Improving the Dorico drum kit

Dorico
1

I am currently working on a project using Dorico’s Drum Set (Basic) for the first time and it’s really difficult.

Some instruments, specifically the hi-hat and ride, are virtually inaudible. I am aware this can be adjusted but do not know how. Browsing the forums points me to both Groove Agent SE and HALion Sonic, programs I’ve literally never opened and do not know how to use assuming either would solve the problem. One forum answer even showed a step-by-step, but I couldn’t get my window to look like theirs in the first place and clicking the buttons in order did nothing.

Both the (Full) and (Basic) Drum Sets also lack playing techniques for the hi-hat, such as open/close and splashes. And I wouldn’t be surprised if other pieces are also missing techniques. I see in the Setup menu that techniques can be added, but I don’t know which ones to look for. I want the kit to have the standard repertoire of techniques that a typical drummer would know.

In addition to resolving the above inquiries, can we get Steinberg to fix this permanently? It’s honestly quite ridiculous and unacceptable for the default kit to not have basic functionality and audible instruments in what’s supposed to be a professional grade program.

2

If you could clarify please, this would help anyone answering you so they give you potentially useful information.
What type of piece is it? Rock drums, jazz brushes, Samba, Big band jazz, Polka, Orchestral? Groove Agent might be useful for some of these, but not all.
What kinds of drum kit sounds are you wanting to use? Drums with full on percussion also?
Do you want fills and complex rhythms or just a guide drum rhythm? What time signature(s)?
Are you wanting a real drummer to read from the drum part you are creating?

Thank you

3

Chamber jazz. I don’t see what genre has anything to do with it. When you create a Dorico project and put in the Drum Set, it doesn’t ask you what genre you’re writing. As for the program, again it would have to be whatever Dorico is connected to by default. I don’t know if that’s Groove Agent or HALion or what.

No percussion, just drum kit.

The time signature is 4/4. Whether it’s fully outlined or just a guide will depend on how writing it goes. Probably lean more towards guide. Again, I don’t see how such clarifications are at all relevant.

Yes, absolutely and obviously. This is a project for a performance next month.