Pizzicato sound not working when using Pizz. from text palette
I am using the following:
OS: macOS 14.2, Arch.: x86_64, MuseScore version (64-bit): 4.2.1-240230937, revision: d757433
When using the MS Basic Strings Sound fonts, the use of Pizz. from the text palette does not change the sound of the font. I am not able to use the Muse Sound Fonts string fonts do to the extreme amount of portamento that is used in the sounds.
Steps to reproduce problem:
1. In Mixer, set voice sound to MS Basics -> Strings -> Violin, Viola, Cello, or Contrabass
2. In score, select note and use the Text palette to select Pizz.
3. Play or select note that should be pizzicato and the sound is still arco
How do I access the pizzicato sound when using the Basic Sound Fonts?
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Pizz Not Working Sample.mscz | 27.82 KB |
Comments
"How do I access the pizzicato sound when using the Basic Sound Fonts?"
I'm not sure, but as at Mu 4.2.1 it seems that no mechanism exists to examine or change the pizzicato property.
In Mu3 a right-click on the pizz. offered an option "Stave text properties".
You can find a route to "Stave text properties" in Mu4:
![Pizz_Stave_Text_properties_Mu4.png]( "Pizz_Stave_Text_properties_Mu4.png")
Select pizz. > Properties panel > Show more > Stave text properties (at foot of properties).
But what a disappointment, because there is no property surfaced to handle a pizzicato:
By contrast Mu3 allows some quite sophisticated control through "Stave text properties". In this example, the pizz. from the Mu3 Text palette has been modified to make Voices 1 & 3 (stem-up) play pizzicato, while Voices 2 & 4 (stem-down) play arco. Note that the arco text in the first measure is plain text (it has no effect on the playback and is only a visual instruction for the musicians):
![Pizz_Stave_Text_properties_Mu3.png]( "Pizz_Stave_Text_properties_Mu3.png")
Except we aren't talking about MU3.
I suspect that pizz. doesn't work because Basic sounds are a port over from MU3. Which has a different way of dealing with playback. You will notice that a pizz sound is present but you have to choose it in the mixer. And the entire staff becomes pizz playback. Not very useful.
Regarding Muse sounds. When you see (for example) violin 1 and violin 2, that does not refer to desks. It refers to playing style. 1 is more expressive and 2 is more normal. I never use 1 for the reason you point out. Although in the last month or so, updates have tamed down some things.
In reply to Except we aren't talking… by bobjp
The problem with all of the Muse string soundfonts is that they ALL contain an unreasonable amount of portamento. It's uncharacteristic in nature and makes audio samples of compositions inaccurate.
Since I need a sound file for a publication submission, is there an alternative of any sort available?
In reply to The problem with all of the… by adavismusic89
I figured out what was causing the problem. As I was looking through previous scores that worked properly, I noticed that in the Mixer, the setting of Soundfonts -> MS Basic -> Choose automatically was selected. Once I selected this instead of a specific instrument, the pizz began working properly. The question now is what are the settings or criteria used for Musescore to select the sound automatically.