2020. 12. 13. 01:18ㆍ카테고리 없음
Best Music Notation Software 2019 - Write Musical Scores and Compositions
What you're looking for is a software instrument.It takes midi input from your keyboard, and generates audio data, either using pre-recorded sounds (in which case it would be a sampler) or generating sound on-the spot (a synthesizer). There is a very vast repository of virtual instruments available for windows - some free, some commercial. DescriptionThis is the basic application for connecting and communicating with a Bluetooth(R) v4.0 enabled CASIO watch.Pairing your watch with an. Free Publisher: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
We spent 40 hours testing and comparing the best music notation programs that cost less than $200. As we evaluated, we took note of how easy it is to create original compositions with each one. We also imported and exported a variety of file types to make sure it wasn't more troublesome to use the software than to quickly write a song idea by hand. After compiling our testing data, we believe Notion 6 is the best software for most people because it includes all the tools needed to compose complex and basic scores and has an intuitive user interface.
Notion 6
Notion 6 is available for Mac and Windows computers and has all the important editing tools we look for. You can input notes with a MIDI keyboard, virtual piano or virtual guitar fretboard. Free widgets for mac os x.
Best ValueMuseScore
MuseScore is free, open-source notation software with the tools you need to make basic compositions. It isn’t as customizable as the best programs, but it is a good way to learn how to notate music with software.
Easiest to UseSibelius
Sibelius First is easy to use and has a good selection of composition templates to get you started.
Best Overall
Notion 6
Notion 6 is available for Mac and Windows computers and has all the important editing tools we look for. You can input notes with a MIDI keyboard, virtual piano or virtual guitar fretboard.
It’s easy to install and register the program, and the software recognized our MIDI keyboard instantly – we didn’t have to navigate through hidden dropdown menus to get it to connect. The tool palettes are arranged well, which also helped us get started composing within a few minutes of opening the software. It is one of the more expensive programs we reviewed, but it is still hundreds of dollars less than music notation software with similar feature sets.
This composition software’s standout feature is its incredible instrument sample library. Notion’s developers took the time to record samples from some of the most sought-after musicians and orchestras in the world, including the London Symphony Orchestra, Neil Zaza and the Wooten brothers. After you finish writing a score, you can listen to it with stunningly accurate articulation and export a WAV or MP3 file to share with your bandmates or fellow composers.
Notion can be used with Mac and Windows computers as well as iOS mobile devices and Windows tablets – you can start writing a composition on your home computer and finish editing it on your iPad or iPhone. This is one of only two programs we tested that has a companion mobile app.
Best Value
MuseScore
MuseScore is free, open-source notation software that’s compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems. Even though it’s free, it includes many of the same features and tools found in the best for-pay programs we reviewed.
Its interface is clean and easy to navigate. The left side of the screen displays all the available input tools, and the inspector to the right of the score shows information about the notes you input. We had no problem connecting our MIDI keyboard, but if you don’t have one at your disposal, you can MuseScore’s virtual piano to input notes. You can also use your mouse or keyboard shortcuts to add notes to the staff.
MuseScore can import MusicXML and standard MIDI files from other popular notation software. When your score is complete, you can export it as either a graphic file, MusicXML file or audio file. The instrument samples aren’t as realistic or dynamic as those in the best notation programs we tested, but if you are interested in composing music with software, MuseScore is an easy way to learn for no investment.
Easiest to Use
Sibelius
Sibelius First is an affordable music notation program with an attractive, easy-to-use interface. You can input notes with a computer mouse, virtual piano or virtual guitar fretboard or by connecting a MIDI keyboard to the USB port on your computer.
Sibelius automatically adds the correct rests and note appearances, so you can work through a melody quickly without worrying about editing the score as you go. In case you have a hard time getting started, this notation software has 40 genre-specific templates to help spark your imagination.
