What is causing this squeeze, and how do I resolve?

Easy answer: check the overfill percentage (to the right of that system): you’re above 100%. Long story short: never go beyond 100%. Easy fix: change the note spacing (at least on that system. Use Engrave mode>Engrave menu>Insert note spacing change and change it to 2.5 or 3)

I guess you use casting off to get 4 bars per system? There’s no room for 4 bars at bar number 58 with the current note spacing..

Jesper

Thx, I’ll tinker w/ those settings..

Oddly, the spacing was better when I had more notes… when I tried to change to to read as diddles, is where it threw me.

Hi @DoYouLikeHam, beside the useful suggestions above (Note Spacing, etc…), something must going on with your other settings. Here is what I have with factory settings (even if the system is at 144% (!) fullness Dorico manages to distribute the space in an acceptable way - I have set 4 Bars per system in Layout Options):

Can you provide a Dorico file that shows the issue? (It would be interesting to see your settings). Thank you.

Here mine:
drum casting off.dorico (3.2 MB)

P.S.(O.T.)
the roll should have only one additional line, so that it expresses 32nd note values :wink:

I guess it has something to do with the lyrics settings…

Not sure what yet, tho…

Note Spacing Lyric Issue.dorico (1.5 MB)

If you reduce this under Library->Engraving Options->Lyrics->Spacing.

Jesper

Thank you for the file, @DoYouLikeHam.
As an alternative to the suggestion by @jesele, you can deactivate Make space for lyrics in Layout Options>Note Spacing.

(This has the advantage of being layout based, instead of being a global engraving option, in case you have some actual vocal lyrics in a different layout of the same project, that you don’t want to be influenced by that engraving option) :

CleanShot 2026-10-04 at 21.58.49