Musescore 4 super super slow on big orchestral projects
Am I the only one experiencing a very slow and jamming Musescore. it's so stressing to work on. I'm working on a 4 minute orchestral track with added band singers and choir, every time I progress more through the orchestration, the software gets slower and slower and also jams for a few seconds many many times. It's so annoying to work on. (I am using the new muse sounds of course with the added reverb that comes as a preset already with it)
I am wondering is it my computer that is slow, or is it that the musescore team needs to do something for the software to have a faster work flow?
my system:
Windows 11
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10750H CPU @ 2.60GHz 2.59 GHz
32 GB Ram
Comments
Everyone's system is different. Some people with your problem have only to go to Edit>Preferences>I/O and raise the Buffer to 4096. There are other settings that deal with your audio device. If you post your score, we can better help you.
In reply to Everyone's system is… by bobjp
I have tried the buffer size 4096 it didn't work well, and i also lowered down the volume in the mixer a couple of db at least and let the mixer open and unchecked the box exclusive mode, but still i'm facing same problems. It's getting really annoying, it's slowing down my writing process and really getting on my nerves. I prefer not to share this specific score for now (specially that the client whom I'm working for doesn't want people to see it for now)
In reply to I have tried the buffer size… by Joseph.Zayoun
While you were on the exclusive mode page, did you lower the bit rate?
In reply to While you were on the… by bobjp
the option to turn down the bit rate from 24 to 16 was off I think maybe i had to do it directly from the DAW (in my case cubase), you think it would make a huge difference
In reply to While you were on the… by bobjp
.
In reply to . by Joseph.Zayoun
Can you select the down arrow next to the bit rate numbers? Does Line Properties have to do with the DAW?
In reply to Can you select the down… by bobjp
no, on this specific audio interface it's greyed out. on my other one which i have at my day job I can select the arrow next to the bit rate and downsize it to 16. As for the second question didn't quite get what you mean, but I'm assuming the answer would be no it does not have to do with the DAW
In reply to no, on this specific audio… by Joseph.Zayoun
Line Properties is the audio device in your image. When you listen to a score, do you use headphones or speakers? One of those is the device you should be using, at least to experiment to get good playback.
In reply to Line Properties is the audio… by bobjp
I use both depending what time I'm writing music
In reply to I use both depending what… by Joseph.Zayoun
Then you will need to change the settings for both of those individually. There is no universal setting in Windows for audio devices.
In reply to Then you will need to change… by bobjp
yes but my headphones and speakers are both connected to the same interface. And windows is reading it as only one audio interface and not more
In reply to yes but my headphones and… by Joseph.Zayoun
Sorry. You must be on a desktop. I'll fire mine up and see what's goin on.
In reply to Sorry. You must be on a… by bobjp
Are you sure you are on the Playback tab and not the Recording tab.
In reply to Are you sure you are on the… by bobjp
yes I'm on the playback tab. I've adjusted everything as asked, but writing is always slow, slowing my writing by a stack of minutes which is resulting I guess into hours of lost work because of this issue. Musescore team needs to fix this issue, it's so frustrating. One might decide to switch to another software because of this issue
In reply to While you were on the… by bobjp
My audio interface doesn't have a bit rate option other than 24 on windows it seems (and maybe on all systems)
In reply to My audio interface doesn't… by Joseph.Zayoun
On this github pull request page for M4, find the artifact at the bottom for Windows. Download it (you may need to create a github account if you don't have one). Try it out. It is built on M4.4 and is designed for Jack audio/midi transport interface. You don't need Jack. It should work without Jack, but one significant feature is that it functions in a 24bit 48000 sample rate:
https://github.com/musescore/MuseScore/actions/runs/9216033031
In reply to On this github pull request… by cfirwin3
yes I do have a github account. great thank you will try it out.
can you please explain more what does this feature do.
will let you know how stuff would work out.
thanks
In reply to yes I do have a github… by Joseph.Zayoun
The pull request is for the implementation of Jack Audio and MIDI transport capability. The Jack Audio Server is a native Linux (but also cross platform) audio server that synchronizes MIDI transport (playback) across a system with other Jack aware applications. It is similar to the ReWire platform that Windows and Mac users employ to synchronize multiple applications like video players, notation editors and digital audio workstations for the purpose of film scoring or complex session management. MuseScore 3 had this capability but it was lost in the release of M4. This pull request implements the synchronization features that were lost. You will not likely be interested in this particular feature, but what the pull request also enables is a default awareness of your system's bit and sample rates. Jack Audio Server runs by default at 48000, so this pull request needs code to assign the system sample rate at startup. Even though you are not using Jack, it should open in the proper sample rate for your system because of this code. You can also change the sample rate in the settings 'playback' menu, although it may only list the current sample rate of the system in the dropdown.