In its latest version, Sibelius First gained a unique output feature – you can now share your compositions via the Sibelius Cloud. When you finish a score or reach a good stopping point for collaboration, you can hit the Share button on the toolbar to send your work to the cloud. Avid’s MediaCentral Platform then processes it and sends you a URL that can be opened on any computer with any web browser. If you’re collaborating with another Sibelius user, you can both edit the score, and when either one of you presses the Push button, the changes will be saved without generating a new URL or exporting a file.
The full version of Sibelius costs more than $500 and is intended for professional composers who create large, complex arrangements. If you can create your compositions within the framework of 16 staves, Sibelius First is a cost effective option, and it’s easy enough for musicians and composers of all skill levels to use.
Most User-Friendly
Finale PrintMusic
Finale PrintMusic has an intuitive workflow and an easy-to-navigate interface. It boasts an impressive set of note entry tools and editing palettes, and they are all easy to find and use.
You can enter notes with your computer’s mouse, a MIDI keyboard or a computer keyboard – even though it doesn't have a virtual piano, there's no shortage of input options. When you finish entering notes, you can listen to your composition with the Human Playback feature, which performs your music using one of the hundreds of built-in instruments, including strings, horns and percussion instruments.
Finale has a great list of shareable output formats. It outputs publisher-quality printable files as well as PDF and graphic files. You can also output an MP3 file to share an audio version of your finalized score. Finale is the most recognized name in music production software because it is easy to use and has a great selection of notation tools for beginners and advanced user alike.
Best Companion Apps
Forte Home
Forte has two great companion apps: one that scans sheet music using the camera on your phone or tablet and a reader app that opens and plays back compositions from the desktop application with your mobile devices.
They are free and available for Android and Apple devices. The desktop application isn’t as visually appealing as some of the other programs we tested, but it has all the tools needed to create simple or complex arrangements.
You enter notes using a MIDI keyboard, virtual piano or your computer’s keyboard. While you input notes, Forte keeps track of the number of counts missing from a measure and automatically adds the appropriate rests to speed up workflow. Forte also has a volume mixer to control volume and panning for each instrument. When your composition sounds perfect, you can export an MP3 or WAV file to share with other musicians.
Best for Educators
Noteflight
Noteflight Premium yearlyNoteflight Learn is specifically designed for educators. It syncs with Google Classroom and other popular learning management systems.
You can't permanently download the software, but the online platform allows you to access your account from any computer with an internet connection. The toolbar is customizable and includes everything you need to create and edit simple arrangements. You can also import and edit MIDI and MusicXML files from other notation software. However, the online platform gets bogged down and reacts slowly with complex compositions. There are three versions of the software, including the free Noteflight Basic, which allows you to create and edit up to 10 scores.
The Premium version is a better choice if you use notation software on a regular basis, and it has similar workflow to the best programs we tested. There’s an audio recording feature for adding audio segments to any score as well as 85 built-in instrument sounds. Also, the Premium subscription gives you access to the marketplace, where you can sell and market finalized compositions. The program's volume mixer is easy to use and a helpful tool to get all the audio levels correct before you export an MP3 or WAV file to share with other musicians.
Why Trust Us?
At Top Ten Reviews, we have been testing music notation software for more than 12 years. Every time we update this guide, we download the newest versions of the best programs and use them as a typical consumer would.
As we tested the software, we noted how easy each program is to purchase and download. In addition, we evaluated its features to find out if it's easier to notate with the program than it is to do so by hand. We also checked whether there are hidden steps to connect input devices such as MIDI keyboards and microphones.
As a musician, I have been using notation software for the past 10 years, both professionally and for fun. Although my experience with these programs makes it easy to find and use certain features, I try to approach testing as if it is my first time using composition software. In the product reviews, I let you know my impressions of useful tools and indicate which features are impractical.
How We Tested
When we test notation software, our first step is to purchase each product, download it and register it. As we do, we note how easy or difficult the process is. Once the software is up and running, we connect a MIDI keyboard and headphones to our testing laptop, count the number of steps it takes to start notating music, and monitor the playback.
