Music Notation Software Reviews

Notion 6 by PreSonus comes loaded with features you'll love. This product is perfect for everyone in the music field, including songwriters, composers, arrangers, and students.

With Notion 6, you can use the interactive features to enter your music, capture the correct picture, or drum parts. This option features an interactive keyboard, drum pad, and fretboard to help you get your music recorded perfectly.

In addition to entering your score using the interactive tools, Notion 6 also has a MyScript feature. This feature will allow you to hand-write your score, and it will convert what you enter into a digital format.

With Notion 6, you'll be able to enter and customize cords using the chord library. As you choose cords, they will remain on your fretboard, allowing you to enter them repeatedly with ease. You can attach chord symbols anywhere, allowing you to easily create lead sheets.

The Sequences Overlay will let you see your notations as well as MIDI performance information on the same staff. You can use this information to edit your music, including the duration times and staring or end points.

Notion 6 can also be helpful for those who compose to videos. You will be able to work with all major video formats. The software offers a timecode view that helps you edit your video and make modifications.

This option also includes a built-in software mixer. You can run your sounds through eight different effects to create the perfect sound you are looking for.

Notion 6 is compatible with both Mac and Windows. There is also a mobile feature that will allow you to compose on the go and edit your work in more detail using the full software.

#2. MuseScore

If you are looking for a quality free option, consider MuseScore. While this option is free, it offers many of the same capabilities used by professionals. You can use this program to compose music for various instruments and groups such as pianos, guitars, orchestras, bands, choirs, and more.

You can easily input your recordings and transfer them to musical scores using a MIDI keyboard. MuseScore also has a virtual piano that can be used to enter your music. After entering your music, you will be able to use the software to make edits and changes to it.

With MuseScore, you are able to import music from other programs and export music into other programs. This will allow you to make edits and easily share your work.

MuseScore is set up to be very user-friendly. You can set up your workspace so that the tools you use most are more readily available.

If you are primarily a piano player and are looking to create music for other instruments, turning on the Concert Pitch button will help you. This option will allow you to notes for other instruments based on how they sound in concert pitch.

#3. Sibelius

Sibelius offers three different software options to match your needs and skill levels. The Sibelius First option is free and will allow you to add up to four instrument parts into more basic scores.

The Sibelius option has a low monthly cost. This option allows you to incorporate up to 16 different instrument parts and make more complex music scores. For a higher monthly fee, the Sibelius Ultimate option allows you to create customized musical layouts and add unlimited instrumental parts to your musical scores.

There are a lot of features you'll love about Sibelius Ultimate. This product is perfect for anyone who needs to creation notion worksheets, compose, arrange, or publish music. This option can be installed on up to two different computers, for single-use.

With Sibelius Ultimate, you'll enjoy a variety of notation features, such as different bar types, accidentals, customizing brackets, braces, and rest groupings, and customizing chord symbols. This option also includes a fully customizable range of instrument options.

The Sibelius Ultimate version will also allow you to edit MIDI data, which is not an option with the two other versions. You can also easily record edit, and play back your options using Live Tempo with this program.

Arranging music, adding comments, comparing scores, importing MusicXML files, and more is also possible with Sibelius Ultimate.

When you are ready to publish your piece, you'll be able to choose from different layout options, enter the fonts use, add headers or footers, and edit the staff spacing. Sibelius Ultimate also offers lots of different options for exporting your scores. You can email scores, export graphics files, export to Music XML files, publish to score exchange, and much more.

#4. Finale PrintMusic

Final PrintMusic is designed to be used with Windows. With Finale PrintMusic, you'll be able to create easy-to read and professional musical scores.

This program will allow you to hear a playback of the score you create, make orchestrations of up to 24 staves, extract sections of music, and print sheet music. You can enter your musical notes using a MIDI keyboard or by clicking on the notes you want using your mouse. You can choose to have the software add a harmony to your creation automatically.

Since you can have the program play your music back to you, you'll be able to identify problematic areas and make edits to them. There are different playback options you can choose from that use sounds from more than 128 instruments.

After creating a musical score, you'll be able to share it in a variety of formats. You can create PDFs, MP3s, graphic files, as well as importing and exporting Music XML files.

If you are looking for an easy-to-use option, consider Forte Home. This product is designed for music hobbyists, band leaders, choir directors, and other individuals in the musical field who don't need to pay for extra features they won't use.

With this product, you can create musical scores in just 10 minutes. You can use the program to make original creations, edit your creations, and perform music.

Forte Home features a simple and straightforward interface that is easy to understand and use. You can import notes using the music ruler function without needing to input rests first.

This option also allows you to import audio and have it play alongside your creation. You can also use it to create customized layouts, align text, add lyrics, and much more. This software also includes 16 staves, 2 voices, drum notation, tablature for guitar and bass, 25 ornament signs, and 12 different noteheads.

