ve optimizing sibelius playback

7/24/2019 VE Optimizing Sibelius Playback

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2015 Vienna Symphonic Library

Optimizing Sibelius

Playbackwith Vienna EnsembleA guide to get more out of your scores

By Andreas Olszewski / Vienna Symphonic Library


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Optimizing Sibelius Playback with Vienna Ensemble 2015 Vienna Symphonic Library

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Introduction

Material for Sibelius users on the vsl.co.at website

At the following location you can find a video tutorial on how to work with Sibelius and Vienna

Ensemble:

http://www.vsl.co.at/en/Products/Software#!Video_Demos

The Sound Set Installer can be downloaded in the MyVSL area of the Vienna Symphonic Library

website under Notation related.

http://www.vsl.co.at/en/MyVSL

Currently we offer the following sound sets:

VE Special Edition: Works with the Special Edition Volumes 14, as well as with the

following Instrument collections: Bsendorfer Imperial, Vienna Imperial, Konzerthaus

Organ

VE Special Edition PLUS: Works with the Special Edition PLUS matrices for Volumes

1 and 2 and the Special Edition Volumes 3 and 4, as well as with the following

Instrument collections: Bsendorfer Imperial, Vienna Imperial, Konzerthaus Organ

VE Epic Orchestra: Works with the Epic Orchestra

VE Woodwinds + Brass: Works with the following Instrument collections: Woodwinds

I+II, Special Woodwinds, Brass I+II, Special Brass, Dimension Brass, Saxophones,

Recorders, as well as with all Woodwinds and Brass Single Instruments

VE Strings: Works with the following Instrument collections: Solo Strings I+II, Chamber

Strings I+II, Orchestral Strings I+II, Appassionata Strings I+II, Dimension Strings, Harps

VE Percussion: Works with the Percussion and Elements Instrument collections and

Single Instruments

VE Choir: Works with the Vienna Choir, the Soprano Choir, the Solo Voices and the

Vienna Whistler

In addition to the sound sets we offer Vienna Symphonic Library House Style files for Sibelius 5,6 and 7.

Software

Please use Sibelius 6.2, 7.1.3 or 7.5.1, as the Sibelius team did a great job fixing playback bugs

with these latest versions. Also make sure to use the latest version of Vienna Instruments and

Vienna Ensemble software, which can be downloaded in the MyVSL are under Software

Installers. Vienna Instruments Pro and Vienna Ensemble PRO will also work with Sibelius.

http://www.vsl.co.at/en/Products/Software#!Video_Demoshttp://www.vsl.co.at/en/Products/Software#!Video_Demoshttp://www.vsl.co.at/en/MyVSLhttp://www.vsl.co.at/en/MyVSLhttp://www.vsl.co.at/en/MyVSLhttp://www.vsl.co.at/en/MyVSLhttp://www.vsl.co.at/en/MyVSLhttp://www.vsl.co.at/en/MyVSLhttp://www.vsl.co.at/en/Products/Software#!Video_Demos


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How to install and use Sound Sets

The Sound Set Installer can be downloaded in the MyVSL area of the Vienna Symphonic Library

website under Notation related.


It will install sound set files, the Vienna Symphonic Library House Style for Sibelius, VI presets and

two manuals. The path where the manuals get installed can be chosen during installation.

On Windows computers it may be necessary to point Sibelius to the VSTPlugins path. This can be

done in the Playback Devices/Audio Engine Options/Virtual Instruments and Effects folders menu.

Choose the path where the Vienna Ensemble VST plugin has been installed. Thats the path where

the file Vienna Ensemble.dll is located. If you are using Sibelius 7 64-bit, you will have to add the

folder where the 64-bit version of the Vienna Ensemble plugin ("Vienna Ensemble x64.dll") is

installed. Then restart Sibelius.

In Sibelius, create aPlayback Config-

uration and activate

Vienna Ensemble(or

Vienna Ensemble

PRO; for details

about how to use

Vienna Ensemble

PROplease also

check the according

manual) from the listof Available devices.

Then choose the

appropriate sound

set in the right-hand

column.

On the Manual

Sound Setspage

check Use manual

Sound Setand

assign channels and

programs for all

instruments. If you

use instruments

more than once,

please also reserve

the according

number of channels

for them. Then save

your Playback

configuration.
http://www.vsl.co.at/en/MyVSLhttp://www.vsl.co.at/en/MyVSLhttp://www.vsl.co.at/en/MyVSL


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In Vienna Ensemble, insert as many instruments as you need. Set the channels and load the

presets that came with the Sound Set Installer. These presets can be found in the Sibelius

folder. Then save your Playback configuration in Sibelius. Be aware that some presets need lots

of RAM. In order to save RAM you can load smaller presets (L1) or use the Learn/Optimize

function of the Vienna Instruments. VI Pro 2 users can disable cells or matrices they don't need.

