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Performance Orchestra Documentation

The Performance Orchestra version of Virtual Playing

Orchestra reduces the tedium of MIDI editing for Get
Get Virtual
Virtual Playing
Playing Orchestra
Orchestra (free)
(free)
articulation selection and volume automation. The
MOD wheel controls the volume of each instrument.
How quickly you press a key on your MIDI controller, MORE ...
determines the articulation, and or how fast a note will
sound. Press a key softly, the note volume gradually
increases. Play a key quickly, let go quickly, staccato is
the result. Press a key quickly and hold the key, you can
achieve an accented held note. Even while holding a note, the MOD wheel can adjust the volume of that
note. Key velocity still plays a small role in the volume of a note resulting in added realism (especially
useful when playing staccato notes).

With this version of Virtual Playing Library, you can capture a realistic performance as you record.
Naturally transition from fast, short staccato to slow flowing notes with a crescendo and decrescendo as
you play.

This Performance Orchestra is new for Virtual Playing Orchestra version 3.x but uses the same wave files
as the Standard Orchestra because the new performance style of playing is provided by the new
Performance Orchestra sfz scripts.

Instruments other than Woodwinds, Strings and Brass, are identical in both the Standard Orchestra and the
Performance Orchestra.

Performance Orchestra Notes

Key switches are assigned to the following notes, with "n" representing
where the key switches start

Cn = Performance (default)
C#n = Tremolo (only for string section)
En = Staccato
Fn = Pizzicato (only for strings, of course)
The mod wheel (cc01) controls the volume and when available, will
crossfade between low and high velocity samples.
Key velocity determines the rate of the attack of the notes as well as
the articulation. Press gently and sustain notes will play with an attack
related to the speed of the key press. The more quickly a note is played,
the shorter the attack. Play a note quickly but hold it for a sudden
 sustain note. Quickly play and release a note for staccato.
Although staccato can be played by playing short fast notes, it is also
available via a key switch, and in that case playing short fast notes is
not necessary. You'll hear staccato notes regardless of how the notes are
played.

Performance Orchestra Instruments

Woodwinds
Articulations : Performance (Sustain, Accent, Staccato - by key velocity),
Staccato

Instruments Range Notes

Piccolo D5-C8 Key switches start at C2
(Solo)
It may be necessary to transpose your
MIDI controller up an octave to reach the
upper notes
Load the C3 key switch patch if you
transpose the MIDI notes up and you still
want key switches at C2

Flute C4-D7 Key switches start at C2

(Solo, Section)
It may be necessary to transpose your
MIDI controller up an octave to reach the
upper notes
Load the C3 key switch patch if you
transpose the MIDI notes up and you still
want key switches at C2

Alto Flute G3-G6 Key switches start at C2

(Solo)
Oboe Bb3-A6 Key switches start at C2
(Solo, Section)
English Horn E3-Bb5 Key switches start at C2
(Solo)
Clarinet D3-Bb6 Key switches start at C2
(Solo, Section)
Bass Clarinet Bb1-A5 Key switches start at C6
(Solo)
It may be necessary to transpose your
MIDI controller down an octave to reach
the lowest notes
Load the C1 key switch patch if you
transpose the MIDI notes down and you
want key switches at C2

Bassoon Bb1-Eb5 Key switches start at C6

(Solo, Section)
It may be necessary to transpose your
MIDI controller down an octave to reach
the lowest notes

Contrabassoon Bb0-Bb3 Key switches start at C6

(Solo)
It may be necessary to transpose your
MIDI controller down an octave or two to
reach the lowest notes
Load the C5 key switch patch if you
transpose the MIDI notes down once
octave and you want key switches at C6
Load the C4 key switch patch if you
transpose the MIDI notes down 2 octaves
and you want key switches at C6

All Bb1-C8 All Woodwinds cross faded, spread across the

Woodwinds keyboard.
(Solo, Section) 2 versions:

centered in the stereo field

panned to orchestra seating positions

Strings
Articulations : Performance (Sustain, Accent, Staccato - by key velocity)
Staccato, Tremolo, Pizzicato

