Today, Wallander Instruments released NotePerformer 3.3.1, an update to its plug-and-play sound library. This update is a minor maintenance update to the larger 3.3 update that was released in November 2019, and addresses a handful of issues related to that release. It turns out that getting saxophones to balance properly is as difficult to do in NotePerformer as it is in real life!
The NotePerformer 3.3 update brought official Dorico 3 support, macOS 10.15 Catalina support, and a number of other fixes and improvements.
NotePerformer is compatible with Sibelius, Finale, and Dorico and is a popular default playback configuration choice for many users of those music notation programs.
Fixes in NotePerformer 3.3.1
According to the version history, the following items are included in the NotePerformer 3.3.1 update:
macOS Metal driver is now used only from Catalina and up: The mixer interface of NotePerformer 3.3.0 did not work on some older Mac computers running High Sierra, due to having a graphics card which isn’t Metal compatible. The problem was resolved such that only Catalina and higher uses the Metal driver. Users running High Sierra and Mojave get the OpenGL driver instead. Both drivers are similar in performance.
Artificial harmonics are no longer calculated for Dorico 3: Because Dorico 3 introduces a new system for artificial harmonics, where the pitch is to be calculated by Dorico 3 itself, this NotePerformer feature is redundant. The feature has therefore been turned off, as it may otherwise cause issues when writing polyphonic harmonics. This does not affect Dorico 2 users, or users of Sibelius or Finale.
Slur+tenuto and slur+staccato bug was fixed: NotePerformer 3.3.0 introduced a bug invalidating playback for these combinations of techniques. The problem has been fixed. Also, slur+mezzostaccato now resolves to the same technique as slur+staccato, which is usually semi-legato, rather than producing unpredictable results.
Fixed issue which could make Dorico 3 blacklist NotePerformer: In rare situations, Dorico 3 could accidentally blacklist NotePerformer. The problem has been resolved.
Fixed blurry graphics bug on macOS retina screens in low-res mode: The NotePerformer mixer would previously be blurry, when using a low-resolution notation program on a high-DPI screen in macOS.
Fixed level meter glitch in macOS Metal driver in low-res mode: The level meters in the NotePerformer mixer would previously have a glitch, when using the Metal driver (High Sierra and up for NP 3.3.0) in standard resolution mode. The problem was fixed.
Fixed additional volume issues with alto saxophone 2: There were still issues with volume discrepancies between alto saxophone 1 & 2. The problem was fixed.
Availability and more information
As usual NotePerformer 3.3.1 is a free update for all existing NotePerformer users — even users that haven’t yet upgraded to NotePerformer 3. Wallander has never charged users for NotePerformer upgrades since its first release in 2013.
For new users, NotePerformer 3 is available as a download for $129, and a 30-day free trial is offered. A rent-to-own option is also available at $10.75/month.
For more information and details about NotePerformer and the 3.3.1 update, consult the version history and users guide, see our post about NotePerformer 3.3, and read all our coverage of NotePerformer on Scoring Notes.
don stewart
All not needed. SCORE is still best
Tiago
Noteperformer is a must have add on.
Saxophones balance much appreciated.
Single notes trills should play legato in woodwinds as default IMHO.
I have to add a hidden slur to get the legato trill.
Looking at the Dorico mixer picture makes me cry when I have to look back at the confusing and old fashioning Sibelius one.
Arne Wallander
The woodwinds are indeed supposed to play legato on trills by default. But now that I try it, I’m getting the same problem here (in Sibelius) but it works for strings.
I don’t think we changed anything in this regard with this update. May I ask if you’ve seen this issue in the past as well?
Tiago
It act like that before this update. Even before 3.3, I guess.
Arne Wallander
Understood.
I’m going to see what can be done. Now, it appears that the woodwinds or brass aren’t responding to the “+trill” sound ID change, but the strings do. So it seems we’re not getting the expected MIDI switches at the onset of a trill, other than for strings.
I’m going to discuss it with the Sibelius development team. If it can’t be fixed on the end of Sibelius, I think this is something that could potentially be worked around in our Sound Set for NotePerformer.
Alan Howell
I’ve just downloaded Note Performer 3 to use with Sibelius 7. I’ve written a jazz big band score but on playback everything is very short & staccato. Is there any way of getting it to play more jazz and swing and be more legato? I can’t find any way of changing anything about the sounds or the interpretation of the score.
Tiago
Alan,
Look for the “Add NotePerfomer Tenuto Always MIDI Message” Plugin. Run it in the beginning of each instrument of your chart.
Alan Howell
Thanks for the reply. Is that something I already have with this download or a separate plugin that I need to download. I also don’t know how to run a plugin at the beginning of each instrument. Can you be more specific. Thanks
Tiago
The plugin is installed together with NotePerformer, if I’m not mistaken.
Select the first bar of an instrument (eg. Alto Sax 1), then look for the plugin in the search field in the ribbon and execute it. Repeat this procedure for each instrument.
Alan Howell
Thanks Tiago I’ll check that out. I appreciate your help