[mgj32]

Hi Sherry,
Thanks. It sounds quite logical to use Audigy as one sound device and Synthfont as another. I wonder if it might get around the problem of the computer crashing when I try to use Audigy's synth A and B in the same way. For now I'll try the SF, Maple, Composer set up. After finishing the Christmas Symphony revision, which I am finding I intended more changes/additions than I had remembered, especially in the finale, I will do some experimenting, using Audigy synth A and Maple (or virtual midi cable) as the midi devices.

Alll through "The Search for Nelly Gray," I've been able to find instruments not playing when another is. For example, the piano and banjo never play together so their staves can share a channel. It works pretty well, but I've found it wise to do a sound change on each staff--that is, make both staves either piano or banjo. But of course there is a limit to how many instruments this method would work for, depending on the composition. So here's hoping your hope works out.

all best,
mgj