Finale and Sibelius

[sailn2ba]

What are current opinions on music notation software?

[Michael Bush]

My opinion is that they are expensive. Therefore: http://musescore.org/

[BVD Press]

I use both. And a lot. Like 6-12 hours per day.

I used to recommend Finale, then recommended getting the demos and making a decision, but now I just say Sibelius hands down. Finale is just not developing at all and Sibelius is moving forward with much innovation.

If you can let me know what you are looking for in a program, I can go into more detail.

I know nothing about musescore, but it is definitely not mainstream so if you are planning on submitting works for publication, etc. you might want to stay away for now. On the other hand, it appears it can import or export XML files so moving these files into Finale or Sibelius should not be too much of an issue.

[Michael Bush]

it appears it can import or export XML files so moving these files into Finale or Sibelius should not be too much of an issue.

Exactly.

Not that publication is an issue with me. I'm just making parts. No need to pay hundreds of dollars for that. But even if I were submitting for publication, I'd try it before dumping the big bucks.

[Ben]

Brian: I have a non-up-gradable Sibelius 5. Is Sib6 worth the $$$? I haven't done my research, but as someone who is actively using the software, could you please elaborate on the innovation you see, and any improvements over previous versions?

Thanks!

[sailn2ba]

Thanks All. I had PrintMusic 2004 in XP and a couple of features weren't working right on a new machine with WIN 7. I was having difficulty getting upgrade price ($35). Turns out they had an ancient e-mail address on file. I have to say that customer support was helpful and quick and got me taken care of.
I don't use it frequently, but often when I do, I use the score scanning/recognition feature . . . also expect to use the MP3 output.
Musescore looks pretty good, and I will tell folks about it. Thanks for the link. I did review the plug-in list and didn't see anything about scanning/recognition.
This has turned into a helpful discussion.

[pgym]

MuseScore has potential (and has come a long way from early releases), but, IMO, it has a good distance to go before it can be considered a serious alternative to Finale, Sibelius, or even Noteworthy.

I've had VERY limited success with XML in MuseScore. I've only occasionally been able to get an XML file to import at all: most of the time, MS either aborts (exit to desktop) or locks up (SBOD), and about half of those that do import import incompletely (missing notes, missing measures, transposed measures, missing 8va/8vb marks (and not transposing the affected notes), shifted barlines, etc.. Exporting to XML regularly generates empty or partial files or files that are unreadable (won't import into Finale, Noteworthy, Harmony Assistant, or even back into MuseScore).

[pgym]

Brian: I have a non-up-gradable Sibelius 5. Is Sib6 worth the $$$?

Give AVID Customer Service a call: they've been known to "make an exception" to the non-upgrade policy for customers who are considering a switch to Finale.

[PMeuph]

The reason I prefer in Sibelius over Finale is the ease at which one can change between different parameters.

In Finale, you have to click the measure tool to edit the barline, click the layout tool to to change the spacing, etc.

In Sibelius, you can just click it then move it. (Using arrows works pretty well) I also find that Sibelius works better for copy and pasting and then transposing. (Again using the arrows) This works really well I am imputing music that is motivic in nature. The default keyboard shortcut settings are better on Sibelius than Finale. IMHO.. (I guess one could change them, but that would be a hassle)

The import XML that Bryan mentions works great. I have had problems with euph parts being written an octave too high. (I think Sibelius treated the XML euph part a a transposing instrument) But that can easily be solved with Cut and Paste into a new instrument staff from Sibelius.

If you can get the Academic or Non-profit pricing it is surely worth while (at 300$ the shipping) But at 600$ otherwise thy tend to be quite pricy for what most people need them for.

Lastly, the score scanning in Sibelius 6 is pretty amazing. It takes a lot of the work out of editing and arranging other music. It's almost perfect...

I have both Finale and Sibelius on my computer. I'm just keeping Finale because I have many files that I haven't updated yet....

