I’ve been using Dorico Pro 6 for a bit and have been enjoying it, and recently decided to buy Vhorns Saxes to use as a VST. I’m seem to have set it up without much issue, but I’m not super familiar with using VSTs, so I’ve run into a bit of an issue.
The sounds won’t respond to any dynamic markings I create in my music. Is there any way to get them to follow what I write? I don’t have an actual MIDI keyboard or anything like that, but is there anything I can do on just a regular computer (Mac)?
Sure! Since there are so many creative differences between different VST, Dorico needs a map (an expression map) to tell it what to do with a given VST. You don’t have to have a controller, Dorico will send the necessary midi when it encounters a dynamic, accent etc - once it knows what your vst needs.
If someone here has made or found such a map specifically for v horns, they will probable be along in a while to offer it up. Otherwise, it Looks like vhorns sax relies heavily on velocity and the mod wheel to do what it does.
So to start you can choose the mod wheel dynamics map that Dorico comes with. I’d tell you how, except the Steinberg tutorials on expression maps do a lot better job than me and probably save you from some confusion. You can find them in the Steinberg hub or on YouTube.
The mod wheel one will probably fit about as well as a pair of baggy sweats, but it’s a start. The key is to tailor it to fit your vst, hence the tutorial suggestions. You can always come back with questions, but that is the general answer.