Finale 2006 vs. Finale Notepad

Can anyone tell me what it is exactly that Finale 2006 can do that the notepad cannot that makes it worth hundreds of dollars?

and while I'm here, any recommendations for an inexpensive portable midi keyboard with weighted keys? I'm not looking for an instrument for electronic versatility, I just want something that is easily transportable, has a nice touch, and will serve my basic midi needs.

Can anyone tell me what it is exactly that Finale 2006 can do that the notepad cannot that makes it worth hundreds of dollars?

I could answer that question for Finale 2005, but not for 2006 since I don't own it yet. Anyone have 2006 already?

Here's a chart I found on Finale's site that you might find helpful. It doesn't compare Notepad, but it does compare 2006 to previous upgrades. I can tell you Notepad doesn't do half what even 2004 does.

http://downloads.makemusic.com/forms/Popul...radeReasons.pdf

If all you're looking for is a tool to write music down with in a basic fashion, then Notepad is probably all you need. For me, I'm going to upgrade the minute I can afford it. The Garritan Personal Orchestra alone (some of the best samples of orchestral instruments in existence) makes it worth every cent.

ok thanks.

how about a recommendation for a cheap keyboard with weighted keys?

Fatar Studiologic is what I use. Its about $600. (Has no sounds though, you have to load them in yourself).

If you are looking for preloaded sounds, the prices will jump.

I use Finale 2006 and believe you me, it's the best upgrade they've come out with to date. The features page that Lee provided is a good place to start, I figure I'll add the most important features here just to give you an idea of what you might be missing.

Number of Staves: 8 for NotePad, unlimited for Finale

Lyric verses allowed: 1 for NotePad, unlimited for Finale

Real-time (as you play) entry from MIDI device/keyboard: no such thing for NotePad, but you can do it with Finale

Real-time entry from an acoustic single-line instrument: Nope for NotePad and sure for Finale

Import/Export MIDI files: No such feature in NotePad but Finale's got it

Imports SmartScore, Encore, and Rhapsody files: NotePad=no, Finale=yes

SmartScore Lite Music Scanning: NotePad=no, Finale=yes

Save as audio file (wav/Mp3): NotePad=no, Finale=yes

Human Playback (multiple styles): NotePad has only the standard style, while Finale has plenty of presets as well as the ability to customize your very own style

Includes 100+ Garritan studio-quality sounds (VERY important): NotePad=no way, Finale=you bet

Anywho I think I've made my point sufficiently clear, if you're serious about music then Finale is DEFINATELY worth every cent you pay for it. I myself have the full version of Garritan Personal Orchestra, but the included one has a good number of the sounds and is probably the best feature to hit the program since Human Playback.

As for a good keyboard synth, my personal favourite is the Alesis QS series, which is very nice, very reliable and has good quality sounds. The downside is that it doesn't have weighted keys and it's not exactly cheap.

:P

Finale 2006 allows you to write the sheet music for multiple instruments and play the music that you have written for them all at the same time. Notepad only lets you write sheet music and it does not play the music. Imagine writing music for 2 different electric guitars, a bass guitar, and a drum set and then hearing what it would sound like if it was played perfectly as written. If you get Finale 2006, consider yourself in solitude from the world because you don't want to stop writing and hearing the music you write. You will be locked in you room for quite a while. Hope this helped. :P