Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the converter
What version of Synthesizer V Studio do I need?
The converter works with all versions of Synthesizer V Studio. Just make sure you have the latest updates installed for the best experience.
Will the converter work with Synthesizer V Studio Basic?
Yes! The converter works with both Basic and Pro versions, as long as you're using version 2.0 or higher.
What file formats are supported?
The converter accepts MusicXML files in all formats: uncompressed (.xml or .musicxml) and compressed (.mxl). Both work perfectly!
Can I use compressed .mxl files?
Yes! SynthScore now fully supports compressed MusicXML (.mxl) files. They're automatically decompressed in the background before conversion.
Can I convert MIDI files?
No, this converter specifically works with MusicXML files because they contain lyrics, notation details, and structural information that MIDI files don't have. However, most notation software can import MIDI and then export as MusicXML.
What is a skeleton JSON file?
A skeleton file is an optional template that lets you pre-configure Synthesizer V settings like voice database, language, phoneset, and vocal mode parameters. Most users don't need to provide one - the converter uses sensible defaults.
My lyrics aren't showing up in the output. What's wrong?
Make sure your original score has lyrics attached to the notes. The converter can only transfer lyrics that exist in the MusicXML file. Also check that you've selected the correct verse export option if using multiple verses.
How does the converter handle multi-syllable words?
The converter reads syllabification from your score. If your notation software marks syllables as 'begin', 'middle', and 'end', the converter will automatically join them into complete words. Make sure to use proper hyphenation in your score.
What does the '+' symbol mean in the lyrics?
The '+' symbol indicates a continuation syllable within a word. It tells Synthesizer V that this note is part of the same word as the previous note.
What does the '-' symbol mean in the lyrics?
The '-' symbol indicates a sustained note - either a tied note or a melismatic passage where one syllable is sung over multiple notes. Synthesizer V will hold the previous syllable.
Can I have different lyrics for repeats?
Yes! If your score has multiple verses and uses repeats, the converter's 'Auto' verse mode will intelligently assign different verses to different passes through the repeated section.
Does the converter handle repeats?
Yes, when 'Follow Roadmap' is enabled, the converter processes repeat signs, 1st/2nd endings, D.S., D.C., Codas, and Fine markings. The music will be fully expanded in the output.
My score has a D.S. al Coda but it's not working correctly. Why?
The converter attempts to auto-detect D.S. al Coda structures in Finale scores (which often don't export these properly). Make sure your Segno, To Coda marker, D.S. al Coda, and Coda are all present. Check the console for auto-fix messages.
What if I have nested repeats?
The converter handles nested repeats, but complex nesting can sometimes be tricky. If you experience issues, you might want to 'unfold' the repeats in your notation software before exporting.
Can I export just a linear version without processing repeats?
Yes! Turn off the 'Follow Roadmap' setting. The converter will process the score linearly from start to finish, ignoring all repeat and navigation symbols.
I have a 4-part SATB score. How should I set it up?
If all four parts share the same lyrics (common in choral music), use the stave grouping feature to assign all four parts to the same group (e.g., 'Choir'). The converter will then share lyrics across all parts.
What is 'Separate 2-voice Staves' for?
In SATB scores, it's common to have Soprano and Alto on one staff, and Tenor and Bass on another. This setting automatically separates these into individual tracks based on pitch (higher notes = one voice, lower notes = another).
My soprano and alto are on the same staff but need different lyrics. What do I do?
Make sure each voice in your original score has its own lyric verse (Verse 1 for soprano, Verse 2 for alto). The converter will respect these when separating voices.
Can I have some parts grouped and others separate?
Yes! In the grouping interface, give different group names to parts you want to keep separate. For example: 'Choir' for SATB parts, 'Solo1' for a soprano solo, 'Solo2' for a tenor solo.
Are tempo changes preserved?
Yes, all tempo markings from your score are converted to Synthesizer V's tempo track.
What about time signature changes?
Yes, time signature changes are fully supported and will be preserved in the output.
My score starts with a pickup measure. Will that work?
Yes, the converter intelligently handles pickup measures and adjusts timing accordingly.
Does the converter support fermatas or caesuras?
Fermatas and caesuras are not explicitly converted, as Synthesizer V doesn't have direct equivalents. You'll need to adjust these manually in Synthesizer V after importing.
The SVP file opens but there's no sound. Why?
You need to assign a voice database to each track in Synthesizer V. The converter creates the tracks and notes, but doesn't assign specific voices.
The pronunciation sounds wrong. How do I fix it?
You'll need to manually adjust the phonemes in Synthesizer V. The converter creates text lyrics, but Synthesizer V's AI determines the pronunciation. You can edit the phoneme sequence for each note.
Can I edit the SVP file after conversion?
Absolutely! The converted file is a fully editable Synthesizer V project. You can adjust notes, timing, lyrics, phonemes, and all voice parameters.
Some notes are missing or in the wrong place. What happened?
This is rare but can occur with very complex or unusual notation. Try simplifying your score, or check for notation errors in the original file. You can also manually add/move notes in Synthesizer V.
How long does conversion take?
Most scores convert in just a few seconds. Very large or complex scores (100+ measures, many parts) might take up to 15-20 seconds.
Is there a file size limit?
There's no hard limit, but extremely large files (10+ MB) may be slow to process. If you have a very large orchestral score, consider exporting just the vocal parts.
Can I convert multiple files at once?
Yes! You can upload multiple MusicXML files (.xml, .musicxml, or .mxl) at once for batch conversion. Each file will be processed and downloaded separately.
If your question isn't answered here, check the Troubleshooting Guide or Instruction Manual for more detailed information.