Once you are satisfied, and your creation is finalized and ready to share, you can export your data in .MP3 or .WAVE formats.

This product can be downloaded or purchased to be installed directly onto your computer.

Buying Guide

A music notation software makes it easy to produce and share your musical creations with others. You'll be able to enjoying creating unique musical scores using the software you choose. However, not all software options are the same; be sure to take some time to consider what you want to see in the option you choose.

First, you will want to choose a product that matches your skill level. Look for options that are intuitive and easy to use. You may want to examine the user interface before making a final decision.

Next, consider the different ways the program offers for inputting your music. Can you enter it manually, using a MIDI instrument, on the virtual instruments, or all of the above?

You will also want to consider the quality of the playback. How do songs sound when they are played by the software? Are there different instruments you can choose from to playback your music?

You may also want to look for an option that has features such as handwriting recognition or a mobile app. Handwriting recognition will make it easier for you to manually write notes and have the program turn them into a digital format. A mobile app can allow you to capture ideas as they come to you, regardless of where you are.

Finally, be sure to pay attention to how easy it is to export files using the program. You will also want to make sure the files that are exported will be in a well-known and easy-to-use format.

Top Pick

Notion 6 by PreSonus is our top pick. We think you'll enjoy all the features and capabilities that this option has to offer.

With Notion 6, inputting your music is easy. You can choose to use one of the virtual instruments, a MIDI instrument, or you can even handwrite your notes. This range of options will allow you to get your music enter exactly how you prefer.

Notion 6 has a comprehensive chord library which will allow you to enter and customize cords in your songs. The cords are also saved on the fretboard, which will make it easy to reenter them.

With Notion 6, you are also able to view MIDI performance on top of your notations. This will let you edit your music until it sounds exactly as you want it to.

There is a lot to love about Notion 6. Whether you are a student or a professional in the music field, be sure to place your order. You'll love using all the features offered by this product.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does music notation software work?

Music notation software is designed to help you transform played musical notes into printable transcriptions of a musical piece. This allows you to save your ideas and share them with others easily.

Every music notation software is different, but they all share many common themes. You'll likely enjoy a variety of ways to enter your music before having it converted to musical notes. Depending on the software you choose, you may be able to connect a MIDI instrument and play the notes, enter notes using a virtual fretboard or keyboard, upload recorded audio, enter the notes using the computer's keyboard, or even scan in a document with written notes.

Do music notation software programs let you playback the notes you enter?

Yes, most software options include a playback feature to let you hear what the notes you enter will sound like when played. Some programs offer a large instrument library which will let you hear what your notes will sound like when played by a variety of different instruments. This will let you make any necessary adjustments based on how things sound.

Can you share musical scores using a music notation software?

Yes, you can share the musical scores you create using music notation software. However, some programs make doing so easier than others.

Some programs can only send your composition files to other users who have the same software as you, while other options will allow you to share your musical creations with anyone you'd like. You should be able to print sheet music and share it with others that way if you can't send them the digital files.

What features are important when choosing a music notation software?

When looking for a music notation software, there are a few different features you will want to look for. The way you plan on using the software will impact which of these features are most essential for you.

First, you'll likely want to find a program that will allow you to compose different styles of sheet music. This will allow you to compose pieces and parts for different musical instruments, even if you don't have a lot of knowledge related to some of these instruments.

Next, you should examine the different options offered by the software for inputting the music you create. Some programs may offer the option to use a MIDI instrument, to input the notes using the keyboard, or to use a virtual instrument, like a keyboard or fretboard, through the program. Think about how you'd prefer to be able to enter your music and select a program that will let you do so in your preferred way.

You should also look for the different options you'll have once you've entered your composition. Will you be able to edit your piece easily? Can you hear what it will sound like when played by different instruments? How easy will it be to share your compositions with others?

What are MIDI instruments and how do they work?

MIDI is short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. MIDI instruments send digital signals to a computer to relay which note was played. In addition to communicating which note was played, they are also able to share how long the note was held, the velocity with which it was pressed, and other essential musical elements.

MIDI instruments make it possible to create music using a variety of electronic musical instruments from different manufacturers. Since they all use the same 'language' they can communicate and play together.

MIDI instruments also allow music notation software programs to transcribe the notes played on an instrument and turn them into written music.

Are music notation software programs free?

While there are some free software programs, you will need to pay to use most products. Many free programs don't offer the same features that you'll find with a paid program, so be sure to identify the features included in the software programs you are considering.

Music notation software products range in price. Some options may be free or cost less than $50, while other products may cost closer to $200. If you choose a professional software program, you'll likely pay even more than that.

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