best music composing software?

[Guest]

So I've purchased Finale Notepad 2009 for $10 and see that it provides adequate needs for composing music; however, I would like to know if there are better options out there.</p>

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Suggestions?
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[cosmicpanda]

Re: best music composing software?



I find Sibelius very satisfactory for my needs as a music composition student. It does an adequate job of playback as well with most music, though I have produced some pieces that baffle it!</p>

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It's not very good at the organ, in my experience; however, I've managed to plug myorgan into it, which provides a handy backup (even if the sounds are not always what you want, they're far better than the one Sibelius does by default). </p>

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Hauptwerk also plugs into Sibelius but I wasn't able to get it to respond to commands in Sibelius to change stops etc, so I decided it wasn't worth the cost and I didn't buy it. </p>

[fuguebwv582]

Re: best music composing software?




I have experienced both Finale and Sibelius. In my opinion, the former is awful and the latter is way too expensive. If Sibelius were less that U$100, I'd say, "Ok!" But it isn't, so I won't.</p>



I use NoteWorthy Composer 2. The original NoteWorthy Composer was priced at about U$40. Version 2 is U$49, and it's still a bargain. I do "virtual performances" with Hauptwerk and NoteWorthy Composer. It will do anything and everything I want it to do, and probably a lot more. It works strictly with musical notation. You can demo it with no restrictions except that only 10 saves are allowed. If you want to hear some older performances with version 1 of Hauptwerk, go to my web site here: http://heavyorgan.org/part-1/sdg/sdg.html.</p>



I you want newer MP3s done with Hauptwerk 3, email me, I can give you an URL to get the new stuff. I can send you examples of NoteWorthy projects, too.
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[myorgan]

Re: best music composing software?



While software other than Finale or Sibelius is available, much of it is non-standard, or purposed for a particular platform (i.e. Haupwerk, myorgan, etc.). Some software, while it does notation, is better for actual performance--like sequencing software. Also, make sure the software will stay around for a while. I purchased a notation software called MusicWrite back in the early 1990s. Now, I have useless music data files because the company no longer exists. MIDI doesn't have dynamic markings, etc. so I've lost the music forever. Fortunately, I printed copies out, but have lost some in the several years since.</P>


Rather than dumping the baby out with the bathwater, have you considered other options? Both Finale and Sibelius are available to students through campus computer stores at a discount. Sometimes, States have a program though the Department of Education, or an outside agency which offers software at a discounted rate (check out: http://www.actem.org/Pages/ACTEM_Partners/Sibeliusfor the State of Maine).</P>


Both programs you mentioned have their quirks, but do the job reasonably well--as long as you learn the program. I've found Sibelius to be a bit more easy to learn than Finale, but that's just me.</P>


Michael</P>

[Juniper]

Re: best music composing software?

From what I have been told among fellow composers, Sibelius is the best program out there.I however still use an outdated program called Magix Notation, which actually still works pretty well. It really depends on your needs. There areless expensiveprograms out there that may be enough if what you write is simple pieces. Of course if you write very contemporary 20th century music that uses odd time signatures (or none at all), you use microtones etc. then Sibelius or Finale might be necessary.

[nullogik]

Re: best music composing software?



I've been fortunate enough to use three software packages in various capacities.
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Of the two "big names" out there I prefer Finale over Sibelius. </p>

Definitely Sibelius has the nicest interface to work with and looks the more modern of the two programs. But I did not find Sibelius that intutitive to use (I don't like reading instruction manuals) whereas I was able to pick up the main functions of Finale within a few minutes of messing around with it. </p>

In terms of features and functions I'd say the two are pretty closely matched - there isn't much between them. I would say that the latest version of Sibelius is a step back from V4, it now takes a very long time to load (whereas V4 used to load within about 10 secs) and I've found it to be more unstable (v4 was very stable) and thus crashes more often. For the precious few advancements in features, I'd say its not worth getting V5, particularly if you can get a new legit boxed copy of V4 perhaps at a discounted rate (if there are any left).</p>

If you have to go for the one of the two Finale gets my vote.</p>

The third package I was introduced too and still use is produced by a german software house and is called Capella. Its dead easy to use - I was working with it very comfortably within 5 minutes even more so than Finale. Its not bloated like Finale and Sibelius so will run on a computer with very modest spec and the price is pretty good too. If you need a good solid program, that won't cost the earth, and that you can learn to use within minutes this would get my vote:</p>

http://www.capella-software.com/
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PS. I've never used it myself but there is a "new kid" on the block that hopes to compete with the big two - Notion Software. Maybe worth a look.
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http://www.notionmusic.com/
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