Hi! As seen in the picture I’m in condensed mode. Is there a reason or rule as to when the stems should merge and split? I find it a bit messy when it’s so random. Is there a way to prevent this from happening? (System 1 and 3, 2nd bar.)
Thanks in advance!
We would have to see more of the music, specifically the first phrase(s) of each example, since the cause may be off screen.
When analyzing condensing, seeing the Dorico file itself (or a reasonable excerpt) is preferable, since settings behind the scene can affect how condensing functions…
Dorico does condensing in so called “phrases”, with a “phrase” being “everything between 2 rests”. So the answer to the question “Why are the two players not on the same stem in bar 1?” is probably “Because further to the left there is something preventing it”.
And the notes sharing a single stem in bar 2 of the example do share a stem because this “phrase” is just one note long, so condensing is rather easy.
As @Derrek said, to fully answer your question, we would need to see more - especially everything leading up the example, going back to the last shared rest.
(But I agree that condensing can see quite “random” at first glance, until you understand how it works.)
So here is the small snippet of music. So it seems to split when there are different rhythms and grace notes going on and merges after a break. Is there a setting to make it split all the time, or at least choose to split at specific places?
Thanks
The reason that the stems are not merging is because they are all part of the same phrase that begins the bar before (with differing rhythms).
Dorico calculates condensing based on phrases - between rests - and so it needs to condense up until the first marcato in your screenshot the same way.
Select a note at the rhythmic position where you want the condensing to change and add a Condensing Change. (Engraving > Condensing Change > tick the box on the left):
The result will be:
The Condensing Change is akin to a rest in that it will tell Dorico to “start a new phrase here”.
@Bendik, apologies, I just realised that I addressed the first phrase of the excerpt rather than the final one. The concept still applies.
Strange thing; I found out the same musical thing happening later in the piece has a different approach to the splitting of stems. (Bar 7 and 15)
Sorry, I think I was a bit unclear in my first question. I like the splitting of stems better, because in the big score it will be a bit messy with a2 or a3 written all over the place every other bar and page turn. My question was really what do I do to achieve splitted stems at bar 7, 3rd beat and 15, 3rd beat. Then everything will be splitted.
You could force the music to be split into two voices if you like using Manual Condensing. You will just need to remember to reset it when appropriate:
Thank you for all help! Much appreciated 