More than one Vienna Ensemble

If you want to use more than 16 instruments or different collections (and therefore different

sound sets) at the same time, you will need more than one instance of Vienna Ensemble.

To do so, simply activate Vienna Ensemblemore than once from theAvailable deviceslist.

Check Use manual Sound Setand set channels and programs for all VE instances on the

Manual Sound Setspage. You can switch between the instances in the Device line on that

page. Dont forget to save your Playback configuration after that.


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For Vienna

Ensemble PRO 5

users it is possible

to have all loaded

instruments in one

instance, even if

more than 16

instruments and

different sound sets

are used in one

Sibelius Playback

configuration.

Any additional

Vienna Ensemble

(PRO)instance thatwould be needed

with the free Vienna

Ensembleversion can now be substituted with the Vienna Ensemble PRO Event InputPlug-in

which delivers up to 31additional MIDI ports with 16 channels each.

All instruments are

routed to the same

Vienna Ensemble PRO

instance now. MIDI

ports have to be set up

in Vienna Ensemble

PROfor every

instrument, which is not

necessary for Sibelius

users with the free

Vienna Ensemble

Version, as there simply

is only one available

port. Sound sets and

the settings on the

Manual Sound Sets

page have to be

configured in the same

way as explained

above.

More details about the

Vienna Ensemble PRO

Event Inputcan be found in the Vienna Ensemble PRO 5manual, which can be downloaded in

the MyVSL area of our website under Software Manuals.


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How to use the Vienna Symphonic Library House Style

What is a House Style file:

The Sibelius House Style defines various things. Some are layout related. For working with the

Vienna Instrumentstwo items are very useful:

1. Playback dictionary: For some articulations there are special keywords in the Sibelius

playback dictionary needed. By importing the Vienna Symphonic Library House Style all these

keywords will be included in the dictionary. The dynamic values are also optimized for playback

with the VSL instruments.

2. Instrument definitions: (Mainly important for the VE Percussion and VE Strings sound

sets). For some switches to work correctly, it is necessary to have the instruments from the

Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded in your score.

So by importing the Vienna Symphonic Library House Style file, you will make the cooperation

of Sibelius and the Vienna Instrumentssmoother.

Importing the Vienna Symphonic Library House Style:

1. In Sibelius you can select a House Style when creating a new score or load it at a later point

in the menu House Style/Import House Style (Sibelius 5 and 6) or Appearance/House

Style/Import (Sibelius 7).

2. Select Vienna Symphonic Library

3. Under Import Options, keep at least Playback dictionary and Instrument definitions

selected.


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How to trigger articulations with the

Sound Set

VE Special Edition

This sound set works with all Special Edition collections:

Sustain: This patch is triggered by default.

If you want to switch back from a different articulation, use one of the following Technique

Textcommands (+T on Win, +T on OS X): ord., natural, normal.

Staccato: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) Use the keypads staccatomark.

2) Create the Technique Textcommand stacc or staccato.

Legato: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) Use slurs.

2) Create the Technique Textcommand legato.

To switch back to non-legato playing use the Technique Textcommand non legato.

Also see page 19.

Legato-sus: Create the Technique Textcommand sus. (Only available with Vienna

Symphonic Library House Style loaded.) This command can also be used in combination with

slurs.

Detache: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) Use the keypads tenutomark.

2) Create the Technique Textcommand detache.

Portamento: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) A section where all notes are played portamento: Create the Technique Textcommand

portamento.

2) Two notes played portamento: Join the two notes with a portamento line from the lines

menu.

Also see page 19.

Tremolo: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) Create the Technique Textcommand trem or tremolo.

2) Use the tremolo symbol with 3, 4 or 5 beams across the stem from the Sibelius keypad to

switch to tremolo. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

Pizzicato: Create the Technique Textcommand pizz or pizzicato.

To switch back to arco playing, use one of the following Technique Textcommands: ord.,

natural, normal or arco.

Sforzato: Create an Expression Textcommand (+E on Win, +E on OS X)

starting with sf (sf, sfz, sffz, sforz, ). (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library House

Style loaded.)


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Staccato/Sustain combined cell: Use the keypads accentmark. (Only available with Vienna

Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

If you prefer accents to just trigger a higher velocity and not the Staccato/Sustain cell, remove

the Sound ID change entry of the Sibelius dictionary entry Articulations/Accent.

Vibrato (only guitars): Create the Technique Textcommand vib or vibrato.To switch back to non vibrato, use one of the following Technique Textcommands: ord.,

natural, normal or senza vibrato.

Whammy Bar (E-Guitar): Create a w/bar line from the Lines menu. (Only available with Vienna


Motor on (Vibraphone): Create the Technique Textcommand motor on. To switch back to

playing without motor, use the Technique Textcommand motor off.

