit Names) to “Flutes a3”, “Trumpets a2” etc. Perhaps that plays a role? Otherwise, how would Dorico be able to distinguish between the different section players?
That’s an intriguing suggestion, thank you.
Indeed, Dorico could be tempted to “load” them identically if named them identically. That’s why I took care to select one group of trumpets “in C” and the other “in Bb” (Dorico doesn’t offer to qualify the section with “a3”, “a4” etc.)
Hence, per se, my two groups are already distinct by name - yet, it doesn’t work. However, I tried your suggestion - renaming them (via Setup mode → Edit names) to Trumpet a3 (which produced “trumpet a3 in C”) and Trumpet a4 (which produced “trumpet a4 in Bb”). Unfortunately, Dorico loads them identically with the same VST “11 Trumpet-ens 3 Plus - VelXF sus”…
Sorry, as for instruments, I really just changed their names. Are you sure that each section has an entry in the endpoint configuration? Here is mine for brass:
Yes, there are only 2 endpoints and they are “Studio SE - Trumpet-ens 3” and “Studio SE - Trumpet-ens 6”.
I did another test. Since there are only two endpoints in my Playback template, I switched their order, forcing the a6 to be found first, before the a3. But it doesn’t work.
You would probably be better served uploading that test project. Although I don’t have VSL libraries, I know many knowledgeable and helpful members here do.
What is clear is that Dorico sees both players holding the same instrument.
One other thing you can try is to create two custom instrument based off of the stock trumpet, fix all the names etc., add those as section players, route those and then save the endpoints again.
That’s very kind, David; I would welcome words of experience from other VSL users.
Attached is the project, Playback template and the two endpoints.
As for creating custom instruments, that would be a test only as it would represent a lot of work for all instruments in my tens of VSL libraries; I simply would like (and actually would expect) the standard products (Dorico, VSL libraries) to function correctly.
Test playback VSL sections.zip (1.3 MB)
