violin volume

[Rangi]

Hi there, why does a note on violin 1 sound louder then the same note on violin 2? It also appears louder in the vienna ensemble mixing strip - despite all settings/volumes being factory defaults. Cheers, Rangi. (vienna solo strings 1 standard, sibeius 6.2 mac)

[andyjh]

 What do you mean by "Violin 2", as their isn't anything in VSL referred to as Violin 2, which exact articulations (or Preset) do you mean? In Sibelius you have to set your own sounds up, usually you would use the same Solo Violin (Sib_SoloStr_Violin_Lxxx) for what Sibelius calls Violin I and Violin II, Sibelius seems to default with Violin I and Violin II slightly louder than the Viola and bass (in Sibelius Mixer).

[Rangi]

Sorry, I should have been more explicit, and what you say that makes sense - so sounds like this could be sibelius topic rather than a vsl perhaps. But just to be sure, I'll give a more detailed description: I've set up a Sibelius score as a string quartet (a default score). Vienna Ensemble is the active device and the sound set is "VE solo strings 1 and 2". SS strings is loaded as the program in manual sound sets for both Violin 1 and violin 2. I have not customized any settings in any way, the sound set etc is exactly as per install instructions from the vsl website if I place (for instance) an A440 crotchet note on the stave for violin 1 it sounds louder than if I place an A440 crotchet note on the violin 2 stave. When I look at Vienna ensemble I can quite clearly see the meters for violin 1 peak and sustain ay a higher level than violin 2. So if as you suggest, VSL is playing an identical sample for both of my violin staves, then does sibelius boost the output of stave 1 for some reason? To attempt to investigate this I've opened the sibelius "mixer" but the meters do not move, presumably because I am by passing the the sibelius sounds in favor of the VSL/ensemble. So how can I confirm that VSL is playing the same sound for both violins and that this is a Sibelius topic - is there anything else to check in VSL?

[andyjh]

 What doesn't make sense here, is that you should see the mixer in Sibelius working, it does (or supposed to) show the levels on the bargraphs and you can control the level of the tracks within Sibelius. The bargraphs should move regardless of the fader setting, the Sibelius level faders controls the signal going to VE, then VE puts the signal back to Sibelius on the Sibelius master fader. If you don't have the Sibelius bargraphs moving, then somehow you have routed the MIDI signal internally to VE, This does sound more like a Sibelius issue.

Do you only have one entry in the Sibelius - Playback Devices - Active Devices list, it should be

Vienna Ensemble   VST   VE Solo Strings

[Rangi]

found it. The Sibelius mixer meters don't move when a single note is triggered (mouse click), but they do move when Siblius is in play. So yes it appears to be the standard setup. lo and behold, violin 1 volume is 127, violin 2 is 109, viola is 90, cello is 84. I don't don't recall ever adjusting volumes, in fact I want a "flat" palate as I am working, so I expect this is the default sibelius mixer setting - which kinda sucks!! (though to be fair there is always the possibility I have accidentally changed things myself). One final question - my instinct is to make all the Sibelius mixer volumes 127, both the four staves and the mixer - any reason to choose another number that you can think of? Thanks for all of you help in what wasn't a VSL problem at all.

[andi]

Hello Rangi!

There is no general rule, what the best values in the Sibelius mixer are. Here are some things you might consider for your settings.

The Sibelius mixer will send MIDI CC7 data to Vienna Ensemble, which controls the Master volume fader for every instrument. That's not the one in the VE mixer, but the one, that's included on the Vienna Instruments interface.

Keeping this fader at it's maximum (127) might in some (rare) cases produce overdrive. For example if you are playing more than one note simulaniously in fff with one instrument. That's why I'd rather use values around 110.

I would also recommend to balance out the volumes of the instuments in the VE mixer and not in the Sibelius mixer.

Best regards,
Andi

[andyjh]

 I had never noticed before that the Sibelius bargraphs don't move when real time playing or editing. I have always found the output from Sibelius (using VE or anything else) to be rather low, I have often put the master fader to max, but I get nervous seeing all faders to max, as I am sure that is just asking for an overload (distortion), but there is no harm in trying, just use your ears, if i tstarts to distort then you'll need to put all the faders back (100 seems to be the default). I am sure you'll find some instruments just need to be quieter than others, an 18 violin section needs to be louder than a solo oboe for example. How ever in your case with a string quartet, I reckon you can put all the faders to max, but I would still put the individual faders to 100 and master out to 0dB and turn your external mixer/speakers up to compensate.

So, to bring this back to a VSL forum, as we got a bit involved with Sibelius here, can anyone confirm that VE Pro does not work within Sibelius, as I cannot get it to recognise it - it seems to be VE only.  Anyone know? 

[andi]

Hi Andy!

Vienna Ensemble Pro is fully compatible with Sibelius. The Sibelius/Playback Devices/Audio Engine Options/VST plugins setting must point to the folder, where the file Vienna Ensemble Pro.dll is located.

Best,
Andi

[Rangi]

Thanks all - I'm all sorted on my volumes discussion now.