In 2010:

When playing back the score from the score (ambient playback), the reverb level, even when at 'zero', was equivalent to a setting of '60'. However, when using the "Export to Audio File" method to create an mp3 file, all that reverb is gone, to an equivalent setting of true '0'.

 

This was a real problem at first, when composing to the reverb, and then having it lost- I could not figure out why things did not sound right in the mp3 recording.

 

To solve the discrepancy I would compose to the ambient reverb (equivalent to '60'), with the reverb setting at '0', then, when converting to an audio, I would set the reverb to '60' to get an audio recording that matched the ambient playback.

 

2010 was nice because if I desired, I could compose with true zero reverb in mind, to get a crisp, clear performance and to hear clearly each instrument's timber.

 

 

 

Well! What do you think changed with the 2010a patch?

 

 

 

The 2010a patch 'fixed' this reverb 'problem', but backwards:

 

Instead of having the ambient playback and audio file conversion at true zero reverb, they left the '60' reverb in ambient playback, and made sure it transferred to the mp3 recording.

 

What this means is that now the minimum reverb that can be heard and obtained in ambient playback and in audio files is an equivalent setting of '60'. This is terrible- it muddles any notes from 16ths and faster on most instruments. Now there is no way to create an audio file with reverb below an equivalent setting of '60'. (except to go back to 2010 and compose to a reverb of '60' with '0' in mind).

 

I'm submitting a support case on it, and I'll post any resolutions or procedures they come up with, whether the problem is 'user error', a PC problem, or a Finale 2010a problem (which is what it appears to be, until I find out or am informed otherwise).

 

 

 

Update: Here is the reply from tech support:

Previously, Finale 2010 did not save the Master Ambience FX in an audio file. It only saved the FX loaded per bank. After the update, it includes both the Ambience per VST bank and the Master Ambience FX. You may need to make changes to your ambience on the files you had previously created for desired levels of reverb.

 

 

The response helped, after I spent some time with the issue. I deal with it through the plug-in reverb control panel. I'm still not sure about the terminology in the reply, what he meant by "Master Ambience FX" and "Ambience per VST bank", maybe the 'master' is the reverb control in the Mixer, and the Ambience per VST bank is the plug-in reverb control panel. (there is probably a way by tweaking the midi file directly, but that learning curve is not a pleasant prospect! )