What software do you use?

[Contratrombone64]

This is just to get an idea who uses what? I own both Finale and Sibelius but use Finale as I can't be bothered learning Sibelius (yet).

[Krummhorn]

I have been using Noteworthy Composer for almost 5 years. Evaluating Harmony Assistant. Can't justify the expense of the two major applications yet ... my needs aren't that demanding enough.

[Arvin B]

I used to use something way back... I don't even remember what it was called. It became too troublesome. Now I just use a pen and paper.

[NEB]

I've had a go at the demo version of Finale Printmusic.

Honestly, in the time I spent faffing around with that trying to create a simple 1 page single part choral+ accomp setting, I could have written it neat on some manuscript, gone and got it photocopied, distributed it to the choir, rehearsed it and still had time for a cup of tea.

I was expecting to stick the tune in, copy it down to the upper accomp stave, stick in a bass, and some middle parts without too much ado and then print it off. - all in my head so only needing notating quickly with a mouse...

Thoroughly unimpressed.

Is the full version of finale any better?

[jvhldb]

I've been using Finale for some time now. Once you get used to Finale it's fairly easy and fast to use. I transcribed a Christmas carol for the choir, four voices, organ and piano accompaniment. It took me about half an hour to type up the three pages.

[musicalis]

I have used NWC for one or two years, but I found it too light, too easy.
Since i have discovered harmony Assistant, I only use this software. For 70 $, it is one hundred time more powerfull than Finale and Sibelius.

[Contratrombone64]

it is one hundred time more powerfull than finale and Sibelius? Based on what quantifable facts? Maybe you'd like to enlighten us, thanks!

[Rachmaninoff]

I've been using Sibelius for ages.

[musicalis]

Harmony-assistant is a software that as many possibilities
here are some one :
You can draw any symbol you need, change the colour or the size or the shape or the gate time of the notes individually,
you can use your own instruments, or import SF2 or use a good soundbank (30 $ only)
You can use automatic accompaniement or import styles (like yamaha sty)
You can write lyrics and hear a virtual singer sing it, in english, italian, latin ...
you can play music even on a computer which has no real sound card (you only need a DAC)
All ornements (glissando, trills .... are fully editable)
The script language in LUA is very powerfull
And many other features incredible
the cost : 70 $ and free update for all your life
J-Paul

[Contratrombone64]

I'm not seeing anything there that Finale won't do, sorry except colouring of notes (havn't looked that up but I will).

-use your own instruments, what does that mean, sorry I don't understand?
-script language in LUA, what does LUA stand for sorry, not sure of the acronym/abbreviation
-virtual singer? I cant' see the need personally

[musicalis]

I'm not seeing anything there that Finale won't do, sorry except colouring of notes (havn't looked that up but I will).

-use your own instruments, what does that mean, sorry I don't understand?
-script language in LUA, what does LUA stand for sorry, not sure of the acronym/abbreviation
-virtual singer? I cant' see the need personally

If you need a cromhorne for instance and if there is not in the presets instruments, you can find a sample on the Web or record some notes in your church and then make your own instument . you can do it with only a sample per note or with several samples). You can also create a new instrument from a sf2 sound font.
About finale, my German editor use it and compose for pipe organ. He told me that he only has 2 or tree organ sounds. With harmony Assistant (HA), you have with the gold2 sound bank about 30 or 40 organ stops. You can make any registration you need, using a track (staff) per stop or one track per keyboard (manual). In this case you have to define "rules" with a dialog box.

LUA is an universal programming language, like "C" or Visual Basic.
HA has been designed with this language. The script language "Myrscript" allows you to add general purpose or personnal new functions to HA, even very complex functions. See : http://www.lua.org/about.html

The virtual singer is very usefull if you write ou listen to music with lyrics.
While the instrumental staves are played by virtual or midi instruments, the lyrics are sung by a special generator that synthetizes human voices with formants (filters). It can sing in many languages and there is a great free library of male, female singers (i.e Edith Piaf).

Have a look to HA (see this page for instance http://myriad-online.com/en/docs/diff.htm which compare HA with his little brother melody-Assistant). Try it, everything is available in the trial version except "print" and "save". Very easy to install and clean uninstall.

Friendly
J-Paul

[jvhldb]

I find Finale adequate enough in the voice/sound department. It is mainly used to PRINT sheet music, I only use the sound to check for transcription errors (it is possible to "blind type" like you would do with a letter so it's fairly easy to make a mistake). Finale also support ornamentation, both for print and playback. Changing the colour of the notes sounds interisting. It might be easier for new choir members to learn their parts if they have different coloured notes.

[methodistgirl]

Anything that will work on windows 98.
judy tooley

[Krummhorn]

Anything that will work on windows 98.
judy tooley

Hi Judy,

NWC & H-A will both work on Win 98 systems (and ME, XP, Vista)

The newest versions of Finale and Sibelius require Win XP or VISTA.
There are older versions of these two fine applications that will run on Win 98. Sometimes these two companies offer older versions at a significantly lower price than their newest version. Otherwise, one could probably find prior versions of these on eBay or Amazon.

As is true with any of these, (all 4 mentioned above) the free download trial versions will not let you save files or print.

[Serassi1836]

NoteWorthy. I downloaded it in his evalutation version. You have it for a month. But it's a year that I have it and it works perfectly. An error?