Optimizing Sibelius Playback

with Vienna Ensemble

A guide to get more out of your scores
By Andreas Olszewski / Vienna Symphonic Library

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

Introduction
2
Material for Sibelius users on the vsl.co.at website
At the following location you can find a video tutorial on how to work with Sibelius and Vienna Ensemble:
http://vsl.co.at/en/211/1343/1348/1594/1245.vsl

Sibelius Sound Sets can be found in the User Area under Overview/Needful Things.
http://vsl.co.at/en/68/141/460/576/655.htm

Currently there are Sound Sets for the following collections available:
• Special Edition
• Special Edition PLUS
• Epic Orchestra
• Solo Strings I+II
• Chamber Strings I+II
• Orchestral Strings I+II
• Appassionata Strings I+II
• Harps
• Woodwinds I+II
• Brass I+II
• Special Woodwinds
• Special Brass
• Dimension Brass
• Saxophones
• Percussion
• Vienna Choir
• Download Instruments (all wind instruments)

Please always check the readme file that comes with every Sound Set. It includes useful hints.

Additionally to the sound sets we offer Vienna Symphonic Library House Style files for Sibelius 5, 6 and 7
for download at the same location.

Software
Please use Sibelius 5.2.5, Sibelius 6.2 or Sibelius 7.0.1, as the Sibelius team did a great job fixing
playback bugs with these latest versions. Also make sure to use the latest version of Vienna Ensemble.
You can find it at the following location: http://vsl.co.at/en/68/428/515/211.htm

Our Vienna Ensemble PRO will also work with Sibelius. The latest version can be found here:
http://vsl.co.at/en/68/428/1739/1365.htm

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

How to install and use Sound Sets
Copy the Sound Set file to your Sound Set folder. If there is no “Sounds” folder yet, you will have to create
one.

Windows XP:
Documents and Settings\your username\Application Data\Sibelius Software\Sibelius 6\Sounds 3
or

Documents and Settings\your username\Application Data\Avid\Sibelius 7\Sounds

Windows Vista and Windows 7:

Users\your username\AppData\Roaming\Sibelius Software\Sibelius 6\Sounds

or

Users\your username\AppData\Roaming\Avid\Sibelius 7\Sounds

Mac OS X:
Users/your username/Library/Application Support/Sibelius Software/Sibelius 6/Sounds

or

Users/your username/Library/Application Support/Avid/Sibelius 7/Sounds

Copy the VI presets (.fxp files) that come with the Sound Set to your VSL Custom Data folder.
(Attention: this does not apply for the Sound Sets VE Special Edition and VE Special Edition PLUS,
because these sound sets work with the included matrices and need no extra VI presets. For the Harps
copy the .matrix files to the VSL Custom Data folder.)

In Sibelius, create
a Playback Config-
uration and load
Vienna Ensemble
(or Vienna
Ensemble PRO;
for details about
how to use Vienna
Ensemble PRO
please also check
the according
manual) from the
list of Available
devices. Then
choose the
appropriate Sound Set in the right-hand column.

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

On the Manual
Sound Sets page
check Use
manual Sound
Set and assign
channels and
4
programs for all
instruments. If
you use instru-
ments more than
once, please
also reserve the
according
number of
channels for
them. Then save
your Playback
Configuration.

In Vienna Ensemble, insert as many instruments as you need. Set the channels and load the matrices that
came with your Special Edition or Special Edition PLUS. If you are using one of our bigger collections,
use the presets that came with the Sound Set. Then save your Playback configuration in Sibelius.

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

 Attention: If you open a score with a previous version of a Sound Set and want to change to
the new Sound Set, you may have to reassign the instruments in Playback Devices/Manual
Sound Sets.

How to install and import a House Style file 5

What is a House Style file:

The Sibelius House Style defines various things. Some are layout related. For work with the Vienna
Instruments two points are very useful:

1. Playback dictionary: For some articulations there are special keywords in the Sibelius playback
dictionary needed. By importing the "Vienna Symphonic Library" House Style all these keywords will
be included in the dictionary.

