Dorico + VSL Synchron-ized: volume difference between instruments

[frave]

Hi folks,

i was a long-term user of Sibelius and used the VSL Synchron-ized 1-4 without any problems for a couple of compositions. I switched now to Dorico and i'm setting up everything. To get used to the program, i'm now rewriting a piece with Dorico. But it seems to me, that the volume between instruments differ a lot. For example: i have to write "ff" for the flutes and something like "mp" in the clarinets and the bassoons to get the same volume. Horns are quite loud, Trumpets and Trombones with fff not loud enough. Strings drown them out playing only mf. I don't even hear a written fff-Timpani Roll in a tutti forte passage. And so on...

I tried different MIXERPRESETS in Synchron-Player, changed end reset the Mixer settings in Dorico, but the result was never a homogeneous sound. In Sibelius everything worked like a charm right out of the box. What am i doing wrong? Is there a control or setting i don't know of?

Thanks in advance! 

[andi]

Hello frave!

The instruments in the SYNCHRON-ized Special Editions have been balanced with each other. Dorico overrides these settings and assigns a master volume value of 100 to all instruments in the Dorico mixer. By the way, Sibelius does the same, but it uses different values. I would recommend balancing the volumes of instruments in the project anyway.

Best regards,
Andi

[frave]

Hi andy,
thanks for your answer! With "in the project" do you mean balancing using the Dorico Mixer or the settings in each Synchron Player? Would you mind specify which control/setting i should alter to get the best result in an efficient way?
Thanks again!

[andi]

Hello frave!

I would balance the volumes with the Dorico mixer.

Best,
Andi

[GilP]

Hello,
Before this post I wasn't aware of this problematic with Dorico! So thanks for rising this important subject!

I checked the VSL Dorico project files and the mixer knobs are all aligned: it seems that the levels of the different instruments are set in the MIX panel of the Synchron Player: is it right?

Is there a way for VSL to share a list of MIX values of the SE-Synchronized instruments to use in Dorico please?

Thank you!
Regards,
Gil.

[andi]

Hello Gil!

>> it seems that the levels of the different instruments are set in the MIX panel of the Synchron Player: is it right?

=> Levels can be set on the MIX tab and with the Master Volume fader on the PERFORM page. The volume knob in the top line of Synchron Player is a copy of this fader. The MIDI volume of the Dorico mixer controls this Master Volume fader.

>> Is there a way for VSL to share a list of MIX values of the SE-Synchronized instruments to use in Dorico please?

=> We don't have such a list, but you could load the SYNCHRON-ized Special Edition presets inside the player, read out the position of the PERFORM fader and set the Dorico MIDI fader to the same position. Anyway, this would just be a starting point. I would rather trust my ears and set up the volumes that way.

Best regards,
Andi

[GilP]

Hello Andi,

Thanks for the quick and detailed answer!

As unfortunately in Dorico mixer values can't be displayed, in the Play tab I override at the beginning of each of my instrument tracks the CC7 value to the Synchron Player original Perform Master Volume value (i.e. CC7): does it make sense?

Also is modified by Dorico the Return 1 Volume (CC 5): do I have to take care also?

Thank you again for your great help!

Best regards,
Gil.

[andi]

Hello Gil!

If you keep the Synchron Player interface opened while you move the MIDI volume faders in the Dorico mixer, you can see the value displayed on the Main Volume fader in Synchron Player.

I don't think that Dorico modifies CC5 (Return 1 Volume) unless you tell it to do so with a MIDI automation.

Best regards,
Andi

[Migot]

Andi

 

(Your suggestions here are -time consuming- and this is not what VSL offer thru there wonderful made packages)

 

Like many oder user I bought -Synchronized SE 1 to 4 plus- because the package is pretty well balance between instrument.

 

Dorico must not altered this each time an instrument is loaded.

 

And more... Expression Maps, have been build especially fo -Shync SE Plus- !!!

 

There is certainly a way to implement the right MIDI (Master volume) into Those -Exp. Maps- respectively to instrument family like : Orch. Strings, Chamber Strings cc7=67

Solo Strings cc7=57   Brass cc7=113  Woodwind cc7=71 etc...

 

So, Dorico must be respectful to the original setup of any VSL packages.

 

Hope you'll fixe that!

 

Sincerely VSL user...

 

 

Thanks to the VSL's Team for the wonderful work.

[PaoloT]

I don't know if I’m doing the right thing, but since I don't want to deal with Dorico's mixer, I prefer to set the Master Volume in the Synchron Player. Each track has a CC7 event at the very beginning, with a value corresponding to the one saved by VSL in their standard preset.

Paolo