Instruments Range Notes

1st Violins G3-A7 Key switches start at C2
(Solo,
Section) It may be necessary to transpose your MIDI
controller up an octave to reach the upper
notes
Load the C3 key switch patch if you
transpose the MIDI notes up and you still
want key switches at C2

2nd Violins G3-A7 Key switches start at C2

(Solo,
Section) It may be necessary to transpose your MIDI
controller up an octave to reach the upper
notes
Load the C3 key switch patch if you
transpose the MIDI notes up and you still
want key switches at C2

Viola C3-A6 Key switches start at C2

(Solo,
Section)
Cello C2-A5 Key switches start at C6
(Solo,
Section)
String Bass C1-G4 Key switches start at C6
(Solo,
Section) It may be necessary to transpose your MIDI
controller down an octave to reach the lowest
notes
Load the C5 key switch patch if you
transpose the MIDI notes down and you still
want keyswitches at C6

All Strings C1-A7 All Strings cross faded, spread across the
(Solo, keyboard.
Section) 2 versions:

centered in the stereo field

panned to orchestra seating positions

NOTES:
- Only instrument with SOLO tremolo is 1st violin

Brass
Articulations : Performance (Sustain, Accent, Staccato - by key velocity),
Staccato

Instruments Range Notes

Trumpet F#3-C6 Key Switches start at C2
(Solo,
Section)
French Horn B1-F5 Key Switches start at C6
(Solo,
Section)
Trombone E2-F5 Key Switches start at C6
(Solo,
Section)
Bass Bb0-F5 Key Switches start at C6.
Trombone
(Solo) It may be necessary to transpose your MIDI
controller down an octave to reach the lowest
notes
Load the A5 key switch patch if you
transpose the MIDI notes down and you
want keyswitches avaiable (they will be at
A6)

Tuba D1-D4 Key Switches start at C6.

(Solo)
It may be necessary to transpose your MIDI
controller down an octave to reach the lowest
 notes
Load the C5 key switch patch if you
transpose the MIDI notes down and you still
want keyswitches at C6

All Brass D1-C6 All Brass cross faded, spread across the
(Solo, keyboard.
Section) 2 versions:

centered in the stereo field

panned to orchestra seating positions

NOTES:
- Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone are dynamicaly cross faded between
low and high volume samples

Vocals
Articulations : Sustain, Normal-mod-wheel

Instruments Range Notes

Choir Male G2-F#4
Choir Female G4-C6
Choir Mixed G2-C6 Choir Male & Choir Female

Other Instrument Notes

Key switches are assigned to the following notes

For Harp, C0 = Sustain (default), D0 = Dampened - OR - B7 = Sustain,

C8 = Dampened
For Timpani, C5 = Hit (default), D5 = roll
For Vibraphone, C2 = Auto Dampened (default), D2 = Open, E2 =
 Silence all notes

Other Instruments
Strings
Instruments Range Articulations Notes
Harp Solo B0 - Sustain, Key switches start at C0 or B7.
G#7 Dampened May need to transpose up or
down to reach Key switches

Keys
Instruments Range Articulations Notes
Celesta C4 - C8 - It may be necessary to transpose
your MIDI controller up an octave
to reach the upper notes

Percussion
Instruments Range Articulations Notes
Glockenspiel F5 - -
C8
Timpani C2 - Hit, Roll Key switches start at C6
C4
Tubular C4 - - A3 silences all notes
Bells G5
Snare Drum - Hit, Roll
Xylophone C4 - -
C8
Vibraphone F3 - F7 Auto Damp, Key switches start at C2, E2
Open silences all notes

Key Mapping for Percussion

Bass drum, Snare, Cymbals
Note # Note Name Instrument
36 C2 Bass Drum 1
38 D2 Bass Drum 2