Sustain Pedal (Bosendorfer Piano): Create a Pedal symbol from the lines menu.

Cymbal sounds: For the Sibelius instrument Cymbals (=a2 cymbals) you have four different

variations.

C6 = Normal Variation 1; C#6 = Choked Var. 1; D6 = Normal Var. 2; D#6 = Choked Var. 2

C6 is played by default. The other sounds are only available with the Vienna Symphonic

Library House Style loaded. For C#6 create the Technique Textcommand choke, for D6

create 2 and for D#6 combine both commands. To reset the Sound ID of an instrument,

write ord. or normal.

If you want the suspended cymbal instead of the a2 Cymbals please use the Sibelius

instruments Cymbal A-D. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style

loaded.)

With the commands written in the previous paragraph you can also switch to 2nd variations

and choked sounds with this instrument and you can also address the roll sounds with the

tremolo symbol.

Tam-tam: For the Sibelius instrument Tam-tam you have four different variations.

G6: triggered by default

The other sounds are only available with the Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.

G#6: add tremolo sign (with 3, 4 or 5 beams)

A6: Technique Text "2" (without quotation marks)

A#6: Technique Text "scrape" (without quotation marks)

Drum rolls: There are two ways to trigger these rolls:

1) Choose the tremolo articulation symbol with 4 or 5 lines crossing the stem or the buzz roll

symbol. If the Vienna Symphonic Library House Style is loaded, the 3 line tremolo symbol

can also be used.

2) Create the Technique Textcommand roll. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library

House Style loaded.)To switch back to single hits, use one of the following commands:

ord. or normal

Timpani rolls:like tremolo.

Left hand/right hand (drums, timpani):Create the Technique Textcommand L for left hand

strokes and R for right hand strokes.


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Triangle:Use the Sibelius instrument Triangle and the Manual Sound Sets program

Percussion. By default the open single hit (C5) is triggered. The closed single hit (C#5) can

be triggered with the staccato or the + articulation symbol. With the Technique text

command 2 it is possible to trigger a variant of the same technique (open and closed). For

tremolo (E5) use one of the tremolo symbols.

Metal Chimes(Sibelius instrument "Wind Chimes [1 line]" from the "Other Unpitched

Percussion category): On the Manual Sound Sets page reserve a channel with the program

"Percussion".

The different sounds can be triggered as follows:

A3 (default): No Technique Text command or "ord." or "normal".

The other sounds are only available with the Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.

B3: Technique Text "2"

C3: Technique Text "up" and "slow"

D3: Technique Text "down" and "slow

F3: Technique Text "up" and "fast"

G3: Technique Text "down" and "fast"

Cymbal, drum and percussion sounds in general:A different approach of using these

sounds would be by creating a Percussion [5 lines]system with Sibelius and editing the

instrument (Sibelius 6: House Style/Edit Instruments/Percussion [5 lines]/Edit

Instrument/Type of staff: pitched; Sibelius 7: Home/

Instruments/Percussion [5 lines]/Edit Instrument/Type of staff: pitched). You will also have to

choose a Sound ID or instrument under Playback Defaults/Best Sound and reserve a

program/channel for the chosen instrument on the Manual Sound Sets page. For example

you could choose a pitched percussion instrument (like Marimba, Vibraphone or Xylophone)that you don't have in your score. Now you can trigger the samples according to the pitch you

enter.

VE Special Edition PLUS

Everything written for the VE Special Edition sound set applies to this sound set too. Here are

the PLUS articulations.

Staccato repetition: Theperf-rep staccato(or spiccato) patches are played by default for

staccato notes, because they sound more natural with repeated notes than the normalstaccato patches.

If you want to use the normal staccato patch instead of the performance repetition, use the

keypads staccato mark and add the Technique Textcommand 1. (Only available with

Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

Perf-rep legato: Create the Technique Textcommand rep. (Only available with Vienna


Fortepiano: Create the Expression Textcommand fp. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic

Library House Style loaded.)

Portato: There are two ways to trigger this patch:1) Use the keypads tenutomark.

2) Create the Technique Textcommand portato.


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Detache short: Create the Technique Textcommand short.

Harmonics: Harmonics can be reached in three ways.

1) Add the Harmonic/Openarticulation sign to the note (that's the small circle).

2) Write harmonics above the first note where a section of harmonics starts.

3) Notate a diamond notehead a fourth above the fingered note (only with "ViennaSymphonic Library" House Style 2.0 or higher loaded).

Harmonics staccato: Just combine a staccatomarking with one of the three ways of triggering

harmonics.

Pizz-snap: Add one of the symbols for snap pizzicato from the Symbolsmenu to the note(s).

Col legno: Create the Technique Textcommand col legno.