Not everyone who uses notation software has a MIDI keyboard, so when available, we also used the programs’ virtual pianos and virtual guitar fretboards to input notes. The third important note input method is shortcut keys and a computer mouse, so we also compared the applications’ tool palettes. We found the best notation programs have toolbars you can customize to prominently display the tools you use most often, which can speed up your work.
After we created a score, we used each software’s playback engine to test how realistic its virtual instruments sound. Our favorite programs have a good variety of instruments in their libraries, including percussion instruments, strings and horns.
Finally, we tested each application’s import and export capabilities. We imported a variety of files, including MIDI files, MusicXML files and graphic images, to see how easy each program makes the process. We then exported the compositions in a variety of formats to check that they were legible and accurate, which is important when you send your scores to other musicians or composers.
How Much Should I Spend on Music Notation Software?
Most of the software we reviewed costs between $100 and $200 and is perfectly suited for making simple compositions for small band arrangements. If you compose complex arrangements for large bands or orchestras, you should consider one of the more full-feature versions of programs like Finale or Sibelius. However, you can expect to pay upward of $500 for one of these advanced programs. There’s also MuseScore 2, a free program for creating and printing simple lead sheets. It has comparable features to the best for-pay programs we tested.
Key Features to Look for When Choosing Music Notation Software
We asked Mark Maxson, a faculty member and music technology specialist at Weber State University, which features he thought were most important, and he said, “Because the number one purpose of notation software is to put accurate and great looking sheet music in front of live players I find non-print export options useful.” He also noted, “Any feature that helps get notes on the lines fast is invaluable.”
Here are some of the features we tested that make sharing files and note entry efficient:
Music Features
It is important to choose software that can create more than one style of sheet music. The best composition programs we tested not only create piano music but also make guitar tablature, guitar chord names and percussion notation. Programs that have a variety of these music features allow novice musicians to write and play compositions with little knowledge of music theory.
Input/Output
If you don't have a MIDI controller, you need software with other ways to create sheet music. All the products we reviewed let you insert notes by clicking on the staff with your mouse or by using a virtual keyboard or guitar fretboard.
Sharing your sheet music with others is just as important as creating it. All the software we reviewed let you print off your sheet music and export standard MIDI files. Programs that allow you to export your final compositions as audio files make your work easier when you share with people who can't read music.
Editing Features
When you choose a composition program that has a volume mixer, you can make changes to volume and panning information as you listen to the playback. You can also use the mixer to record the changes as you make them, although those changes only apply to the playback sound, not to the composition data.
MIDI Controllers for Music Notation Software
There are two important considerations to keep in mind when choosing a MIDI-compatible keyboard to use with music notation software: the tactile quality of the keys and the number of keys. Acoustic pianos have 88 weighted keys, and many digital piano manufacturers have done a good job simulating the feel of a real piano. Keyboards with a MIDI or USB output with 88 weighted keys start around $400 and go up to thousands of dollars, depending on the number and quality of the built-in sounds. MIDI keyboards without built-in sounds control software the same as digital pianos but are much more cost effective and portable, and they often have differing numbers of keys. Here are our favorite MIDI-compatible keyboards for music notation software.
Yamaha P-45
This digital piano has an 88-key weighted key bed and USB output to connect directly to a computer without an additional MIDI interface. If you are accustomed to playing an acoustic piano, this is the best input device to use with transcription software. It only has 10 built-in sounds, but all the notation programs we tested have piano and other keyboard tones included. The downside of using a digital piano with weighted keys to control notation software is the keyboard's size. At 25 pounds, the P-45 is a bit cumbersome to move around. It has rubber feet on the bottom to keep it from sliding around on a desk, but we suggest pairing it with a keyboard stand to ensure the keys are at the proper height.
M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3
This controller keyboard doesn’t have a fully weighted key bed or any built-in sounds, but it’s lightweight and a perfectly suitable controller for all the music notation software we tested. The semi-weighted keys are the same size as those on an acoustic piano and velocity sensitive, so they track how hard you hit the key and send volume information to the software. The Keystation series controllers come with 25, 49, 61 or 88 keys and have a standard USB output to connect to a home computer or laptop.
