Tutorials

Tip: Extend note durations to fill gaps left when recording

When you record music in real-time using Dorico, it is quantised based on your preferences.
Playing naturally can result in gaps between some notes, especially when using a sustain pedal.
These gaps can be tidied up easily with the help of a simple command.
Go to Write > Edit Duration > Extend to Next Note to extend the duration of notes followed by rests so that those gaps are closed up.
The command can be run over any selection, meaning you can easily choose which parts of your recordings are affected.
To make the process even quicker, set your own key command in Preferences to trigger Extend to Next Note.

Dorico spaces your music for you automatically.
On occasion, you may wish to force the final system to be justified.
Open Layout Options (by pressing Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+L), choose the Note Spacing category, and uncheck the option to Only justify final system in flow when more than n% full.
If you prefer, you can leave the option checked, and just set the value to something higher – this may work better in projects with multiple flows.

Dorico creates part layouts for every player by default.
Sometimes, layouts might be deleted by mistake, meaning they no longer show in the layout selector or the Layouts panel.
Fix this by opening the Setup menu and choosing Create Default Part Layouts.
This will create new copies of any missing instrumental parts that can be dragged to their preferred position, and be found in the layout selector once more.

1. Quickly double or halve note durations for selected music.
2. Use the Write > Edit Duration menu items to double or halve the note durations instantly.
3. With Insert mode enabled, lengthened notes will not overwrite each other, and no gaps will be left between shortened notes.
4. Add your key commands to make these functions even more accessible.

When you have several similarly-named endpoints in the VST Instruments panel (or indeed in the MIDI Instruments panel), it can be difficult to tell which ones relate to which track or Dorico instrument..
The Endpoint Setup dialog allows you to set a name for each endpoint so that you can more easily tell which one is which..

Dorico will condense aligned music from different staves, aiming to write it as notes on just one stem where possible.
Where the rhythms differ, Dorico must then write the music using two voices.
By default, music can switch between being written in one or two voices within a phrase. However, sometimes it may be clearer or more desirable to always use two voices.
The Prevent amalgamation option in Notation Options prevents Dorico from switching between using one and two voices within a phrase. With it set, if a phrase has any notes that must be written using two voices, the whole phrase uses two voices. However, other compatible phrases may still condense down to one stem.
If you would like a layout to condense always using two voices, insert a Condensing change from the Engrave menu, setting up manual condensing for each condensing group of instruments required.

1. By default, system objects (such as tempo marks) display above the top staff.
2. It can be useful also to see the text at other positions.
3. Open Layout Options (using Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+L), navigate to Staves and System, System Objects and choose where you would like to show system objects.

Type Ctrl/Cmd+N to start a new project.
Add a new solo player by typing Shift+P.
Type to filter the results and press Return to add an instrument.
Switch to Write mode by typing Ctrl/Cmd+2.
Type the right arrow key to select the top stave.
Type Shift+K to add a key signature (use upper case letter for major keys and lower case letters for minor keys).
Type Shift+M to add a meter or time signature (type your desired time signature in the format ‘numerator’ / ‘denominator’).
Type Shift+N to start note input (use letters A-G for pitches, and numbers 1-9 for the durations). Use ‘.’ for dotted notes.
There are dozens of key commands to help you, and you can create your own in preferences.

Click the New Empty Project button.
Click to Add Solo Player, and browse to find an instrument.
Switch to Write mode to start creating music.
Use the Notations panels on the right-hand side of the Dorico window to add a key signature and time signature.
Use the Bars and Barlines panel to insert some additional bars to write music into.
Using the Notes panel on the left, select note durations and click them into the score at the desired pitches.