When you look up tuplets in the current manual, there is an excellent video. Although the video was created using an earlier version of Dorico, it is still very helpful despite minor interface changes.
It does say, however,that tuplets are “sticky.” For example, according to the video, you could select 1/16 note and 3:2, and as long as you keep entering 1/16th notes, they will be triplets. This does not work for me. After I enter three notes, I have to reselect the tuplet (3:2) icon.
My question: Has that function changed, or am I doing something wrong? It is not uncommon for me to enter a long string of tuplets like this:
They work for me. But you have to set the tuplet ratio during note entry. If you stop note entry and later want to continue making the same tuplets, you have to start them again.
(Looking at your example, I would just do a couple, duplicate them and repitch!)
Tuplets are sticky if you use the popover (for which the key command is ; - the semicolon, followed by the ratio you want, or in the case of simple triplets just 3 Enter). Colon (Shift-; ) turns off tuplets.
They’re not sticky if you use the button in the left panel.
Thanks, guys. @pianoleo, Yes, I have been using the icon instead of the popover, so I will try the popover. @Mark_Johnson, I do copy/paste/transpose, but the sticky function will also be handy. @judddanby, I don’t know what Notation Express / Stream Deck is.
So you either buy their dedicated hardware touchpad, or else install the software on a separate tablet or phone to keep next to your notation computer, correct? I try to keep my set up simple, but that looks like a good deal.
Besides the MS Surface where I do mosr notation, I have a rack mount PC in my studio where I plan to install a second instance of Dorico. This stream deck thing would be great there since the rack mount does not have a touch screen (and the way it’s set up, a touch screen would be awkward, anyway).
Yes, @konradh, you have an option of Stream Deck for iOS and Android as a substitute for any of their dedicated keypads.
The Notation Express Stream Deck Profile for Dorico will work with both desktop/keypad setups and at least iOS. (Can any Android users out there comment on its compatibility?)
Selecting a rest (or a note) and then invoking the triplet popover and then entering the notes (shift n and note value) will give the result you’ve described. What you need to do is invoke note input FIRST (shift-n) then, once you have the input caret, invoke the triplet popover and then the ratio (select the desired note value or type the note value into the popover after the ratio). Then, inputting the notes will result in sticky tuplets.
Do you know the reasoning behind having the tuplets behave differently according to how they are invoked/activated? It’s good to know there is a difference, but I am curious as to the why.
I don’t have @pianoleo’s expertise but expect the difference is meant to accommodate the entry of both single tuplets (when we don’t want “stickiness”) and multiple tuplets one after the other, when stickiness is a time-saving asset.
That’s not exactly correct, the stream deck uses actual physical buttons, which is even better than touch in my opinion. The buttons can show various labels, which are contained and ready-made in the notation express package.
I have used the Stream Deck profile on both iOS and a hardware Stream Deck and although the iOS version works fine, I find the physical buttons on the hardware Stream Deck easier and more convenient to use (at added expense, though). Also, I eventually added a hardware Stream Deck XL to use with my desktop so now use the smaller Stream Deck with my laptop. The larger number of buttons on the XL adds greater utility but the related profile only works on the hardware, that is, it is not available in an iOS version.
Having one hand on the mouse and one hand for everything else would really speed things up. Ex: mouse+numeric keypad is great, but I can’t get flats on the keypad (and, of course, there are many other functions).
Having tried it in iOS (iPad) first, I much prefer using the XL. I find that the tactile response of the buttons together with the smaller but very stable base footprint (though bigger than in iPhone) makes working with it a better experience. (Though…250 “smackolas”…cost/benefit analysis for sure.)
[EDIT: With apologies for having inadvertently gotten us OT and onto a split thread:]
@konradh, if/when you do “take the leap,” I would (to reiterate) recommend taking at least a serious look at the Notation Express profiles. Great out-of-the-“box” functionality to get you started, even if you eventually change/add to it.
It works very nicely: I have a (customizable) default profile for navigating in Mac OS (launching apps, paying/playing Spotify, adjusting Zoom settings, etc.); when I launch Dorico, the Stream Deck automatically switches to the dedicated Dorico profile, where I have loaded in launch-app buttons for Safari and others I use when composing.