2. Instrument definitions: (Mainly important for the "VE Percussion" and the "VE Strings" Sound
Sets). For some switches to work correctly, it is necessary to have the instruments from the "Vienna
Symphonic Library" House Style loaded in your score.

So by importing the Vienna Symphonic Library House Style file, you will make the cooperation of
Sibelius and the Vienna Instruments a bit smoother.

Installing the Vienna Symphonic Library House Style:

Please copy the Vienna Symphonic Library House Style file (Vienna Symphonic Library.lib) to the following
folder:

Windows XP:
Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Sibelius Software\Sibelius 5 (or 6)\House Styles
or
Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Avid\Sibelius 7\House Styles

Windows Vista and Windows 7:

Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Sibelius Software\Sibelius 5 (or 6)\House Styles
or
Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Avid\Sibelius 7\House Styles

Mac:
Users/username/Library/Application Support/Sibelius Software/Sibelius 5 (or 6)/House Styles
or
Users/username/Library/Application Support/Avid/Sibelius 7/House Styles

If the House Styles folder does not exist, simply create it.

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

Importing the Vienna Symphonic Library House Style:

1. In Sibelius you can select a House Style when creating a new score or load it at a later point in the
menu House Style/Import House Style (Sibelius 5 and 6) or Appearance/House Style/Import
(Sibelius 7).

2. Select Vienna Symphonic Library

6
3. Under Import Options keep at least Playback dictionary" and "Instrument definitions" selected.

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

How to trigger articulations with the
Sound Set … 7

… VE Special Edition
Sustain: This patch is triggered by default.
If you want to switch back from a different articulation, use one of the following Technique Text
commands (“<Ctrl>+T” on Win, “<Command>+T” on OS X): “ord.”, “natural”, “normal”.

Staccato: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) Use the keypad’s staccato mark.
2) Create the Technique Text command “stacc” or “staccato”.

Legato: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) Use slurs.
2) Create the Technique Text command “legato”.
To switch back to non-legato playing use the Technique Text command “non legato”.
Also see page 16.

Legato-sus: Create the Technique Text command “sus”. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library
House Style loaded.) This command can also be used in combination with slurs.

Detache: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) Use the keypad’s tenuto mark.
2) Create the Technique Text command “detache”.

Portamento: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) A section where all notes are played portamento: Create the Technique Text command “portamento”.
2) Two notes played portamento: Join the two notes with a portamento line from the lines menu.
Also see page 16.

Tremolo: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) Create the Technique Text command “trem” or “tremolo”.
2) Use the tremolo symbol with 5, 4 or 3 lines across the stem to switch to tremolo. (Only available
with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

Pizzicato: Create the Technique Text command “pizz” or “pizzicato”.

To switch back to arco playing, use one of the following Technique Text commands: “ord.”, “natural”,
“normal” or “arco”.

Sforzato: Create an Expression Text command (“<Ctrl>+E” on Win, “<Cmd>+E” on OS X) starting with
“sf” (sf, sfz, sffz, sforz, …). (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

Staccato/Sustain combined cell: Use the keypad’s accent mark. (Only available with Vienna
Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)
If you prefer accents to just trigger a higher velocity and not the Staccato/Sustain cell, remove the
Sound ID change entry of the Sibelius dictionary entry “Articulations/Accent”.

Vibrato (only guitars): Create the Technique Text command “vib” or “vibrato”.
To switch back to non vibrato, use one of the following Technique Text commands: “ord.”, “natural”, 8
“normal” or “senza vibrato”.

Whammy Bar (E-Guitar): Create a w/bar line from the Lines menu. (Only available with Vienna
Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

Motor on (Vibraphone): Create the Technique Text command “motor on”. To switch back to playing
without motor, use the Technique Text command “motor off”.

Sustain Pedal (Bosendorfer Piano): Create a Pedal symbol from the lines menu.

Cymbal sounds: For the Sibelius instrument “Cymbals” (=a2 cymbals) you have four different variations.
C6 = Normal Variation 1; C#6 = Choked Var. 1; D6 = Normal Var. 2; D#6 = Choked Var. 2
C6 is played by default. The other sounds are only available with the Vienna Symphonic Library House
Style loaded.
For C#6 create the Technique Text command “choke”.
For D6 you create the Technique Text command “2”.
For D#6 combine both commands.
To reset the Sound ID of an instrument, write “ord.” or “normal”.

