Optimization for MIDI recording

Dorico Pro Help

Product
Dorico Pro
Version
5.1
Language
English
Document type
Webhelp
ft:openMode
fluidtopics

Depending on your operating system and the MIDI devices you use for recording, you might find that the notes you record are not notated with the durations or at the rhythmic positions you expected. Optimizing the settings related to MIDI recording can help you achieve better results.

  • You can find options that affect MIDI recording on the Play page in Preferences.

Because there can be a time latency between you pressing keys on a MIDI device and the notes being picked up by Dorico Pro, we recommend that you check the latency by inputting a simple rhythm against the click; for example, recording quarter notes in a 4/4 time signature.

Depending on the results, there are different settings you can change:

  • If your notes are notated with incorrect durations, such as sixteenth notes notated as eighth notes, we recommend that you change the quantization options.

  • If notes are input with missing or incorrect notations, we recommend that you change the detected notations in Preferences > Play > Recording.

    Note

    Notation settings are linked between Preferences and the MIDI Import Options dialog.

  • If your notes are notated ahead of the beat, we recommend that you increase the latency compensation value.

  • If your notes are notated behind the beat, we recommend that you reduce the buffer size for your audio device to the lowest possible value that still produces stable playback with no drop-outs.

    Note

    The built-in audio device on Windows computers cannot always achieve a low enough latency for reliable input in real time. In such cases, we recommend that you use an external USB audio interface with ASIO support.