Synth assigns

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chuckpuckett
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2014 9:44 pm
Sibelius Version: 7.5.1
Operating System: Windows

Post by chuckpuckett » Sat Jun 11, 2022 11:32 pm

I almost never use synths, but I have a couple places in the musical I'm currently working on where I need, well, "weird sounds" in a couple of places. So I have a synth staff, but absolutely no idea how to assign a particular synth sound. The documentation seems a bit slippery in this area.

There are General MIDI names (Halo, Sawtooth, various pads) but how does one assign to the synth instrument?

Thanks for any help
Chuck Puckett
Against stupidity, the gods themselves strive in vain.
I don’t want to steal the show. I only want to borrow it for a while.


MikeLyons
Posts: 1631
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2016 7:20 pm
Sibelius Version: Ult. 2024.3.1/7.5
Operating System: Windows

Post by MikeLyons » Sun Jun 12, 2022 8:10 am

A lot depends on what devices you are using in your configuration.

If you are using MIDI instrument sounds only, then go ahead. Add synths to your heart's content.

If you are using ASIO, you are limited to the synth/Pad sounds in your chosen sound library. Noteperformer has only two sounds Theremin(Modern) and Theremin(Classic) and if you can tell the difference, you're a better man than I. You could try creating a mixed config, using, perhaps, the sib sounds library, which has more FX type sounds. You will have to allocate "Best sounds" yourself, but it does work.
Sib 6.2, 7.5 and 2023.6, Windows 11, 32GB RAM, 16TB 7200RPM Storage, 2TB SSD, Note Performer 3.3.2, EWQLSO, EWQLSC, Harmony Assistant and some others. mike@mike-lyons.co.uk

chuckpuckett
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2014 9:44 pm
Sibelius Version: 7.5.1
Operating System: Windows

Post by chuckpuckett » Sun Jun 12, 2022 2:01 pm

Thanks. That's good info.

But how does one actually specify the sound? For electric guitar, I think you add expression, then type in "distortion" or "chorus", etc. Do you type in the name of a synth sound?

Using NotePerformer, I do get a theramin sound (I guess: "woowoo" or some such). But I suppose that's just the default. If I add in some Sib Sounds, how to specify which synth I want?

Tnx
Chuck Puckett
Against stupidity, the gods themselves strive in vain.
I don’t want to steal the show. I only want to borrow it for a while.

MikeLyons
Posts: 1631
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2016 7:20 pm
Sibelius Version: Ult. 2024.3.1/7.5
Operating System: Windows

Post by MikeLyons » Sun Jun 12, 2022 9:29 pm

You use an instrument change, like you would for any other sound. Have a staff for doing your synth sounds. You could create a new instrument in your score. Use one of the defaults, then go Home-->Instruments.
This will bring up the attached dialog, which you can use to change the sound used by a particular staff. Once you have it in the score, you can use Instrument changes to change the sound used.
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Sib 6.2, 7.5 and 2023.6, Windows 11, 32GB RAM, 16TB 7200RPM Storage, 2TB SSD, Note Performer 3.3.2, EWQLSO, EWQLSC, Harmony Assistant and some others. mike@mike-lyons.co.uk

chuckpuckett
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2014 9:44 pm
Sibelius Version: 7.5.1
Operating System: Windows

Post by chuckpuckett » Mon Jun 13, 2022 3:12 am

Thanks! That's extremely helpful.
Chuck Puckett
Against stupidity, the gods themselves strive in vain.
I don’t want to steal the show. I only want to borrow it for a while.

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