If you want the suspended cymbal instead of the “a2 Cymbals” please use the Sibelius instruments
“Cymbal A-D”. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

With the commands written in the previous paragraph you can also switch to 2nd variations and
choked sounds with this instrument and you can also address the roll sounds with the tremolo symbol.

Drum rolls: There are two ways to trigger these rolls:

1) Choose the tremolo articulation symbol with 4 or 5 lines crossing the stem or the buzz roll symbol.
If the Vienna Symphonic Library House Style is loaded, the 3 line tremolo symbol can also be used.
2) Create the Technique Text command “roll”. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library House
Style loaded.) To switch back to single hits, use one of the following commands: “ord.” or “normal”

Timpani rolls: like tremolo.

Left hand/right hand (drums, timpani): Create the Technique Text command “L” for left hand strokes
and “R” for right hand strokes.

Cymbal, drum and percussion sounds in general: A different approach of using these sounds would
be by creating a Percussion [5 lines] system with Sibelius and editing the instrument (House Style/Edit
Instruments/Percussion [5 lines]/Edit Instrument/Type of staff: pitched). You will also have to choose
a Sound ID for the instrument under Playback Defaults/Best Sound and reserve a program/channel for
the chosen instrument on the Manual Sound Sets page. For example you could choose a pitched
percussion instrument that you don't have in your score. Now you can trigger the samples according
to the pitch you enter.

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

… VE Special Edition PLUS
Everything written for the VE Special Edition Sound Set applies to this sound set too. Here are the PLUS
articulations.

Staccato repetition: The perf-rep staccato (or spiccato) patches are played by default for staccato
notes, because they sound more natural with repeated notes than the normal staccato patches. 9
If you want to use the normal staccato patch instead of the performance repetition, use the keypad’s
staccato mark and add the Technique Text command “1”. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic
Library House Style loaded.)

Perf-rep legato: Create the Technique Text command “rep”. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic
Library House Style loaded.)

Fortepiano: Create the Expression Text command “fp”. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library
House Style loaded.)

Portato: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) Use the keypad’s tenuto mark.
2) Create the Technique Text command “portato”.

Harmonics: Harmonics can be reached in two ways.

1) Add the Harmonic/Open articulation sign to the note (that's the small circle).
2) Write “harmonics” above the first note where a section of harmonics starts.

Harmonics staccato: Just combine a staccato marking with one of the two ways of triggering
harmonics.

Pizz-snap: Add one of the symbols for snap pizzicato from the Symbols menu to the note(s).

Col legno: Create the Technique Text command “col legno”.

Trill 1 / Trill 2: Create a trill line from the Lines menu. Sibelius automatically triggers the right trill (half
or whole tone) according to the diatonic surrounding. You can also switch manually between half tone
and whole tone trills in the Inspector/Playback (in Sibelius 5 and 6 that’s called Properties/Playback)
window. To do so, select the trill line and uncheck Diatonic in the Properties/Playback window.

Sul ponticello: Create the Technique Text command “sul ponticello”.

To switch back to normal playing, use one of the following Technique Text commands: “ord.”, “natural”
or “normal”.

Sul ponticello staccato: Use the keypad’s staccato mark during a sul ponticello section.

Sul ponticello tremolo: Use one of the ways to trigger tremolo during a sul ponticello section.

Con sordino (=mute): Create the Technique Text command “con sordino” or “mute”. To switch back to
senza sordino playing, use one of the following Technique Text commands: “ord.”, “natural”, “normal”
or “senza sordino”.

Con sordino staccato: Use the keypad’s staccato mark during a con sordino section.

Con sordino tremolo: Use one of the ways to trigger tremolo during a con sordino section.

