Playback is quiet

Dorico
#1

I’ve started trying to create a simple composition in Dorico. Unfortunately, I’m finding the playback to be very quiet. To test things out, I created a new piece with a flute, trumpet, harp and piano and then entered random notes into the score. When I tried playing it back, I could barely hear it. Even marking each of the parts as forte doesn’t help much. The sample pieces that come with Dorico don’t seem to have this problem, so I was wondering if there was a master volume control somewhere that I needed to boost the volume?

I tried playing with things in the mixer too. While I can boost the volume there, it seems like the wrong place to do it. Also, all of the sample pieces I looked at had default mixer settings, so it seems that is not the solution.

#2

Could you please post your test project here? Before posting, please zip it up because an attachment with the ending .dorico will get rejected.

#3

Here’s a file I’ve been working on. I find the playback to be very quiet relative to my other programs.
phantomForest.zip (1.01 MB)

#4

When I load your project then it does sound on a normal level here with me. Well, it is not particularly loud, but also not quiet, it is in the expected range.

Also, I copied all the notes and set up a new project with the corresponding players, then just pasted in the notes and the result is basically the same. And I really only used standard settings, no fiddling with the mixer or anything.

What if you do an audio export (File > Export > Audio), is it also quiet compared to other exports?

#5

I don’t know what the solution was to kitfox’s problem, but I’ve had a similar problem myself.

I started a project with a soprano and piano. I wanted to change the soprano program from “Aah to Ooh ChoirNoteExp” to, say, “English Horn Combi.” When I did, the volume on the soprano track dropped to the point I could hardly hear it. The same happens with other Combi instruments but not with GM ones. I can raise the volume by adjusting the volume wheel next to the keyboard in Halion, but when I play from the start the volume wheel reverts to its original low setting.

Any insights?

#6

I had a similar problem. The main cause was that I had all of the wrong expression maps set in the Endpoint Setup dialog, which is the dialog you access by clicking the cog icon in the VST Instruments rack. Once I corrected this, my volume levels corrected themselves. Hope this helps.

#7

I’ve had this exact issue, as well. I set up the score to use a voice, but the vocal samples are, well…So, I substituted a flute by selecting it using the Halion interface in Play Mode. The flute is inaudible - I have to open up the Halion sampler, and fiddle with the Mod wheel (lower left, next to the keyboard); for some reason, it wants to set at nearly zero. I think it has something to do with designating the part as one thing, and using a different sample - in all the other instances where I have wanted a flute, the flute patch has never been a problem. This won’t solve the OP’s problem, but your description of the problem is the same as mine. You’re not alone, if that helps.

#8

Hmph i’m having the exact same problem, one year later. Any chance there’s an update on this?

#9

See pizzarco’s reply above. If you have changed the sound to one that requires a different controller to set the dynamic then you will need to set the expression map to the Mod Wheel one (sorry, I can’t recall the exact name)

#10

Ah, I couldn’t find the right dialogue before this. Solved and thank you! I might even tear up a bit after this ordeal