Sheet Music Reader Apps
A sheet music app is an invaluable tool for taking finalized arrangements to the stage or rehearsal. All the notation programs we tested export PDF files that display on any mobile device, but sheet music readers have better organization features and allow you to annotate a score and export it with markup. Here are our favorite sheet music apps for iOS and Android devices.
forScore
This app is only available on iPad, but it is the best sheet music app available. It’s compatible with popular cloud storage services like Dropbox and Box, or you can upload PDF or MusicXML files from your computer or email inbox. Once you finish adding arrangements, you can search the library by composer, genre or key. forScore supports half-page turns, which allows you to see the bottom half of one page and the top half of the next page simultaneously. It also syncs with Bluetooth page turner pedals for hands-free page flips.
Orpheus Sheet Music Pro
If you prefer to use Android hardware, Orpheus is the best sheet music app on that OS. It doesn’t have as many organization and file import features as forScore, but the interface is easy to use and includes an annotation tool. There’s a free version that displays ads and limits chart uploads to 30 total. Orpheus has support for Bluetooth hands-free page turners, and syncs with Dropbox. This app isn’t compatible with as many import file types as forScore, but every notation software we tested exports PDF files, which is the preferred file type for Orpheus.
Related Product Reviews
This article is for you if you want to record the actual sound of your keyboard or digital piano on your computer, iPad or iPhone. This is a complete step-by-step guide to the kit you need and how to connect it so you can make a great, high quality recording of yourself playing digital piano or keyboard. Perfect if you want to add keyboard tracks to your recordings, or to listen back to yourself (one of the best ways of making progress if you want to learn to play piano).
[The following content contains affiliate links. For more information, read our disclosure policy here.]
[TL/DR] Our Favourite Interfaces For Recording Your Keyboard
iRig Pro Duo Recording Interface
- Completely cross-platform interface for Mac/PC, iPhone, iPad, or Android device
- Audio AND MIDI Recording
- Software For All Platforms Included
Presonus Audiobox iTwo Audio
- Multi-platform: PC, Mac and iPad
- Audio AND MIDI on one interface
- Recording software included
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB Audio Interface
- Perennial best-selling audio interface
- Most suitable for Mac and Windows (can be used with iPad or iPhone if you also purchase the Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter)
- Consistently well-reviewed
Behringer UCA222 U-Control
- Cheap and cheerful
- Works on PC, Mac, Raspberry Pi and Linux – no drivers required
- Massive Software Bundle. Good Value if you just want to record keyboard (no mic inputs)
MIDI or Audio Recording?
First, let’s get a common confusion out of the way. Many people get confused about the difference between making a MIDI connection from their keyboard and actually recording the live sound of it (audio recording).If you want to record the sound of your keyboard, then a MIDI connection will not do the job. A MIDI interface will only transmit your performance data (i.e. which notes you have played, how loudly you played them etc). This MIDI information can be used to play software instruments on your computer. But it is not a recording of the sound!
Wanna do both? No problem. If your keyboard already has the USB-MIDI connection then you can already record MIDI. So all you need is an interface to record the sound. If your keyboard does not have USB MIDI, but has standard MIDI ports, then choose an interface with MIDI and Audio (see the iRig Pro Duo or the Audiobox iTwo above). That way you can do MIDI AND Audio.
Remember! Your USB To Host Will NOT Record The Sound!
And one more thing. If you can connect your piano or keyboard to your computer via a USB lead then in most cases this will only by a MIDI connection. To record the sound you will need to follow our steps below.Still confused about the difference between MIDI and Audio recording? Here is a short video that hopefully shows you the difference!
If after that you realise you want to make a MIDI recording then read our other post on how to make a MIDI connection from your piano or keyboard. Or if you are still raring to go, then here is our simple step-by-step method to how your record your live performance! And if you are itching to know more about MIDI then this post will help.
Simple!
Let’s go through the step-by-step process of getting it right.