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

… VE Strings
This sound set works with the following collections:
Solo Strings I+II, Chamber Strings I+II, Orchestral Strings I+II, Appassionata Strings I+II

On the Manual Sound Sets page, the "Chamber", "Orchestral" and "Appassionata" programs only work
correctly when the corresponding instruments included in the "Vienna Symphonic Library" House Style are 10
used in Sibelius. If you use the default Sibelius instruments for string ensembles (Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin I,
Violin II, Viola, Violoncello, Contrabass, Double Bass), please use the "Ensemble" programs.

Most of the techniques written above also apply to the dedicated string sound set. Here are the
additional articulations. Many articulations can also be combined with each other.

Vibrato/Senza vibrato: By default the vibrato articulations are used. To switch to non vibrato create
the Technique Text command “senza vibrato”. To switch back to vibrato, use the Technique Text
command “con vibrato” or “vibrato”. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style
loaded.)

Strong vibrato: There are two ways to trigger these patches:

1) Create the Technique Text command “vib” or “vibrato” and create a second Technique Text
command “heavy”.
2) Create the Technique Text command “molto vibrato” or “espressivo”. ”. (Only available with Vienna
Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)
To switch back to vibrato, use one of the following Technique Text commands: “ord.”, “natural” or
“normal”. To switch back to non vibrato use the Technique Text command “senza vibrato”.

Sforzatissimo: Create the Expression Text command “sffz”. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic
Library House Style loaded.)

Repetitions: Create the Technique Text command “rep”. Vienna Ensemble automatically chooses the
best fitting repetition patch according to speed control. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library
House Style loaded.)

Harmonics repetition: Create the Technique Text command “rep” and use one of the ways for
triggering harmonics (see VE Special Edition PLUS section). (Only available with Vienna Symphonic
Library House Style loaded.)

Staccato/Stac-rep/Spiccato: See the staccato entry in the VE Special Edition Sound Set section.
Vienna Ensemble automatically chooses the best fitting patch according to speed control.

Legato/Fast legato: See the legato entry in the VE Special Edition Sound Set section. Vienna Ensemble
automatically chooses the normal or the fast legato patch according to speed control.

Marcato: There are two ways to trigger these patches:

1.) Use the keypad’s marcato mark.
2.) Create the Technique Text command “marcato”.

Sul tasto (Solo Strings extended): Create the Technique Text command “sul tasto”.
To switch back to normal playing, use one of the following Technique Text commands: “ord.”, “natural”
or “normal”.

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

Sul tasto and sul ponticello can also be combined with the following articulations: staccato, tremolo,
sfz and detache

Custom cells (6A, 6B, 6C of the basic matrices): It’s possible to use additional patches, that are not
included in the VI presets for Sibelius by default. Just add the desired patch(es) to one of the three
free cells. To switch to these cells from your Sibelius score, use one of the following Technique Text
commands: “custom” or “custom1” for cell 6A, “custom2” for cell 6B and “custom3” for cell 6C. (Only 11
available with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

Most articulations can also be used con sordino (Solo Strings II, Chamber Strings II, Orchestral Strings
I+II, Appassionata Strings II): Create the Technique Text command “con sordino” or “mute”. To switch
back to senza sordino playing, use one of the following Technique Text commands: “ord.”, “natural”,
“normal” or “senza sordino”.

… VE Harps
Normal: This patch is triggered by default.
If you want to switch back from a different articulation, use one of the following Technique Text
commands (“<Ctrl>+T” on PC, “<Apple>+T” on Mac): “ord.”, “natural” or “normal”.

Harmonics: Harmonics can be reached in two ways:

1) Add the Harmonic/Open articulation sign to the note (that's the small circle).
2) Write “harmonics” above the first note where a section of harmonics starts.

Bisbigliando: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) With tremolo (see the tremolo entry in the VE Special Edition Sound Set section)
2) Create the Technique Text command “bisb” or “bisbigliando”.

Mute: Use the keypad’s staccato mark.

Normal+RS-mute: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) Use the keypad’s staccatissimo mark.
2) Create the Technique Text command “mute”.
To switch back to normal playing, use one of the following Technique Text commands: “ord.”,
“natural” or “normal”.

