Clipping Issue

If a score plays back with clipping issues using GPO Sibelius (due to lack of computer memory) will the clipping be transfered to a CD if I then export the audio file as such? Also, is there any way to reduce clipping during playback without cutting the number of instruments used? Does it help to notate three parts for, say, flute, on one staff in multiple voices instead of three indiviual staves?

Thanks for any responses.

I think by Clipping you mean that scratchy sound you get when you don't have enough ram...?

Yes it transfers to an audio file or CD when you record it, it records exactly what it plays.

The best way to avoid clipping, (a trick I learned from Marius) is to record a single staff part at a time, or what your computer can handle, then use an audio editing program (Like Audacity, it's free just look it up on Google)to edit all the audio files together. (I noticed that it's better to leave it as a .WAV after you record each single part, because it keeps the bitrate up) Then you can merge it together and just use whatever WAV to MP3 program you have.

Hope that was helpful.

I'd suggest that way too.
To record the sound from your speakers, follow these instructions (windows only):

Go to the speaker icon in your taskbar. If you don't have it, go to control panel, and then the sounds category, and then Sounds and Audio Devices.

Then go to the recording properties and make sure Stereo Mix is selected, and then press OK. Instead of selecting your microphone, select Stereo Mix as the recording device.

Now what you should do, is hit record in Audacity and then playback each staff as Songjun said.

You may have to cut some parts to make everything fit perfectly.

I have no idea why xanic is suggesting recording that way because it's a redundant and dumb idea, so avoid it.

Songjun, however, has given you my answer for me so I'll just expand a bit on it. Group your instruments into sections (if your RAM can handle it) and then record each group individually. Then, in Audacity it's a simple process of importing the tracks and mixing it all down to a single file.

Of course, the simplest method would be to just get more RAM and save yourself the trouble, but I assume that since you're asking this your budget doesn't allow it at the moment.

Also, notating all of one type of instrument on as few staves as possible is going to help, but it's not really a solution.

Good luck with it!

I appreciate everyone's advice about using Audacity, but how would I manage the balance of the instruments? Wouldn't they all end up sounding at the same dynamic level and mush together if I merged individual parts in Audacity?

You can change the levels, but if you record each instrument seperately it will still be at the same level and dynamic that you have it in Sibelius.

I have no idea why xanic is suggesting recording that way because it's a redundant and dumb idea, so avoid it.

Sorry, didn't know what Songjun meant until now. I completely forgot about the idea of directly getting the audio file from the software...

how would you get 'clipping' by lack of enough memory?

i'm not sure thats the correct terminology

Clipping happens because your computer can't keep up with the size of the samples being required. The samples are preloaded into memory for playback and thus if there's not enough memory available, your playback will skip and pop and clip as the computer struggles and fails to keep up with the demands. The terminology is perfectly correct.