FINALE 2007

The upgrade from Finale 05 to 06 is a big one. GPO is worth it, IMO. I got finale 06 for free, so I didn't pay for the upgrade, so I can afford to buy 07 as well. Finale 07 includes a lot more GPO sounds/articulations.

I upgrade about every 2-3 years. I thought I wanted 2006, but I decided to wait until they'd worked out some issues I'd heard about. Sounds like they have, and added a few other nice things. The exploding parts thing sounds especially tasty. I'll probably spring for this one...but not likely for another until 2009 or so.

I prefer Sibelius anyhow, but I do respect the fact that they only put out new versions when they actually have a good deal of things to update, not just every year because people will keep buying it...which greatly echoes the point that montpellier was making...

Finale 2006 just came out!!! What the hell. I really would not buy a new version, even for a lower upgrade price, after less than a year than the previous version. To me, 2005 really did not seem all that different from 06 anyway. What can they do that Sibelius hasn't already done, anyway? And by that, I mean what can they do that is actually useful and easy to use that Sibelius hasn't already??

Don't waste your money, people. Wait 'til 08, it'll seem like more of an improvement.

Sibelius only issues upgrades about once every 2 years, but their upgrades cost close to double what a one year Finale upgrade costs. So it evens out. Going from Finale 2005 to 2007 (2 years) would definitely be a larger upgrade than going from Sibelius 3 to 4 (2 years).

Finale 2006 came out a full year ago. That's how Finale upgrades come - one year apart. 2006 is quite a lot different from 2005 as long as you're not using the pirated version.

There are many useful features in Finale that Sibelius does not have. Including Finale GPO is a big one (100 sounds, up to 64 simultaneous vs. 20 sounds in Kontakt Silver and only 8 that can be used at one time). Finale has better (and more) music entry systems that can greatly speed up the process. Native Instruments VST support and now the ability for Human Playback to be customized for sample libraries like EWQLSO, VSL, etc. The ability to resolve collisions vertically between staves. Easier setup of repeats. Intelligent finding of rhythmic patterns for copying slurs, articulations, etc. A scroll view for composing in (which is very convenient for working with scores). Slurs that automatically adjust to avoid colliding with notes.

Sibelius is a great program, but don't think for a second that Finale doesn't have useful features that Sibelius lacks. Sibelius also has useful features that Finale doesn't.

The competition between Finale and Sibelius is the best thing that the notation business has. The two companies are pushed to make a better product. I personally use Finale, but I am very thankful for the existence of Sibelius because it has inspired Finale to get better also.

Well, I guess users of one versus the other will notice the changes in versions much more so than just someone who tries out both programs.

Besides, almost all of the features you listed that were new with Finale have to do with playback! Am I the only one who is fine with MIDI? I tend to actually get my pieces performed, so I don't really need Garrittan's samples anyway...

I guess each program has different things to suit different people. I guess Sibelius just suits me better. Plus, I felt there were a great deal of changes between 2 and 3, and especially between 3 and 4.

Well, I guess users of one versus the other will notice the changes in versions much more so than just someone who tries out both programs.

Besides, almost all of the features you listed that were new with Finale have to do with playback! Am I the only one who is fine with MIDI? I tend to actually get my pieces performed, so I don't really need Garrittan's samples anyway...

I guess each program has different things to suit different people. I guess Sibelius just suits me better. Plus, I felt there were a great deal of changes between 2 and 3, and especially between 3 and 4.

Many people find that composing with high quality sounds helps inspire them. It's also useful in demoing one's pieces so that they can earn a performance.

I was just naming a few of the advantages of Finale over Sibelius, and I wasn't focusing just on the stuff that's new. 3 features I named are about playback. 6 are not. I named one playback feature new to 2007 and one notation feature new to 2007.

The competition between Finale and Sibelius is the best thing that the notation business has. The two companies are pushed to make a better product. I personally use Finale, but I am very thankful for the existence of Sibelius because it has inspired Finale to get better also.

Here Here! And regarding what my friend Montpellier said about folks putting up with buggy programs - I just want to mention that there are no bugs in these programs that make them remotely unusable. My 2006 version of Finale will sometimes go into audio failure, but it's no big problem - I can still SAVE, close it up and re-open it. More like a gnat than a mosquito. Otherwise, as far as manipulating notes and intuitive placement of markings - it is all but flawless.

I try to upgrade every 2-3 years but I've broken down every year for the last 3 and ponied up the $99 right on schedule. A small price to pay for constantly improving engraving software. BTW, THAT'S what you're paying for - NOT bug fixes. The steady advance of technology as well as value leveraged from partnerships with other software developers makes this a no-brainer. Heck, I'd pay 99 bucks a year for no upgrades if I had to - but don't let THEM know that.

My 2006 version of Finale will sometimes go into audio failure, but it's no big problem - I can still SAVE, close it up and re-open it.

If you're using the softsynth, then the next time that happens, try going to the MIDI menu and reclicking the 32-bit MIDI driver (even though it's already checked). That usually gets the audio back since it just takes a second and reloads the audio driver. Should save you from having to close and reopen the program.

I have begun to wonder why a lot of people use and like Finale. The only way to learn why is to learn the program myself, no? Well, I guess I have to really discipline myself, because the instant I go into Finale and start to write something, I think to myself 'This would go so much faster in Sibelius' and then I quit and end up doing it in Sibelius. This just because I'm so used to Sibelius, I'm sure. But I'm trying to learn Finale, it's just taking a little longer than expected.

Nicktoven, if you do learn Finale, make sure to use speedy entry and not simple entry! It's about 10 times faster to enter notes and rhythms that way (my own opinion. Unless you have a super fast mouse or something.)