So... the short story is that while this pull request addresses a complex issue that you are not likely to use, it also may address a simple one (default/dynamic sample rate) that you seem to be having trouble with.
In reply to On this github pull request… by cfirwin3
I downloaded it, extracted all. It contains folders and files, but is there a way to install this feature.
thank you
In reply to I downloaded it, extracted… by Joseph.Zayoun
Unzip everything and check 'bin' MuseScore4.exe
I think this is a portable install, so it should run from the system folders provided without actually installing to your system. It should also be aware of your Muse Sounds library when you start it.
In reply to Unzip everything and check … by cfirwin3
ok done. seems to work better. but still im not home to try it out on a longer writing session and with my midi controller. Hope this would solve a lot of issues.
in the i/o section in preferences the sample rate is blank but I'm assuming it's adjusting to 24 bits right?
One more question, if I saved files to this version would it reopen in musescore 4.3? and does this version have some big bugs or so?
In reply to ok done. seems to work… by Joseph.Zayoun
On my system (Which is a most current Linux distro release), this pull request build replaces "i/O" in preferences with "Playback". Under the playback menu it shows "Audio Device", "Sample Rate", "Buffer Size". While the "Sample Rate" drop down is blank, my distro does show 48000 in the un-selected field, which is the default sample rate of my system. If I change my system to 44100, when I open this build, that field will say 44100. So, I would say that if your install is playing sounds, then it must be in the correct sample rate, as designed.
As for reverse compatibility, I would guess that there will be issues there. You will want to save a copy of your file to test this out.
Regarding bugs... I'm sure that there are bugs, but this has been the only build that I have been writing on for months and I see no need for the master trunk in my work right now. I am writing a lot of film score, so I need the transport capabilities. All of my machines seem to deal equally with this build and I have had no issues with it. Be aware that this is a pull request, so if you go to update to the latest release from github, sometimes you will get a bad build. Always keep the most recent good build on hand if you go to "upgrade". Since this is constructed on M4.4, you will notice that it has a bunch of new features that may not exist in M4.3. I have found, however, that the muse sounds work perfectly well, as managed by Muse Hub (or the separate Muse Sounds Manager that us Linux folks use).
In reply to On my system (Which is a… by cfirwin3
yes sorry you're righr it's playback (i wrote i/o because I was writing it from memory and forgot it was changed)
In reply to ok done. seems to work… by Joseph.Zayoun
Also, maybe you mentioned this elsewhere, but I didn't see it... I know that you can't share the file. I have some film scores that are contractually bound from early release, so I completely understand. But, approximately how many measures are we talking for your 'longer writing sessions' and what is the instrumentation (full symphonic)?
Truth be told, I had a harder time with M3 and super long scores than I have with M4. I haven't noted any lag related to score length in M4, but I don't know that my super long scores are a good comparison to your super long scores. I have files that are a few hundred measures in full symphonic instrumentation. But scores can certainly be longer than that, especially if they are multi-movement works and all movements are part of the same file. I'm just curious as to your context, if you don't mind sharing.
In reply to Also, maybe you mentioned… by cfirwin3
this current score that I'm writing is 118 meausures (well not super long, but longer than shorter one I used to write, with which I used to also experience some slowing down problems). My score is comprised of full symphonic orchestra with added auxiliary woodwinds (piccolo english horn bass clarinet contrabassoon) added band (drums bass guitar piano) 4 vocals and a double staff choir and a harp. It's a vocal work basically
In reply to this current score that I'm… by Joseph.Zayoun
That's a pretty dense instrumentation, but M4 should be able to handle that. I'm pretty sure that you are experiencing an audio system compatibility problem rather than a self-contained Musescore / Muse Sounds issue. Hopefully this build will address the issue. I also know that Linux has a command line option for the audio server to target M4 in the correct sample rate, but I don't know if that would be an option for Windows. It seems to me that M4 really needs to have the capability to dynamically open in the current audio server sample rate... this pull request gets us there.
