best software for composing?

which one is chaper to buy the program for?

Hello,
you wrote:
"It only takes a few plugins to hook sibelius to GPO."

I have GPO as stand-alone
How can I use it with Sibelius 4 ?
Can you help me ?
Please reply to my email: ludwig77@freenet.de
thanks !
Ludwig

Just a few relatively minor points

If you're purchasing GPO to use primarily with Sibelius, you will likely want to get the special Sibelius GPO edition. While it won't work with other programs, you will benefit from the fact that it is integrated into Sibelius, so that when you choose instruments or add articulations, Sibelius automatically sends the info to Sibelius GPO. If you go the other route, taking the regular version of GPO and using it with GPO Studio, you will not get this integration with Sibelius. It will still work, but you're going to have to put a lot more time into making the playback work correctly.

Finale differs here in that it is made to integrate with the full version of GPO. While you get a reduced price for buying the full GPO with Finale, it is in fact the full regular version of GPO rather than one specially made for Finale. Human Playback in Finale takes care of the integration of the musical symbols with GPO, and the Setup Wizard now automatically loads the correct instruments for GPO.

The reason for the difference here is that Finale is VST compatible (as is GPO). This means it will work with any Native Instruments VSTi's, including GPO, GPO Jazz and Big Band, EWQLSO, etc. Sibelius did not implement VST, and so each time they want to integrate with a sample library, they have to develop the interfacing separately (which is why they don't integrate with many libraries right now - it takes a long time to do it).

Notion is an interesting program. You get a decent sound library that comes pretty close to GPO in quality, but the notation program itself isn't anywhere close to Finale and Sibelius. Capability-wise it falls somewhere between NotePad and PrintMusic. While it has some unique features, when you consider that you can't edit even the most basic elements like note spacing, slur shape, etc, you realize that it's really not intended for people looking to print their music out and give it to performers. My recommendation is to go for Finale or Sibelius instead, at least for now.

If you wish learn Music Notation, then go for Harmony Assistant. It is easy and I learnt it within 3hrs.
But if you wish to compose Modern Music and Serious about sequencing, hi-fi Samples, then go for Cubase Sx, or Cakewalk Project or Reason from Propellerhead....

here is the link for Harmony Assistant:

http://www.myriad-online.com/en/products/harmony.htm

Download the Demo versions you buy any of the above software...

As far as Keyboards are concerned, there are n number of brands. Nowadays, a keyboard is hardly used for a Live performance and no longer a hot tool in composing and sequencing department...got my point...

Go for a USB Keyboard Controller...you've several...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/key/navigat...07&src=3SOSWXXA


Bye...good luck...

Vijay Didla

in all truthfulness, there is no "best software" for composing.
you certainly won't learn how to compose from software, only a good teacher can give you that.
software, on the other hand, is a great tool for getting where you need to get with your composing.

1. if you only want the sound files and have no interest what-so-ever in notation, then use a sequencer, there are a number of these programmes on the market, at different price levels and degrees of complexity.

2. if you want to have a notated version of your music (ie: to give to people to perform live) then you're better off going with one of the notation/sequencer programmes like Finale or Sibelius. If I'm not mistaken both have a "low end" version of their product that is less expensive.

3. get used to working with a pencil and staff paper next to you. you can jot down ideas much faster on paper than on a computer. the reason I say this is that the computer tends to act as a trap when you don't have the musical/technical training. It often pushes you to keep things you might normally have rejected had you put them down on paper. I have a whole set-up with 2 computers, 2 screens, 4 printers, 88-key keyboard, a rack of external synths/samplers and internal virtual synths/samplers, and I STILL have a stack of loose staff paper on my work desk next to me when I'm working.

4. I repeat - a teacher. I can't encourage you enough to find a good teacher, someone with whom you will be comfortable. A good teacher is a friend, a mentor, a sounding board. A good teacher will impose things on you, and at the same time encourage you to explore and be yourself.

I used Notation Machine for a while, it's pretty good.

Qccowboy: What a great reply! Thanks.

M

Finale or Sibelius will do just fine. People fight over which one is better, but they are really close to the same thing. lol

I use Finale. The upgrades are a ripe off however. What do upgrades cost for Sibelius? Finale upgrade from 2005 to 2006 is like $120 which is ridiculous.

I use Finale but I actually prefer Sibelius; I just didn't want to have to pay so much for sibelius when I could have finale for $30.

Oh, man guys why dont you download them?
I downloaded Sibelius, works great... even if I dont use it that much >_<

Oh, man guys why dont you download them?
I downloaded Sibelius, works great... even if I dont use it that much >_<

Because it's illegal, and some of us don't respect thieves. There is no reason to steal from people who are trying to make a living. There are cheap or free notation programs available if you can't afford the more expensive ones.

Because it's illegal, and some of us don't respect thieves. There is no reason to steal from people who are trying to make a living. There are cheap or free notation programs available if you can't afford the more expensive ones.

It is called SHARING..globaly