Unable To Define Expression For Playback

[Daniel Byers]

I am working on an SATB + Keyboard piece. It is essentially finished, and I am trying to embellish it. I need both crescendos and fermatas. Since I need to be able to audition it, I am trying to define the expressions for playback. I am using Garritan sounds, Aria player, and have set Human Playback to On, and MIDI data to Incorporate Data.
I have many times been through "To define an expression for playback" from the user manual; I have tried adding in adjustments not mentioned in that article. I have also consulted two separate books on Finale. No matter what I try, there is no playback effect. (I did along the way learn to always use "play" rather than "scrub" for such tests, so it is not that.)
Several things confuse me: For example, if I designate the Shape ID number, it ends up being some other number. (I don't even know if this is necessary or relevant; I just have been trying any change for effect.)
For the crescendo, I tried both the Expression tool and the Smartshape tool.
I understand that Finale is primarily a notation program, but this seems fairly basic to any playback. (I recall being able to get playback effect years ago in Printmusic 2010.)
Thank you.

Daniel

Finale 2012c
Dell 745: Pentium D940; 8MB RAM; 1TB HD
Windows 7 Ultimate x64

[Peter Thomsen]

Welcome to the forum!

In order to give you the best possible help I think that we need to see an actual Finale document.

I suggest that you attach a (small) Finale sample document here.
Then the gurus can examine the document, and tell you what you are doing wrong.

This forum does not accept the Finale file name extension.
But the forum does accept compressed file formats.
Before you can attach a Finale document here, you must compress it, e. g. as a .zip file.

[Daniel Byers]

Peter Thomsen:
Thank you for the direction.
I created a simplified excerpt, then duplicated the steps I took, following as best I could "To define an expression for playback"; to wit,

1. Expressive Text
2. Select cresc. [38]
3. Rename crescendo
4. Edit
5. Human Playback On
6. Select Execute Shape
7. Create
8. Shape ID
9. Create
10. Rules and Grids
11. Eighth Notes
12. 1 Unit
13. OK
14. Draw ascending line 8 units by 8 units
15. Select 121
16. Set Time Scale to 16:1
17. Set Level Scale to 16:1
18. OK
19. Select 36
20. OK
21. Assign
22. Assign to All Staves

I could not hear any change, as with the full music file.
Thank you for your assistance.

Daniel

Finale 2012c
Dell 745: Pentium D940; 8MB RAM; 1TB HD
Windows 7 Ultimate x64

[Peter Thomsen]

Daniel,

What you have attached here, is not an actual Finale document, but rather a MusicXML file.

To find out what you are doing wrong, I think that we need to examine an actual Finale document.

I imported your MusicXML file into my own copy of Finale 2012c, and the imported crescendo was not defined for playback.

[Daniel Byers]

Peter,
I understand. I hope this is what you need.

Daniel

Finale 2012c
Dell 745: Pentium D940; 8MB RAM; 1TB HD
Windows 7 Ultimate x64

[Peter Thomsen]

What you are doing wrong, is your step 5) in the Expression Designer’s chiclet Playback where you in the pop up menu “Type” are selecting “Human Playback On”.
(Human Playback does not need an executable shape to interpret a crescendo)

Instead, select “Key Velocity”, and you will get a crescendo.

At least selecting “Key Velocity” gives a crescendo for me.