Dorico Tutorials

Playback Templates in Dorico: How to Use, Apply, and Update Them

Dorico’s Playback Templates are a powerful way to standardize and streamline how your music sounds across projects. Once your instruments, VSTs, and endpoints are configured, Playback Templates allow you to apply those settings consistently, reuse them in new scores, and even share them across teams.

Whether you’re scoring a full musical theater production or creating rehearsal parts for cast and crew, understanding Playback Templates will save you time and avoid redundant setup.

What is a Playback Template?

A Playback Template is a preset that tells Dorico:

• Which VST instruments or sample libraries to load
• Which expression maps or percussion maps to use
• Which saved Endpoint Configurations to apply

Playback Templates give you the ability to switch between different sound configurations instantly, without manually reassigning every instrument in Play Mode.

How to Create a Custom Playback Template

1. Create and Save Endpoint Configurations
   After you assign VSTs and expression maps in Play Mode, go to:mathematicaCopyPlay > Playback Template > Endpoint Setup Click Save Endpoint Configuration, and name it clearly (e.g., “MT Full Cast with NotePerformer”).
2. Open the Playback Template Editor
   Go to:nginxCopyLibrary > Playback Templates
3. Click “Add Playback Template”
   Give your new template a name (e.g., “Show Orchestra – NP”).
4. Add Endpoint Configurations
   Under the Endpoint Configurations section, click Add, and choose from the list of saved configurations.
5. Optionally Add Additional Settings
   • Assign default expression maps or percussion maps
   • Specify fallback behavior for unassigned instruments
6. Click OK to Save
   Your new template is now available for use in any Dorico project.

Applying a Playback Template

To apply a Playback Template to an open project:

1. Go to:mathematicaCopyPlay > Playback Template
2. Select your custom template from the list.
3. Click Apply and Close.

Dorico will now load the associated VSTs, expression maps, and routing for all instruments that match the saved configuration.

Pro Tip: If an instrument in your score is not part of the template’s saved configuration, Dorico will assign a fallback VST. Consider creating templates with complete coverage for your project’s instrument types.

Updating a Playback Template

You cannot edit a playback template directly, but you can update it by:

1. Rebuilding your Endpoint Configuration
   • Open the score with your current routing
   • Make desired changes in Play Mode
   • Go to:mathematicaCopyPlay > Playback Template > Endpoint Setup and overwrite the existing configuration (or save under a new name)
2. Create a new Playback Template referencing the updated config

Using Playback Templates Across Projects

Custom Playback Templates are saved globally in your Dorico user library. That means:

• You can use the same template in multiple projects
• You can switch between templates (e.g., NotePerformer vs. sample library) with one click
• You can back up and transfer your templates to other systems via the Dorico user folder

Best Practices for Musical Theater

• Create different templates for rehearsal piano, full cast mockups, and vocal-only previews
• Use naming that reflects your project structure (e.g., “Act I Cast Only – NP,” “Full Band – Kontakt”)
• Group all required Endpoints in a single Playback Template to avoid piecemeal configuration
• Consider including placeholder instruments for characters who don’t appear until later numbers

Summary

Playback Templates make Dorico’s powerful playback engine repeatable and scalable. By pairing them with carefully prepared Endpoint Configurations, you can maintain sonic consistency across scenes, flows, and entire musical theater projects.