Trill 1 / Trill 2: Create a trill line from the Lines menu. Sibelius automatically triggers the right

trill (half or whole tone) according to the diatonic surrounding. You can also switch manually

between half tone and whole tone trills in the Inspector/Playback(in Sibelius 5 and 6 thats

called Properties/Playback) window. To do so, select the trill line and uncheck Diatonic.

Sul ponticello: Create the Technique Textcommand sul ponticello.

To switch back to normal playing, use one of the following Technique Textcommands: ord.,

natural or normal.

Sul ponticello staccato: Use the keypads staccatomark during a sul ponticello section.

Sul ponticello tremolo: Use one of the ways to trigger tremolo during a sul ponticello section.

Con sordino (=mute): Create the Technique Textcommand con sordino or mute. To switch

back to senza sordino playing, use one of the following Technique Textcommands: ord.,

natural, normal or senza sordino.

Con sordino staccato: Use the keypads staccatomark during a con sordino section.

Con sordino tremolo: Use one of the ways to trigger tremolo during a con sordino section.

VE Strings

This sound set works with the following collections:

Solo Strings I+II, Chamber Strings I+II, Orchestral Strings I+II, Appassionata Strings I+II,

Dimension Strings, Harps

Attention:On the Manual Sound Sets page, the "Chamber", "Orchestral", "Appassionata" and

"Dimension" programs only work correctly when the corresponding instruments included in the

"Vienna Symphonic Library" House Style are used in Sibelius. If you use the default Sibelius

instruments for string ensembles (Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Violoncello,

Contrabass, Double Bass), please use the "Ensemble" programs. The Dimension Strings only

work correctly with the [VSL Dimension Strings] instrumentsfrom the Vienna Symphonic

Library House Styleand the Dimension programs on the Manual Sound Sets page.

Most of the techniques written above also apply to the dedicated string sound set. Here are the

additional articulations. Many articulations can also be combined with each other.


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Vibrato/Senza vibrato: By default the vibrato articulations are used. To switch to non vibrato

create the Technique Textcommand senza vibrato. To switch back to vibrato, use the

Technique Textcommand con vibrato or vibrato. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic

Library House Style loaded.)

Strong vibrato: There are two ways to trigger these patches:1) Create the Technique Textcommand vib or vibrato and create a second Technique

Textcommand heavy.

2) Create the Technique Text command molto vibrato or espressivo. . (Only available

with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

To switch back to vibrato, use one of the following Technique Textcommands: ord.,

natural or normal. To switch back to non vibrato use the Technique Textcommand senza

vibrato.

Progressive vibrato (Dimension Strings): Create the Technique Textcommand

progressive. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

Staccato/Stac-rep/Spiccato : See the staccato entry in the VE Special Edition sound set

section. Vienna Ensemble automatically chooses the best fitting patch according to speed

control.

(For the "Dimension Strings" staccato is triggered with the staccato mark. In order to trigger

the spiccato-repetition either use the staccatissimo mark or create the Technique Text

command spiccato.)

Legato/Fast legato: See the legato entry in the VE Special Edition sound set section. Vienna

Ensemble automatically chooses the normal or the fast legato patch according to speed

control.

Marcato: There are two ways to trigger these patches:

1.) Use the keypads marcatomark.

2.) Create the Technique Textcommand marcato.

Sforzatissimo: Create the Expression Textcommand sffz. (Only available with Vienna


Repetitions: Create the Technique Textcommand rep.Vienna Ensemble automatically

chooses the best fitting repetition patch according to speed control. (Only available with

Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

Harmonics repetition: Create the Technique Textcommand rep and use one of the ways fortriggering harmonics (see VE Special Edition PLUS section). (Only available with Vienna


Harmonics tremolo (Dimension Strings): Just combine a tremolomarking with one of the two

ways of triggering harmonics.

Sul tasto (Solo Strings extended): Create the Technique Textcommand sul tasto.


natural or normal.

Sul tastoand sul ponticellocan also be combined with the following articulations: staccato,

tremolo, sfz and detache


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Sul C, G, D, A, E (Dimension Strings): Create one of the following Technique Textcommands:

sul C, "sul G", "sul D", "sul A" or "sul E".

To switch back to the regular patches, use one of the following Technique Textcommands:

ord., natural or normal.

Custom cells(A6, B6, C6 of the basic matrices; Dimension Strings: K1 to K6): Its possible touse additional patches, that are not included in the VI presets for Sibelius by default. Just add

the desired patch(es) to one of the free cells. To switch to these cells from your Sibelius

score, use one of the following Technique Textcommands: custom or custom1 for cellA6

(Dimension Strings cell K1), custom2 for cell B6 (DimStr. K2) and custom3 for cell C6

(K3). The Dimension Strings matrices have three additional custom cells (K4, K5, K6), which

can be triggered with the commands "custom4", "custom5" and "custom6". (Only available


Most articulations can also be used con sordino(Solo Strings II, Chamber Strings II, Orchestral

Strings I+II, Appassionata Strings II): Create the Technique Textcommand con sordino or

mute. To switch back to senza sordino playing, use one of the following Technique Text

commands: ord., natural, normal or senza sordino.