In reply to That's a pretty dense… by cfirwin3
since this is a pull request, does this mean that scores saved to this build might not open in future versions?
In reply to since this is a pull request… by Joseph.Zayoun
No, the scores are saved as M4.4 and will be available for opening in future releases past M4.4, so long as Musescore maintains upward compatibility.
In reply to No, the scores are saved as… by cfirwin3
thank you for the input!
Post the score. I use Basic sounds on ubuntu with 32Gb RAM, SSD and an i7 7700K processor and I'd be interested to see if it's just as slow on my system or not.
OS: Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS, Arch.: x86_64, MuseScore Studio version (64-bit): 4.3.0-241231431, revision: 5f36e74
In reply to Post the score. I use Basic… by underquark
I understand your desire for you to try it out on your system, but for the time being this specific score can't be published right now as I mentioned in a previous response. But I think that any orchestral score while writing selecting and note inputting (not from the beginning but through out the process when it's a bit loaded) would do this issue and not during playback. Playback would sometimes start emptier that it should be (playing less instruments than the ones already scored) and then coming in late, due to this issue
In reply to I understand your desire for… by Joseph.Zayoun
Not so. A couple of months ago, I completed a (approximately!) 60-page score with (I think?) 27 staves. I experienced no appreciable slowing at any point in the process. My computer is very comparable to yours.
In reply to Not so. A couple of months… by TheHutch
maybe it's a windows thing and not linux. I just wish this problem would end, gonna try to lower my sound card bit rate to 16. What is your Audio interface's bitrate at the scoring stage?
In reply to maybe it's a windows thing… by Joseph.Zayoun
Agreed. On Linux, I have had massive scores work flawlessly. M4 does run only in 44100 right now (except for the Jack Audio PR branch which will run at 48000). I would recommend adjusting your sound card settings, as you mentioned. The master trunk for M4 will not playback properly unless the audio server is at 44100.
However, this problem is universal and has nothing to do with large scores. If you are finding that this only occurs with large scores, there may be an issue with how your systems processor/memory is treating M4 data.
For me, I can get flawless results on one of my laptops with a core i5, 8g ram and an SSD (pretty basic for home computing). I would be shocked if M4 development is favoring Linux over mac/win. The complaints have largely been to the contrary, that development for Linux is under served at the core development level.
In reply to Agreed. On Linux, I have had… by cfirwin3
Ah great info concerning the 44100, I will try to adjust the sample rate, hopefully the writing experience would be much smoother. Thank you
In reply to maybe it's a windows thing… by Joseph.Zayoun
When I said that my computer is comparable to yours, I meant that I'm running Windows 11 with roughly the same capacity as you reported.
I don't know what the "Audio interface's bitrate at the scoring stage" means???
If it's what you're talking about, in the Sound applet of the Control Panel, the Default Format (the "sample rate and bit depth to be used when running in shared mode") has the following options:
2 channel, 16 bit, 44100 Hz
2 channel, 24 bit, 44100 Hz
2 channel, 16 bit, 48000 Hz
2 channel, 24 bit, 48000 Hz
I am set to the default value: the last (2 channel, 24 bit, 48000 Hz). I've never needed to change that.
If you're talking about something else, describe it?
In reply to When I said that my computer… by TheHutch
"Audio interface's bitrate at the scoring stage"
I mean while writing your score is your sound card or audio interface set at 16 bit or 24.
"2 channel, 24 bit, 48000 Hz"
While you already answered what I almost meant
In reply to When I said that my computer… by TheHutch
'When I said that my computer is comparable to yours, I meant that I'm running Windows 11 with roughly the same capacity as you reported."
I guess I got you mixed up with "underquark" user
In reply to 'When I said that my… by Joseph.Zayoun
No, I was comparing my system to the system you described in the original post.
In reply to No, I was comparing my… by TheHutch
yes i understood you, but what i meant was that my original answer on your original reply was misunderstood by me, because I thought I was replying to "underquark" and not you.
