Make Playback Less Electronic Sounding

Discuss playback problems, including VST, Garritan, MIDI, etc.

Moderators: Peter Thomsen, miker

Post Reply
juliepiano
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Nov 02, 2015 11:52 pm
Finale Version: 25
Operating System: Windows

Post by juliepiano » Sat Mar 24, 2018 4:11 pm

I'm using Finale 25 for Windows. The attached file sounds very electronic, especially at the end of the excerpt. I originally created it in an earlier version of Finale (probably 2010). I first tried updating the sounds in the original file, but the sound didn't improve. I then created a new score using the Set-up Wizard and copied and pasted the music into the new file. I don't hear any improvement in the sound. Any ideas?
Julie Johnson
Owner, J. Johnson Music Publications
Author of Basics of Keyboard Theory, Ear Training Basics, and Guide to AP Music Theory


oldmkvi
Posts: 384
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2017 6:13 pm
Finale Version: 25
Operating System: Mac

Post by oldmkvi » Sat Mar 24, 2018 5:08 pm

Hi, You were probably listening to the Synth, not Garritan Inst.
I loaded Garritan via Score Manager, did some panning in the Mixer, added a bit of reverb and put in a few Articulations in the first few bars.
It will sound mushy with out some Stacatto dots.

juliepiano
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Nov 02, 2015 11:52 pm
Finale Version: 25
Operating System: Windows

Post by juliepiano » Sat Mar 24, 2018 5:20 pm

Under MIDI/Audio I chose "Play Finale through VST." Is that incorrect? What's the right way to hear Garritan Inst?
Julie Johnson
Owner, J. Johnson Music Publications
Author of Basics of Keyboard Theory, Ear Training Basics, and Guide to AP Music Theory

oldmkvi
Posts: 384
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2017 6:13 pm
Finale Version: 25
Operating System: Mac

Post by oldmkvi » Sat Mar 24, 2018 5:27 pm

I'm on Mac, but it's set for Audio Units Playback.
No sound with Midi selected.

Maybe a Windows user will chime in.

User avatar
Michel R E
Posts: 702
Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2016 9:16 pm
Finale Version: Finale 2012, 25, 26
Operating System: Windows

Post by Michel R E » Sat Mar 24, 2018 5:56 pm

1) you've used solo strings for the orchestra section. it will probably sound better if you use actual section strings.
2) you've applied no reverb at all, adding one of the presets, like "Concert Hall 1" will give a less dry and synthy sound.
User of Finale since version 3.0 on Windows.
Now using a mix of Finale 2012, Finale 25, and 26.1
GPO, Garritan Solo Stradivari violin, Gofriller Solo Cello.
XSamples Chamber Ensemble.
Absolute convert to NotePerformer3.

oldmkvi
Posts: 384
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2017 6:13 pm
Finale Version: 25
Operating System: Mac

Post by oldmkvi » Sat Mar 24, 2018 6:01 pm

I loaded Solo Strings by accident.
Section Strings will be better.

User avatar
Michel R E
Posts: 702
Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2016 9:16 pm
Finale Version: Finale 2012, 25, 26
Operating System: Windows

Post by Michel R E » Sat Mar 24, 2018 6:43 pm

oldmkvi wrote:I loaded Solo Strings by accident.
Section Strings will be better.
Julie's file is also set to solo strings.
User of Finale since version 3.0 on Windows.
Now using a mix of Finale 2012, Finale 25, and 26.1
GPO, Garritan Solo Stradivari violin, Gofriller Solo Cello.
XSamples Chamber Ensemble.
Absolute convert to NotePerformer3.

User avatar
zuill
Posts: 4418
Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2016 9:35 pm
Finale Version: Finale 2011-v26.3.1
Operating System: Windows

Post by zuill » Sun Mar 25, 2018 4:29 am

Section Strings is more appropriate. Also, the Trumpet volume is a bit too much. I backed it off a bit to improve the balance.

Zuill
Windows 10, Finale 2011-v26.3.1
"When all is said and done, more is said than done."

juliepiano
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Nov 02, 2015 11:52 pm
Finale Version: 25
Operating System: Windows

Post by juliepiano » Sun Mar 25, 2018 4:29 pm

This is all great help. Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. I tried to add reverb, but when I select MIDI/Audio, VST Banks and Effects, then Effects, there are no effects in the drop-down list. Do I need to download these? Maybe I need to re-install Aria Player?
Julie Johnson
Owner, J. Johnson Music Publications
Author of Basics of Keyboard Theory, Ear Training Basics, and Guide to AP Music Theory

User avatar
motet
Posts: 8230
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:33 pm
Finale Version: 2014.5,2011,2005,27
Operating System: Windows

Post by motet » Sun Mar 25, 2018 4:36 pm

I use playback to listen for errors, and have been using SoftSynth MIDI. I would love something better-sounding, but in my experiments with Garritan, the only way to have it not sound terrible was to add a lot of reverb, which muddies the waters in terms of hearing clearly what's going on. Am I just not doing something right?

User avatar
Michel R E
Posts: 702
Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2016 9:16 pm
Finale Version: Finale 2012, 25, 26
Operating System: Windows

Post by Michel R E » Sun Mar 25, 2018 4:48 pm

juliepiano wrote:This is all great help. Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. I tried to add reverb, but when I select MIDI/Audio, VST Banks and Effects, then Effects, there are no effects in the drop-down list. Do I need to download these? Maybe I need to re-install Aria Player?

the reverb options can be found in each instance of the Aria Playe, rather than in the MIDI/Audio / VST Banks and Effects menu.

in the Aria player, there are tabs on the right hand side you can select, one gives you options for setting reverb. there are already presets for the Convolution and the reverb that comes with GPO.
User of Finale since version 3.0 on Windows.
Now using a mix of Finale 2012, Finale 25, and 26.1
GPO, Garritan Solo Stradivari violin, Gofriller Solo Cello.
XSamples Chamber Ensemble.
Absolute convert to NotePerformer3.

juliepiano
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Nov 02, 2015 11:52 pm
Finale Version: 25
Operating System: Windows

Post by juliepiano » Sun Mar 25, 2018 7:00 pm

Thanks to all of you for your help. I found the effects options, changed to strings section, adjusted the volume here and there, and the excerpt sounds much better. The instructions you gave me will help with several ensemble and orchestral excerpts that go into this workbook revision.
Julie Johnson
Owner, J. Johnson Music Publications
Author of Basics of Keyboard Theory, Ear Training Basics, and Guide to AP Music Theory

Post Reply