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Roland SRX-12 - Sibelius Sound Set User Manual | 18

5.2 Dynamics

Fundamentally, dynamics in Sibelius consist of two parts, the Attack strength and

the Dynamic level. e Attack and Dynamic values are set in the playback diction-

ary, with a number in the range 0-127. Attack and Dynamic are assigned to MIDI

functions in the sound set for each patch, and optionally, for specic articulations/

techniques, allowing the values set in the playback dictionary to be sent using whatever

MIDI function(s) a device responds to.

Dierent libraries and devices use dierent methods of controlling dynamic and attack

levels, some of which respond better than others in Sibelius, but generally fall into two

categories, crossfaded velocity layers and separate velocity layers.

Crossfaded Velocity Layers

Crossfaded patches (often abbreviated XF or DXF) allow for even, continuous changes

in level from the quietest to loudest sample. Crossfading frequently uses MIDI CC1,

commonly mapped to the ModWheel, to control dynamics and may or may not utilize

note velocity at all (or may assign it to another related function, such as attack speed).

ese patches are generally preferable in Sibelius as they allow for smooth crescendo

and diminuendos over sustained notes. Depending on patch programming, the Attack

value sent by Sibelius may have no eect.

Separate Velocity Layers

Patches programmed with separate velocity layers allow attack and dynamic to be con-

trolled separately, but usually prevent the continuous change in dynamics resulting in

staggered and “jumping” dynamics. Because the MIDI controller assigned to dynamics

(typically MIDI CC7 or CC11) operates within the active velocity layer rather than

the instrument as a whole, the output of low velocities at a fff dynamic is not the same

as high velocities at that same dynamic.

While there are exceptions to this, the majority of devices that use velocity layers for

sustaining instruments will pose a problem when it comes to continuous dynamic

changes in a Sibelius score.

Perhaps the best workaround is to utilize hidden dynamics and a plugin to create a

smooth dynamic change that ends at the desired level. Enter the dynamic mark that

should appear (print) in the score followed by a hidden marking that is the same as the

ending dynamic, such as p~fff. en, use the Cresc./Dim. Playback plugin to create

the crescendo from p to fff using either MIDI CC7 or CC11.

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Roland SRX-12 User Manual Page 18