As I gradually migrate over to Dorico from Finale, I have a question about workflow. I have always used Vienna Ensemble Pro running as a standalone app, with Finale controlling it via IAC virtual midi (NOT the server method). This works perfectly fine in Finale with no lag issues. Dorico defaults to individual virtual instruments, but of course allows control of virtual MIDI.
I’d prefer to continue using Vienna Ensemble Pro my usual way (partially because I have existing templates, including room placement via MIR reverb software), but is there any benefit to going through the tedious process of moving stuff to VSL virtual instruments within Dorico (and trying to get them to play nice with Vienna MIR)?
I often use VEPro (server style though). It’s nice to be able to switch projects and have the same settings. It has run great for me, and seems to allow project files to stay small and sprightly compared to overloading it with a bunch of virtual instruments on every track. I haven’t used the midi approach and I don’t own MIR, though. But I’ve seen others around here post about using MIR + VEPro and they seem happy with it.
I’ve done it both ways - I think it might be a matter of preference and working style but I’ll give you reasons for my own choice.
I want to be free to use lots of different instruments but I don’t prefer to have one enormous template just in case I might want to use something. It’s more convenient for me to put them directly in Dorico when I’m in a fluid mode of trying things - it’s one less window, one less mixer, one less process, etc.
I’ve tended to use multiple flows in the same project instead of multiple projects a lot. So I’m not feeling the pain of reloading instruments while working different pieces… I’m relying on Dorico to be the one place with all the settings for that project, and I’m taking advantage of sharing a lot more than audio.
I don’t use this feature as much as I should, but well-made playback templates mean you don’t actually have to do much of ANYTHING on the audio side. You add a new part to the score and Dorico goes ”Oh, that means he wants me to load THAT VST with those settings and does it for you magically, again saving resources over having the one big template until the moment you need something.
Overall, everything Dorico is slowly building on the philosophy that you should be able to set your preferences and just write as much as possible. Ambitious, but they’re constantly challenging me to think.
I don’t see any particular benefit. But be aware: If you migrate to individual VSTs in Dorico, you will miss many of the mixer features available in VEP. Although I never tried MIR in Dorico, it works fine in Studio One, so I don’t see any issues there.