[Michael Bush]

I guess it all depends on what your needs are. Mine are limited, so I've never felt musescore kept me from doing what I need or want to do. I'm thinking a whole lot of people can do what they need to do with it, but at the upper end, with work that could be copyrighted or published, maybe not.

[PMeuph]

Brian: I have a non-up-gradable Sibelius 5. Is Sib6 worth the $$$?

Give AVID Customer Service a call: they've been known to "make an exception" to the non-upgrade policy for customers who are considering a switch to Finale.

It's worth a try, but FYI... Sibelius 7 came out last month...

[sailn2ba]

I may have missed something about Sibelius, but the PrintMusic subset of Finale has all the functionality I need and it's only $120.

[BVD Press]

Brian: I have a non-up-gradable Sibelius 5. Is Sib6 worth the $$$? I haven't done my research, but as someone who is actively using the software, could you please elaborate on the innovation you see, and any improvements over previous versions?

Thanks!

I would definitely call and ask them about upgrading. I don't think I am aware of the non-upgradable version, but the worst they can see is no. If you can't get anywhere with them give me a call and I can see what I can do for you.

Improvements:

Linked parts (maybe in 5 as well, but I cannot remember)

Magnetic Layout (massive time savor for quick jobs) - this feature is just flat out great despite some quirks here and there*

I really like the new ribbon approach to the layout (some hate it)

Much improved playback since the Avid purchase

The ability to apply a setting to all parts at once

Native XML export (worth the upgrade as it now comes with Sibelius)

For Finale users like myself, a way to enter notes that is similar to Speedy Entry

An easy way to print an entire piece (parts and all) into one file. Also many new export options such as sound, Scorch, XML, Graphics, etc.

For composers, the highlight, ideas, edit versions, logs, etc. are wonderful new tools

*I have made the decision to dump Finale if 2012 does not have some sort of Magnetic Layout. I prefer the final output of Finale, but the time is not worth the small differences. A quick example:

I finished up 4 Brass Band pieces in about 4 hours in Sibelius using Magnetic Layout. Finale would have taken 10+ hours because of items on top of each other, etc.

I would try the demo and see if it makes sense for you to move up for what you do. I may or may not, but for me it is definitely worth it.

I 100% agree Sibelius is more user friendly.

From my end, I want nothing more than Finale to put out a great product because this would help me, but they continue to fall further behind. Others may disagree...

[BVD Press]

I may have missed something about Sibelius, but the PrintMusic subset of Finale has all the functionality I need and it's only $120.

There is probably comparison chart on the MakeMusic site somewhere and I believe you can always bump up to Finale with a credit. For most people, PrintMusic will work great!

[Rick F]

A number of users had a fairly lengthy discussion on "Finale vs Sibelius" on Dave Werden's forum. If interested, here's a link:

Finale vs. Sibelius

[PMeuph]

I may have missed something about Sibelius, but the PrintMusic subset of Finale has all the functionality I need and it's only $120.

"Full versions" of Sibelius and Finale are about 300/600$ (Student/Regular).

I don't think, (or can't find it) that Sibelius has an equivalent to the "Stand alone" PrintMusic by Finale.

Sibelius includes PhotoScore lite with all it's versions (Which is pretty good) and also offers you the possibility to upgrade to PhotoScore Ultimate... But PhotoScore needs Sibelius (They recommend version 5 and up) to be installed in order to run..

[Ben]

Oh, looks like I will be able to upgrade. Silly me, what was I waiting for.

[Stefan]

I have used both. I don't require music notation very often, but when I do, I'd like to remember how to use it. Every time I fired up Finale, it seemed like I had to relearn how to use it. Sibelius seems to be easier. So I use Sibelius.

Stefan

[swillafew]

I used Finale for a long time, and then preferred Print Music. Upon getting an iMac, I have learned Sibelius, and it is giving me my 'bang for the buck'.

[sailn2ba]

Well, maybe I DID miss something. Got my 2011 update to PrintMusic and am having some issues catching up. (One thing, breakout parts pile up the staves on page 2.) No help in the manual (staff or printing subheads). There doesn't seem to be an online way to ask questions of customer support.