jsaras
On a semi-related note, MuseScore is free (GNU, GPL license) notation package that is truly remarkable. It isn't crippled like the low-end versions of Finale or Sibelius. Check it out;
www.musescore.org It exports MIDI and MusicXML files, so it's compatible with Sibelius and Finale.
Tried MuseScore. Really pretty nice, especially for free. I found it very will organized. One thing missing which is important for me is chord diagrams. I found MuseScore similar to the version of Sibelius I have which is the education version 5 I think I paid like $100.
However, as a guitar player, I still like Guitar Pro which is like $60 and seems like the most extensive for the money. I'm sure the full version of Sibelius is probably better, but much more expensive. One thing I hate about Sibelius is how hidden things are. It pretty much relies on you remembering short cut keys or navigating many layers of sub menus. Even if you know exactly what it is you want to enter it is often difficult to find in the help how to do so. Both MuseScore and Guitar Pro do a much better in their layout visually so you don't have to search through help to find short cut keys or find a hidden sub menu.
Things I like about Guitar Pro:
* Sound Engine (like a VSTi) so not limited to GM sounds.
Not really that important but worth mentioning. I know the full version of Sibelius has this also. But again, the full version is very expensive. Perhaps the newer cheaper versions have this also, but I'm going with the version I have as an example as this is all I know.
* Implements cords and diagrams very easily.
Hit the "a" key opens a chord dialog box where you can easily pick chords from. The chord notes, chord symbol and diagram are automatically entered into score. The version of sibelius I have does not do chord diagrams. MuseScore does not have chord diagrams.
* It's very easy to find anything you need to add to the score.
Everything you need to add to the score is represented by well organized box of symbols. If you mouse over a tool tip says what it is and what the short cut key is. Highlight target area and click to add. For those of us that don't do this professionally, it's easy to find what you're looking for without specifically remembering exactly what it's called. Sibelius is the worst at this as mentioned above relying on hidden sub menus or quick access keys. MuseScore on the other hand also does a good job at organization by using quick access drop down list boxes of every function available.
* Add notes via clicking on virtual guitar neck or keyboard
Mindless is good if it makes getting things done quicker.
I find entering notes via guitar neck diagram often the most mindless and quickest way. Guitar Pros implementation of this is done well. You can even pick scales to be displayed on the diagrams. I believe Sibelius added this feature in the newest version. I believe Sibelius even lets you add scale diagrams much like chord diagrams. Not sure if it's included in the cheaper versions or only the full version and not really sure how well it's implemented. I'm pretty sure MuseScore does not have this feature.
I've found all three do formatting well. Obviously this is where Sibelius shines as it's made for professional printing of scores. But for most of us, any will do formatting fine. Any except for Sonar. This for me has been the weakest part of Sonar's scoring capabilities. You have little if any control over print formatting of scores in Sonar. OK, Sonar is not for printing and I agree. However, when you go to print out a score in Sonar and it wants to print 20 pages because it's stretching 2 measures horizontally, tons of unneeded white space between lines and still has overlapping text such as in instrument names etc, pretty much useless. And it's a shame because they've had many of these advanced features mentioned above in their scoring capabilities since I remember with Pro-Audio 9, way before I remember anyone else having them. It's kind of a shame it has fallen to the wayside such as it has. And competing now with programs like Reaper etc, it is one thing Cakewalk had a step ahead of the competition. I would agree with people who don't want scoring in Sonar to take away from developing other parts of the program. It would be nice if it didn't have to take away from anything.
post edited by WDI - 2010/10/09 15:49:30