Playback template fragmentation – is there a better way?

Dorico
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With the recent removal of third-party VST support from NotePerformer, I’ve been taking a closer look at Dorico’s playback templates. While NotePerformer 4.5.1 still functions with engines that have already been purchased, there’s no guarantee this will continue, and Wallander has stated that ongoing support for third-party engines has been withdrawn.

I frequently read forum posts from users who have created and generously shared their own playback templates, and I’m always struck by the collaborative spirit within the Dorico community. This leads me to wonder whether a centralised, community-driven repository for playback templates could be beneficial, not only to reduce duplication of effort, but also to make it easier for users to discover, contribute to, and maintain high-quality templates. Such a resource could save time, encourage broader collaboration, and help raise the overall standard of playback solutions available to all Dorico users.

While Steinberg does maintain a list of available templates at Playback Templates for Dorico, it seems likely that many users are independently developing similar templates or extending existing ones to include features not currently available. For example, drum rolls and choke articulations in the Simon Phillips Jazz Drums, which are not yet supported in the template provided by Steinberg.

I’m not sure how such a system might be implemented, but I’d be very interested to hear whether others would find this kind of shared resource useful, and whether Steinberg might consider enhancing the support already provided. For users like me who are still finding their footing with Dorico, developing playback solutions can feel like a daunting task. A more accessible collection of ready-to-use templates could lower the barrier significantly.

The availability of high-quality templates might even encourage more users to explore third-party VST libraries in the first place; knowing that a reliable starting point exists could make all the difference.

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I can imagine an “open source”-type solution where you have a “project” and a set of “contributors” overseen by, perhaps, Steinberg. But aren’t there already companies in this realm creating expression maps, articulation sets (Logic), sound variations (Studio One) for a wide range of libraries?

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For use in Dorico, I’m aware of the VSL Wizard, which generates specialised playback templates for Vienna products, and of the templates provided by Straight Ahead for their New Standard libraries. Beyond the generous sharing of templates by users here on the forum, though, I’m not aware of any other commercial options specifically offering playback templates for Dorico. I’d love to know if there are others available, and whether users have found them worthwhile.

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But it looks like they’re going to focus on expression maps and not entire playback templates. I can understand that, because users may have effect and pan presets in their VSTs.

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It appears that Babylon Waves’ Art Conductor product focuses on articulation presets for major DAWs like Logic, Cubase, Studio One, Digital Performer, and Cakewalk—but not Dorico. However, it looks as though there will be support for Dorico from this summer (see Buy Dorico Expression Maps - Art Conductor - Articulation Switching for all major sample libraries and DAWs).

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Yeah, and what I’m really hoping for is that they are standardized, so that composing in Dorico with expression maps for library ‘x’, one can export midi to Logic, e.g., and the articulation sets match perfectly – that would be a dream.

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