I’m writing for big band so I have pairs of instruments: 2 alto saxes, 2 tenor saxes, etc. I would like the volume of the instruments to be roughly the same so I can hear all the chord tones.
I must set the tenor 2 volume all the way up and it’s still quite a bit softer than tenor 1. The altos are similar, but I can match them within the slider range.
How can I get the volume to be the same after adding them in setup? I tried using “Change instrument” and selecting the same instrument, but all it did was reset the level slider.
Also, the flugelhorn sounds like a piano. I read some posts about changing instrument sounds but had trouble connecting the information with what I observe in the app.
Here is the whole score. Scroll forward to letter E. Click on the bari, then tenor 2, then tenor 1. On my system, the bari is too loud (for mp) and the tenor 2 is too soft, almost inaudible.
Interestingly, I started by using Save As to copy the score, then I deleted all the bars before letter C. The level difference at E was gone. The attached file is the original.
This score was originally a Sibelius file, exported to musicxml, and imported into Dorico. I find it necessary to use “change instrument” in setup after this operation to get the transpositions right, even if I am changing it to the same named instrument.
Wait a minute to load all the sounds properly. and I think it is solved.
All the panning and volumes are now straight centered so it is an good idea to apply an stage template.
That is again the play menu and then stage template - Big band.
To my taste all the horns are centered a bit to much to the right but you can easy ajust that to your taste. It is a good starting point.
Things a noticed besides the volume problem and just an opinion my side:
I saw you the bari sax in Gclef it is not so easy to read if you read concert score.
In setup mode click on the dots of the bari sax and choose change instrument and select baritone saxophone bass clef concert. This only affects the concert score.
You also have a lot off chord regions where I think it is easier to set the chord symbol apparance in setup mode. In set up mode right click on the player - chord symbol and select show in full score and part and select show for all instruments. Now you have the chords for that player in the score and the parts. If you only want it in the parts you select show in parts only. Makes the score a bit cleaner to my taste.
Thank you for the very clear instructions. Sadly, this did not resolve the issue. When I clicked “Apply and Close”, all the level sliders moved to mid position, which I assume means that the template was applied. But the tenor 2 is still very soft.
I have not explored other sound libraries - I notice you have one which mentions big band. Would you recommend I try that?
That is atomic big band. It is ok but to be honest I never use it. I’m disappointed in all sample libraries I have for bigband. For me Noteperformer for the horns and other VST for the piano, bass drums works the best. But that is very personal.
So before you waste money in the search for bigband samples, I don’t understand what happens on your system. When I apply the playback template I described the sound was OK. I could hear all the voices good. But because it works on my system I don’t know what to advice. Maybe you can try to import the file with other import xml settings. But I never do that so somebody else knows probably more about that.
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