Which presets to load with the Dimension Strings:

If you are notating the whole instrument section on one staff, use the "All" presets (only VI Pro).

If you are using Vienna Instruments (as opposed to VI Pro) and want to notate the whole

section on one system, you can do so by loading two instruments in Vienna Ensemble with

the same channel. In the first one load the "G1" preset and in the second one load the "G2"

preset.

If you are notating two to four groups of players on different staves, use the "G1" and "G2"

presets.

If you are notating every player on his own staff, load the according P1, P2, ... presets.

In the "All" and Group presets you can additionally change the amount of players playing with

the following Technique Text commands:

"a8": 8 players unisono

"a7": 7 players unisono

...

"a2": 2 players unisono (1st Desk)

"a2.2": 2 players unisono (2nd Desk)

"solo": Only player 1 (or player 2 in the "G2" preset)

"div" or "divisi": The first voice will be played by player 1, the second voice by player 2, the

third voice by player 3 and so on.

"div2": All loaded players will be separated into two groups to play two different voices

notated on the same staff.


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Harps:

Normal: This patch is triggered by default.

If you want to switch back from a different articulation, use one of the following Technique

Textcommands (+T on PC, +T on Mac): ord., natural or normal.

Harmonics: Harmonics can be reached in two ways:

1) Add the Harmonic/Openarticulation sign to the note (that's the small circle).

2) Write harmonics above the first note where a section of harmonics starts.

Bisbigliando: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) With tremolo (see the tremoloentry in the VE Special Edition sound set section)

2) Create the Technique Textcommand bisb or bisbigliando.

Mute: Use the keypads staccatomark.

Normal+RS-mute: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) Use the keypads staccatissimomark.2) Create the Technique Textcommand mute.

To switch back to normal playing, use one of the following Technique Textcommands:


Damp: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) Use the keypadsplus/closedmark.

2) Create the Technique Textcommand damp.

To switch back to normal playing, use one of the following Technique Textcommands:


Pres de la table: Create the Technique Textcommand pres, pdlt, or pres de la table.


natural or normal.

Nail: Create the Technique Textcommand nail or fingernail.

VE Woodwinds + Brass

This sound set works with the following collections:

Woodwinds I+II, Special Woodwinds, Brass I+II, Special Brass, Dimension Brass, Saxophones,

Recorders, as well as with all Woodwinds and Brass Single Instruments

Attention:The "Clarinet Bb 2 (Single Instrument)" and the "Bassoon 2 (Single Instrument)"

programs on the Sibelius Manual Sound Sets tab require the respective "Clarinet in Bb 2 [VSL

Single Instrument]" and "Bassoon 2 [VSL Single Instrument]" instruments from the Sibelius "Add

or Remove Instruments" menu. These instruments are included with the "Vienna Symphonic

Library" House Style. If they don't appear in the Sibelius instruments list, go to

Appearance/Import House Style/Vienna Symphonic Library. For the import keep at least

"Playback dictionary" and "Instrument definitions" checked.


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Most of the techniques written for the Special Edition and the Special Edition PLUS also apply

to the Woodwinds and Brass sound sets. Here are the additional articulations.

Vibrato (not with Dimension Brass): Create the Technique Textcommand vib or vibrato.

To switch back to non-vibrato, use one of the following Technique Textcommands: ord.,


Strong vibrato: There are two ways to trigger these patches:

1) Create the Technique Textcommand vib or vibrato and create a second Technique

Textcommand heavy.

2) Create the Technique Textcommand molto vibrato or espressivo.

To switch back to non vibrato, use one of the following Technique Textcommands: ord.,


Progressive vibrato: Create the Technique Textcommand progressive vibrato. (Only

available with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

Blare (only Horns, Dimension Brass): Create the Technique Textcommand blare. (Only


Marcato (not with Dimension Brass): There are two ways to trigger these patches:

1) Use the keypads marcatomark.

2) Create the Technique Textcommand marcato.

Staccato repetitions, Portato repetitions, Legato, Fast legato, Marcato, Fast marcato : See

the respective entries in the previous paragraphs. Vienna Ensemble automatically chooses

the slower or faster patches according to speed control.

Legato+vibrato: Legato and vibrato can also be combined

Flutter tongue: Create the Technique Textcommand flutter tongue or frullato.

Glissando (Alto + Tenor Saxophone, Tenor + Contrabass Trombone, Clarinet-Bb): Join

two notes with a glissando line from the linesmenu.

Also see page 19.

Slap (Flute, Saxophones):Create the Technique Textcommand slap.

Falls (Saxophones, Trumpet in Bb, Flugelhorn):Use the Fallarticulation mark from the

keypad. With the Technique Text command long or slow youcan switch to a longer bend

(only saxophones).

