For users of NotePerformer core, this update is straightforward: we’ve added 24 new instruments, multi-output routing in Dorico, and numerous improvements, bug fixes, and enhancements to playback quality and usability.
For NPPE users, it’s important to read the version history before updating, as the underlying architecture has been overhauled. On first use, the playback engine must be preloaded—a process that can take several hours.
With NPPE 5, you can now create custom engines to integrate any compatible VST3 instrument. We’re also introducing a new method for hosting VST3 instruments in a notation-friendly way. Thanks to modern audio compression and “preloading” technologies, NPPE 5 significantly reduces the resource demands of sample libraries—enabling high-quality playback even on basic consumer laptops.
I can influence the playback behaviour, to make it more jazzy?
Somebody who makes an playback engine can problaby sell it? So there is a business case for other party’s to make an playback engine for an specific sample library?
Anyhow thanks for the update NP gave me a lot of joy!
No, not really. You can make NotePerformer 5 use a variety of sound sources, but the behavior is controlled internally.
Yes, in theory, but the engine format is open and human-readable, so you can’t prevent others from distributing the engine, too. Also, once you know how to make engines, it’s a relatively quick process, which makes it more difficult to charge since others can make an engine, too. The process is almost fully automatic and managed by NPPE (balance, articulation, etc.), so the customisation is minimal.
As described in the version history, it seems that now every user gets the factory playback engines for all the previously supported libraries (plus a few new ones) at no extra cost? Am I understanding it correctly? If so, for those who already paid for several NPPE4 playback engines that seems a bit strange. But anyway, I support all you decisions and thank you for another epic update!
I’m using an older Opus player (1.5.2) since the current one (1.5.7) has problems with the NP4 engine, is it ok to update to the latest one with NP5? Thanks.
p.s I bought 3 nppe engines the last couple of years, happy I’ve done that, supporting software like NP is a nice thing!
On my PC, running Windows 10, the download link triggers a warning about trusted sources and a file in my downloads with a name like “Unconfirmed 331783,crdownload”. I’m assuming the link, from Wallander, is totally fine, but I can’t figure out how to run it, since the .exe is somehow being blocked. Ideas?
Are you able to search instruments and engines in the NPPE now? That is something I’ve always thought would be helpful, similar to in Dorico when you go to add instruments, you can start typing what you want and it filters results in the view. I won’t have a moment to do the upgrade for awhile but I’m curious.
You need to find a way to manually bypass it, if it happens. This is normal behavior for Windows, which goes by reputation om the basis for each program.
The installer is digitally signed, although the signature is new.
Thanks all! – I had better luck downloading this via Chrome (I initially used Edge). It definitely required overriding a bunch of warnings.. I hope this isn’t some grand conspiracy to hijack my PC! (This is a joke. NP 5 is now up and running just fine for me).
I cheated. Moved it from Downloads to the Desktop, then right-clicked and selected rename to the correct filename (it’s in the warning), saved, then hit run. Works just fine.
