For all who want a smaller dynamic range and get more realistic playback of hairpins, there is a different approach to using the dynamics Sibelius sends. Be aware that this will take more CPU power and more samples are streamed at the same time from your hard drive.

For dynamic changes Sibelius sends CC11 (MIDI Control Change 11) values. These values by default are triggering the Expression slider in the Vienna Instruments. In order to get more realistic crescendi and diminuendi you can do the following: Go to the Perform page in the Vienna Instruments. Activate Velocity X-Fade. Then Click on Map Control. Now as source for Expression set none. Then go to Velocity crossfader and as source select ControlChange/Controller 11. Repeat that for every instrument you want this to take effect. Don't forget to save your Playback Configuration in Sibelius after that.

Andi

Greetings Andi,

I've enabled the velocity crossfade and am using controller 11. However, I've noticed that Controller 7 is still used for the volume. Is that further magnifying the dynamic range, or does it not have any effect onces the velocity crossfade is enabled?

Thanks!

Nick

Hi Nick!

Controller 7 is by default not used by Sibelius, so it does not influence the dynamic range. I personally would leave it this way, but of course you can use it, if you want to...

Best,
Andi

Thank you, Andi -- good to know; I'm realizing now that I may have Controller 11 set for both Expression and Crossfade on some instruments, which may be exagerrating my dynamics.

One more dynamics question: I'm using the SE Timpani and would like to have crescendos and diminuendos within a roll. But if I set the Timpani to velocity crossfade, I seem to get all of the Timpani notes played at fff. Is there something I need to change in the soundset, or are Timpani/Mallets not meant to be played with velocity crossfade?

Sorry, I guess there's yet one more related question: Does it matter if I notate the roll with trill notation or as an unmeasured tremolo?

Thanks again,
N

Hi Nick!

If you also want to use timpani with velocity x-fade, please use the latest version of the Special Edition sound set from our website. This was not possible with earlier versions of the sound set.
The Timpani Rolls are triggered with the Sound ID +tremolo.unmeasured.

Best,
Andi

I've problems with Sibelius and dynamics, too. I use Sibelius 5.2.5, Vienna Ensemble, Vienna Special Edition and the latest SoundSet for Vienna Special Edition.

As you've said, Sibelius dynamics are over exagerated, so I've tried to use Velocity X-Fade with Expression. And I've also tried to change on the dictionary the values of every dynamic, but is very difficult to find the perfect configuration, because some values are good for strings, but very bad for the piano, and not the best for winds, and other values can be very good for piano, but not correct to use with strings instruments.

I've also noticed that if I change the Volume on the Sibelius Mixer, it changes strangely the velocity sent to Vienna Ensemble, not just the volume. You can try it: write any music with a forte dynamic, and then playback changing the volume at the Sibelius Mixer. You'll can hear that not only the volume changes, also changes the type of sound, the attack of the note, the quality.

So, what volume we must assign to each instrument on Sibelius Mixer? 100 to all? Or better the maximum?

I wouldn't change the dictionary values for the dynamics. As you said, maybe you optimize one instrument with that, but you make it worse for other instruments.

Generally I would leave the volume levels in the Sibelius mixer as they are. As you said, this is not just for volume, but also changes the dynamics. On the other hand this is your chance to raise or lower the dynamic for individual instruments. So if carefully used, you can enhance the dynamic balance between instruments.
For just finding the right balance of volume I recommend using the mixer in Vienna Ensemble.

Best,
Andi
 

I've found it impossible to use sibelius for playback with vsl for anything but the most simple dynamic markings.  I must export as midi and import into digital performer; then tweak the expression and velocity settings to create a recording.  One thing that really had me stumped was the fact that everytime a slur occurs the patch switches to a single pitch portamento.  Of course this makes string parts with double stops unusable; as well as conventional wind orchestral parts (where the convention is to use 2 parts to a staff).  I imagine that there might be someway to alter this behavior by directly editing the xml file that does the mapping, but that would probably take a while and I haven't had time.

Hello Robert!

Sorry, that you are facing problems.
It shouldn't be necessary to export a MIDI file for tweaking expression and velocity.
I've seen in your records, that you have registered our Special Edition standard and Special Edition PLUS standard libraries.
Which sound set do you use? In your case, it should be the Special Edition PLUS sound set, you find at the following location (login required):
http://vsl.co.at/en/68/375/460/295.htm
Also don't forget to make channel and program settings on the Playback Devices/Manual Sound Sets page for every instrument you have in your score.

Our Performance Interval (legato-, portamento-, performance-marcato-) patches  are monophonic due to interval recognition. So if you write a slur (which triggers the legato patch), you are limited to one voice. If you want to notate more voices in one staff with a slur, you can exclude the slur from playback and thus avoid switching to legato. To do so, select the slur and go to the Properties window/Playback. Uncheck the boxes for play on pass 1-8.

Best regards,
Andi Olszewski
Vienna Symphonic Library

Thanks Andi! I'll try excluding slurs from playback, that should work.  Although it's hard to do this for every slur in a long piece.  Is there a way to set this to occur globally so that slurs would never trigger the portamento?  Also, I think I'm using the correct sound set.  When I choose an instrument within vsl's interface I select one with the little '+' sign; ie. 'cello+'.  This selection then corresponds to the SE Plus sound set; correct?

Concerning dynamics, is there a way to globally compress the range of dynamics for playback?  ie. if the current range is from 2-127, could it be compressed somehow from 30-100?  This is very easy to do in digital performer when editing prior to recording.

I wouldn't turn off legato globally. Maybe I was not clear enough. The legato patches are monophonic, but of course instruments playing on different channels can all play legato at the same time. If you want to turn it off nevertheless, you can do so in the Sibelius dictionary under Staff Lines/Slur above and Slur below by removing the Sound ID change.

The matrices with the "+" attached are Special Edition PLUS matrices. To use these matrices in Sibelius you will need the SE PLUS sound set.

Concerning dynamics, I suggest doing as I have written earlier in this thread.
Alternatives would be avoiding extreme dynamics like ppp, pp, ff or fff and only using p,mp,mf,f. You could also change the dictionary values (dynamic and attack) for p,pp,ppp,f,ff,fff,mp and mf. (I personally wouldn't do that, but it might help for your particular score)

Best,
Andi