best software for composing?

Good day to all!

Please forgive the ebullient naivete, but it is exciting to be joining a group of people with whom I share such a deep passion!

I am just beginning to compose and to learn music theory by self-direction, and I am seeking information on the best software and keyboard to purchase in order to write sonatas, quartets and orchestral pieces (perhaps down the road on the latter!) for both playback and sheetmusic creation.

More specifically, I would like advice on what program to purchase that would allow me to play phrases and so forth on a keyboard and which would then be automatically written into sheet music form. The other feature would be to some kind of playback system after I have entered all the voices (through the keyboard) for a composition.

I'm sure these are obvious and silly questions, but I don't know where to begin.

Thanks to any and all for your help and suggestions - please feel free to email me at aninquisition@aol.com if you prefer.

Be well!

piper

The best software IMO is the Finale software...a bit pricey but if u can afford it/pirate it its the best! They use it in alot of colleges including Juilliard.

HA HA HE HE HO HO, Finale may be good but has a bit of a learning curve. Sibelius is right in your face simple ( but I admit has its flaws) If you don't know what to buy , pirate first, but BUY later. (that's how I did it)

Try with www.lvbsx.com, demo(free) is all I need, maybe for you too...Now it's Virtual Music Composer 4.0...http://www.virtualmusiccomposer.com

I'm sure these are obvious and silly questions, but I don't know where to begin.

Maybe, but these are some of the most important questions that a composer can ask!

I will give you my opinion on the matter.

Your optimum situation will cost you several thousand dollars, and you most likely won't buy everything at one time.

I am just beginning to compose and to learn music theory by self-direction, and I am seeking information on the best software and keyboard to purchase in order to write sonatas, quartets and orchestral pieces (perhaps down the road on the latter!) for both playback and sheetmusic creation.

Notation Software

The two best are Sibelius and Finale. As you can see above, people have different opinions on which is best. I use Sibelius, and so I'm partial to it, but you might want to try a free trial of both of them before you decide.

http://www.sibelius.com/

http://www.finalemusic.com/

Another program that just came out recently is called Notion. For playback they use samples from the London Symphony Orchestra recorded at Abbey Roads studios. This is worth a look as well:

http://www.notionmusic.com/

With any of these programs, you will be able to notate very advanced pieces and then create sheet music. However playing them back is another story. They will all allow you play back your pieces, but if you just use MIDI, the quality will be very bad. Notion comes with LSO Samples (which sound very nice) and Finale 2006 now comes with Garritan Personal Orchestra (which sounds nice as well). For extra money Sibelius 4 will come with Garritan Personal Orchestra as well. You can hear your sounds in good quality with just a little extra money.

http://www.garritan.com/

Above is the link to Garritan Personal Orchestra (GPO) company. Listen to the samples (try to use good quality headphones or speakers if you can) and decide if you're happy with the quality. Also check out Notion's LSO samples.

GPO Demo Songs: http://www.garritan.com/mp3.html

Notion Demo Songs: http://www.notionmusic.com/downloads.cfm

If you like what you hear, then buy one of them. I'd recommend Sibelius 4 with GPO Sibelius Edition, however you will find many others who would recommend Finale and Notion. So check them both out.

NOTE: Do not buy GPO separately (unless you really want to). Buy the GPO version that comes with the notation software you decide to use.

Keyboard

There are billions of keyboards. You just want something simple, called a MIDI Controller. This is a keyboard that doesn't have any sounds on it (you won't need these because you'll use the sounds on your computer).

As I'm sure you know, a (normal) piano has 88 keys. Keyboards come in the following main sizes: 49 keys, 61 keys, and 88 keys. I've seen some in the 70s as well. The keys will also be non-weighted, semi-weighted, or fully-weighted (like a real piano feels).

Which one is right for you depends on a number of factors.

An 88 key keyboard with waited keys will feel the most realistic, but it is also the most expensive. A 49 key keyboard without weighted keys won't feel anything like a piano, but will be very cheap.

