Mixer configurations
When I want to change the instruments in the mixer, it is time-consuming to have to go to each instrument, select each sound and then scroll down through the long list of instruments to set the new instrument sound. Would it be possible to establish a set of instruments and then save that configuration under one name? That way you could try various configurations of instrument sounds without having to laboriously change them one instrument at a time every time.
Comments
Would it be possible to establish a set of instruments and then save that configuration under one name?
See:
https://www.polyphone-soundfonts.com/
where you can edit existing soundfonts to gather your favorite instrument sounds all into a new configuration.
It's not really clear what you're using the mixer for - that's only for changing between "sub-sounds" of a given instrument (eg, from one piano sound to a different piano sound, or from one guitar to another). The basic default sounds that you get when you actually select the instrument should be fine in the vast majority of cases. So, if you plan to keep using the same instruments a lot, just create a score with the instruments you want, then save that to your Templates folder for easy re-use in the "new score" wizard. The mixer shouldn't be involved at all.
If I'm missing something about unique what you are trying to do, please explain it in more detail, then we can understand and assist better.
In reply to It's not really clear what… by Marc Sabatella
Marc: Thanks so much for your swift response. You are always good about that. I am currently using version 3.6.2 Here's what i am trying to do. When I write a piece, I usually write parts for Vocals, S,A T and B, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Basson, French Horn, Trumpet, Timpani, Violin, Viola, Cello and Contrabass. When I want to listen critically the parts one beat at a time, I change all the parts to Grand Piano and set the Play Panel at a VERY SLOW speed so that I can hear any clashes as one chord progresses to another. (It's so much easier to hear those when every instrument is set to the GRAND PIANO). That makes it easy for me to adjust the score one note at a time.
So, in the present way of doing things, I must go into the MIXER and reset each instrument sound, one at a time, to Grand Piano. then, after reviewing the sounds and making the changes, I must go back into the MIXER and rest the sounds to Violin, Veola, Flute, etc. What I would like to do is have a preset configuration which sets each instrument to the desired sound patch and SAVE it under one name. Then, I would like to have another configuration which saves every sound to Grand Piano. Then, I could simply switch the MIXER from one set of sounds to another. This would also make it easy for me to experiment with a variety of other sounds for each instrument and have a number of options for the final product.
I hope my explanation is clear. It may be there is something I could do in the present version that I simply haven't discovered. What I want to do is simply switch from configuration #1 to configuration #2 without having to do so much work.
Fred Cooper
In reply to Marc: Thanks so much for… by fredcooper46
If I understand correctly, it seems the simplest way would be to just add one or more pianos to your score and use it while you're "debugging", then copy/paste to the real staves where you're satisfied. You can go back and forth as much as you want in this same way, with just a handful of clicks, definitely simpler than trying to use the Mixer for a purpose very different from what it was intended for and thus isn't well optimized for.
In reply to If I understand correctly,… by Marc Sabatella
Thanks, Marc: I suppose I could also do a "Save As" and thus create a second file with the identical parts for each instrument, change the sounds to "Grand Piano," then when the debugging is done, I could either copy/paste the entire score back to the original OR do another "Save AS" and create another score with original instruments.
If anyone has another "workaround" or fix for this problem, I'm all ears.
Fred
In reply to Thanks, Marc: I suppose I… by fredcooper46
Try the attached plugin.
First run makes it store the current mixer channel sound assignments inside score properties and sets all channels to 0 (which is the Grand Piano according to General MIDI).
Second run will restore the previously saved channel settings and remove them from the score properties.
It's a crude plugin that assumes no instrument (channel) changes in between the first and second run. So don't add or reorder instruments or add channels to them (such as adding chord symbols) in between the first and second run. Of course on a next "first" run, the score is again read "as is", so all of those changes are just fine.
Since it saves the channel settings into the score properties, this plugin survives a save/close/reopen cycle of the score.
In reply to Try the attached plugin… by jeetee
Nice!
A couple of other comments on possible workarounds:
Saving as a separate score isn't as good, because the two score would very possibly get out of sync as you added./removed measures, tempo markings, etc. Those things wouldn't be preserved in copy/paste operations. That's why I suggested separate instruments in the same score - to make sure they stay in sync.
Another "quick fix" would be to load a piano soundfont and make sure it's at the top of the soundfont list. That would ensure it gets used for all instruments. Then remove it again to restore the normal sounds.
In reply to Nice! A couple of other… by Marc Sabatella
Thanks so much for these suggestions and fixes. That's why MuseScore is the BEST. I know people who use Finale, Sibelius and the others who don't get anything close to this level of support for which they paid big money!
For my immediate problem, I think Marc's first suggestion would work best for me. I'm not quite savvy enough to work with the plugin and I do see the problem of having to copy/paste entire files after changes are made. If anyone else has ideas, I'm still checking them.