SEQUENCERS / NOTATION PROGRAMS
Sequencers and music notation programs are a bit like wordprocessors for music. You can play your composition into the computer from a MIDI keyboard or MIDI guitar, you can input the notes by typing or with a mouse. You can even scan the music in. Then when you have the score or sound file on your hard drive, you can do further work on it. Some of these programs focus on notation, some on the audio side.
There are dozens of notation programs/sequencers. A very extensive list is Music Notation Software (Gordon J. Callon) http://ace.acadiau.ca/score/others.htm
For a starting point, consider Power Tracks Pro ($29!) or one of the free downloads like Finale NotePad. For a high-end program, consider Notion (especially for orchestral composing), Sibelius or emagic's Logic (see list below).
Most of these programs are for the PC, but some have PC and Mac versions. The higher-end ones offer a suite of programs, ranging from entry level (some of which are free) on up to the flagship. Some of the top programs offer academic discounts, on line forums, a web site to post your compositions, and have additional programs for instruction and education.
SHORT LIST OF SEQUENCERS / MUSIC NOTATION PROGRAMS
Band in a Box
http://www.pgmusic.com/
Very popular program and a lot of fun to use. Provides auto accompaniment, auto harmony, and much more. $88. PG Music also makes Power Tracks Pro (see below).
Cakewalk
http://www.cakewalk.com/
Another popular program, accompanied by a suite of less expensive programs with fewer features.
Cubase
http://www.cubase.com
A leading audio program, also with a suite.
Desktop Sheet Music
http://www.iddincusa.com/
Inexpensive program from Midisoft. ($70).
Finale
http://www.finalemusic.com/
A leading notation program for Mac and PC. Expensive (c. $200-400), complicated, many menus, not user friendly. “Can do anything” with a score - but can you remember how to do it? Very good with lyrics. Has many plug-ins. Has free downloadable starter program called Finale NotePad.
Garritan Personal Orchestra (GPO)
http://www.garritan.com
This excellent set of orchestral (and jazz) sound programs (c. $200) is used with sequencers/notation programs like SIbelius, Finale and Overture for realistic symphonic instrument playback. Requires powerful computer (e.g. 1GB RAM). Gary Garritan has built up a huge following for this program and there is an extensive and lively forum at Northern Sounds.
Logic
http://www.apple.com/logicpro/
One of the top audio programs. Has fine score capabilities as well. Was for PC, but now for Mac only (from c. $300 up). "Can do anything" with audio. Very powerful and highly customizable screens. It's so complex I finally hired a consultant (Marc Rosenberg, Studio Alaluna) to learn it, even though I had used the predecessor, Notator. But a wonderful program when you get the hang of it. You can import midi files and make wav files directly in the program (you can in Power Tracks Pro too, for $29.)
Harmony Assistant
http://www.myriad-online.com/en/products/harmony.htm
An innovative and feature-fillled sequencer/notation program. Excellent for converting file formats, e.g. making an MP3 from just about any file format. $100..
MusEdit
http://www.musedit.com
An inexpensive program ($80) which gets the job done.
[Notator
http://www.notator.org/html/notator_faq.html
Terrific 'obsolete' program for the Atari. Much simpler to figure out and use than Logic, its successor. You can export its MIDI files into a PC. The web site gives an update on the status of Notator. No longer sold by emagic.]
Noteworthy Composer
http://www.noteworthysoftware.com/composer/screenshot.htm
Notation program. $40. Also has a free MIDI player you can download which displays MIDI notes (rare for a media player).
Notion
http://www.notionmusic.com/company.cfm
An amazing program using samples from the London Symphony Orchestra. Requires fast computer and 1 to 1.5GB RAM. Costs about $600 but does offer major discount for cross grading. Score-based. Recognizes and plays dynamics and articulations once entered in the score. Simplest one I've found for orchestral composing. Has add-on expanded instruments (strings, brass, percussion) for c. $50 each. Also has a forum on Northern Sounds.
Power Tracks Pro
http://www.pgmusic.com/powertracks.htm
Full-fledged audio sequencer for $29! Has basic notation.
QuickScore
http://www.sionsoft.com/
An older program by Sion. Voyetra took it over as Music Write Maestro. $180 from Sion. Copyist comes with it for difficult scores which contain text, etc.
Sibelius
http://www.musicprep.com/sibelius/
Considered one of the top two or three programs. More or less user friendly. Strong on notation. Expensive (c. $600), very powerful. Many templates and features. Growing user base. Has software synth called Kontakt. Has additional software for ear training, teaching, instruments in band or orchestra.