Step 1: Check Where The Sound Is Coming FROM
Your digital piano, electronic keyboard or synthesizer may have speakers. But to record you need to find the line level output(s).Check the manual/instruction booklet, or look online for the connectivity of your keyboard model. It may have something labelled ‘Aux Out’ or ‘Line Out’. This information will appear in the ‘Specs’ section. It might be labelled [L/L+R][R], or (MAIN) L/MONO, R: 1/4″ TRS Balanced.
Or, as is often the case with less expensive keyboards, it may be that the only output is actually a headphone output. That is OK. You can record from the headphone out if there is nothing else available.
Is the best all-around VPN service for most Mac users. Best free vpn for mac os. (Read our full review.) NordVPN offers above-average data encryption to keep their subscribers’ data safe while tunneling. While it isn’t the fastest VPN service that we’ve tested, it’s not particularly slow, either. On NordVPN NordVPN is a compelling option for VPN service due to a well-rounded set of features and mostly competitive pricing.
Step 2: Will You Record On Computer, Laptop, iPhone or iPad? (Or All The Above!)
In step 3, you will choose the right audio interface for the job of recording your keyboard. The audio interface is simply the box you need to take the sound from your keyboard, convert it to a digital signal, and transmit it to your computer. (If you want, read more on what is an audio interface). But there is NO POINT buying an audio interface for a Laptop if you only want to record on an iPad. So think carefully where you want to make the recordings. Or for most flexibility, choose an interface that will work with more than one device.Step 3: Choose A Suitable Audio Interface To Record The Signal
You will need some kind of audio interface to make a decent quality recording of your piano or keyboard. There are literally hundreds available, at all different prices. So here is the critical things your interface must have: 2 x line level inputs.Write Music Free
Without line level inputs you will not be able to make a good recording of your keyboard.While you are choosing, think what else you might want to do with the interface. Record vocals? Make sure your interface has at least one mic input (this will be an XLR input with mic pre-amp). Record guitar? To record acoustic you can use a mic. To record direct, make sure the interface has a Hi-Z input suitable for directly connecting the guitar (it will often have a picture of a guitar next to it!).
If you have L and R 1/4″ outputs and L and R 1/4″ inputs, then you need 2 x 1/4″ mono TS cables. Or if the outputs and the inputs are both BALANCED (the manual will state this) then you need 2 x 1/4″ mono TRS cables.
If you are connecting your headphone out – or your aux out is a single stereo port, then you will need a splitter cable of the right size. This will take the stereo output of the keyboard and split it into two mono channels – left and right – on your interface.
Step 5: Recording Software
Do not get too hung up about the recording software at this stage. Make sure you get the hardware right first (see steps 1-4). Chances are, the audio interface will ship with some recording software that you can use to record. OR there are plenty of free or inexpensive apps. On a Mac or Windows Laptop or computer, you can use Audacity. This is free – and excellent. And easy to use. Or on a Mac you can use Garageband. There are plenty of free or inexpensive recording apps for iPads and iPhones. Garageband is great for Apple products.Not too pleased with the sound? Read our in-depth guide to digital audio recording. You may be making fundamental recording mistakes that can be easily corrected with a little more knowledge.
If you want to record the actual sound of your keyboard on your computer then you need to connect the line out (or headphone out if no line out) from your keyboard up to your pc, mac or ipad. The way you do this really depends on your budget.
We have divided this article into four sections:
- Spending the minimum: record keyboard on a tight budget
- A Better Solution: the entry-level USB interface for recording sound of keyboard
- THE Best Way To Record Keyboard: The Professional USB Audio Interface
- Kickstart Your Home Studio: All-In-One Recording Packs With Mics + Headphones (this is the easiest way to get started. Read our reviews of the best all-in-one studio packages. For Keyboard players we particular recommend the Presonus iTwo studio pack. Contains everything you need – except for the cables to connect your keyboard to the interface – and has MIDI i/o as well)
Once you have decided which route to go, the only other thing you will need is/are the correct audio cables to connect from your keyboard to the input of the interface (or mic port if you choose to go that route)
Low Budget: Record The Sound Of Your Keyboard On The Cheap
This method is super cheap and cheerful … it is not my most recommended way, but if you want a quick cheap fix, then you can try this!Up until relatively recently, most people had a computer or laptop with a separate microphone port, and it was possible to simply connect an audio cable from the audio output of the keyboard to the mic port on the computer – and if you have this port available then you will find this method documented in my complete FREE video course on how to record your keyboard.