Damp: There are two ways to trigger this patch:

1) Use the keypad’s plus/closed mark.
2) Create the Technique Text command “damp”.
To switch back to normal playing, use one of the following Technique Text commands: “ord.”,
“natural” or “normal”.

Pres de la table: Create the Technique Text command “pres”, “pdlt”, or “pres de la table”.

To switch back to normal playing, use one of the following Technique Text commands: “ord.”, “natural”
or “normal”.

Nail: Create the Technique Text command “nail” or “fingernail”.

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

… VE Woodwinds + Brass
Most of the techniques written for the Special Edition and the Special Edition PLUS also apply to the
Woodwinds and Brass sound sets. Here are the additional articulations.

Vibrato (not with Dimension Brass): Create the Technique Text command “vib” or “vibrato”.
To switch back to non-vibrato, use one of the following Technique Text commands: “ord.”, “natural”, 12
“normal” or “senza vibrato”.

Strong vibrato: There are two ways to trigger these patches:

1) Create the Technique Text command “vib” or “vibrato” and create a second Technique Text
command “heavy”.
2) Create the Technique Text command “molto vibrato” or “espressivo”.

To switch back to non vibrato, use one of the following Technique Text commands: “ord.”, “natural”,
“normal” or “senza vibrato”.

Progressive vibrato: Create the Technique Text command “progressive vibrato”. (Only available with
Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

Blare (only Horns, Dimension Brass): Create the Technique Text command “blare”. (Only available
with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

Marcato (not with Dimension Brass): There are two ways to trigger these patches:
1) Use the keypad’s marcato mark.
2) Create the Technique Text command “marcato”.

Staccato repetitions, Portato repetitions, Legato, Fast legato, Marcato, Fast marcato: See the
respective entries in the previous paragraphs. Vienna Ensemble automatically chooses the slower or
faster patches according to speed control.

Legato+vibrato: Legato and vibrato can also be combined

Flutter tongue: Create the Technique Text command “flutter tongue” or “frullato”.

Glissando (Alto + Tenor Saxophone, Tenor + Contrabass Trombone, Clarinet-Bb): Join two notes
with a glissando line from the lines menu.
Also see page 16.

Slap (Flute, Saxophones): Create the Technique Text command “slap”.

Falls (Saxophones, Trumpet in Bb, Flugelhorn): Use the Fall articulation mark from the keypad. With
the Technique Text command “long” or “slow” you can switch to a longer bend (only saxophones).

Slides (Trumpet in Bb, Flugelhorn): Use the Scoop articulation mark from the keypad.

Sforzatissimo (Dimension Brass): Create the Expression Text command “sffz”. (Only available with
Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

Legato repetitions (Dimension Brass): Create the Technique Text command “rep”. (Only available with
Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

Which presets to load with the Dimension Brass:

If you are notating the whole instrument group (4 players) on one staff, use the 4 player presets (only VI
Pro): Sib_DimBr_4_Horns_PRO; Sib_DimBr_4_Trumpets_PRO; Sib_DimBr_4_Trombones_PRO;
Sib_DimBr_LowBrass_all_PRO

If you are notating three players on one staff, use the 3 Player presets (only VI Pro):
13
Sib_DimBr_3_Horns_PRO; Sib_DimBr_3_Trumpets_PRO; Sib_DimBr_3_Trombones_PRO; not applicable
for the Low Brass

If you are notating two players on one staff, use the P1-2 (TTB1-2 for the Low Brass) presets. For a
second system with two players of the same instrument use the P3-4 presets (BTB+TU for the Low
Brass).

If you are using Vienna Instruments (as opposed to VI Pro) and want to notate the whole 4 player section
on one system, you can do so by loading two instruments in Vienna Ensemble and route them to the
same channel. In the first one, load the P1-2 preset, and in the second one, load the P3-4 preset.

If you are notating each player on a separate staff, load the according P1, P2, P3 or P4 (TTB1, TTB2,
BTB or TU for the Low Brass) preset.

Please notice that Bass Trombone and Tuba of the Low Brass group will sound one octave lower than
notated. If you want to notate these instruments on separate staves, you can load the corresponding
"loco" presets in order to have them sound "loco" (not transposed).

