Dynamics do not change SoundFont playback quality

[Arnesfield]

Issue type

General playback bug

Description with steps to reproduce

1. Using a SoundFont in MuseScore 4, play the score without any dynamics (default).
2. Add a softer dynamic (e.g. piano) and play the score again.
3. Playback volume is lowered, but somehow the playback quality(?) does not change.
4. Repeat the same steps for MuseScore 3, but the playback quality changes when the same dynamic (e.g. piano) is added.

Supporting files, videos and screenshots

MuseScore 3.6.2 and MuseScore 4.4.2 comparison:

musescore.3.6.2.vs.4.4.2.soundfont.dynamics.difference.mp4

Using Equinox Grand Pianos soundfont Steinway D patch, but the issue is probably reproducible with other soundfonts.

I am not too familiar with the terminologies here, and I am not sure if this can be fixed with a configuration change. But what I think is happening is that MuseScore 4 only changes the volume of a part compared to what MuseScore 3 is doing where the playback quality(?) is noticeably different.

Somehow the playback quality when the piano marking was added doesn't change for MuseScore 4 but is very much apparent in MuseScore 3.

I have also tested this with the MuseScore_General.sf2 soundfont and the same playback quality issue occurs in MuseScore 4 where the volume is lowered but quality does not change compared to MuseScore 3.

Additionally, setting the playback velocities for the notes in MuseScore 4 do not change the quality and only changes the volume, at least from my observations.

What is the latest version of MuseScore Studio where this issue is present?

MuseScore 4.4.2

Regression

Yes, this used to work in MuseScore 3.x and now is broken

Operating system

Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS

Additional context

No response

Checklist

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• I have verified that this issue has not been logged before, by searching the issue tracker for similar issues
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• I have attempted to identify the root problem as concisely as possible, and have used minimal reproducible examples where possible