Make MuseScore LOOK and SOUND Better! | Tips & Tricks

The recent improvements in music notation software is making it easier for composers and songwriters to create great music with limited resources. As Beethoven penned his symphonies, he did not have synthesized playback and fancy mixing tabs at his disposal. This is a serious tool within the world of orchestration and composition!
MuseScore has been one of my favorite music programs EVER. I have sort or grown up with it. Its affordability (free), user-friendly layout, limited file sizes, its incredible new library of instrument sounds, and many more features have made it appealing to many since its launch in 2002. This software has become a real competitor and it stuns me that it is free!
MuseScore: musescore.org/en
Score Layout & Formatting Video:
• Orchestration Question...
"Orchestration Question 12: Paper Sizes"
@OrchestrationOnline
0:00 Intro - Notation Software = Finicky
0:59 Mastering the MuseScore Mixer
1:29 Picking the Right Instrument Sound
2:24 Percussion and Volume Levels
3:04 Panning Your Sounds
3:43 Panning Naturally
5:35 Loop Playback to Refine (Mix and Pan)
6:58 Fixing LOUD Instruments (Invisible Dynamics)
9:54 Not Always a Hairpin
10:59 Formatting the Page
11:12 Text Styles
12:09 Page Settings
12:31 Scaling
12:55 Page Margins
13:11 Leave Room for a Hole Puncher
13:57 Outro
14:24 Final Product - 'The Book Worm'
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[@Alexander-oh8ry]

I funnily invented the invisible dynamics trick for myself before watching

[@DylanMayMusic]

It’s incredibly useful! Happy composing.

[@isomeme]

Regarding left-right panning of bass sources, note that because of the physics of acoustics, it's harder for people to determine the direction of a bass source compared to treble. That's why it usually doesn't matter where you put a subwoofer in a room. So if you pan the bass way off-center, those listening on speakers may not even notice, while those listening on headphones will hear the bass in an obviously unnatural way. This effect is always distracting, and often disturbing. Unless that is your intention, keep the bass panned at or near the center.

[@1122445]

Thanks D look forward to devouring this, soon. God bless XxX

[@DylanMayMusic]

No problem! 👍

[@hstanekovic]

Nice composition, well done.

[@DylanMayMusic]

Very happy you enjoyed! 😃

[@douglasrose4332]

Great info. Thanks, Dylan. (Some funny lines as well.😊). Cheers!

[@douglasrose4332]

Nice piece and orchestration. Congrats!

[@Kcabm9]

Thank you!!!

[@karolcpm-]

Hello,
Great tips and tricks, not only to improve playback but also to better the look of the pages. I find it strange that you have to lower the volume for the brass and percussion as those instrument families tend to need a good volume boost in my experience. Here is some of my experience with using MuseScore 4.
If the score was imported from MuseScore 3, another notation app, or even written entirely in MuseScore 4, I would redo all the dynamics by each instrument family and group before mixing and mastering. The main reason is because different notation apps and sounds tend to interpret dynamics differently.
My current workflow as welcomed in the video outro
1. Turn off the default reverb (Muse Reverb sounds much better in my opinion)
2. Pan instruments (based on a template guide I made last year)
3. Adjust volume for each individual mix to highlight important details
4. Use Medium Room Reverb or StaffPad depending on the orchestral textures
I do have to comment about the clipping towards the end. MuseScore 4 will not preview with the clipping, but the audio export will. I find this a common issue with large and loud scores, though with a simple solution to fix.
1. Start playback at the loudest part of the piece
2. Adjust the master volume until the meter peaks around 0 units.
3. Repeat if any adjustments were made to the mixing.
Personally, I don't bother much with the other effects, but is personal preference.
Clarity and "sonic qualities" are my ultimate goals with making adjustments.
All is said through experience as a self-taught amateur. I hope you find my insights for MuseScore 4 useful. P.S. I also made a short video tutorial.
Great piece by the way, I really enjoyed the warm steady key and chord changes.

[@DylanMayMusic]

I’m thinking you’ll need to make a video now 😂. Wonderful and thorough tips! Thank you very much for the info and the kind words. ❤️

[@karolcpm-]

​@@DylanMayMusic I already made one last year 😉 It's on my channel if you are interested.

[@karolcpm-]

@@DylanMayMusic I already made one 😉

[@DylanMayMusic]

I will check it out!

[@laylasmart]

Thanks for the video Dylan. Is there any way to make both natural and artificial harmonics on the stings? I saw a very cumbersome way to fake it which does not sound the way harmonics does.
Also, I haven't understood what's the differences between the free version and paid version of muse score. It is something about publishing. Does that means that the free version won't let me export both score and parts OF a full orchestra as PDF. What are the limitations?

[@DylanMayMusic]

Great questions.
1 ) As of the latest updates, I have not worked much with string harmonics. I do not believe they currently are supported. However, the latest update includes the ability to change performance techniques (beyond simple arco or pizz).
2 ) I do not have the paid version. It mainly improves the options to upload and download scores off the MuseScore website. As of now, there is no technical advantage. But, I would guess that could change in the future.
Thanks for your questions, and I hope my answer helps.

[@laylasmart]

@@DylanMayMusic
Meanwhile, I got answer from Carl from Carl Irwin Music
"Good news. I just checked this morning and there is an indication for harmonics in the articulations panel. Applying the circle harmonics figure to a note calls up true harmonics samples for strings."
So it seems that natural harmonics are there, Haven't checked it yet. Still, the artificial harmonics are not there or I'm doing something wrong...

[@DylanMayMusic]

@@laylasmart To get access to those sounds, open the “Text” pallet and add a generic text to the instrument in question. Once you have done that, a speaker 🔊 icon will appear by the text.
It should open a drop-down menu which allows you to change.
Let me know if that helps!

[@laylasmart]

@@DylanMayMusic
I know about that also. I don't recall seeing the word "Harmonics" there but I'll give it a try. Thanks.

[@DylanMayMusic]

@laylasmart I assume you have tried putting the articulation marking on the notes in question…