The 4-,3- and 2-player presets contain different matrices. In order to play the right one, please don't
forget to always state with the following Technique Text commands which players are playing a
sequence:

"a4": Played by 4 players unisono

"a3": Played by 3 players unisono
"a2": Played by 2 players unisono
"3.+4.": Played by player 3 and 4 unisono (4 player presets)
"2.+4.": Played by player 2 and 4 unisono (preset Sib_DimBr_LowBrass_all_PRO)
"2.+3.": Played by player 2 and 3 unisono (3 player presets)
"1.": Played by player 1
"2.": Played by player 2
"3.": Played by player 3
"4.": Played by player 4
"div" or "divisi": The first voice will be played by player 1, the second voice by player 2, the third voice by
player 3 and the fourth voice by player 4
"div2": The first voice will be played by player 1 and 2, the second voice will be played by player 3 and 4

Note: If you combine Dimension Brass instruments with the same kind of instruments from another Brass
collection, you may have to correct the MIDI channel settings in the Sibelius mixer.

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

… VE Percussion
When using the Percussion sound set, make sure that you also import the "Vienna Symphonic Library”
House Style. For the import at least keep Playback dictionary and Instrument definitions selected.

Lots of instruments will not work properly or only with some articulations if you don’t import the House
Style. 14
Please note that because of the big variety of instruments and articulations not every available sound can
be covered with this sound set. Don’t worry though, you will get pretty much all the important ones and
even will be able to change beaters with commands from your score.

The list of all included instruments and articulations is too long to be covered here, as this is the most
complex sound set of all. You will find it included with the sound set as a separate manual.

… VE Choir
The first four techniques written for the Special Edition also apply to the Choir sound set. Here are the
additional articulations.

Vibrato: Create the Technique Text command “vib” or “vibrato”.

To switch back to non-vibrato, use one of the following Technique Text commands: “ord.”, “natural”,
“normal” or “senza vibrato”.

Legato+vibrato: Legato and vibrato can also be combined

Performance trills: These patches work well for fast phrases. They can be triggered with Technique
Text command “fast”. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

Performance trills+vibrato: Performance trills and vibrato can also be combined

Glissando: Join two notes with a glissando line from the lines menu.
Also see page 16.

Cluster: Create the Technique Text command “cluster”. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library
House Style loaded.)

Creepy: Create the Technique Text command “creepy”. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library
House Style loaded.)

Breathing: Create one of the following symbols: Vertical line or Comma. (Only available with Vienna
Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)

AA + UU: If you have loaded one of the AA+UU VI presets, you can switch between these articulations.
By default the "AA" articulations are triggered. To switch to "UU" create the Technique Text command
“oo”. To switch back to “AA” use "ah" or "ord."

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

General optimization tips
15
A different approach to dynamics
For dynamic changes Sibelius sends CC11 (MIDI
Control Change 11) values. By default these values
trigger the Vienna Instruments expression slider.
During sustained notes with dynamic changes the
volume changes a bit, but the timbre will not. In
order to get more realistic crescendi and
diminuendi you can do the following: Go to the
Vienna Instruments Perform page. Activate Velocity
X-Fade. Then click on Map Control. Go to Velocity
crossfader and select ControlChange/Controller
11 as source. In order to not have double
dynamics (Expression and Velocity X-Fade), it is
also recommended to set the source for
Expression to none.

The presets for the Dimension Brass and for the VE

Strings sound set have Velocity X-Fade already
activated by default.

(Velocity X-Fade will not work for drums, percussion

and cymbals, because CC11 is not implemented
for these instruments in the Sound Set. Lots of the
percussion sounds don't blend well when
crossfaded.)

Dynamic drum and percussion rolls

If you also want to use velocity X-fades for drum

and percussion rolls (included in the Special Edition
matrices 12S Drums, 13S Cymbals+
Gongs and 14S Percussion), you have to add CC11 MIDI commands (written as Technique Text) to your
Sibelius instrument like this:

~C11,0 (for silent)

~C11,127 (for loudest)

There is a Sibelius plugin to create these messages (Plug-ins/Playback/Cresc./Dim. Playback/Use C11)

for hairpins, so you only have to type in MIDI values for the first note and immediate dynamic changes,
but not for hairpins.

