Recommended Music Notation Software?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jason Hancock
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Jason Hancock

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Can anyone recommend music notation software that's relatively easy to use and doesn't cost more than the Apollo space program? I need something that's at least versatile enough that it can handle guitar compositions in alternate tunings and using a capo. I need the software in order to notate parts for other instruments that I'll eventually program on a Boss DR-5 Dr. Rhythm.

I've been checking out the following titles:

MusEdit
Allegroassai
Coda Music Technologies
Graphire Corporation
Sibelius

So far, MusEdit comes in at all of $80 (compared to $600 for some of the others) and seems friendly and easy to use.

Am I over looking Cakewalk or Cubase? Do those applications offer notation?

I'll appreciate any recommendations or reviews!

Jason
 
If you've got a Mac, Nightingale 4.0 for $160 gets a double thumbs up from September's Electronic Musician.
 
I use "Finale" which is made by Coda. It's filled with losts of cool features, and the output looks great. You really need a mid-device (keyboard is best) for input, as it's rather tedious to enter information using the mouse/computer-keyboard combination.

Hope this helps -

- Wil
 
Try this El Cheapo notation software before you decide on something more expensive:

NoteWorthy Composer

Dirt cheap compared to all the big names. Who knows, it might be enough for your needs?
 
Thanks, All!

Thanks, everyone. I've started using MusEdit. Too early to tell whether it'll meet my needs, but it seems like a great start. I checked out Coda and Sibelius....just way too expensive and complicated to get a fast start.

Or maybe I'm just thick.

Thanks again!
 
I can HIGHLY recommend Melody Assistant from http://www.myriad-online.com


It's both Mac and PC compatible (and will only cost you $18 for either platform- I bought a copy for Mac and PC so I could use it on any of my computers), great WSIWYG editing and will export your music to GIFs (great for posting on the web or sending to someone), audio files, MP3 or MIDI. Lots of features.

I used it to write the album I'm currently working on. They have a demo on their website.
 
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