A good notation program

[Blueberry]

Does anyone know a good notation program with lots of different instruments that can be changed to a sound file (MIDI, MP3 etc, etc)
I like the whole Sibelius thing, but i dont know if that can change notations into sound files

 

[Gilleece]

I believe it can, I have not tried it just yet though, Finale is a great choice, it may be hard to get into at first but work it, brilliant program, try the trial version.

Also try Guitar Pro it may suit, or TuxGuitar which is a free version.

Anvil Studio also seems to be good and it is free as far as I know [ask megaman about it]

 

[moog]

Finale works wonders if you can read music, and just this same if  you want to improve your sightreading and composing. Its very hard to get into if you dont understand basic theory at least, but is capabale of making great styles of music if you are experienced enough. Plus, the 2008 model carries all 128 midi sounds from a MIDI board. The only downside is the price, probably close to aroun $400-500. Maybe it dropped, Im not sure. Great program, nonetheless.

 

[Gilleece]

Actually its only $99, I couldn't believe it either!

That is Final Print music by the way, Finale allegro is $199, still cheap.

Print music is a brilliant program anyway so unless you are going professional you would not need Finale Allegro.

 

[the_lynx]

I'd say Finale. Perhaps you should try the trial version first...

 

[rexxzecutioner]

Sibelius is perhaps my favorite purely music notation editor. It has all of the right stuff. I don't mess with Finale or any of that nonsense.

 

[moog]

Actually its only $99, I couldn't believe it either!

That is Final Print music by the way, Finale allegro is $199, still cheap.

Print music is a brilliant program anyway so unless you are going professional you would not need Finale Allegro.

Lol, yeah Print music is dirt cheap. I was talking about 2008.

Sibelius is perhaps my favorite purely music notation editor. It has all of the right stuff. I don't mess with Finale or any of that nonsense.

They are almost the same, except Sibelius is rather tedious to use sometimes =\

 

[rexxzecutioner]

FInale and Sibelius couldn't be more different, actually. The interface and options you have in Sibelius just completely render Finale obsolete for me.

 

[Gilleece]

The sheet music looks far far better in finale though.

I like both, I will be using sibelius for college though.

 

[moog]

The sheet music looks far far better in finale though.

I like both, I will be using sibelius for college though.

More colleges use Finale.

 

[Gilleece]

Well in my current college we use finale but not in the one I am starting in september, in Ireland most use Sibelius, not sure why.I think it is due to the fact that it is easier to get a grip on!

 

[moog]

Well in my current college we use finale but not in the one I am starting in september, in Ireland most use Sibelius, not sure why.I think it is due to the fact that it is easier to get a grip on!

Ah, my bad. Yeah, usually more in the US do, lol. The only reason I would sometimes use Sib. is because of the fact it can import midi into notation; that's awesome.

 

[Blueberry]

So you can actually change Sibelus into  MIDI? that would be great because i can read music.

 

[moog]

So you can actually change Sibelus into  MIDI? that would be great because i can read music.

I think thats it. Im sure the other way around works, but maybe rexxz or Gilleece know for sure *shrugs*

 

[Gilleece]

Yeah you can import and export midi with Sib.

You can with Finale too but its a nightmare with importing midi.It has never came out right for me once.

 

[Cpt. Dane Elkard]

Sibelius 5 uses recorded samples in its playback, and it can render anything you notate into an audio wave file. It's wonderful and I use it for everything. I tend to reassign the sounds in an external program (SONAR 7) with an orchestral sample library, but on its own it works VERY well. Sibelius 5 can easily stand alone, especially with games of RMXP or VX quality. The feature to save as audio is new to that version, as well. I love it because as it saves it works out all of the processing bugs and glitches that you'd normally get during playback so it renders the sound in perfect quality.

Hope that helps your decision! It is expensive though...(hope that doesn't affect your decision!)