Hi,

I just purchased the Synchronized Solo Strings so I can use in Dorico 4.3 what I had before in Dorico 3.5.

I realizing that the VSL expression maps don't seem complete, which is bummer. So I would be interested in full expression maps.

I'm also trying to understand how The VSL libraries work in Dorico; I also purchased the Con Sordino library and even though VSL support told me it's expression maps work in Dorico, I don't understand how to call them up in a project.

Wondering if other Dorico users here might be able to provide some guidance.

Anyway, back to your EM; I'm not very good yet at editing/creating EM's. I'm willing to try and provide what I do for anyone else that may need them.

Hope all this makes sense.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Hello Algae502002!

Our Dorico expression maps for SYNCHRON-ized Solo Strings work with the senza sordino and with the con sordino libraries. We have decided to make the expression maps for the basic presets, because the full presets include many articulations that are not easy to trigger with notation software.

You write that you "don't understand how to call them up in a project". If you use the playback templates we have prepared, the presets and expression maps get loaded automatically. More help on how to use our libraries with Dorico can be found here:
https://www.vsl.info/en/tutorials/guides/dorico-integration/introduction

Best regards,
Andi

Hi Andi,

Thanks for your reply.

By what you say I understand that I'll need to learn how to create music symbols that will trigger other "full VelXF" functions in order to use the rest of what's not included in the basic versions of the instruments.

Also, after watching the videos on VSL in Dorico, I still don't get how the program triggers the different presets. Specifically I'm not clear how a player part for violin can go from the basic "sensa sordino" to the con sordino". Dorico has music symbols that indicate when to switch, but that doesn't work. I have chosen the necessary EM in Dorico preferences. I don't see an EM for the "Con Sordino" strings that I could add to the EM set.

All I've been able to conclude is that I may need some kind of PC command, but so far I don't know how to do that, even though I see PC as an option in the EM structure. Am I off track with this?

Do your manuals specifically address this issue?

I love the libraries; I'm just struggling to learn how to use them so they will do what I need for my music.

Does any of this even make sense?

Hi Algae

@Algae502002 said:

Do your manuals specifically address this issue

OK. I'll look at the Dorico link you gave me. I know I need to study the program more, and appreciate your guidance.

Regarding the "Con Sordino", I tried a sample project to try out the different techniques and features available in VSL solo strings basic setting, and following what I understood you indicated, I used the "con sord." text to trigger the "con sordino", but nothing happened. I did a video to show you what I'm talking about, but can't figure out how to attach it here, even though there's an "attach files to this post" option.

Anyway, if you are able to tell me how to attach it, if it helps, do so and I'll get the video to you.

Hi,

It seems at first that unlike the Special Edition Solo strings, that there are no preset containing (or merge) both con sordino patches and senza sordino in the SYized Solo strings collection. Patches and presets are presented in different folders, as if they were different instruments.

But after looking more carefully, I found the presets. An example: "01c Violin Merged basic VelXF sus". They are in the folder "3b SYzd Solo Strings sordino".

C.

Hi Algae502002 and C.B.!

To switch between SYNCHRON-ized Solo Strings senza sordino and con sordino in one project, you will need the "Merged basic Velocity" presets from the folder "13b SYzd Solo Strings sordino/03 Velocity" loaded. These presets have to be loaded manually, because the senza sordino presets get loaded automatically.

Best regards,
Andi

Hi Andi, Thanks for that info.

So I get that by choosing Violin Merged Basic VelXF sus I get all the techniques/features of both basic libraries for this instrument.

Where is it described how to make any preset load automatically as a default, assuming my understanding is correct?

What are these "Custom" boxes I see in Synchron Player? They show up in different columns.

Hi Algae502002!

>> So I get that by choosing Violin Merged Basic VelXF sus I get all the techniques/features of both basic libraries for this instrument.

=> Yes, but I strongly recommend loading the "Velocity" variant and not the "VelXF" variant. The SYNCHRON-ized Solo Strings expression maps send velocity and CC2 commands for dynamic control. This only works correctly with the "Velocity" presets.

>> Where is it described how to make any preset load automatically as a default, assuming my understanding is correct?

=> I guess that it is described somewhere in the Dorico manual. You will have to create (or edit) endpoint configurations and playback templates for that. This is not a trivial task and cannot be explained here.

>> What are these "Custom" boxes I see in Synchron Player? They show up in different columns.

=> Custom slots are empty slots that you can use for adding other articulations. If you want to trigger them with Dorico, you will have to create custom plaing techniques and custom playback techniques. Then you would have to add these custom playback techniques to your expression maps. So this is not an easy process.

Best regards,
Andi

Dear @MMKA and @robrecht.paternoster,

Did either of you create expression maps for the Appasionata strings?

Best wishes, Neil

@robrecht-paternoster said:

Dear MMKA,

I have a similar interest as you, and am happy to read that you did already work for the violin 1 and viola.

I wish to make the expression maps for all the solo strings of the SYNCHRON-ized Solo String collection, as well as for the corresponding sections as well. I have the following SY libraries:

• SY-ed chamber strings inc. sordino

• SY-ed Appasionata strings inc. sordino

• SY-ed Dimension strings I-II-III

• Elite Strings

• FX Strings I

• Strings I

• Strings Pro

I do have experience with Dorico expression maps (and get also good support from their development team).

Shall we work together?

Robrecht

No, unfortunately I did't.

Synchronised Appasionata please someone! I read a note that it has a similar structure to Synch Strings pro, and that map is a good start, but I just tried it and it's not great.

Or a related question, which of the big orchestra VSL libraries have the best timing for strings in Dorico? Rythmic accuracy is really important to me, I have synchronised solo strings, and they seem pretty good, but I need orchestral strings as well.