Very low volume on note input and selection with HSO Playback Templates

Dorico
1

Prior to updating to Dorico 5.1.50 I had occasionally noticed this issue, but since the update it seems to have become much more pronounced.

After selecting and applying a Playback Template which includes HSO (any one of those highlighted in the four attached screenshots), inputting a note using either a MIDI keyboard or the computer keyboard and selecting an existing note using the mouse or arrow keys produces a very low volume level for the note. Playback volume level is as one would expect and follows any dynamic markings. The low volume level issue appears to be independent of dynamic markings - I tried from ppp to fff and the volume did not change when selecting a note or inputting it as described earlier.

Playback Templates which do not include HSO behave normally. It is only those which include HSO which have the problem.

Has anyone else experienced or noticed this? I have tried resetting the various options and settings which seem related (Reset Playback Overrides, Reset Default Output Level, Use fixed volume to play selected notes, checking out Stage and Space Templates, mixer settings, etc.), re-launched Dorico, and restarted the computer. After a fairly exhaustive investigation, the only common feature is the choice of Playback Template.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what the underlying cause might be?

HSOPB1
HSOPB11368×980 163 KB

HSOPB2
HSOPB21361×989 161 KB

HSOPB3
HSOPB31359×989 166 KB

HSOPB4
HSOPB41359×987 163 KB

Edit (19 hours later):
To see if it made any difference, I used Steinberg Download Assistant to re-install HALion Symphonic Orchestra. There was no change in behaviour. Until a solution is found, either by myself or by others with more insight into how these things work, I will use Playback Templates which do not include HSO.

2

Thanks for reporting this. I can confirm this is a regression in version 5.1.50, caused by the changes introduced to improve the performance of projects using expression maps with large numbers of switches. We have introduced some new faster ways of finding switches within expression maps, but the specific way that Dorico looks for the right expression map switch when auditioning notes is exercising the new fast look-up in a way that we didn’t anticipate. Sorry that this slipped through the net.

If we do a further Dorico 5.x update (which is not certain at this point) we will be able to include a fix for this problem. Sorry for the inconvenience in the meantime.

4 Likes
3

Thank you for looking into this, Daniel. The inconvenience to me is quite minor and really only means that, rather than constantly adjusting the computer’s audio output level, I choose a different Playback Template during the note input and editing process. Once all the input and editing is done, I then simply change to the Playback Template which I want. Easy!

4

Glad to hear this is a known issue, and thanks for the explanation. I have the same issue when selecting notes, which IS inconvenient for me because I’m having trouble using any of the available sound sound other that HSO ( I get a constant F# 1 upon selection and playback). If I fiddle with my mod wheel, I can get selection playback working, one instrument at a time. However, once I do a normal playback of the score, I’m back to square 1 — very low volume upon selection. Please do fix when possible.

5

This issue is resolved in today’s Dorico 5.1.51 update.

2 Likes
6

Confirmed!
Thank you.