Velocity and loudness in MuseScore 4.1
In MuseScore 3, the velocity of a note was bound to its volume: applying a pp to a note meant that a) its loudness would be lower and b) its pressing speed would be lower, which would affect the audio sample picked from the soundfont. Thus, there could be no doubt a pianissimo note would always sound soft.
In MuseScore 4.1, though, velocity and loudness seem to be two different things. In the example below, the velocity of C and E is the default 64 and the velocity of D is 127. However, the D sounds like a note that has been pressed with maximum force and then turned down with a volume control, so C and D have practically the same loudness (despite of the different velocities).
UPD: Here’s a link to an MP3 of my test: https://ivanvetoshkin.me/media/ms4-dynamics.mp3 Sounds absolutely unnatural; a real piano does not work like this.
I am using the default piano soundfont and my MuseScore 4.1 does not include MuseScore Hub, if it matters.
Is this a bug or by design? I’ve read the section on velocity in the list of features not implemented in MS4. If it is by design (as of MS 4.1), my question is, is the “more sophisticated system” replacing the old dynamic controls going to bind velocity to loudness again?
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Comments
I'm trying to follow this. How did you determine anything about the "D"? Other than it is softer.
It has been my understanding that volume and velocity are two different things.
What if you want an accent on a soft note? In that case volume can't be bound to velocity.
In reply to I'm trying to follow this… by bobjp
> It has been my understanding that volume and velocity are two different things.
I don’t think they are on a real acoustic piano. How can you hit a note with maximum force and make it silent at the same time?
Actually, here’s a link to an MP3 of my test: https://ivanvetoshkin.me/media/ms4-dynamics.mp3 This should give you the picture of what I’m talking about. Sounds absolutely unnatural.
When I apply an accent to a pianissimo note, the velocity gets higher, just as it should. But the note is still silent. I don’t think that kind of thing is possible on a real piano.