Unlike the knobs in the ARIA Player (which are adjusted by dragging straight up or down), to adjust the panning dials in Finale, you drag the white dot on the knob into position using a circular motion. You can also customize the panning for individual instruments by clicking and dragging on the pan knobs at the top of each channel in the Mixer. In order to obtain the best stereo image for existing files, after you have configured them for Garritan instrument playback, you should choose MIDI/Audio > Reset Panning. However, if you are preparing an existing file for Garritan playback, Finale uses the default panning (64, i.e., dead center) for all newly created instruments. When you create a score using the Setup Wizard, Finale tries to assign the best panning setup for the instruments you have chosen. An instrument that is panned left will sound mostly (or, if it’s panned all the way left, entirely) from the left speaker, whereas an instrument that is panned dead center will sound equally from both speakers, and therefore sound like it is coming from the middle of the sound stage.Ĭhoosing appropriate panning helps create a realistic stereo image and allows individual instruments to be clearly distinguished, even in large ensemble scores. Panning refers to an instrument’s relative position in the stereo mix.
Tip: For expressions that modify MIDI volume to affect playback with Human Playback turned on, you must ensure that Human Playback is set to incorporate MIDI data. Assigning an expression defined to modify MIDI controller #7 is a bit like creating an automated slider move on a modern, motorized mixing board - in other words, this kind of expression affects volume only, not timbre. This is like “fixing it in the mix” during a mixing session, by adjusting the instrument’s volume slider on the mixing board. For instance, here is how you would configure the playback options for a staff expression that sets the staff’s volume to 111 (out of a possible 127):
It’s exactly like the mixer in a recording studio - instruments playing very quietly can be brought up in the mix, and vice versa.Īlso, just like an old-fashioned manual mixing board, the volume sliders in Finale's Mixer aren't automated. Unlike modulation wheel changes, adjusting a staff’s volume slider does not affect timbre. It is also important to understand the difference between a Garritan instrument's dynamic/timbre control - which is controlled by the modulation wheel (MIDI controller #1) - and its volume control - which is controlled by the Mixer/Studio View (MIDI controller #7). If instruments are out of balance, it is usually best to reduce the volume for the instruments that are too loud, rather than increasing the volume for those that are too soft. You can use the volume sliders in the Mixer to fine-tune the balance between instruments during playback. If you need to increase the playback volume, you should first increase your system volume and/or the volume on your computer speakers. An excessive default level will result in distorted playback when using Garritan instruments. Volumeįor optimum Garritan instrument playback, you should avoid setting the Mixer's master volume too high.
See Ambience Reverb to learn how to add reverb to Garritan playback. Tip: Despite appearances, the Reverb Level and Room Size settings in the Mixer have no effect when using VST playback. You can use the Mixer during playback to adjust the balance between instruments, set the panning (stereo placement), mute and/or solo tracks, and adjust the overall (master) playback volume. The Mixerįinale’s Mixer is laid out just like a real mixing board, with volume sliders, pan knobs, and mute and solo buttons for each instrument, as well as a master volume control.
You are here: Tutorials > Garritan & Human Playback > The Mixer and Studio View The Mixer and Studio Viewįinale includes two methods for fine-tuning the balance between instruments during playback - the Mixer and Studio View (which is like a combination of the Mixer and Scroll View).