Home Basics Media Players People
Sequencers and music notation programs are a bit like wordprocessors for music. You can play your composition into the computer from a MIDI keyboard or MIDI guitar, you can input the notes by typing or with a mouse. You can even scan the music in. Then when you have the score or sound file on your hard drive, you can do further work on it. Some of these programs focus on notation, some on the audio side.
There are dozens of notation programs/sequencers. A very extensive list is Music Notation Software (Gordon J. Callon) http://ace.acadiau.ca/score/others.htm
For a starting point, consider Power Tracks Pro ($29!) or one of the free downloads like Finale NotePad. For a high-end program, consider Notion (especially for orchestral composing), Sibelius or emagic's Logic (see list below).
Most of these programs are for the PC, but some have PC and Mac versions. The higher-end ones offer a suite of programs, ranging from entry level (some of which are free) on up to the flagship. Some of the top programs offer academic discounts, on line forums, a web site to post your compositions, and have additional programs for instruction and education.
SHORT LIST OF SEQUENCERS / MUSIC NOTATION PROGRAMS
Band in a Box
http://www.pgmusic.com/
Very popular program and a lot of fun to use. Provides auto accompaniment, auto harmony, and much more. $88. PG Music also makes Power Tracks Pro (see below).
Cakewalk
http://www.cakewalk.com/
Another popular program, accompanied by a suite of less expensive programs with fewer features.
Cubase
http://www.cubase.com
A leading audio program, also with a suite.
Desktop Sheet Music
http://www.iddincusa.com/
Inexpensive program from Midisoft. ($70).
Finale
http://www.finalemusic.com/
A leading notation program for Mac and PC. Expensive (c. $200-400), complicated, many menus, not user friendly. “Can do anything” with a score - but can you remember how to do it? Very good with lyrics. Has many plug-ins. Has free downloadable starter program called Finale NotePad.
Garritan Personal Orchestra (GPO)
http://www.garritan.com
This excellent set of orchestral (and jazz) sound programs (c. $200) is used with sequencers/notation programs like SIbelius, Finale and Overture for realistic symphonic instrument playback. Requires powerful computer (e.g. 1GB RAM). Gary Garritan has built up a huge following for this program and there is an extensive and lively forum at Northern Sounds.
Logic
http://www.apple.com/logicpro/
One of the top audio programs. Has fine score capabilities as well. Was for PC, but now for Mac only (from c. $300 up). "Can do anything" with audio. Very powerful and highly customizable screens. It's so complex I finally hired a consultant (Marc Rosenberg, Studio Alaluna) to learn it, even though I had used the predecessor, Notator. But a wonderful program when you get the hang of it. You can import midi files and make wav files directly in the program (you can in Power Tracks Pro too, for $29.)
Harmony Assistant
http://www.myriad-online.com/en/products/harmony.htm
An innovative and feature-fillled sequencer/notation program. Excellent for converting file formats, e.g. making an MP3 from just about any file format. $100..
MusEdit
http://www.musedit.com
An inexpensive program ($80) which gets the job done.
[Notator
http://www.notator.org/html/notator_faq.html
Terrific 'obsolete' program for the Atari. Much simpler to figure out and use than Logic, its successor. You can export its MIDI files into a PC. The web site gives an update on the status of Notator. No longer sold by emagic.]
Noteworthy Composer
http://www.noteworthysoftware.com/composer/screenshot.htm
Notation program. $40. Also has a free MIDI player you can download which displays MIDI notes (rare for a media player).
Notion
http://www.notionmusic.com/company.cfm
An amazing program using samples from the London Symphony Orchestra. Requires fast computer and 1 to 1.5GB RAM. Costs about $600 but does offer major discount for cross grading. Score-based. Recognizes and plays dynamics and articulations once entered in the score. Simplest one I've found for orchestral composing. Has add-on expanded instruments (strings, brass, percussion) for c. $50 each. Also has a forum on Northern Sounds.
Power Tracks Pro
http://www.pgmusic.com/powertracks.htm
Full-fledged audio sequencer for $29! Has basic notation.
QuickScore
http://www.sionsoft.com/
An older program by Sion. Voyetra took it over as Music Write Maestro. $180 from Sion. Copyist comes with it for difficult scores which contain text, etc.
Sibelius
http://www.musicprep.com/sibelius/
Considered one of the top two or three programs. More or less user friendly. Strong on notation. Expensive (c. $600), very powerful. Many templates and features. Growing user base. Has software synth called Kontakt. Has additional software for ear training, teaching, instruments in band or orchestra.
Home Basics Media Players People