Articulations in playback

Adding articulations to your score affects how notes sound in playback.

If you do not have a sample library, Dorico still changes how a note sounds in playback if you have put an articulation on it. For example, a staccato mark causes a note to sound shorter than normal, and an accent causes a note to sound louder than normal.

The Timing page in Playback Options provides options for the default effect of articulations of duration. The Dynamics page contains options for articulations of force.

If you do have a sample library, Dorico loads the specific sample for an articulation if such a sample is included in your sample library for that instrument.

As the articulation applies to the whole note, the sample is triggered at the start of a note. This includes notes that are tie chains.

You can open Playback Options in any of the following ways:

  • Press Ctrl/Cmd-Shift-P in any mode.

  • Choose Play > Playback Options in Play mode.