Which is the best notation software for composing?
Finale or Sibelius, or some other?
Which is the best notation software for composing?
Finale or Sibelius, or some other?
Hi Robert,
The one you feel most comfortable with.
I'm using Finale for the major body of my work, but occationally use Sibelius when file-compatibility is an issue in a job. - For me Finale is the best, but I've also heard others saying they like Sibelius the best.
Sibelius might be a little easier to get in to, but it might also be it's weakness in terms of it being a little more bothersome to change specific things here and there... but again, I think it's a matter of preference. The prices are also comparable.
Have you used a notation program before?
Thanks corno,
I'm currently using a trial version of Mozart. I don't want to spend a lot of money if there are too many features that I'll never use - if I can get what I need from a lower priced software. I know Finale has a reduced feature version called PrintMusic which I have downloaded the demo of and will try it out probably tonight.
By this do you mean that you were given a project that was created in Sibelius so you need Sibelious to continue work on it, or that Sibelius supports more different formats?but occationally use Sibelius when file-compatibility is an issue in a job.
Yup - or if a project needs to be delivered in Sibelius.
Have a nice time testing.
I've made my decision. I'm going to go with Finale PrintMusic. It seems to be the best solution for under $100. It's file compatible with the full Finale, and the company will give you full trade-in value if you decide to later buy one of the higher priced softwares. So I can use it until I find it doesn't do everything I want, then I can trade up and I've lost nothing!
I forgot to mention, anybody can download Finale Notepad for free and try thier hand at composing with MIDI playback so you can hear the score right away.
Where can I find the old version of sibelius 1.4 please ?
Thanks.
If you got the v.1.0, you can download the 1.4 upgrade here. I suggest possibly posting an ad on a buy/sell music-software classified site to buy the original version (sorry, don't know any such sites by try a google search).
I am assuming of course that you are not asking for pirated software, because that is strictly forbidden on this forum and results in immediate and permanent ban.
Used both Finale and Sibelius. I like Finale much better!
Sibelius is the best for me- although I do not use it as a composition tool; cos that's bad- purely for playback purposes....
I've never used finale but havent heard much good about it to be honest from people that have.... however, I guess it depends on what genre you use it for and what your preferences are.... (I know Sib is expensive, but if you hunt around in the right places, and I don't want to encourage anyone here..... but you'll find cracked copies about.... Mine isn't cracked though, before you ask!!)
However, as far as notation goes, you cannot beat Lilypond for it's engraving. Free program... amazing results.... I'm currently retypesetting all my publications to Lilypond format, which despight it's going to take a bit of time, it's very much worth the hard work and effort, which is worth it seeing as it's all published music.
If you're not sure what program out of Sib or Finale is best for you though, download demos from the websites and try them out first.... then if you decide to purchase you're not going into the 'unknown' and won't regret wasting your money....
All the best!
Well, I have always used Finale and that is the only program I know. It can do almost anything I want without too much effort. It was not always like that - in the early versions, Finale was clumsy and cumbersome but strangely, that all changed when competition entered the marketplace. All in all, I have not had any real incentive to switch to other programs.
Sibelius does the job for me. I haven't used Finale yet but I'm quite comfortable using Sibelius. I've used encore and guitar pro before but I became much more productive with Sibelius.
I've looked at Sibelius and Finale but prefer to stick to what I know;
Steinberg VST 5.1
It will do many other things ( midi, audio, sequencing, CD burning ) apart from fulfulling all my score needs.
The results are nearly professional, but that is NOT what i'm after.
It is NOT free alas.
L.Dixon
Ive used Finale for years, and although Ive heard many people claim the program is hard to learn (steep learning curve, etc), it has never bothered me. But then again, Ive probably made over 250 files to make scores of my own music, so that kind of experience gets you used to it.
I briefly tried Sibelius (for one or two weeks) and it felt pretty strange--even counter-intuitive to me. Im sure I could learn how to use it, but I think Finale is very flexible and I feel confident I can pretty much do anything I want to with it in terms of notation.
I would understand why you have a hard time figuring out what program to use, Im sure both Finale and Sibelius are fine in the end. However, as mentioned there are some other programs worth considering.
I have been using Noteworthy Composer for several years, and it does quite well, considering the nominal ($39US) pricetag for the full version. One can download a trial version from their website: NoteWorthy Software - Home of NoteWorthy Composer Music Notation Software
Lars
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