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Human Playback Preferences - Dynamics/Volume dialog box

How to get there

Choose Edit > Preferences and select Human Playback.
Click the Dynamics/Volume tab.

Or,

Choose Window > Playback Controls.
Click the Playback Settings button on the Playback Controls.
Click HP Preferences.
Click the Dynamics /Volume tab.

What it does

Use these options to customize Human Playback’s interpretation of dynamic markings such as hairpins and dynamic expressions.

Type: Automatic • Key Velocity Only • Continuous Controller Only. Click this drop-down menu and choose Key Velocity Only to apply crescendo/diminuendo effects as Key Velocity data (generally used for non-sustaining instruments). See Key velocity. Choose Continuous Controller Only to apply crescendo/diminuendo effects as Volume continuous data (generally used for sustaining instruments). Choose Automatic to instruct Human Playback to decide which type of data to apply for crescendo and diminuendos. Note that key velocity is always used for piano staves regardless of this setting.
Curve: Automatic • Cubic • Linear • Quadratic. Click this drop-down menu and choose one of the options to define how Human Playback interprets crescendos and diminuendos. Choose Automatic to instruct Human Playback to decide which type of crescendo/diminuendo effect to apply.
Hairpin Pair Emphasis. Move this slider to the right to increase the dynamic (espressivo) effect of hairpins in the score. Move this slider left to decrease the dynamic effect of hairpins in the score.
Auto Expression Emphasis. Move this slider to the right to increase the dynamic (espressivo) effect of expressions in the score. Move this slider left to decrease the dynamic effect of expressions in the score.
Automatic Diminuendo on Long Ending Notes. By default, Human Playback’s interpretation of long notes at the end of a score includes a diminuendo effect. If you do not want Human Playback to perform this diminuendo in, for example, a jazz score, uncheck this box.
Dynamic Approach for Sustaining Instruments: Automatic • Expression (CC#11) + Velocity • Modulation (CC#1) + Velocity for Attack • Volume (CC#7) + Velocity. For percussive instruments and plucked strings, Velocity is used for dynamics (as is the GM standard). For sustaining instruments, such as winds, brass and strings, the type of controller used depends on the sound library. For example, Human Playback takes advantage of the unique dynamic approach in GPO of using Continuous Data Controller #1.

For sustaining GPO instruments, dynamics are controlled by Controller #1 entirely, allowing a crescendo from the finest up to a on the same sustained note, with, unlike GM Volume, highly realistic timbre and dynamic changes. In this context, Velocity is used for the initial attack only (average attack value is 80 - See Optimize Attacks below).

Since dynamic expressions use Velocity, one might ask, how does Human Playback avoid interfering with the proper attack? Human Playback doesn't modify the expression's definition, but actually readjusts every note's velocity depending on the current dynamic, to match the Attack Base Value. At first stage, this is done uniformly, but some further adjustments are brought for accentuated or staccato notes.

Accents (Velocity peak in articulation) are also adjusted by Human Playback since GM and GPO velocities are not equivalent. Sforzando-like accents are given both a velocity peak and a Controller #1-based peak. A receives a maximum velocity accent value of 127, and an a maximum of 115.

Once Velocities have been optimized, Human Playback processes hairpins (or flat dynamics if any) using Controller #1 throughout sustaining instruments.

Note: that the setting for this option can be overwritten with a Technique.

Optimize Attacks for Garritan libraries • Base Velocity. When Controller #1 is used for dynamic changes, Velocity for attacks must be adjusted because its meaning differs from GM completely. This option is on by default, with a base value set to 80.
Base Instrument Volume (for Balance). Move this slider to specify the volume you want Human Playback to use for notes without dynamic adjustments.