In reply to yes i understood you, but… by Joseph.Zayoun
*blush* Now I've misunderstood you *LOL*
Musescore 3 was faster and lag-free than Musescore 4 onwards. However, to utilize the latest features you may want to use the latter which comes at a cost.
Joseph, How many KB's is your score. I'm trying to create a big score by doubling one of my own. So far it is 200 KB.
In reply to Joseph, How many KB's is… by bobjp
it's 1.26 mb but I had smaller scores of around 400 kbs 500 kbs that used to move a bit slow while writing. I'm using big instrumentation for this one it's comprised of full symphonic orchestra with added auxiliary woodwinds (piccolo english horn bass clarinet contrabassoon) added band (drums bass guitar piano) 4 vocals and a double staff choir and a harp. It's a vocal work basically. the smaller ones were without choir and only for one vocal and without the auxiliary woodwinds, just symphonic orchestra and band plus vocal and a harp
In reply to it's 1.26 mb but I had… by Joseph.Zayoun
The score I'm trying to make bigger is now 677KB. 35 staves Orchestral instruments and percussion. 279 measures. All parts doubled from a smaller score. The original score tripled in length. I input notes with a mouse. Midi keyboard entry may differ.
This score loads and responds as quickly as any other score. But, of course, it isn't you score on your system.
In reply to The score I'm trying to make… by bobjp
well it's weird I don't know what's the problem, are you using windows and is you system close to mine
In reply to Joseph, How many KB's is… by bobjp
I suspect that there is a greater issue with a diversity of instrumentation (re: the play engine and sample sets used) than with file size. This means that a file could be massive, with a lot of notation data and a sizable length... but if the instrumentation is relatively tight, it may not have speed/playback issues as it is calling on few resources. If you want to max out the environment, I would start by loading in a full symphonic template and then adding everything to the project to see what happens (include the proverbial "kitchen sink"... choir, aux. percussion, double/triple instrument instances with their own staves, etc.)
I have not had these kinds if issues, but I can envision a system load scenario where a lot of different instrumentation would consume processing power, especially if everything is playing at once. Some instruments seem to take more power anyway. In the early releases of M4, certain instruments would crash everything just by playing too many rapid notes (ehem... timpani).
In reply to I suspect that there is a… by cfirwin3
I know. But I'm not really interested in going much further. Joseph can't share the problem score, so ther doesn't seem to be more anyone can do.
In reply to I suspect that there is a… by cfirwin3
I am using the muse sounds for anything that is available according to the orchestra and band im writing for. I don't know if it's a muse sound issue, but I do use BBCSO Core on cubase and the workflow is faster, Muse sounds are smaller in size. I don't know exactly what's the problem. Shouldn't be a RAM issue I suspect. (I have 32GB)
In reply to I am using the muse sounds… by Joseph.Zayoun
Did the Jack pull request build fail to address the problem?
If the software seems to slow down progressively the more you use it, but that it is back to normal if you restart it, it might be linked to one of the memory leaks that have been reported on GitHub (for instance, https://github.com/musescore/MuseScore/issues/23158 and https://github.com/musescore/MuseScore/issues/23112). For lags during note input, there is a pending pull request on GitHub that may greatly optimize it in the next version (https://github.com/musescore/MuseScore/pull/22791). Hope it helps !
I don't know if this helps, but when I saw this thread, I made some changes in the I/O tab to try and fix mine, and forgot what I did so I (accidentally) clicked Reset All Preferences to Default (at the bottom of the window) and now my orchestra performs perfectly. Of course it reset all my preferences, but I can live with that.
Windows 8.1 Pro
AMD A-106800K APU @ 4.10Ghz
32 GB RAM
Musescore Version: 3.6.2.548021803
Revision: 3224f34
I found this thread because I had a similar issue. Audio is not at stake at all here, it's most probably a layout calculation issue.
As I was working in "continuous layout" mode, I switched to "page layout" at the bottom-right corner of the window and it solved the sluggishness entirely (see the pic attached, in French). I don't know what mode you're working in but if it's continuous mode, you might try this switch. And I'd be interested to know the outcome of your experimentations if that's the case!
Good luck :)