48 C3 Snare Drum 1 Hit - Left Hand

49 C#3 Snare Drum 1 Hit - Round Robin
50 D3 Snare Drum 1 Hit - Right Hand

52 E3 Snare Drum 1 Roll

53 F3 Snare Drum 2 Hit - Left Hand
54 F#3 Snare Drum 2 Hit - Round Robin
55 G3 Snare Drum 2 Hit - Right Hand
56 G#3 Snare Drum 2 Tap (stick, on rim of drum)
57 A3 Snare Drum 2 Roll

60 C4 Cymbals 1 Roll A
61 C#4 Cymbals 1 Crash Lo
62 D4 Cymbals 1 Roll B
63 D#4 Cymbals 1 Crash Hi

65 F4 Cymbals 2 Short Roll

66 F#4 Cymbals 2 Crash Lo
67 G4 Cymbals 2 Medium Roll
69 A4 Cymbals 2 Long Roll
70 A#4 Cymbals 2 Crash Hi

Cymbals
Note # Note Name Instrument
60 C4 Cymbals 1 Roll A
61 C#4 Cymbals 1 Crash Lo
62 D4 Cymbals 1 Roll B
63 D#4 Cymbals 1 Crash Hi

65 F4 Cymbals 2 Short Roll

66 F#4 Cymbals 2 Crash Lo
67 G4 Cymbals 2 Medium Roll
69 A4 Cymbals 2 Long Roll
70 A#4 Cymbals 2 Crash Hi

Miscellaneous Percussion
Note # Note Name Instrument
43 G2 Triangle roll Hi
44 G#2 Muted Triangle Hi
45 A2 Open Triangle Hi
46 A#2 Gong Hit
47 B2 TamTam A
48 C3 TamTam B
49 C#3 TamTam C
50 D3
51 D#3 Finger Cymbals - Hi
52 E3 Finger Cymbals - Lo
53 F3 Tambourine Shake
54 F#3 Tambourine Hit
55 G3 Tambourine Roll
56 G#3 Cowbell
57 A3
58 A#3 Vibra slap
59 B3
60 C4 Quinto Hit (or high conga)
61 C#4 Quinto Tap
62 D4 Conga Hit (or mid conga)
63 D#4 Conga Tap
64 E4 Tumba Hit (or low conga)
65 F4 Tumba Tap1
66 F#4
67 G4
68 G#4
69 A4 Cabasa
70 A#4 Shaker
71 B4 Ratchet Crank
72 C5 Ratchet Fast
 73 C#5 Ratchet Slow
74 D5 Castanets
75 D#5 Claves
76 E5 Wood-block-hi
77 F5 Wood-block-lo
78 F#5
79 G5 Triangle roll Lo
80 G#5 Muted Triangle Lo
81 A5 Open triangle Lo
82 A#5 Sleighbells
83 C6 Bell Tree 1 Stroke 1
84 C#6 Bell Tree 1 Stroke 2
86 D6 Bell Tree 1 Stroke 3
87 D#6 Bell Tree 1 Stroke 4
88 E6 Bell Tree 2
89 F6 Bar Chimes A
90 F#6 Bar Chimes B
91 G6 Bar Chimes C
4 comments on “Performance Orchestra Documentation”

1. Denis
December 11, 2021 at 12:57 pm

Good afternoon! Can you please tell me if you can fix the fact that the sounds of the
instruments do not play very long notes to the end? Thank you in advance for your reply!

Reply

Paul Battersby
December 11, 2021 at 2:19 pm

You’ll have to tell me more about what you are using to play back the sounds because
the instruments do play very long notes when used with Sforzando on a Windows
machine for me which is the only way I have of testing them though others have
tested other systems and reported success. I have read of some issues with Musescore
 if that’s what you’re using.

Reply

2. George stewart
October 11, 2019 at 11:21 pm

Didnt down lo!d l]pl

Reply

Paul Battersby
October 12, 2019 at 6:29 am

What are you trying to download? There is nothing on this page to download. There
is only documentation here.

Reply

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