The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #57054   Message #895722
Posted By: JohnInKansas
22-Feb-03 - 04:14 AM
Thread Name: Tech: Lets talk Song Publishing
Subject: RE: Tech: Lets talk Song Publishing
A previous thread with quite a lot of discussion is at Help: Music Annotation Software Question.

I did a refresh post to bring it back to the top, or use the above link. I think that the information there is still mostly reasonably current, and a quick read will give you some idea of what's been discussed.

Most notation programs will make simple midi files. The only exception I've seen that you're likely to run into is a "free-trial" program or two that have that function "left out" or disabled - in hopes you'll buy the slightly more expensive version(s).

If you want to do "serious" midi, you probably need a "sequencer" program rather than a pure notation program, although either kind will usually print music that is "passable" for casual use.

If you want a program that prints first-rate notation/scores and does "decent" midi and allows you to print tab for any instrument, your almost stuck with going to one of the "pro" programs. The general concensus seems to be that Sibelius is the top choice, but it's something like $600 - I haven't checked the price lately. There are a few others that are in that same class as far as what the program will do - and what it will cost.

There are many excellent free-ware and moderately priced notation programs available, but each has its own limitations; and you need to figure out exactly what you need to do with it in order to make a "best" choice.

John