Playback
Playback Setup
Last updated: 07/30/2024
The Playback Setup window allows you to select pre-bundled MIDI-triggered instrument sounds commonly referred to as "Soundfonts". The default soundfont for SmartScore is "FluidSynth General MIDI". Two more preloaded soundfonts are also included (Yamaha and General User). To change instrument sets, click on an alternative soundfont from the Soundfont list and push Apply.
It’s important to understand MIDI "Port" assignment especially for larger scores containing more than 16 individual parts (MIDI is limited to no more than 16 channels per soundfont). If a score contains more than 16 parts, an alternative soundfont needs to be assigned to a new port for all parts to play individually and not collide with each other. By default, SmartScore assigns the first 16 parts (Channels 1 thru 16) to a unique soundfont on Port A and another soundfont (Channels 17 thru 36) to Port B.
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How to get there …
Open the
Playback Setup dialog () or by clicking on the column header named
Port in the
Playback console (
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).
Important …
Only those MIDI Ports activated in Playback Setup dialog (A through EF) will be available in the Port list of the Playback console.
Playback Setup Features …
The left column lists available
MIDI ports A through
EF. Ports
A through
DE are reserved for soundfonts. Port
EF is reserved for
Audio UnitVST instrument plugins.
Note that
MIDI Port (and corresponding
sound source) in the setup window is linked the
Port letter for each MIDI channel in the
Playback console. Port
A is set to all channels by default. Switching the Port to another letter will assign the corresponding sound source to that track (Part or Voice) for playback.
You may load compatible 3rd-party soundfont packages to the Soundfont Library. Push
Open Soundfont Library button.
Dealing with scores containing more than 16 individual parts …
If your score exceeds 16 individual parts (MIDI channels), it will be necessary to assign additional parts to an alternative MIDI Port and reassign MIDI channels beginning from 1, 2, …
2
In the
Port column, select
an alternative MIDI Port for the Channel (part or voice) you wish to assign to a new soundfont.
3
IMPORTANT: Push the
Lock button at the top of the column to
"lock in" changes to Channel and Port assignment you might have made.
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Drums and Percussion (Chapter overview)
See also ⚆⚆
Playback (Overview)
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