I think that a real piano is absolutely necessary when writing a piano piece. It is very, very hard to get inspired to write on a small MIDI keyboard. The best option would be to hook up a Roland Intelligent Grand to your computer, but that would cost around $11,000 to $28,000. Again, you want to find something that you can work with, but is not too expensive. Go to a local music store in order to try before you buy.

I use the following keyboard:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Keys...n61es-main.html

For more M-Audio keyboards click below:

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=produc...oardcontrollers

I like the Keystation 61es (it is semi-weighted), however I have a very nice Grand Piano which inspires me to write piano pieces. I would not be able to compose without a real piano, because no keyboard under a few thousand dollars is realistic enough.

More specifically, I would like advice on what program to purchase that would allow me to play phrases and so forth on a keyboard and which would then be automatically written into sheet music form. The other feature would be to some kind of playback system after I have entered all the voices (through the keyboard) for a composition.

All of the 3 notation programs I mentioned will notate automatically for you while you play something, however unless you play with very excellent rhythm, you will end up with weird notation that doesn't seem playable to a human. Once you learn how to notate note for note on a program, it really is very fast and efficient.

Like I said above, if you go with Notion or Finale or purchase GPO for Sibelius, you'll be able to play back your piece in very good quality. You'll eventually want, however, to pick up a nice pair of speakers. I use the Tapco S5 monitoring speakers. I recommend checking out Sweetwater for pairs of speakers:

http://www.sweetwater.com

Additionally, while you can compose on even the slowest computer, you won't be able to play back your pieces in good quality unless you have a reasonably speedy machine.

These are the system requirements from Sibelius in order to run it and play back your piece with GPO:

System requirements

Requires 2GB hard disk space (in addition to Sibelius 4); Windows XP (or some Windows 2000 configurations); Mac OS 10.3.9 or later; DVD drive; Sibelius 4. Additionally:

Scores that use up to about 8 different sounds:

Windows: 1.8Ghz processor or faster, 1Gb+ RAM (1.5Gb+ recommended), preferably ASIO compatible sound card

Mac: G4/G5, 1GB+ RAM (1.5GB+ recommended)

Scores that use up to about 20 different sounds:

Windows: 2.5GHz processor or faster, 1.5Gb RAM. ASIO-compatible sound card strongly recommended (not sound chip on motherboard), preferably separate graphics card

Mac: 1.8GHz processor or faster, 1.5GB+ RAM

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Yes, this is a lot of stuff, but you don't need to go out and buy everything today. I think this is a reasonably good guide to get you started, at least I hope it is.

Good luck!

If you have any more questions, PM me, email me, post here, IM me or whatever.

Connor

Vissequ, you missed all the sequencers.

I use Cubase SX. I'm more worried about how good the music sounds rather than getting a score or sheet music out of it.

And for those of you who would like to get GPO, you should be getting GPO alone. It only takes a few plugins to hook sibelius to GPO.

Vissequ, you missed all the sequencers.

I use Cubase SX. I'm more worried about how good the music sounds rather than getting a score or sheet music out of it.

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. :thumbsup:

Finale by far!

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.

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. :w00t:

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 ;)

no, actually, it's called piracy.

the $100 upgrade cost on Finale is far from being expensive.

it's less than $10 a month for something you use regularly if you're a composer.

if you are serious about making music, then the initial investment is well worth it, whichever product you end up purchasing.

BTW, the upgrade from Finale'05 to Finale'06 included a light version of Garritan Personal Orchestra, which MORE than made up for the upgrade cost (which hasn't changed anyways in 10 years... every time I've upgraded it has been for $99).

Piracy is not a victimless crime.

when a software company like MakeMusic, with an already limited client pool, puts money into a program as complex as Finale (and its less expensive sister products, BTW) they should be getting at least a partial return on their investment.

Piracy means money that isn't coming in, money that won't in turn get reinvested in further development of the software.

But that's just like saying: if noone likes it, we're all wrong for not buying it, because that means money that isn't coming in, right?

