Low sound volume

Dorico
1

Hi,
I am using version 2.2.10.1256 on a macbook pro running Big Sur 11.4.
I am using a midi keyboard (M-Audio OXIGEN25) to input the notes into the staff.
I can use the mac’s internal speakers, or my HDMI monitor speakers.
On either of them the volume is low. I have to set the volume to the max to be able to hear the notes.
What can I do so that I can set the volume louder ?

Thanks,
Regards

1 Like
2

I can’t think of any particular reason why the audio output from Dorico should be much lower than in all other applications on your computer. Does this problem affect all projects? Are you writing music exclusively at very low dynamics like pianissimo?

3

Hi.
The oher applications on the computer emit louder sounds. It happens in all projects I am working on now (2).
Thanks,
Regards

1 Like
4

Could you perhaps attach one of those projects here just so I can check there’s nothing specific to the project that could be having an impact?

5

Yes. See the attached dorico project.
Thanks,
Regards
AnotherSong.dorico (386.2 KB)

6

Hello!

I have this issue too. I need to set the general volume of my computer to a 100 to even moderately hear the playback from Dorico. And I’d still like to have a lot more volume. I don’t have similar issues with any other applications.
Thanks!

2 Likes
7

Actually now, when I tried the playback for the first time with another project that I had imported as a MusicXML-file, the sound is just fine! I hadn’t done any changes to the VST instrument settings.

8

It’s definitely worth checking the faders in the Mixer are set to suitable levels: the default level is quite low intentionally, so that if you add lots and lots of instruments you don’t get clipping quickly, but the consequence for a solo instrument or small ensemble is that the default level is perhaps too low. So try bumping up both the faders for the individual plug-in outputs and the master fader in the Mixer.

9

I’m still having similar issues. Mac volume to 100%. Master fader volume in the Mixer is set to 100%. Just barely hearing trombones.

10

Welcome to the forum, @relussier. Are you using the factory-supplied sounds? Have you made any manual adjustments to the sounds being used in the VST instruments you’re using? Have you tried increasing the default Mixer output level on the Play page of Preferences, and then used Play > Apply Default Output Level to adjust all the outputs in the Mixer (not only the master output)?

1 Like
11

For future reference:
The velocity levels are too low.

I had just 30 for chords and 70 for melody. Could barely hear anything even with adjusted mixer levels.

Is there a preference to adjust velocity defaults?

12

The best way to get a higher velocity level is to write dynamics in the score, as these are interpreted during playback.

13

I’m new to Derico. I’ve been using Sibelius. I’m using Derico Elements 5 and the very low sound volume either in note input or playback is an issue I’m not be able to find a solution. This is a very basic element in setup, and it should be in factory setting. Please help. Users shouldn’t have spend too much time online in search for such a basic thing in music notation. I appreciate all help.

2 Likes
14

Welcome to the forum, @NTran. Take a look at the settings on the Play page of Preferences: if you adjust the Default output level slider to the right and click Apply and Close, you should find that new projects have a higher level by default. You can also apply this new, higher level to existing projects by choosing Play > Apply Default Output Level.

15

I am unable to find “Play >> Apply Default Output Level”

Is there anyway to configure Dorico to just increase the velocity of the MIDI notes without having to resort to adding explicit dynamics into the document? Is that the ONLY way to increase the MIDI velocity?

For reference I’m inputting notes using a MIDI keyboard. Sometimes I play back to check things.

As it is the sound is so low that I must turn the volume up to 100% just to hear anything - and even so Dorico Playback is still very, very, soft.

Then, at some point I forget I have everything set to ear-melting volumes and get hit with 100 Watts of audio power when I play an audio file or video.

16

I’m having a similar problem. Dorico is very quiet relative to all the other apps on my machine. I’m using default settings and instruments, and starting by creating a new project.

Using the “Play >> Apply Default Output Level” or changing the default output levels is not helpful - all this does is affect the settings of the Mixer sliders. I have to crank the master to max and usually the instruments too just to hear them at what I consider to be a moderate level.

3 Likes
17

You can increase the MIDI velocity of multiple notes at once. This is how I do it.

Write Mode >> select all (Command + A)
Play Mode >> double-click on a track (bottom window appears) >> At the bottom left adjust the velocity.

18

All I can do is repeat the advice I’ve given before:

  • Ensure that the Default output level setting on the Play page of Preferences is pulled to the right; it defaults to -6dB, but you may want to pull it up to 0dB, or even beyond.
  • After you’ve changed this setting in Preferences, it will be applied to newly-created projects and when applying a playback template to any project, but if you want to apply the change to an existing project without re-applying the playback template, that’s what Play > Apply Default Output Level is for.
  • Without any written dynamics in the music, instruments default to a dynamic of between mp and mf: if you want them to be louder, give the instruments written dynamics. (If you don’t want the dynamics to appear in the music for some reason, you can add a single point at the start of the Dynamics editor in the Key Editor to increase the dynamic level.)

On Windows, you can typically balance the volume level of different applications directly in the volume control panel accessible from your system tray. On macOS, I use an app called SoundSource from Rogue Amoeba software to perform a similar function (though, to be clear, I find that Dorico’s output level is perfectly adequate and does not need balancing against other applications on my Mac, because I always follow the advice I have outlined above).

19

Hi!

I just had the same issue on MacOS with external speakers hooked up by the Macbook’s minijack - getting very low volume, and the volume seemingly not being affected by me increasing the MacOS volume at all.

This prompted me to try some things that ended up solving the problem:

  1. Went to Preferences → Play → Audio Device Setup → Device Control Panel
  2. Accidentally selected my monitor’s bluetooth input as audio output. This gave very loud output.
  3. I disconnected the bluetooth and again selected the “attached headset” option as Dorico’s sound output.
  4. Playback was low again, but I then discovered my MacOS volume was now also at 15%. I turned it up and voila, Dorico is as loud as everything else on the PC regardless of dynamics or MIDI velocity.

I don’t know exactly what did it, but it might have been that the Mac is now disconnected from the same speaker that I’m connected to via minijack. Because we all know how bluetooth and volume control is mixed up.

Or maybe just the back and forth of audio options reset something.

Edit: this also gives me good volume from the internal MacBook speakers.

1 Like
20

I’m having the same volume issue. I don’t see anyone here on this thread with resolve.