Which is the best notation software for composing?

[Contratrombone64]

it's like this: you put the flour, milk, eggs and sugar into the mixing bowl and turn the machine on, at the end of the day the cake will turn out, pretty much, the same regardless of whether you used a Sunbeam, Whirlpool, Fisher and Paykal or whatever mixmaster ... music notation software is no different. It's the end result you want and if you are comfortable with Sibelius, then that's your top choice (but not mine).

 

[Krummhorn]

Excellent analogy, David ...

What comes out of the mixer best for me is NoteWorthy Composer. I don't need the rich frosting for my palate.

 

[Contratrombone64]

Lars - it was inspired, even for me!

Look - I use Finale and love it, but I've done the hard yards learning it, and it's NOT user friendly by my way of thinking. I also own Sibelius but don't use it, because when I tried to, the part of my brain that was used to working with Finale would short circuit and the shutdown, not good for an ol' bugger like me.

 

[Dorsetmike]

I've used 2 Finalé products, Notepad and Songwriter, neither of which are reviewed, both are cheaper than the reviewed one, they do what I want. There are also dearer products with more bells and whistles not included; I don't see any indication on the way they selected the reviewed products, was a particular price band the main consideration or was it a list of basic functions? It doesn't say on that link, so for me it is not as good a review as it could be.

 

[Contratrombone64]

I need to use the powerhouse packages (Finale or Sibelius) as I often work on complex scores with cross staff notation and so forth. I am pretty comfortable with Finale and own a wonderful text from Eastman Music School (Rochester, N.Y.) that's a step by step guide to advanced features.

 

[theusiv]

Wow, it seems that everyone here is very technology-oriented, when it comes to music softwares. I only use Sibelius for a very simple reason: user friendly. I have not tapped the full potential of the software though. I am still trying my luck as to how I will compose a aleatoric piece, or avante-garde piece using sibelius. Nonetheless, I find this software easy to use.

 

[Catrina]

I hear that Notion kicks every other program out the door, in point of fact, it is closer to a DAW than just a notation software. Sounds are really good by comparison with other notation progs, but still not as good as a good DAW soft synths.

I use Sibelius myself, combined with Logic Express via Rewire. Or no rewire, but both of them suit me well for time being.

 

[Montefalco]

I started off using Finale NotePad, but that didn't accommodate for changes of time and key signatures. I now use MuseScore, a free program which came with my laptop. It sometimes glitches up, but its pretty good for a low budget.

 

[jvhldb]

I've been using Finale and Sibelius for a couple of years now. I prefer Finale, the only problem I've ever had is merging voices from different staves.

 

[jdeakan84]

The "best" notation software that I've come across, and have been using for over 4 years, and it's called Guitar Pro 5.
It saves all your ideas and is actual pretty straightforward, once you figured out the learning curve.

 

[bubles]

Hi,

in my opinion scorio.com is the best one for basic purposes. You can easily compose music on the browser and listen to it.
For saving and printing your pieces you need to sign up for free.
For iPad users it is possible to download two apps.

Kind regards

 

[smithwood]

Both can meet peoples requirements, but Finale is the better one to have.

 

[Krummhorn]

I have been using NoteWorthy Composer for about 7 years. For the initial purchase price of $39 and a subsequent update to the newest version for another $10, it does everything I need it to do. Finale and Sibelius certainly have more bells and whistles and are probably better at creating engraved files, but they are expensive - overpriced imho just because they are "Finale" and "Sibelius" (purchasing the name, imo).

NoteWorthy can import MIDI files and convert them to score quite easily ... engraving is a snap as is transposing existing files. With a 'midi' keyboard, the note entering process becomes easier.

Kh ♫

 

[burton beerman]

Finale and Sibelius' strengths are its greatest weaknesses; especially if you need engraving standards and new ways of notating your music demanded by
contemporary music. Score 3.1 and 4 (san andreas press/leland smith) has engraved works with this software since the 90s but it is a windows program and does not
work in win7 64 bit. yet, many engravers insist on using this dos program and do so in does box. I understand that leland has a few dos copies for sale. he also has developed a windows version that does load into win7 64 bit (winscore) which can be purchased from him at his site. but many of the engravers will not use it since it does not follow windows interface standards to them and they say that it is awkward. One can do almost anything to minute standards in the program but playback is midi.

another legacy program that I really like is graphire music press. it is available in mac and win platforms and runs on win 7 although I don't think it loads into mac x.
to me the interface is elegant, does take a bit to learn but gives the engraving flexibility of score. it originally sold for I believe $895 but I bought i from ernie mansfield for $140 for windows. I am now using it when I need the flexibility of score in contemporary music or just flexibility in engraving a score.

 

[Kaskaden]

Hi,

I think that ScoreCloud Studio is the best software for composition. Especially if you are new to composing as it is so easy to use!

www.scorecloud.com.

Bengt