Request: Support for MIDI Keyswitches (C-2 range) and 3rd-Party VSTs in MuseScore 4.5.2
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for a way to use MIDI keyswitches (such as C-2, C#-2, D-2, D#-2) with 3rd-party VST plugins (like BBC Symphony Orchestra, Spitfire Audio, etc.) within MuseScore 4.5.2 to control articulations (e.g., Long, Spiccato, Pizzicato, Tremolo).
Many professional orchestral libraries utilize this very low note range to trigger various instrument articulations (for example, C-2 for legato, C#-2 for staccato).
I've noticed that:
In MuseScore 4.5.2, even when using a hidden staff (ghost staff), it seems to only allow note entry down to C-1. It's not possible to input notes below this limit (e.g., C-2).
This prevents the direct sending of necessary keyswitches to VSTs that require them in the C-2/C#-2 range and below.
My question is:
Is there a method or a workaround (even a complex one) in MuseScore 4.5.2 (or recent versions) to input and send MIDI notes below C-1, specifically C-2 (MIDI 0), C#-2 (MIDI 1), etc., to a loaded VST plugin?
I'm aware that some notation software uses "Expression Maps" or "Playback Dictionaries" to map musical symbols to specific keyswitches, but it doesn't seem like MuseScore 4.5.2 has a direct user interface to configure something similar for 3rd-party VSTs in that very low range.
Any suggestions, pointers to hidden functionalities, plugins, or insights into future implementation roadmaps would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Comments
Correct, MS does not allow below c-1.
IMHO, what we really need is some kind of system to just enter a KS when needed - something similar to soundflags. Without the need of a hidden staff.
I doubt this is on the radar. There is no trace of anything related to KS in github, let alone a begin of solution.
This looks to me as a very important requirement, if MuseScore wants to be a software with the good support for VST instrument standard. If not then ... but I really hope that the plan is not to force users to use only instruments that are firmly tied to MuseScore and are sold in MuseHub platform.