I’m a new Dorico user and have a couple questions about the playback of playing techniques. I have both harmonics and pizz. in my score, and while I see them, I cannot hear any difference in the playback. Dynamics, however, work completely fine. What can I do to fix this? Any feedback at all is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Welcome to the forum, Reagan. What version of Dorico are you using (SE, Elements, Pro)? What playback template are you using for playback (take a look in Play > Playback Template and see which playback template is shown as highlighted in the list there)?
My guess is you’re using either Dorico SE or Dorico Elements, and you’re using the factory playback template for either version. Dorico SE comes with a basic set of sounds that doesn’t provide for switching between arco and pizz. (for example) automatically. That’s also the case in Dorico Elements at the moment, though we are planning to add some more sounds to Dorico Elements soon.
Probably the easiest way to get a wide range of plug-and-play orchestral sounds for Dorico is to add NotePerformer. It’s a third-party product and not made by Steinberg, but it’s the go-to choice for thousands of Dorico users and you might find it ideal.
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Okay, thanks so much! I’m using Dorico Elements. Is there any way to add the sounds on Cubase or Halion Sonic?
I think Elements can use any VST instrument and sound library and Dorico should detect any that are installed. If they are VST2s you may need to unblock them ( see Edit>Preferences>VST Pug-ins). VST3s are found invisibly. You can see what is available on your machine in Play Mode…
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Okay, thank you both for your help!
Hello. First post and continuing this thread.
So is there a version of Dorico that supports playback of playing techniques?
I am also curious about using vsts from other developers (as noteperformer mentioned above) is there a standardisation that makes it likely that the third party plugin will put together so that for example the Pizz text being added to the score actualy triggers a switch to pizzicato in the vst? I tried to for example to put in the free version of bbc symphony orchestra and it dosent seem to respons to pizzicato from the notes.
Adding pizz as a text object (shift-X) won’t work. Make sure to add it as a playing technique (shift-P).
Welcome to the forum @xbase09
All versions of Dorico support playback of playing techniques.
There is no standardisation. Different plugin creators use different methods to trigger articulations. Dorico solves this by using Expression Maps to send the appropriate message to the VST when it encounters playing techniques in the score.