How to trigger the 8va patches in Sibelius?

[Wim Dijkgraaf]

I would like to be able to switch to the 8va patches within my Sibelius score.

In such a way that is doesn't use extra MIDI channels and without the need to have designated staves in Sibelius to trigger the 8va patch.

Any ideas are very welcome.

Abraços,

Wim Dijkgraaf

[andi]

Hello Wim!

This can be achieved the following way:
- Put the 8va matrix in the second slot of the VI.
- Set the key switch for this matrix to C#0.
- In Sibelius switch between the normal and the 8va matrix with MIDI commands.
In your case these MIDI commands would look like this:
~N12,64 for the normal matrix
~N13,64 for the 8va matrix

~ stands for MIDI commands
N stands for Note on (key switch)
12 and 13 stand for the pitch (12=C0, 13=C#0)
64 stands for the velocity (the value is unimportant for key switches, but should be between 1 and 127)

Best,
Andi

[Wim Dijkgraaf]

Hi Andi, Yes, this works fine. Thanks again!!!

Because I prefer to use sound ID's, I also tried an alternative way. Adding an entry to the sound set ("+8va" to for keyswitch C#0 and "0va" back to keyswitch C0). With the Sibelius Sound Set editor this is very simple to do. Works fine too.

But this brings up another question: Are the 8va patches A) constructed patches (by using the individual samples) or B) really recorded?

If A) then this technique doesn't make sence because I could just write the octave line for each instrument. And the violins + violins 8va should be div. because otherwise the total amount of violins will be doubled ... .
If B) then this makes sence.

It seems to me that there are no 8va patches included in the Special Edition PLUS. So, I guess the 8va "patches" are not patches but are matrices that mimic 8va sounds. Or am I completely wrong ... ?

Abraços,

Wim Dijkgraaf

[Wim Dijkgraaf]

Hi Andy,

Sorry, my addition in the sound set doesn't work yet. It looked like it worked, but I made a mistake.

But it should be possible by editing the sound set, shouldn't it?

I ask you this, because I like kind of a "single point" to edit differences in my setup. In the future, if I like to make changes to my matrixes, I only have to edit the sound set instead of all the seperate MIDI commands in all my scores. Does this make sence?

Abraços,

Wim Dijkgraaf

[andi]

Hello Wim!

The 8va matrices are constructed and not recorded that way.

If you want to make additions to the sound set, you will also have to add these commands to your Playback dictionary.

Best,
Andi

[Wim Dijkgraaf]

Hi Andi,

OK. That makes it easy. I just write octaves in the score and don't use the 8va patches at all nor the MIDI commands.

Two additional questions:
- Is it because of "the silent stage" that is doesn't make sence to record the strings sections in octaves?
- Are the "ensemble patches" also constructed like the 8va patches?

Abraços,

Wim

[andi]

Hi Wim!

The 8va matrices can be seen as a bonus. Their main purpose is to get a fuller sound. I wouldn't use them with a notation software either. We didn't record them separately, because there was other stuff, that's more important to be recorded. It has nothing to do with the silent stage.

Of course our ensemble strings are recorded in the sizes they are offered and not constructed.

Best,
Andi

[Wim Dijkgraaf]

Hi Andi,

Thanks for your answer. What I meant with "ensemble" are the wind ensemble patches. Are they constructed too, or are these patches real ensemble recordings?

Thanks again in advance,

Wim Dijkgraaf

[andi]

Of course the wind ensembles are real ensemble recordings too.