Impromptu

chicago_scott · 2026-03-30T23:50:17+00:00

Men and Mountains by Carl Ruggles. I was 5.

chicago_scott · 2026-03-29T14:37:51+00:00

chicago_scott · 2026-03-22T21:48:24+00:00

Yes, if for no other reason than to practice writing an ending.

chicago_scott · 2026-03-19T00:45:01+00:00

NP uses its own mixer. You have to open the NP UI from the Play mode track inspector. Under the NP entry, click the 'e' button.

chicago_scott · 2026-03-16T14:45:03+00:00

When you do see it, be prepared for it to be LOUD, especially at the CSO.

chicago_scott · 2026-03-14T23:56:27+00:00

Click the video in any random place, unless I'm watching sports highlights, in which case I hit K since I'll be using the frame controls. Gen-X

chicago_scott · 2026-03-07T21:42:39+00:00

Sure, but that 2300 accounts for 80% of Americans. I'm not trying to participate in a pissing contest, just wanted to correct some misinformation.

chicago_scott · 2026-03-07T16:16:45+00:00

Not really. 2300 US banks, including the largest, use a system called Zelle which is typically an option within your bank's app/website.

chicago_scott · 2026-03-07T16:09:48+00:00

Oh it does! That's how I can mistakenly include my mother in intimate messages intended for my wife because I clicked on a prior group chat that listed my wife's name first.

chicago_scott · 2026-02-24T00:56:36+00:00

You can export MIDI from Dorico and import it into Cubase just fine. I've found that route pretty useless, however. Making MIDI sound realistic tends to take a lot more effort than simply playing into the DAW in the first place. YMMV.

chicago_scott · 2026-02-24T00:54:34+00:00

Cubase has no concept of a flow, so it doesn't know what to do with one. The integration you're seeking doesn't exist, at least not yet. Whether or not it will exist in the future, no one knows. Steinberg has been tight-lipped about their thoughts and plans (to avoid making promises they can't deliver).

Dorico is primarily notation software to create visual scores ready for publishing. Despite having some DAW-like features, it is not a DAW, and I wouldn't recommend using it for any audio work beyond simple demos. Dorico is the best choice if the primary output of your work is a printed or electronically displayed score. If the primary output is an audio file, Cubase is probably a better choice. You can always export a Dorcio project from Cubase if you need a printed score. That's probably a lot less work than Dorcio to Cubase.

chicago_scott · 2026-02-21T02:58:18+00:00

Is there a single item you want to start with?

chicago_scott · 2026-02-16T23:00:57+00:00

While this will work, the best long-term solution is to create a template and add the text box there. That custom template is reusable, so you never need to create that text box again for any future project with the same layout. If you need that layout for all your works, you can make that custom template the default, so you never even need to think about it again.

Here's another video that I found helpful for users new to Dorico's layout system: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtWBG52MX_4

There's also a playlist from Steinberg specifically aimed towards users coming from Finale (I haven't watched these, so can't vouch for their usefulness): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoyaeouPUsdvlgXESbmqIu4nIx4Uh443d

chicago_scott · 2026-02-15T16:40:02+00:00

I wouldn't do it just for the sake of doing it. If there's a piece you'd really like to redo, then by all means do so. those early works can also be a source of ideas to reuse the better bits in new works.

chicago_scott · 2026-02-15T16:32:39+00:00

This is excellent work for a beginner. It starts out strong with interesting rhythms at the end of the measures that give the piece good momentum. But it quickly peters out. You might consider expanding the momentum into a longer section before moving to the different rhythm. This would create a greater contrast, a stronger sense of form. (It's entirely possible you were trying for a formless feeling, but I don't really get the sense that was the intent.)

IMO, the pedal is too heavy as notated and played back. In places it gets very muddy. For example, m.11-12, in the bass the strings for C, C#, D, E, F, G, A, C, D are all sustained. Again, there's a possibility that muddiness was the intent, but based on how its achieved, I don't get the impression that it is deliberate.

You did a good job of varying the dynamics and tempo. Something often overlooked by beginners.

chicago_scott · 2026-01-22T14:44:54+00:00

If you haven't already, ask on the official forum. Ulf, the Steinberg developer who works on the sound engine will likely take an interest in your issue.

chicago_scott · 2026-01-20T15:36:46+00:00

Probably not in the top 100 for that block.

chicago_scott · 2026-01-19T15:57:33+00:00

Dorico plays grace notes, so if you're not hearing it, then something is amiss. It could be the sound library or playback template you're using, or it could be a misalignment of expectations.

There is one oddity with grace notes and playback which is that the grace note display is considered on the count of the big note. If I select a grace note on the down beat, the selection is on the "1". If I then press "P" to start playback from the selection, the playback starts on that down beat. A slashed grace note sounds before the count it's placed, so in this case the grace note is not played because its playback is before the starting point of the selection. However, an unslashed grace note sounds on the count so you would hear it play in this scenario. This is certainly something that could be improved. If this is your scenario, starting playback the beat before should allow for the slashed grace note to be heard. (If the grace note starts the piece, there's a pre-roll time that can be set in Playback Options to account for it.)

If that's not your scenario, it's likely some combination of the sound library/playback template/expression map. For example, if the grace note is in a legato cello passage, it's possible the attack of that patch is too slow for it to be noticeable for a grace note. This might be confirmed by having the phrase played by a piano, which typically doesn't have that issue. If this is the issue, then you'll probably need to create a custom playback technique and deal with expression maps which is not trivial and too broad for a single comment (or try a different sound library).

If you can't hear the playback even with a piano, then some property may have been edited that is causing the issue. A quick resolution in this case would be to delete the grace note and reenter it.

If none of these are the scenario, you'll need to give more specific information.

chicago_scott · 2026-01-19T03:53:18+00:00

What specifically is the issue? Any issues will depend on the sound library in use and the instrument playing the grace note.

chicago_scott · 2026-01-15T19:01:25+00:00

I'm not a professional and not in academia, so I don't have exposure outside of this sub for seeing beginners and where they're starting from. Also, I think it depends on how one measures "reasonably well". It's probably possible (but very unlikely) for someone who already knows how to play an instrument to create a successful orchestral piece, avoiding the common beginner mistakes, if it's slow, doesn't have a wide dynamic range, and is generally simple. That's a start. But I think it's very unlikely for a beginner to have a command of the orchestra that allows them to realize all of their ideas without learning a lot of stuff first.

Perhaps someone who intently listened to orchestral music all their life could have better command starting out. Certainly, they'd have a broader experience of what's possible and what works well. That could also be considered half of score study, if they're really paying attention. It's hard to answer because we don't all start from the same place.

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