Slides (Trumpet in Bb, Flugelhorn):Use the Scooparticulation mark from the keypad.

Sforzatissimo (Dimension Brass): Create the Expression Textcommand sffz. (Only


Legato repetitions (Dimension Brass): Create the Technique Textcommand rep. (Only


Custom cells(A7 to A12 of the Special matrices): Its possible to use additional patches, that

are not included in the VI presets for Sibelius by default. Just add the desired patch(es) to

one of the six free cells. To switch to these cells from your Sibelius score, use one of the

following Technique Textcommands: custom or custom1 for cell A7, custom2 for cellA8,

custom3 for cell A9, custom4 for cell A10, custom5 for cell A11 and custom6 for cell

A12. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)


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Which presets to load with the Dimension Brass:

If you are notating the whole instrument group (4 players) on one staff, use the 4 player presets

(only Vienna Instruments PRO): Sib_DimBr_4_Horns_PRO; Sib_DimBr_4_Trumpets_PRO;

Sib_DimBr_4_Trombones_PRO; Sib_DimBr_LowBrass_all_PRO

If you are notating three players on one staff, use the 3 Player presets (only Vienna Instruments

PRO): Sib_DimBr_3_Horns_PRO; Sib_DimBr_3_Trumpets_PRO;

Sib_DimBr_3_Trombones_PRO; not applicable for the Low Brass

If you are notating two players on one staff, use the P1-2 (TTB1-2 for the Low Brass) presets.

For a second system with two players of the same instrument use the P3-4 presets (BTB+TU

for the Low Brass).

If you are using Vienna Instruments(as opposed to Vienna Instruments PRO) and want to

notate the whole 4 player section on one system, you can do so by loading two instruments in

Vienna Ensembleand routing them to the same channel. In the first one, load the P1-2 preset,

and in the second one, load the P3-4 preset.

If you are notating each player on a separate staff, load the according P1, P2, P3 or P4 (TTB1,

TTB2, BTB or TU for the Low Brass) preset.

Please notice that Bass Trombone and Tuba of the Low Brass group will sound one octave

lower than notated. If you want to notate these instruments on separate staves, you can load

the corresponding "loco" presets in order to have them sound "loco" (not transposed).

The 4-,3- and 2-player presets contain different matrices. In order to play the right one, please

don't forget to always state with the following Technique Textcommands which players are

playing a sequence:

"a4": Played by 4 players unisono



"3.+4.": Played by player 3 and 4 unisono (4 player presets)

"2.+4.": Played by player 2 and 4 unisono (preset Sib_DimBr_LowBrass_all_PRO)

"2.+3.": Played by player 2 and 3 unisono (3 player presets)

"1.": Played by player 1




"div" or "divisi": The first voice will be played by player 1, the second voice by player 2, the third

voice by player 3 and the fourth voice by player 4

"div2": The first voice will be played by player 1 and 2, the second voice will be played by player

3 and 4

Note:If you combine Dimension Brass instruments with the same kind of instruments

from another Brass collection, you may have to correct the MIDI channel settings in

the Sibelius mixer. After setting up the channel number, reset the output to (Auto).


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VE Percussion

The VE Percussion sound set works with the Instrument collections Percussion and Elements,

as well as with the Single instruments. When using the Percussion sound set, make sure that

you also import the Vienna Symphonic Library House Style. In the Import House Style menu at

least keep Playback dictionary and Instrument definitions selected.

Lots of instruments will not work properly or only with some articulations if you dont import the

House Style.

Please note that because of the big variety of instruments and articulations not every available

sound can be covered with this sound set. Dont worry though, you will get pretty much all the

important ones and even will be able to change beaters with commands from your score.

The list of all included instruments and articulations is too long to be covered here, as this is the

most complex sound set of all. You will find this list in a separate manual.

VE Choir

The VE Choir sound set works with the Instrument collections Vienna Choir and Solo Voices,

as well as the Soprano Choir and Vienna Whistler Single instruments. Some of the techniques

written for the Special Edition also apply to the Choir sound set. Here are the additional

articulations.

Vibrato: Create the Technique Textcommand vib or vibrato.

To switch back to non-vibrato, use one of the following Technique Textcommands: ord.,natural, normal, senza vibratoor non vibrato.

The longer notes for the Solo Voices are always sung with vibrato.

The Vienna Whistler triggers the vibrato articulations by default. For triggering non vibrato

samples, use one of the following Technique Textcommands: senza vibrato or non

vibrato.

Legato+vibrato: Legato and vibrato can also be combined.

Performance trills: These patches work well for fast phrases. They can be triggered with the

Technique Textcommand fast. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style

loaded.)

Performance trills+vibrato: Performance trills and vibrato can also be combined.

Glissando: Join two notes with a glissando line from the linesmenu.

