Endpoints

Endpoint is the term used for the unique combination of inputs and outputs that together allow the correct sounds to be played for each instrument.

In Dorico Elements, each endpoint brings together the following:

• A particular VST instrument or MIDI output device

• A specific channel on that VST instrument or MIDI output device

• The patch or program assigned to that channel

• The expression map, and optionally percussion map as well, that describes the instrument or instruments that can be played by that patch or program, and the playing techniques and articulations provided

Each instrument in your project is connected to a specific endpoint, and assigning an expression map to the same endpoint allows Dorico Elements to translate playing technique changes and note articulations into the key switches and controller switches necessary to reflect the required sounds for the instrument in playback.

If you are using the HSSE+HSO (Pro) playback template with HALion Sonic SE or HALion Symphonic Orchestra, endpoints and expression maps are set up automatically. However, if you want to load other plug-ins or change the patches within HALion Sonic SE, then you must use the Endpoint Setup dialog.

For example, if you have a project that uses the HSSE+HSO (Pro) playback template and you change one of the sounds in HALion Sonic SE, such as changing Clarinet Combi in HALion Symphonic Orchestra to GM Clarinet, this plays back incorrectly because the HALion Symphonic Orchestra patch uses a modulation wheel to control volume dynamics, but the GM patch uses note velocity. In playback, notes consequently have no dynamics and too much vibrato. You can correct this in the Endpoint Setup dialog by changing the expression map for that channel from the HALion Symphonic Orchestra Clarinet to Default, which uses note velocity for dynamics instead of a modulation wheel.