Tech: music composition software

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: MMario
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 09:39 AM

I just suggested Anvil Studio to someone because it has a graphic keyboard one can pick out the notes on. I just noticed while re-reading their blurb they have a graphic fret board that allows the same technique for guitar

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: GUEST,steve hyde
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 08:21 AM

thanks everyone for the useful and timely advice.

steve

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: pavane
Date: 26 Jan 03 - 06:42 AM

I have been looking into using MusicXML in harmony, but I haven't yet established whether it is compatible. It certainly isn't suitable for use as the native format in its present state, as there are structures I need which don't seem to be available.
I may just implement an export.

(By the way, Harmony can export abc directly, and the new version, currently under test, can create, import and export aligned lyrics)

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: nutty
Date: 25 Jan 03 - 06:19 PM

I use Noteworthy and find it a simple program to use ....... however it does help if you have a reasonable knowledge of music theory.
I play around with dropping vocal sound files into the program and watching it print out the backing tracks.

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: GUEST,Mike Sidiropoulos
Date: 25 Jan 03 - 04:50 PM

I have only used Voyetra's music software products so far but I have found the GUI unworkable for my purposes. Should I try Noteworthy?

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jan 03 - 04:48 PM

Joe, Cakewalk is still popular and is IMO an excellent choice for those who want to explore the strengths of MIDI (within folk, I'd point people to Barry Taylor's arrangments to hear what MIDI can do). I'm pretty suere Cubase also still has plenty of fans.

For general notation, both Noteworthy and Melody Assistant are worth considering as inexpensive solutions. I have found Noteworthy the easier to use but Melody Assistant (and its bigger brother, Harmony Assistant) can do things NWC can't, e.g. it can write abc without the need of further conversion programs and is available for both Mac and Win.

MusicXML seems to be emerging as a standard for exhanging between notation programs. Finale supports it and I know of at least one abc program, Barfly, that can now either export or import it.

Jon

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 25 Jan 03 - 04:38 PM

Can't be spending all me money every time that some geek in CA needs a new house or car ...

so I have several old computers which includes one with win 3 and an excellent midi proggy

Today you can easily find most of the stuff I use for pennies. old computers netcards esp ISA soundcards software ...

so much for upgrating lol

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 25 Jan 03 - 04:24 PM

Steve,

By all means look into using Encore. Passport, the company that originally made it is now out of business but it's been picked up by GVox. It's probably the most user friendly of all of them. I have Sibelius and Finale and although the first is pretty user-friendly, Finale is not. Encore is the most user-friendly that I have found. It has a less expensive version which should also do the job. Can't remember the name they gave it.

Encore will probably not support ABC but it will turn MIDI into notes.

Frank

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: Ireland
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 06:54 PM

This programme may be useful it is totally free, Powertab

I found this site on the power tab sites page, http://www.alltabs.com/

Maybe it will be of interest to someone.

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: pavane
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 05:32 PM

Sorry Harmony is not available on MAC. It is written in VB which is Windows only.

open mike, your notation sounds like abc.

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: open mike
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 03:50 AM

here is another program which i haver used for
writing music out in notation. I believe that
if you type the letter g on the keyborad it
prindts it as a g not on the staff.
Capitol G (for instance) is an octave higher.
http://www.musicease.com/

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: open mike
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 03:34 AM

here is a program i have been following for some time: IGOR
here is their blurb:
NoteHeads Igor Engraver 1.7 has now been released.


The largest changes since 1.6 is that NoteHeads Igor Engraver now supports importing Music XML. This means, eg, that music entry can be done by scanning a score and producing Music XML (with the help of another program) and then imported into NoteHeads Igor Engraver.


We have also listened to the users that have had problems with the copy protection scheme we used previously. Instead, we now use a serial number scheme.


Numerous bugs have also been fixed.


Upgrading to NoteHeads Igor Engraver 1.7 is free to registered users. If you are a registered user you will recieve instructions for upgrading in a personal mail. If you are not a regsistered user you can purchase a license here: http://www.noteheads.com/buy/17/ie.asp


NoteHeads Musical Expert Systems AB
http://www.noteheads.com/
--
Cons T Åhs
CTO, NoteHeads Musical Expert Systems AB
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Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: Genie
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 03:08 AM

My name is Jeanene and I'm a Mac addict.

Some of my best friends use Windows.

I recommend Finale NotePad because it's:
- free
- easy to use
and
- compatible with both Mac and Windows.

It's nice to be able to share music files with my Gates-ian friends.

Also, for $25, you can get Finale NotePad Plus, which will convert "the dots" to MIDIs and vice-versa, as well as let you enter notes from a piano keyboard as well as a commputer keyboard.

Go to makemusic.com or codamusic.com (the old name) for more info.


Genie

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: pavane
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 02:38 AM

HARMONY can load abc or MIDI directly. But its main job is adding chords or other harmony lines to the melody, which I don't think Noteworthy can do.

It can also create random tunes itself, which sometimes sound quite playable.

A new version is under test (being tested now by volunteer 'catters)
which is greatly improved in many ways, being able to import and export abc tunes with aligned lyrics, for example.

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: pict
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 11:25 PM

I think noteworthy composer is a very good(and very affordable) program but if you have the money I would recommend Sibelius it has everything that is required for notating and printing music of any genre and,in my opinion,has the best interface and is a far more intuitive program than Finale or any of the others.

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 07:17 PM

Mudcatter Pavane designed a program called Harmony. It seems to be quite good, but I have to say I haven't switched over from Noteworthy yet. It seems that every music software package has drawbacks, expecially since there is no single standard of music notation for computer (other than MIDI, which has severe limitations). It takes a bit of work to learn just about any music program you choose.

I suppose that Finale Notepad comes as close as you can get to becoming a "standard." It's free, and it's connected to one of the two major professional music composition programs. Years ago, it seemed that Cakewalk was becoming the standard music program, but you hear very little about it now.

For now, I'm sticking with Noteworthy, but trying to find time to learn how to use Harmony. I also have to keep abreast of Finale, because my stepson's music teacher depends on me to solve her Finale problems. Why can't all this be easier?

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: vectis
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 07:02 PM

Noteworthy can turn midis into dots. You can save ABCs as midis and then Noteworthy them.
You can write music direct through a midi keyboard or through the computer keyboard.
It is cheap and reliable.
The flaws don't prevent the program being easy to use and effective.
I've used it for many years in preference to Sibellius.
A bit of knowledge about dots IS needed because the program does what YOU tell it to and does not tell you if you commit a musical gaffe or break the rules.

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: Ed.
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 02:34 PM

Given that Steve has only given the vaguest idea as to what he's looking for, all our suggestions can only be guesses.

Steve, can you explain a bit more about what you mean by a "music composition program"

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: Catrin
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 02:23 PM

Steve - I found this.

I haven't tried it yet, but it's free!

http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/programs/FinaleNotePad/

Good luck with your search

Catrin

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: *daylia*
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 12:25 PM

GUEST Steve here's another link
and one more too!

Merry music-making!

daylia

Subject: RE: Tech: music composition software
From: MMario
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 11:52 AM

noteworthy software!

http://www.noteworthysoftware.com/

NOTEWORTHY

Subject: Tech: music composition software
From: GUEST,steve hyde
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 11:50 AM

I am looking for a suitable music composition program to use on my windows PC. I need something simple that would be useful for folk music rather than full orchestral scores.

Cost is important as I can't afford a fortune!!

Any help would be gratefuly recieved.