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

Monophonic Patches
Our Performance Interval patches (legato, portamento, performance marcato) are monophonic due to
the necessity of interval recognition. So if you write a slur (which triggers the legato patch), you are
limited to one voice.

If you want to notate more voices in one staff with a slur, you can exclude the slur from playback and 16
thus avoid switching to legato. To do so, select the slur and go to the Properties window/Playback.
Uncheck the boxes for play on pass 1–8.

The Vienna Instruments Pro player offers a polyphonic legato mode, so that excluding slurs from
playback will not be necessary with this player.

Optimizing legato, portamento and glissando

In order to get a note to start a new legato phrase, select the note before this note. Then go to the
Properties window/Playback. Activate the Live duration and make it shorter than the preset value (the
amount depends on the tempo, for example at least -30 ticks at 120 bpm).

Now this note ends the phrase and the next note should be a start-up note in a new legato (or
portamento or glissando) phrase.

Special hint for better portamento and glissando performances: Without any note editing the portamento
(glissando) starts when the second note is played. In reality the portamento (glissando) would be finished
by that time. To get this effect right, edit the Live start position of the portamento’s (glissando’s) target
note in the Inspector/Playback (in Sibelius 5 and 6 that’s called Properties/Playback ) menu. Enter a
negative value. The exact value depends on the playback tempo and interval.

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

Solo and ensemble on the same staff
It is possible to switch between a solo instrument and an ensemble of the same instrument on one staff.
1) Reserve a channel for the solo and the ensemble instrument on the Sibelius Manual Sound Sets
page and in Vienna Ensemble.
2a) For wind instruments switch with the Technique Text commands “tutti” (or “a2”, “a3”, “a4”) and
17
“solo”. (Only available with Vienna Symphonic Library House Style loaded.)
2b) For strings create an instrument change (for example from Viola to Solo Viola).

Mute and natural brass sounds on the same staff

If you want to use a muted and a natural trumpet (or natural/muted trombone or natural/stopped horn)
sound on the same staff, you can do the following:
1) Reserve two channels for the trumpet (or trombone, …) on the Sibelius Manual Sound Sets page,
one for “Trumpet” and one for “Trumpet mute”.
2) In Vienna Ensemble, also add two instruments for the trumpet. Use the same channels you set up
on the Manual Sound Sets page.
3) In one Vienna Instrument load the natural instrument, and in the other one the muted instrument.
4) To switch from normal to muted trumpet, just use the Technique Text “con sordino” or “mute”.
Note: The Technique Text command “stopped” for the Horns only works with the Vienna Symphonic
Library House Style loaded.
To switch back, use “ord.”, “normal”, “natural” or “senza sordino”.

Fine tuning note lengths and velocities

The velocity and note length of a single note can be adjusted in the Playback section of the
Sibelius/Inspector/Playback (in Sibelius 5 and 6 that’s called Properties/Playback) window. Select the
note(s), check Live velocity and/or Live duration and edit the values.

A/B-Select
For patches with included A/B-Selection, you can use MIDI commands for switching.

The easiest way is as follows: Set A/B Select to a free controller – let’s take CC4 in our example. Now
create MIDI commands (Technique Text) as follows:

~C4,0 (will trigger A samples)

~C4,127 (will trigger B samples)

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

More than one Vienna Ensemble
If you want to use more than 16 instruments or different collections (and therefore different sound sets)
at the same time, you will need more than one instance of Vienna Ensemble.

To do so, simply activate Vienna Ensemble more than once from the available devices. Check Use
manual Sound Set and set channels and programs for all VE instances on the Manual Sound Sets page. 18
You can switch between the instances in the Device line on that page. Don't forget to save your playback
configuration after that.

How to use collections without a Sound Set

There is also a way to use our Collections with Sibelius when there is no Sound Set available. Activate
and open an instance of VE for the instruments in your score without a Sound Set. Choose none as
Sound Set.

