Forte Dynamic Is Distorted
Reported version
4.x-dev
Type
Performance
Frequency
Once
Severity
S3 - Major
Reproducibility
Always
Status
active
Regression
No
Workaround
No
Project
Playback a score with MF dynamics that transitions to F and it will result in loud, distorted output on replay. This occurs with vocals and grand piano instrument selections with the piano volume in the mixer turned down (to emphasize the vocals.) Listen to measures 40 & 52 in the attached score for an example.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head-RPS-V4.mscz | 39.42 KB |
Comments
Playback a score with MF dynamics that transitions to F and it will result in loud, distorted output on replay. This occurs with vocals and grand piano instrument selections with the piano volume in the mixer turned down (to emphasize the vocals.) Listen to measures 40 & 52 in the attached score for an example. Making piano volume the same as vocals will mask the problem somewhat, but the volume increase from MF to F is much too abrupt and loud regardless.
I have listened to the score, and I do not hear any distorted output. It could be that your computer's sound settings are too loud for your speakers, causing clipping. Try reducing the master volume and see if that resolves your issue.
Additionally, your piano part is two separate piano instruments, instead of one instrument with two staves. As a result, the dynamics you are setting in the right hand are not being followed by the left hand.
In reply to I have listened to the score… by Trainzack
That's odd that you can't hear the volume increase and distortion. I've attached an MP3 produced with the "Export" function that illustrates what I'm talking about (listen at 2:04). Be sure to remove the TXT extension (I had to add that tto upload it). You'll note that my computer's sound system has nothing to do with the recording, so I believe there is something going on within Musescore to cause this behavior.
By the way, having the piano part separated into two instruments (I did that for sound pan separation purposes) makes no difference (same result). Here's an example of the same problem with a different score, but with the piano part as a single instrument. Start listening at measure 59 (2:46 in the recording).
I listened to the first mp3, and it sounds exactly the same on that recording as it does when I play the score.
The second mp3 does clip a bit at the loud part, but nothing really sounds distorted to me (though the dynamic increase is a bit more than I'd expect from mf to f).
The step between mezzo forte and forte is really abrupt and is pretty much unusable as it is. That's a shame since the new choir voices especially are so much better than V3, but I now have to modify the score to eliminate all dynamics above mf to avoid the "screaming" effect. Interestingly, the transitions from pp->mf are fluid and pleasant, which makes the jump from mf->f so jarring. I've tried playing with the master control level and that helps some, but the volume "cliff" is still evident no matter what I try.