VST that can be used with MuseScore?

So, I'm using MuseScore and really like the versatility and user-friendliness of the application. My only question is...

Where can I find good VST or virtual instruments for it?

I think the most important question here is:

Are you willing to pay, and if so, how much?

Price isn't an issue for me as long as I can justify it to myself. I'd like to find a good free set though -just to get used to working with it in relation to MuseScore (I'm still new to the app)

I was under the impression that MuseScore couldn't use the same sound libraries as Sibelius or Finale.. I could be wrong though! I just updated to version 3 and it seems like lots of things are better..

I just checked out the website and it looks like things are still the same.. MuseScore 3 still uses things called 'soundfonts' rather than VSTs. They have a list of free ones available for download here. I haven't really found much to like about the soundfonts that are available, so I actually export a MIDI file from MuseScore into another program to use a better sound library. 

@Noah Brode Yes! That's the process I'm wanting to learn about. I heard that's how you had to do it from a google search. Thanks for the link. Have you had a chance to check any of these out?

@jawoodruff I downloaded the Sonatina Symphony Orchestra soundfont, but it wasn't any better than the orchestral VST I have with the music program Reason (Miroslav Philharmonik Orchestra). You might have better luck, though -- and it looks like they've added some new ones since I last gave ut a shot. Let me know how it goes!

8 hours ago, Noah Brode said:

@jawoodruff I downloaded the Sonatina Symphony Orchestra soundfont, but it wasn't any better than the orchestral VST I have with the music program Reason (Miroslav Philharmonik Orchestra). You might have better luck, though -- and it looks like they've added some new ones since I last gave ut a shot. Let me know how it goes!

 

The only soundset that is any good as far as notation programs go is Noteperformer 3 which is for Sibelius, Finale and Dorico. It's pretty inexpensive and sounds great.

As an aside: I actually think the technology of Noteperformer is the way forward and that by the end of the 20s, will replace the out-dated tech, and frankly — musically-limited capability found in Kontakt-style libraries.

Hi

This is an interesting topic for me, as I was actually looking at how to download new soundfonts a couple of days ago.

9 hours ago, Noah Brode said:

I haven't really found much to like about the soundfonts that are available, so I actually export a MIDI file from MuseScore into another program to use a better sound library. 

Which other program do you use?

I have to go with @AngelCityOutlaw on this one. If your intention is to be able to export your music straight from the notation software, NotePerformer 3 is probably the best way.

If you want to have excelent endproduct and don't mind having to go through the trouble of articulating everything by hand in a DAW, then a VST is probably the best for you.

If you want to go with a VST, I'd look into various examples and see what fits your character best. I personaly can't stand the ones that don't have the individual instruments but actualy have "Ensembles", or Strings High and Strings Low. Also, I'm not a great fan of the cinematic-sounding libraries, I prefer the ones that actually make me feel like I'm in a concert hall.

Whatever you prefer, you just have to look what will better provide those things for you.

Certainly there are better-sounding sound libraries than the ones MuseScore is compatible with. I just meant that you can download other options ('soundfonts') that will work inside the program itself, rather than needing to export to a different program. Often a lot of subtleties in the score do not translate from program to program, at least in my experience. It would be great -- scratch that, amazing -- if I could use my orchestral sound library straight through MuseScore, but sadly it's just not possible, forcing me (and probably many others) to do a lot more legwork to get a decent rendering 😫

@aMusicComposer -- I use a program called Reason, which is more often used to create electronic beats, etc. than orchestral music. I've just had it for a long time and I'm too cheap to upgrade! The program came with an orchestral library called 'Orkester', which is OK, but I eventually got the Miroslav library and I'm happy with it.

So far, I'm liking the Sonatina SF. The strings are a lot softer than the packaged midi set. The winds could be better -but it works none the less. 

Found one thing I strongly dislike about using soundfonts with MS: everything defaults to steinway grandeur for channel 1 and perc for the other channels. Thus, you have to open their and set things correctly!!!

On 1/2/2020 at 2:34 AM, Jean Szulc said:

If you want to have excelent endproduct and don't mind having to go through the trouble of articulating everything by hand in a DAW, then a VST is probably the best for you.

Both DAWs and NotePerformer 3 produce their end products. Guess you were trying to say that DAWs' end products (spend hours and hours on it) are better than the ones from notation software plugins.

@Hymns

Yes, as I said:

On 1/1/2020 at 12:34 PM, Jean Szulc said:

f your intention is to be able to export your music straight from the notation software, NotePerformer 3 is probably the best way.

If you want to have excelent endproduct and don't mind having to go through the trouble of articulating everything by hand in a DAW, then a VST is probably the best for you.