For every instrument, create a matrix of the patches you need with H-Span set to Keyswitches or Control
Change. To switch between patches, write the following Technique Text in Sibelius.

Keyswitches:

~Nxx,64 followed shortly by ~Oxx,64

These are MIDI commands for Note On and Note Off, where xx stands for the MIDI number of the
Keyswitch. (24=C1, 25=C#1, 36=C2, …)

Control Changes:

~Cxx,yy
xx stands for the MIDI Controller; yy stands for the value

See the Sibelius Reference chapter 4.15 (Sibelius 5) or chapter 4.17 (Sibelius 6) for more information.

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

Troubleshooting
Solo strings don’t switch 19
You have to be careful to choose the right instrument in Sibelius. Use Solo Violin, Solo Viola, … for solo
instruments and Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin I, Viola, … for ensemble strings. The program you select on the
Manual Sound Set page has to match the instrument.

Ensemble strings switch wrongly (Sound Set VE Special Edition)

If you mix up ensemble strings (chamber or orchestral) with Appassionata strings in one score, this may
lead to wrong switches. If this happens, you can do the following:

Create two instances of Vienna Ensemble (see page 13, how to use more than one instance of Vienna
Ensemble). Load the ensemble strings in one instance and Appassionata strings in the other. In the
Sibelius mixer, choose the Vienna Ensemble instance (Initial Playback device) for the string instruments
manually.

Chamber and Orchestral strings together should be no problem.

Ensemble strings switch wrongly (Sound Set VE Special Edition PLUS)

If you mix up different ensemble string types (Chamber, Orchestral, Appassionata) in one score, this may
lead to wrong switches. If this happens, you can do the following:

Create one instance of Vienna Ensemble for each ensemble string type (see page 13, how to use more
than one instance of Vienna Ensemble). Load one ensemble string type in one instance and the other
string type(s) in the other(s). In the Sibelius mixer, choose the Vienna Ensemble instance (Initial Playback
device) for the string instruments manually.

Instruments switch wrongly or don’t switch at all (1)

Beware of the Click! If not muted, it can mess up an instrument. If you want to use the Click, reserve a
percussion channel for it (on the Manual Sound Sets page and in Vienna Ensemble).

Instruments switch wrongly or don’t switch at all (2)

The Manual Sound Set page needs to be defined for all instruments used in the score. If one (or more)
instruments are left out, some instruments might not switch correctly.

Instruments switch wrongly or don’t switch at all (3)

After changing (or updating) the Sound Set for a score, please always reassign all programs on the
Manual Sound Set page.

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library

Instruments switch wrongly or don’t switch at all (4)

There is a playback bug in Sibelius which sometimes occurs when the same instrument is used more
than once. Normally, it helps to create a new version of the problematic instrument, cut out the content
of the old instrument and paste it into the new one.

If this doesn't help, try the following thing:

20
Sibelius 5: Go to the Sibelius mixer and reassign the Sound ID (third line in the mixer) of the instrument,
that doesn't switch correctly. If you use the same Sound ID more than once, be careful to assign it in the
right order. For example the first line with "strings.violin" for the first violin and the second line with
"strings.violin" for the second violin.

Sibelius 6 and 7: Go to the Sibelius mixer and reset the output devices to (Auto) for the instruments that
do not switch correctly or play on the wrong channel.

Playback configuration / VE settings don’t get saved with the score

The playback configuration (including all settings in Vienna Ensemble) is saved separately. If you make
changes on the Sibelius/Manual Sound Set page or in Vienna Ensemble, please always save your
playback configuration afterwards.

Vienna Ensemble not found in the list of available devices (PC)

If you have installed Vienna Ensemble properly and it does not appear in the list of available devices, you
will have to “tell” Sibelius the path where your virtual instruments and effects are located. To do so, go to
Playback Devices/Audio Engine Options/Virtual Instruments and Effects Folder and choose the path
where you installed Vienna Ensemble (= the path where the file Vienna Ensemble.dll is located). Then
restart Sibelius.

Optimizing Sibelius with Vienna Ensemble © 2011 Vienna Symphonic Library