Wallander Instruments has released an update today to NotePerformer. NotePerformer 5.1.2 features several bug fixes and incremental improvements to NotePerformer’s core sounds. NotePerformer is a user-friendly solution for realistic-sounding playback of Dorico, Sibelius, or Finale projects, and today’s update affects the product both as it functions across all three applications.
Current registered users can obtain the update by requesting a new download link at the NotePerformer web site, which will provide the user with NotePerformer 5.1.2.
Here’s what’s new in NotePerformer 5.1.2.
NotePerformer 5.1.2 updates
Fixed bug that could cause slow attacks. Version 5.1 introduced a bug which could unintentionally initiate notes from zero dynamics. This caused a very slow attack for some notes. The problem was fixed.
Fixed consecutive slurs not phrasing in Dorico. Consecutive slurs would not always phrase properly in Dorico, and could instead play like a single, long phrase. It is unknown when the bug was introduced. The problem was fixed.
Tweaked attack transient modelling. The attack transient modelling introduced in version 5.1 was tweaked. It could sometimes be more prominent than desired.
Tweaked dynamic range for saxophones. Previous NotePerformer versions limited the saxophone range too much, such that the upper dynamic range would never be played. Version 5.1 mitigated the problem, but too effectively, such that the lower dynamic range was not playable instead. This version attempts to find a middle ground between the two configurations.
Minor reverb adjustments. Minor adjustments were made to the new microphone model’s settings and reverb.
Pitch randomization adjustment. One of the random-pitch algorithms could make brass and woodwinds sound more “nervous” than intended. The problem was fixed.
Tweaked portamento for choirs. Vowel singing (e.g., “aah”) typically involves a more prominent glide between slurred notes than choirs singing lyrics, since lyrics create natural silence boundaries for pitch adjustment. Since NotePerformer’s choir sounds must accommodate multiple settings, they were tweaked to glide slightly less prominently between notes.
Fixed bug with crackling or rattling noise on uneven buffer sizes (as of 5.1.1). The previous version (5.1.0) could produce noise for uneven audio buffer sizes, such as 441. The problem was fixed.
For more details, review the latest edition of the version history, which is found by scrolling down to near the bottom of NotePerformer’s home page, or you can download it directly from this link. The User’s Guide is also available.
Price and availability
Information regarding the price and availability of NotePerformer 5 remains the same as before.
NotePerformer 5 is currently free for all existing NotePerformer users. Current registered users can request a new download link at the NotePerformer web site, which will provide the user with NotePerformer 5.
If you don’t already have NotePerformer, a single-user license is the same price as it’s always been: $129 for a perpetual license. That one license gives you the ability to not only use it in Dorico, Sibelius, and Finale, but it also allows you to use it on as many computers that you personally use.
Supported notation software and versions are:
Further, NotePerformer offers a rent-to-own option, where you can rent it for $10.75 per month, and, once you’ve paid a total of $129, it turns into a perpetual license, making this effectively an installment plan for those unwilling or unable to commit the entire cost of the product at once.
Site licenses are available; pricing starts at a very reasonable $200 for up to 5 seats, with each additional seat costing $40. This is a one-time, perpetual license. This differs from the individual license; whereas the individual license is valid for one user running on any computer that the customer personally uses, the site license is reserved for any computer owned by the licensed organization, but can be used by multiple people on a single site.
Finally, there is a 30-day trial available, which runs for one hour. You need to restart your notation software to keep using NotePerformer after one hour, if you’re in trial mode.
Girard Bowe
I recntly tried out NP, & thought the sounds were superior to Garritan’s JABB. But the default marcato playback (especially pronounced at smaller values) was a deal breaker, making my jazz pieces sound like a military band. I don’t want to have to mark *everything* with slurs. There’s also a slight playback lag which I never got used to in the trial period.