What's the best scoring software? Sibelius, Dorico, Notion, Finale, Forte, SmartScore?

Discussion in 'Film / Video Game Scoring' started by Bunford, Nov 23, 2022.

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What's the best scoring and notation software?

  1. Avid Sibelius

    6 vote(s)
    28.6%

  2. Steinberg Dorico

    6 vote(s)
    28.6%

  3. PreSonus Notion

    1 vote(s)
    4.8%

  4. MakeMusic Finale

    1 vote(s)
    4.8%

  5. Lugert Velag Forte Notation

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  6. MusiTek SmartScore

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  7. MuseScore

    7 vote(s)
    33.3%
  1. Bunford

    Bunford Audiosexual

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    I'm just learning to read music after 30 years of playing instruments (finally!). I would like to perhaps start writing things, all in the name of helping to improve my ability to read and write musical notation. I'm not just looking for a best in class in terms of options (which many default to Sibelius), but also wanting to consider ease of use, user friendliness, learning curve, sound quality, or any other factor that makes up the answer.

    Just wondering what people think is the best scoring/notation software out there (especially for Windows)? A few examples and links below, but feel free to add any other suggestions!

    Avid SIbelius

    Steinberg Dorico

    PreSonus Notion

    MakeMusic Finale

    Lugert Velag Forte Notation

    MusiTek SmartScore

    MuseScore
     
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2022
    Bunford, Nov 23, 2022
    1
  2. Ads Master

    Ads Master

     
  3. MissingLink

    MissingLink Ultrasonic

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    musescore
     
    MissingLink, Nov 23, 2022
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  4. MozartEstLa

    MozartEstLa Platinum Record

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    Musescore
     
    MozartEstLa, Nov 23, 2022
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  5. ᑕ⊕ֆᗰIᑢ

    ᑕ⊕ֆᗰIᑢ Platinum Record

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    I would go for Dorico, or even Guitar Pro,
    if not for you, then maybe Notion or Musescore..

    In any case I will stay away from Sibelius and Finale, too rigid/quirky, not handy. :wink:
     
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    ᑕ⊕ֆᗰIᑢ, Nov 23, 2022
    4
  6. StonyLix

    StonyLix Member

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    Former Sibelius user -
    Using 3 diff for diff stuff: Dorico, Guitar Pro 8, MuseScore
    ... now learning how to Note Performer w/Dorico
     
    StonyLix, Jan 4, 2023
    5
  7. StonyLix

    StonyLix Member

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    I keep Sibelius alive with my older scores from years past, convert to Dorico as needed.
     
    StonyLix, Jan 4, 2023
    6
  8. ArticStorm

    ArticStorm Moderator Staff Member

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    if you had asked me over a decade ago, i would had said Sibelius, but well Avid happened.
    i tried Sibelius again at the end of 2019, it was a mess, i closed it by acident, bcs the exit was there were usually the OK button is. The menu ribbons are insane. Well ... RIP

    I found the advancements in Musescore 4 significant (also a lot of dedication by the community) - It is still a free open source product. Looks like a bright future ahead.
    EDIT: Have to add here, that Musescore is quite responsive to suggestions and requests. Also bugreporting seems to be easy and repsonsive. Something i wouldnt expect from Steinberg or any of the others. (never from Avid.)

    I havnt tried any others ... as i simply can not get myself to write sheet music.
     
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2023
    ArticStorm, Jan 4, 2023
    7
  9. Mantikore

    Mantikore Noisemaker

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    Musescore 4... it's free, and Tantacrul is now the head of product. The advancements are very real and a lot more is to come for sure.
     
    Mantikore, Jan 26, 2023
    8
  10. Barbatron

    Barbatron Ultrasonic

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    It depends... (as always)
    I'm using Guitar pro, since everything is straight forward. And it's cheap!

    I don't know if you can compose orchestral scores with it. But I do flamenco, so that's why it depends.

    If guitar pro didn't exist, I'd use Finale
     
    Barbatron, Jan 26, 2023
    9
  11. Academia

    Academia Producer

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    I only use LilyPond.
     
    Academia, Jan 26, 2023
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