Performance Orchestra Documentation

The Performance Orchestra version of Virtual Playing Orchestra reduces the tedium of MIDI editing for articulation selection and volume automation. The MOD wheel controls the volume of each instrument. How quickly you press a key on your MIDI controller, 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)
  • NOTE: For the numbering of notes on the keyboard, C4 is defined as middle C.
  • 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
(Solo)		 D5-C8 Key switches start at C2
  • 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
(Solo, Section)		 C4-D7 Key switches start at C2
  • 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
(Solo)		 G3-G6 Key switches start at C2
Oboe
(Solo, Section)		 Bb3-A6 Key switches start at C2
English Horn
(Solo)		 E3-Bb5 Key switches start at C2
Clarinet
(Solo, Section)		 D3-Bb6 Key switches start at C2
Bass Clarinet
(Solo)		 Bb1-A5 Key switches start at C6
  • 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
(Solo, Section)		 Bb1-Eb5 Key switches start at C6
  • It may be necessary to transpose your MIDI controller down an octave to reach the lowest notes
Contrabassoon
(Solo)		 Bb0-Bb3 Key switches start at C6
  • 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 Woodwinds
(Solo, Section)		 Bb1-C8 All Woodwinds cross faded, spread across the keyboard.
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
(Solo, Section)		 G3-A7 Key switches start at C2
  • 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
(Solo, Section)		 G3-A7 Key switches start at C2
  • 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
(Solo, Section)		 C3-A6 Key switches start at C2
Cello
(Solo, Section)		 C2-A5 Key switches start at C6
String Bass
(Solo, Section)		 C1-G4 Key switches start at C6
  • 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
(Solo, Section)		 C1-A7 All Strings cross faded, spread across the keyboard.
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
(Solo, Section)		 F#3-C6 Key Switches start at C2
French Horn
(Solo, Section)		 B1-F5 Key Switches start at C6
Trombone
(Solo, Section)		 E2-F5 Key Switches start at C6
Bass Trombone
(Solo)		 Bb0-F5 Key Switches start at C6.
  • 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
(Solo)		 D1-D4 Key Switches start at C6.
  • 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
(Solo, Section)		 D1-C6 All Brass cross faded, spread across the keyboard.
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 - G#7 Sustain, Dampened Key switches start at C0 or B7. 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 - C4 Hit, Roll Key switches start at C6
Tubular Bells C4 - G5
-
 A3 silences all notes
Snare Drum
-
 Hit, Roll
Xylophone C4 - C8
-
Vibraphone F3 - F7
Auto Damp, Open
 Key switches start at C2, E2 silences all notes

Key Mapping for Percussion

Bass drum, Snare, Cymbals

Note # Note Name Instrument
36C2Bass Drum 1
38D2Bass Drum 2
 
48C3Snare Drum 1 Hit - Left Hand
49C#3Snare Drum 1 Hit - Round Robin
50D3Snare Drum 1 Hit - Right Hand
 
52E3Snare Drum 1 Roll
53F3Snare Drum 2 Hit - Left Hand
54F#3Snare Drum 2 Hit - Round Robin
55G3Snare Drum 2 Hit - Right Hand
56G#3Snare Drum 2 Tap (stick, on rim of drum)
57A3Snare Drum 2 Roll
 
60C4Cymbals 1 Roll A
61C#4Cymbals 1 Crash Lo
62D4Cymbals 1 Roll B
63D#4Cymbals 1 Crash Hi
 
65F4Cymbals 2 Short Roll
66F#4Cymbals 2 Crash Lo
67G4Cymbals 2 Medium Roll
69A4Cymbals 2 Long Roll
70A#4Cymbals 2 Crash Hi

Cymbals

Note # Note Name Instrument
60C4Cymbals 1 Roll A
61C#4Cymbals 1 Crash Lo
62D4Cymbals 1 Roll B
63D#4Cymbals 1 Crash Hi
 
65F4Cymbals 2 Short Roll
66F#4Cymbals 2 Crash Lo
67G4Cymbals 2 Medium Roll
69A4Cymbals 2 Long Roll
70A#4Cymbals 2 Crash Hi

Miscellaneous Percussion

Note # Note Name Instrument
43G2Triangle roll Hi
44G#2Muted Triangle Hi
45A2 Open Triangle Hi
46A#2Gong Hit
47B2 TamTam A
48C3 TamTam B
49C#3TamTam C
50D3
51D#3Finger Cymbals - Hi
52E3 Finger Cymbals - Lo
53F3 Tambourine Shake
54F#3Tambourine Hit
55G3 Tambourine Roll
56G#3Cowbell
57A3
58A#3Vibra slap
59B3
60C4 Quinto Hit (or high conga)
61C#4Quinto Tap
62D4 Conga Hit (or mid conga)
63D#4Conga Tap
64E4 Tumba Hit (or low conga)
65F4 Tumba Tap1
66F#4
67G4
68G#4
69A4 Cabasa
70A#4Shaker
71B4 Ratchet Crank
72C5 Ratchet Fast
73C#5Ratchet Slow
74D5 Castanets
75D#5Claves
76E5 Wood-block-hi
77F5 Wood-block-lo
78F#5
79G5 Triangle roll Lo
80G#5Muted Triangle Lo
81A5 Open triangle Lo
82A#5Sleighbells
83C6 Bell Tree 1 Stroke 1
84C#6Bell Tree 1 Stroke 2
86D6 Bell Tree 1 Stroke 3
87D#6Bell Tree 1 Stroke 4
88E6 Bell Tree 2
89F6 Bar Chimes A
90F#6Bar Chimes B
91G6 Bar Chimes C
4 comments on “Performance Orchestra Documentation”

  1. 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

    • 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

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