If people download the program from someone else, that's not taking anything away from the company! (at least in my case) I would never buy Sibelius if I couldn't download it for free. I just don't have the funds, and if I did, I'm sure I could find something more useful to buy. (staff paper!!!) Of course if I suddenly had lots of money I would buy it, but if I did get that money, I would delete the downloaded copy that's currently on my computer, and buy a fresh new one from the company. I don't really like having a pirated copy, but it's the only way for me to have the program on my computer.

Me using someone else's Sibelius (and Finale as well, incidentally) is not hurting the company, because someone already bought the product. It's just like if I went to my computer lab at school and used the Sibelius there! Would that be piracy, if I used it every single day to do everything I needed to do?

I mean, I dont know what you guys do when you have a shortage in sheet paper. I download that and print it out, well I'm sure many of you do that too. Well then that is also priacy or in my words, sharing.

P.S getting a bit off-topic.

But that's just like saying: if noone likes it, we're all wrong for not buying it, because that means money that isn't coming in, right?

If people download the program from someone else, that's not taking anything away from the company! (at least in my case) I would never buy Sibelius if I couldn't download it for free. I just don't have the funds, and if I did, I'm sure I could find something more useful to buy. (staff paper!!!) Of course if I suddenly had lots of money I would buy it, but if I did get that money, I would delete the downloaded copy that's currently on my computer, and buy a fresh new one from the company. I don't really like having a pirated copy, but it's the only way for me to have the program on my computer.

Me using someone else's Sibelius (and Finale as well, incidentally) is not hurting the company, because someone already bought the product. It's just like if I went to my computer lab at school and used the Sibelius there! Would that be piracy, if I used it every single day to do everything I needed to do?

You are incorrect. Your downloading Finale and Sibelius DOES hurt companies, and it does hurt paying customers. And your insinuation that people who steal copies of these programs would not otherwise purchase the software is also provably false.

1. Paying customers are forced now to purchase software that has mandatory registration. This restricts the number of computers they can use their software on. And it means that when they reformat their computers (common for some people), they have to be bothered with calling the company to switch out their registrations. In the worst cases, with computer crashes, they can be left without the software that pays their living at critical times. Don't believe it happens? You've never talked to people for whom this has happened. I have.

2. These companies have to hire new programmers who specialize in anti-piracy protection software. The challenge-response systems incorporated into Finale and Sibelius require programmers who have made themselves experts in that type of software development. Because they had to spend money on stopping easy piracy, they also had to spend less money on feature development in Finale. Furthermore, with the way this type of software is tied into the OS, development costs continue with the release of new OS's (which is very common with Apple). You also have to take into consideration the Key Server applications that these programs have to work with. Developing protections to lessen piracy is an ongoing cost. So essentially, because of people like you who steal these programs, the program I pay for is being developed more slowly and I'm getting less value for my money. You are stealing from me.

3. When Sibelius and MakeMusic increased the strengths of their respective protection schemes, many more customers bought the products. Therefore, it's extremely obvious that the people stealing the software would not always pass up the software if they couldn't get it for free. Many people that could and would pay simply steal it because they can.

4. People purchase cars that are within their means. The fact that a person can't afford a Dodge Viper doesn't mean that he passes up the Honda Civic and steals a Viper. He buys the Civic. As a result, thousands of families get to eat because Honda is able to employ its workers. By stealing Finale or Sibelius instead of buying a less expensive program, you hurt several companies. There are legitimate inexpensive programs out there, one of which your website claims to support.

You are listed as being a moderator on this forum. How do you think the companies that pay for advertising on your site, which survive by selling software, would view your public promotion of piracy?

Schools purchase licenses of Finale and Sibelius with the understanding that each license may be used by exactly one student at a time. That's not piracy because that's the way the license was written and agreed to by the school. Your example of using a friend's copy of the program does not fall within the license and is illegal.

I mean, I dont know what you guys do when you have a shortage in sheet paper. I download that and print it out, well I'm sure many of you do that too. Well then that is also priacy or in my words, sharing.

P.S getting a bit off-topic.

Is the sheet paper copyrighted in a way that makes printing and sharing it illegal? I highly doubt it. However, the copy of Sibelius you have stolen has a license agreement in it that you are breaking and are liable for.