Also see page 19.

Cluster (only Vienna Choir): Create the Technique Textcommand cluster.(Only available


Creepy (only Vienna Choir): Create the Technique Textcommand creepy. (Only available


Breathing: Create one of the following symbols: Vertical lineor Comma.(Only available withVienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)


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Custom cells(cells A9 to A11): Its possible to use additional patches, that are not included in

the VI presets for Sibelius by default. Just add the desired patch(es) to one of these three

cells. To switch to these cells from your Sibelius score, use one of the following Technique

Textcommands: custom or custom1 for cell A9, custom2 for cell A10 and custom3 for

cell A11. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

AA + UU: If you have loaded one of the AA+UU VI presets, you can switch between these

articulations. By default the "AA" articulations are triggered. To switch to "UU" create the

Technique Textcommand oo. To switch back toAA use "ah" or "ord."

Additional patches for the Vienna Whistler:

Portato medium: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) Use the keypads tenutomark.

2) Create the Technique Textcommand portato.

Portato short: In addition to one of the marks for portato medium, create the Technique Textcommand short.

Portato long: In addition to one of the marks for portato medium, create the Technique Text

command long.

Portato long strong vibrato: In addition to one of the marks for portato medium, create the

Technique Textcommand espressivo.

Marcato: There are two ways to trigger these patches:

1.) Use the keypads marcatomark.

2.) Create the Technique Textcommand marcato.

Portamento fast: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) A section where all notes are played portamento: Create the Technique Textcommand

portamento.

2) Two notes played portamento: Join the two notes with a portamento line from the lines

menu.

Also see page 19.

Portamento slow: In addition to one of the marks for portamento fast, create the Technique

Textcommand slow.

Legato repetition: Create the Technique Textcommand rep.

Portato repetition: In addition to one of the marks for portato medium, create the Technique

Textcommand rep.

Staccato repetition: Create the Technique Textcommand rep and put staccato marks on the

notes.

Trill 1 & 2: Create a trill line from the Lines menu.

Bend up: Use the scoop symbol from the Jazz articulations menu.

Fall release samples: Some articulations (sustain, marcato, legato, portamento, performance

trills) offer an alternative release in form of a fall. These release samples can be triggered by

adding a fall symbol from the Jazz articulations menu to the note. In addition the Live duration

of the note has to be shortened with the Sibelius Inspector by at least 1 tick.


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General optimization tips

Velocity X-Fade

For Woodwinds, Brass, Strings and the Vienna Choir Sibelius sends

velocity and CC11 (MIDI Control Change 11) commands for the

dynamics. With Velocity X-Fade turned on, all dynamic layers get

streamed from the hard disk simultaneously. This way it's possible to

make dynamic transitions within notes. The VI presets for the

aforementioned instruments have Velocity X-Fade already activated

with CC11 assigned by default.

Although Velocity X-Fade is recommended for Woodwinds, Brass,

Strings and the Vienna Choir in Sibelius, it also has two drawbacks.

More voices get streamed simultaneously. For big arrangements

the hard drive may not be quick enough and some voices can get

cut off.

In some cases two dynamic layers may be audible for only one voice in the score.

So it may be useful to turn Velocity X-Fade on and off from within your score like this:

~C28,0 (Velocity X-Fade turned off)

~C28,127 (Velocity X-Fade turned on)

Velocity X-Fade will not work for percussive instruments, because CC11 is not implemented for

these instruments in the sound set. Lots of the percussion sounds don't blend well when

crossfaded.

Dynamic drum and percussion rolls

If you also want to use Velocity X-fades for drum and percussion rolls (included in the Special

Edition presets 12S Drums, 13S Cymbals+Gongs and 14S Percussion), you have to turn

Velocity X-Fade on and add CC11 MIDI commands (written as Technique Text) to your Sibelius

instrument like this:

~C11,0 (for silent)

~C11,127 (for loudest)

There is a Sibelius plugin to create these messages (Plug-ins/Playback/Cresc./Dim.

Playback/Use C11)for hairpins. So you don't have to type in MIDI values for hairpins.


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Solo and ensemble on the same staff

It is possible to switch between a solo instrument and an ensemble of the same instrument on

one staff.

1) Reserve a channel for the solo and the ensemble instrument on the Sibelius Manual

Sound Setspage and in Vienna Ensemble.

2a) For wind instruments switch with theTechnique Text commands tutti (or a2, a3, a4)

and solo.(Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

2b) For strings create an instrument change (for example from Viola to Solo Viola).

Con sordino (mute) and natural sounds on the same staff

For the VE Strings sound set refer to page 12.

For the sound sets VE Special Edition, VE Special Edition PLUS and VE Woodwinds + Brass

you can do as follows:

1) Reserve two channels for the instrument on the Sibelius Manual Sound Setspage, one

with the normal program and one with the muteprogram.

