Real Instrument Dynamic Velocities

2023-05-17 02:47 pm

Good morning, all!
I haven't posted in a long time, and the search function for this isn't yielding results that are relevant, so I'm gonna ask:

Is there a listing of Noteworthy Composer "Default Dynamic Velocities" table for orchestral instruments?
I have created several scores using NWC, but the playback has a few issues due to dynamics.

For example, a flute is not as loud as a trumpet, so the Fortissimo (ff) marking for a flute should switch the velocity of the flute to a value that is lower than the Fortissimo marking for a Trumpet.

I need the default dynamics, if anyone has them, for orchestral instruments for playback.
Instruments that overpower others with their relative loudness would have higher values for their dynamics (trumpet, saxophone) than them (flute, etc.).

Does such a list exist? And if not, does anyone have any advice?
The instruments needed are the orchestral set, plus saxophones, piano, and choir. So:
-Piccolo
-Flute
-Oboe
-Clarinet
-Bass Clarinet
-Bassoon
-Alto Sax
-Tenor Sax
-Baritone Sax
-F.Horn
-Trumpet
-Flugelhorn
-Trombone
-Bass Trombone
-Baritone/Euphonium
-Tuba
-Piano
-Soprano Voice
-Alto Voice
-Tenor Voice
-Bass Voice
-Violin
-Viola
-Cello
-Contrabass

I would imagine the loudest instruments (Trumpets, Saxes) would have louder relative velocities than the softer instruments (Flute, Strings, etc.).
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. If there's an User Tool one can use to quickly create the overrides, that would be great, also.

Thanks in advance!

Re: Real Instrument Dynamic Velocities

Reply #1 – 2023-05-17 07:33 pm

Well, the problem is not NWC but your synth/soundfont.

To complicate the matter even more, the dynamic response of the synth is not standard. Every manufacturer, if not every model, has a different curve.
I have an old document comparing some instruments, but I can not attach it here because, even zipped, it's oversize.

The best would be to use a soundfont editor to level off each instrument volume of your preferred soundfont, but it's not so easy for a not techie.

The simplest solution is to use the part volume in NWC to obtain the desired voice balance.
Usually I do the local volume changes using the "expression" MPC so as to leave the "volume" free to be used as a master channel setting.