Help in beginning composing with software

Hi to all...

I like composing, especially piano pieces.

Could anyone suggest a good notation software besides Sibelius and Finale that has a good quality piano sound for playback, can import scores and mp3s?

I'm currently using Noteworthy Composer. But I really don't like MIDI piano songs.

I also tried using MuseScore, but the playback doesn't sound like a piano (sorry for the opinion).

I'm just beginning... :)

Or, can anyone tell me how to edit a MIDI to make it sound more realistic?

Thanks...

Cheers!

You can get really realistic piano sounds with sequencers like Logic, Cubase, FL Studio, etc. It can import mp3s but I think scores are a bit trickier.

Are you avoiding Sibelius and Finale because they're expensive or because of personal choice?

Also, with Noteworthy Composer or MuseScore can you import sound libraries so that you'll have more realistic sounding instruments? Have you tried Lily Pond? It's a free notation software.

Ultimately, I think you'll get the most realistic piano sound by using a sequencer. Even if your notation program has a really good piano sound, it's just playing back the score. Thus, it won't phrase sections unless you write in a lot of dynamics. It won't change tempos or rubatos unless you explicitly put it in. With the sequencer, it's playing back your performance so it gives you the control of how to phrase your sections.

What do you think, arpeggia?

-John

Try FlexiMusic Composer, hope it helps you.

Hi to all...

I like composing, especially piano pieces.

Could anyone suggest a good notation software besides Sibelius and Finale that has a good quality piano sound for playback, can import scores and mp3s?

I'm currently using Noteworthy Composer. But I really don't like MIDI piano songs.

I also tried using MuseScore, but the playback doesn't sound like a piano (sorry for the opinion).

I'm just beginning... :)

Or, can anyone tell me how to edit a MIDI to make it sound more realistic?

Thanks...

Cheers!

But I really don't like MIDI piano songs.

I also tried using MuseScore, but the playback doesn't sound like a piano (sorry for the opinion).

Or, can anyone tell me how to edit a MIDI to make it sound more realistic?

Isn't this mostly just due to low quality soundfonts? Perhaps some here know of quality piano sounds, either free or not. I too would be interested.