It took me years to find out (from MM) what Expressions actually did. It appears to be a vestigial attempt to align dynamics with specific layers, but since it can only work for one layer, it is not...

The point is that the string chords dim when the Expressions is set to the string patch used in the chords (in VST). When I set Layer 1 to oboe and Expressions to oboe, the "melody" dim's but the...

Expressions do not (necessarily) affect all layers of an instrument, and chords are treated as a separate layer. Try setting the "Expressions" "layer" to the same instrument as your chords; that is...

I've just used a cut symbol in the few instances I've encountered the situation.

You can upload a new Aria player at https://store.makemusic.com/Downloads/Default.aspx Depending on your current version, you may be able to update the player (and engine) from the Setting tab of the...