Finale, Sibelius, or other?

Yes, I'm sure this has been asked many times, but I'm looking into getting some sort of notation program - right now I do everything longhand. Keeping in mind functionality and price (i.e., the cheaper the better - but obviously I don't want it to be so simple that I can't use it), what would you suggest for me? Thanks!

I recommend you use our search feature to find previous discussions on the topic. Since you bring it up though, I'll just link you to my answer to basically the same question in a previous thread:

http://forum.youngcomposers.com/t22784/finale-2010-or-make-the-switch/page__view__findpost__p__326891

It would be helpful if you told us what kind of music you write, what you're looking to do with it, etc. If sheet music is your final product or if audio is then you'll be looking for different things.

My extremely biased answer:

Sibelius.

My extremely biased answer:

Finale

Definately been said before but Sibelius all the way... Finale is nothing by comparison.

Yep, I went from Finale 2009 to Sibelius 6 recently and it fixes every problem I've ever had with a scoring program.

I've been using Finale for 3 years now, as my first notation software. I don't know if it's easy to use or if I am just accustomed to it. So, in general it does everything that I need, however, I have had various technical issues with it the whole time. Crashes, playback issues, inability to calculate 5/8, or 7/8 (which is a problem).

Can anyone tell me how Sibelius handles 5/8 or 7? Finale has always had MAJOR trouble with it. It tries to add an octo-dotted eighth, in place of a regular note value...regardless if you try to paste the original value. Or (inconsistently) sometimes if you try to paste 2 beats on beat 4 and 5...it would put 1 beat on beat 3...which was to be rested, and not even selected. How about Sibelius?

How technically sound is Sib? Finale isn't, IMO. I've used the past 3 versions they've released, and each one I've had trouble with. Nothing I can't 'work around'. Which is the only reason I haven't quit using it. On the other hand...the interface works for me...I have heard the Sib > Fin (or vice versa) switch can take some getting used to. How different are the interfaces?

off-topic.

Any Finale users know how to change the MIDI function of cresc/decresc - I think it's set to CC7 (master volume), and I want it to be for the dynamics CC.

Finale nor Sibelius are sequencers, so good sounds are impossible compared to one. That being said, Sibelius has done a lot better recently for playing back sounds with the score, but its not that good. They are, after all, notation programs.

As for 7/8 etc., Sibelius does a lovely job with it.

I have little trouble in Fin with 5/8 or 7/8, although I sometimes get the octodotted eight after copying a quarter note. Solution: get rid of your copy-paste syndrome :)

jk. You have to make sure you selected the whole note. Finale is sometimes a bit more picky then you're used to. I once thought I only had that trouble in a composed measure (ie 3/8+2/8) not in the (equally composed, but not yet so defined) (ie, just 5/8)

I am very fond of 5/8, 7/4 or 11/8-like measures, and the problem is not severe, it isnt even bothering me...

There is a setting to choose whether dynamics are done by CC1, 7, or 11. Because of GPO, this is dependent on the type of instruemtn, plucked/bowed/blown/etc... You can find this at MIDI/Audio -> Human Playback -> HP prefs. -> Dynamics and Volume -> Dynamic approach for sustaining instruments.

Thanks Jaap, big help with the dynamic controllers :)

Sometimes it seems pretty severe with me. I have thought the same thing using composed meters. Right clicking>Time Sigs> only offers 3+2 or 2+3, so I'll try using a straight 5/8 in the advanced menu exclusively.

I have experienced many crashes (now I have a habitual save), and playback issues as well. This across two different computers, with two different OS. Anyone else?

Sibelius 6 rarely crashes (4 and especially 5 were far less reliable and sometimes would crash if doing simple things). I've tried it on Windows and OSX with no difference of crashing either.

I use Finale09 on Ubuntu, using Wine (not) emulating Windows, and have little to zero crashes. In my experience crashes are OS related, but you say you have them on both Win and OSX, maybe you fiddle a lot? ;)

I have never used Sibelius, so I cannot compare then very well. Maybe Sib is more user friendly (doing things like automatically avoiding collisions), which seems easy. But I think together with that easyness there is a little loss of control as well. In Finale virtually everything can be moved, customized (although I think that applies for Sib as well) I just do not like when my computer start thinking for me, I like the control over things. Downside is that Finale is said to have a steeper learning curve, although that did not bother me at all.

Also, the sound libraries that comes along with Finale are better than Sibelius, what I've heard.

finally see, for a Sibelius to Finale convert: http://www.finalemusic.com/blog/post/2010/04/29/Bobbie-Thorntons-Unique-Perspective-on-Finale-and-Other-Software.aspx

But in the end it all comes down to what you have learned first, what is comfortable to you. I would say try both and choose one.

If you have nothing against learning a bit I would certainly not let comments about Finale's learning curve withhold you. But if you are a real nerd, you could try Lilypond, its totally free, and kinda cool, if you like rendering a text-input file to a nice looking PDF :)

Thanks a lot, everyone! I am looking more towards notation, theoretically, than creating audio. I'll look into it, and get back to you if I have any more pressing questions.

Finale plain out SUCKS, Finale is obsolete at best.

Everyting Finale can do, Sibelus can do better, faster, and easier, and don't forget all the nice features that Sibelus has that Finale is lacking on. (Just visit their website, you'll know what I'm talking about.)

The only other contender in the notation field IMO is Notion, a new product in the ball park, it has some intresting features that neither Finale or Sibelus have, it is very oriented at getting a very high quality playback, check it out.

Finale plain out SUCKS, Finale is obsolete at best.

Explain, please.

Notion is a sequencer disguised as a notation program.

Yeah, I agree Tokke. I didn't think Notion was what I needed (after checking their site). I'm going to give Sib6 a whirl.

Jaap, have you tried Sib - why don't you like it? (curious since I've used Finale for years now)