All TIPS for Sibelius & Vienna Special Edition
Hi all,
I'm new user of Vienna Special Edition, and I want to use it with Sibelius. I'm trying many tips to get the best sound, the best performance using this great library with my favorite notation program and I think to unite all here and share with you is a very good idea.
As you know, there are many playback options in Sibelius, and many more in Vienna Ensemble. But, I'm sure many users don't know all of them, and maybe they can get better sound using the needing.
So, I want to create here a little "Guide" of Playback between Sibelius and Vienna Special Edition, including ALL TIPS you know if you want to share with us.
So, let's go. I will edit this first post everytime you explain new tips or new options.
To begin, what do you think about this?:
- What is the best performance configuration to use with Sibelius and Vienna? What configuration do you prefer to use in Performance Menu? As you know, we can change the Espression, Swing, and Rubbato.
- Which is the best pan configuration or reverb for every instrument? Do you have anny preference about it?
While you reply this questions, and ask for new settings, I will write here few tips that I have found yet about Dynamics, Instruments and Articulations.
These are only the first, and I hope that they are expanded at a future.
I hope that this guide will help you.
TIPS for Sibelius 5 and Vienna Special Edition
1) The Best SoundSet for Sibelius
The best SoundSet of Vienna Special Edition to use with Sibelius latest version (5.2.5) is the one published on Vienna Symphonic Library Official Page. So, download it and read the readme file to know how to change some important articulations on Sibelius Dictionary.
2) Better Dynamics Playback
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.
3) Solo and Ensemble on the same staff.
For those who are interested in what to add to the dictionary to switch between a solo and an ensemble instrument on one staff:
1 - Reserve a channel for the solo and the ensemble instrument on the Sibelius Manual Sound Sets page and in Vienna Ensemble.
2 - Go to Sibelius/Play/Dictionary/Staff Text.
3 - Create a new keyword (a2, a3, all, ensemble or whatever you want).
4 - Choose Effect: Sound ID Change and as Sound ID enter "+ensemble" Until next SOund ID change
5 - To switch back to the solo instrument, you can either use the Technique Text "ord." or create an additional entry in the dictionary (e.g. solo) with the Effect: Sound ID Change "[reset]" (or "-ensemble") Until next SOund ID change.
4) Mute and Natural sounds on the same staff.
For exemple, if you want to use a muted trumpet and a natural trumpet and write all on the same staff, you can do this:
1 - Reserve two channels for the trumpet on the Sibelius Manual Sound Sets page. One with "Trumpet" and one with "Trumpet mute".
2 - In Vienna Ensemble also add two instruments for the trumpet. Use the same channels as you set on the Manual Sound Sets page.
3 - In one instrument load the natural Instrument, and in the other the Mute Instrument.
4 - To switch from normal to muted trumpet just use the technique text "con sordino" or "mute". To switch back use "ord.", "normal" or "natural".
