Instrument tracks

Instrument tracks allow you to view, input, and edit notes belonging to the corresponding instrument. Notes are displayed on a piano roll editor or drum editor, depending on the type of instrument.

Each instrument in the project has its own instrument track in the event display in Play mode, including when a single player holds multiple instruments. Instrument tracks are labeled using the full instrument name set for each instrument.

Instruments are automatically assigned a track color when you add them in Setup mode, so that you can tell them apart more easily in Play mode. This color appears around track disclosure arrows, as a strip on expanded instrument tracks, and is used for notes in the event display and events in lanes.

Each instrument track comprises the following:

  1. Track height adjuster

    Allows you to change the height of the track by clicking and dragging its bottom corner.

  2. Track disclosure arrow/Color strip

    The track disclosure arrow allows you to expand/collapse the track. The color strip displays the color assigned to the track. This color is also used for notes in the piano roll editor/drum editor, colored regions on collapsed instrument tracks, and events in the track’s lanes.

    • Collapsed instrument tracks show colored regions in the event display where the instrument has notes. You cannot select or move colored regions.

    • Expanded instrument tracks show notes in either a piano roll editor or drum editor, depending on the instrument type.

  3. Track name

    Shows the name of the track. Instrument tracks use the full instrument name set in the Edit Instrument Names dialog for the instrument.

  4. Track header

    Contains appropriate options for instrument tracks, such as VST or MIDI port/channel menus.

  5. Piano roll editor/Drum editor

    Displays notes belonging to the instrument in either a piano roll editor or drum editor, depending on the instrument type.

Instrument track headers

Each instrument track header contains the following:

  1. Enable independent playback of voices

    Allows you to enable/disable independent voice playback for the instrument track. When enabled, Dorico Pro automatically loads enough additional endpoints, and additional plug-in instances if necessary, to accommodate all voices belonging to the instrument.

  2. Voices menu

    Allows you to select individual voices or all voices belonging to the instrument. Only available when independent voice playback is enabled. Selecting different voices affects which notes appear in the piano roll editor or drum editor.

  3. Set for This Flow/Set for All Flows

    Allows you to determine whether changing the endpoint of the selected voice affects only its endpoint in the current flow or in all flows in the project. This selection only applies once to the changes you make immediately after choosing either Set for This Flow or Set for All Flows.

  4. Plug-in instance menu

    Allows you to select a VST or MIDI instrument plug-in instance to use for the instrument track or selected voice. Not available when independent voice playback is enabled and All voices is selected.

  5. Edit Instrument

    Opens the corresponding VST or MIDI instrument, which allows you to edit its settings.

  6. Port menu

    Allows you to change the endpoint to which the instrument or voice is assigned by selecting the port you want to use when using a plug-in that has multiple ports of 16 channels. Not available when independent voice playback is enabled and All voices is selected.

  7. Channel menu

    Allows you to change the endpoint to which the instrument or voice is assigned by selecting the channel in the selected VST or MIDI instrument that you want to use for the instrument track. Not available when independent voice playback is enabled and All voices is selected.

  8. Show the dynamics lane

    Hides/Shows the dynamics lane below the instrument track. Not available when independent voice playback is enabled and All voices is selected.

  9. Show the MIDI note velocity editor

    Hides/Shows the velocity lane below the instrument track.

  10. Show the automation lane

    Hides/Shows the automation lane below the instrument track. Not available when independent voice playback is enabled and All voices is selected.

  11. Show the playing techniques lane

    Hides/Shows the playing techniques lane below the instrument track. Not available when independent voice playback is enabled and All voices is selected.