How to use Iconica Sketch in NotePerformer | Discover Dorico

In this session, we'll look at how to use Iconica Sketch in NotePerformer with the NotePerformer Playback Engine and how that is different to using it directly in Dorico itself.

0:00 Intro
4:25 Dorico default setup with Iconica (comparison)
4:50 Default playback template
5:50 Adding instruments
6:30 Instruments load automatically in HALion, many using Iconica
10:30 Loading an orchestral file - samples load automatically

12:05 Loading NotePerformer default sounds
13:15 NotePerformer mixer

16:50 Setting up NotePerformer Playback Engines
17:28 First-time setup of Iconica

19:48 Loading samples from Iconica Sketch
21:50 NotePerformer mixer differences

23:35 System considerations - CPU and RAM usage
25:40 Settings for noise, reverb and exporting stems
26:05 Mic position, stereo width, output options
28:20 Note audition only using staccato - change to NP default sounds

32:55 Adding more staves for divisi playback (enable independent voice playback)

37:00 Loading samples from other libraries
38:40 e.g. Spitfire BBCSO Core

40:20 Saving your orchestra setup in NPPE

42:45 Quickly selecting all the Iconica Sketch instruments
46:00 Setting the correct number of staves for each instrument

48:00 Korngold Sea Hawk playback

50:25 Editing playback templates to load samples from multiple libraries
52:30 Manually adding other VST instruments from HALion or Kontakt alongside NotePerformer

55:14 Questions from the live chat

We hope you find this video entertaining and useful. If you like what you see, please leave a comment and tell us what you think. Thank you.
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[timparkin]

A very helpfull session which I shall continue to reference as I start to setup Iconica and other library templates with Noteperformer.

[MikhailRimskyKorsakov]

Thanks John. You are amazing teacher as always! I have NP for so long and never know I could do this.

[agorgedslug]

Just caught this today after searching specifically. Exactly what I needed, thanks John.

[dennislarson]

Extremely helpful video -- thanks, John!

[maxtofone]

Thanks a lot John for this excellent session. Mx 🙏

[Rollinglenn]

tremendous help - don't mind the waffling!

[EricGoetzMusic]

One thing I'm confused about it why you would want to do this? Is Iconica Sketch playback better via note performer than directly. I realize that I can just try it, but before I commit to watching an hour-long video and then probably another hour's worth of fiddling around in Dorico to find out this answer myself, I'm wondering if someone else has tried this and come summarize the advantages?

[dajie]

it is so surprise how useable iconic sketch is

[arbous]

Hi John. Would you be able to share the Dorico file with the ensemble that has quite a few instruments? And if you don't mind to point out which areas show improvements with Iconica Sketch in NP Playback engine that otherwise we won't be able to find convincing enough using Note Performer without Iconica Sketch? Rather than the whole demo pieces which are too large to pinpoint the differences. Same analogy is also valid for comparing Iconica Sketch with or without Note Performer. I was in communication with Alexander from Wallander and he mentioned NP uses their own articulations that are not included in the sample library which would be quite a few if we consider all the shorter and longer samples and accents in the beginning of sfz, etc. etc. so if they are using their own things does it mean they bypass using the sample library for those situations or they still use the sample library as a base and build it further and manipulate those samples from that point to create those articulations? The other question I have is if you compared Iconica+NPPE vs. Iconica Sketch+NPPE. Are they sound pretty much the same? If you found any difference what would it be?

[profrat]

I was looking forward to trying this - have been pretty impressed by NotePerformer but some instruments are better than others. However, even though HALion/Iconica works fine when running directly in Dorico, and NP works fine when using its own samples and when using the playback engine with Musio, and I can start/use the Halion Sonic7 app directly, NP Playback Engine produces an error "HALion Sonic: Some audio files are missing. Please check installation". I assume it's looking in the wrong place - but am struggling to figure out what is causing that.

[Moein_Soleimany]

Thank you for the explanation. I have a request though.. can we have an expression map mainly in Dorico for the Iconica sections and players to use as a Playback??

[_danvibes_]

Firstly, thanks for the in-depth video. It is appreciated!
I am at a red light because I can't locate the Iconica Sketch FREE version in the NPPE app. It only shows Iconica Sections and Players, which is humungous and costs money. I have downloaded the version of Iconica Sketch that comes with Dorico Pro 5, and have it running with HALION on Dorico Pro 5.
Could it be that because I am using a Rent - to - own version of Note Performer that it is not showing me the free version of Iconica Sketch to use with Note Performer? I have no idea where to look or how to get the free version of Iconica Sketch on the Note Performer Playback Engine.

[MadMusicologist]

And how is this going without NotePerformer, please?