2) In Vienna Ensemblealso add two instruments. Use the same channels you set up on the

Manual Sound Setspage.

3) In one Vienna Instrumentload the natural instrument, and in the other one the muted

instrument.

4) To switch from normal to muted, just use the Technique Textcon sordino or mute.

Note:The Technique Textcommand stopped for the Horns only works with the Vienna

Symphonic Library House Style loaded.

To switch back, use ord., normal, natural or senza sordino.

Fine tuning note lengths and velocities

The velocity and note length of a single note can be adjusted in the Playback section of the

Sibelius/Inspector/Playback(in Sibelius 5 and 6 thats called Properties/Playback) window.

Select the note(s), check Live velocityand/or Live duration and edit the values.

A/B-SelectFor patches with included A/B-Selection, you can use MIDI commands for switching.

The easiest way is as follows: Set A/B Selectto a free controllerlets take CC4 in our

example. Now create MIDI commands (Technique Text) as follows:

~C4,0 (will trigger A samples)

~C4,127 (will trigger B samples)


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How to use collections without a sound set

There is also a way to use our Collections with Sibelius when there is no sound set available.

Activate and open an instance of Vienna Ensemblefor the instruments in your score without a

sound set. Choose noneas sound set.

For every instrument, create a matrix of the patches you need with theX-Axisset to

Keyswitches orControl Change. To switch between patches, write the following Technique Text

in Sibelius.

Keyswitches:

~Nxx,64 followed shortly by ~Oxx,64

These are MIDI commands for Note On and Note Off, where xx stands for the MIDI number

of the Keyswitch. (24=C1, 25=C#1, 36=C2, )

Control Changes:

~Cxx,yy

xx stands for the MIDI Controller; yy stands for the value

See the Sibelius Reference chapter 4.17 (Sibelius 6) or chapter 6.18 (Sibelius 7) for more

information.


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Create two instances of Vienna Ensemble(see page 4, How to use more than one instance of

Vienna Ensemble). Load the ensemble strings in one instance and Appassionata strings in the

other. In the Sibelius mixer, choose the Vienna Ensembleinstance (Initial Playback device)for

the string instruments manually.

Chamber and Orchestral strings together should be no problem.

Ensemble strings switch wrongly (sound set VE Special Edition PLUS)

If you mix up different ensemble string types (Chamber, Orchestral, Appassionata) in one score,

this may lead to wrong switches. If this happens, you can do the following:

Create one instance of Vienna Ensemblefor each ensemble string type (see page 4, How to

use more than one instance of Vienna Ensemble). Load one ensemble string type in one

instance and the other string type(s) in the other(s). In the Sibelius mixer, choose the Vienna

Ensembleinstance (Initial Playback device)for the string instruments manually.

Ensemble strings switch wrongly (sound set VE Strings)

On the Manual Sound Sets page, the "Chamber", "Orchestral", "Appassionata" and "Dimension"

programs only work correctly when the corresponding instruments included in the "Vienna

Symphonic Library" House Style are loaded from the Sibelius Instruments menu. If you use the

default Sibelius instruments for string ensembles (Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin I, Violin II, Viola,

Violoncello, Contrabass, Double Bass), please use the "Ensemble" programs. The Dimension

Strings only work correctly with the [VSL Dimension Strings] Sibelius instruments and the

Dimension programs on the Manual Sound Sets page.

The switches will only work correctly when the VI presets that came with the Sibelius sound set

are loaded. They will not work correctly with the preinstalled VI presets.

Instruments switch wrongly or dont switch at all (1)

Generally it is recommended to leave the output device and channel settings in the Sibelius

mixer alone. Making settings there can mess up the playback. If you have already made

settings there or are not sure, reset all outputs in the Sibelius mixer to (Auto).


The Manual Sound Setpage needs to be defined for all instruments used in the score. If one (or

more) instruments are left out, some instruments might not switch correctly.


From time to time it can happen that too many Sound IDs sum up. If the switches in an

instrument start behaving strangely at some point, it can help to reset the Sound ID of the

instrument with an ord. technique text command.


Beware ofthe Click! If not muted, it can mess up an instrument. If you want to use the Click,

reserve a percussion channel for it (on the Manual Sound Sets page and in Vienna Ensemble).


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After changing (or updating) the sound set for a score, it may be necessary to reassign all

programs on the Manual Sound Setpage. Dont assign the program at the bottom of the list.


Sometimes problems occur when the same instrument is used more than once. Often it helps to

create a new version of the problematic instrument, cut out the content of the old instrument and

paste it into the new one.

Instruments are very quiet

Make sure that the Expression fader is set to a value of 90 or higher and NOT assigned to

CC11. If the Expression fader is set to CC11, you will have double dynamics. This way piano

and especially pianissimo are very soft.

ve optimizing sibelius playback

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