What if you don’t have a mic port and you want to use this very cheapest method, just to get started? I suggest you buy an external sound adapter that has a separate headphone and mic port and simply connects to a USB port. These work really well on iPad too, if you have an iPad-USB adapter. Although this is not the most high quality way of recording your keyboard, it is definitely the cheapest. If you want to see a demo, then watch this quick video which shows you how to record your keyboard through a simple external sound adapter.
.
Better: Entry Level Dedicated Recording Interface For Keyboards
What if you are looking for a cost effective and reasonable quality solution, and want to spend just a little bit more? Then for a small investment you could purchase the Behringer U-Control, with appropriate connection cable for your keyboard. The U-Control will connect your keyboard straight to your USB port, bypassing your existing soundcard and outputs studio quality stereo, 16-bit, 48 kHz digital audio. All you need is the correct cable(s) for your keyboard. This may be 2 x jack to RCA, or a Y-Cable depending on your keyboard. And again this will also work on an iPad with the appropriate iPad-USB adapter.The disadvantage . you can only use it to record the sound of your keyboard, or other line out instruments. Nothing more. So it does one job well. But if you are looking for a more complete home recording studio set-up then read on …
Best: Getting A High Quality Professional Recording Result With An Audio Interface
To get the best recording quality recording result, invest in a professional audio interface – and if you don’t know what that is then we have written a complete beginners guide on what is an audio interface. Choose one with line inputs. Then pick the appropriate cables to link from the audio output of your keyboard to the inputs of the interface. Choose a good brand like Focusrite or Presonus. They may cost a little more but will give you a good quality recording result.At the entry level, my personal favourite audio interface for recording your digital piano or keyboard is the Presonus iTwo Audio Interface which you can buy here on Amazon. Why that one? It is well priced and is the only one at this price point that also has MIDI i/o as well as dual audio inputs. So you can record the sound of your keyboard, but you can also make a MIDI connection. And it is cross platform.
Focusrite, M-Audio and Presonus also make fantastic all-in-one recording bundles which are fantastic if you want a complete solution with mic, interface and software (scroll on down to see them …)
Write Music On Computer
If you go to the complete video course on how to record your keyboard, then look at the videos which show you how to record using a professional audio interface. This is my preferred method and will definitely give you the best result. You can view the specific videos which show you exactly how to record your keyboard with a professional interface by watching the videos below, that I have put together in a playlist:
The Total Set-Up: All-In-One Home Recording Studio Packages
Buying an all-in-one home recording studio package can be a great way to record your keyboard on your computer, and have the option of recording vocals and maybe guitar. Most of the good manufacturers put together packs that contain an audio interface, microphone and headphones all in one box. The benefits of this are: it will usually work out cheaper than buying the items separately; you know the separate items will be compatible with each other and there will be one set of instructions to follow; they all come with good software packages as well. Here are a few recommendations – all perfect for recording your keyboard then layering your vocals on top. Also good for guitars and other instruments. .
I think also maybe iPad and/or apple tv? FWIW I'd like for Hue's bridge strategy to be the best technically, because I just recently bought into the ecosystem Most of the bulbs don't talk directly to the bridge, they talk to each other and the bridge in a big mesh which gives them much better range around the house. [doublepost=][/doublepost] The bulbs are not part of your network; your computer and router don't even know they exist. Hue uses a ZigBe mesh, which is separate from your WiFi. Best hue app for music.
* Perennial Favourite *
Focusrite Scarlett Studio USB Audio Interface Recording Package
* Our Top Choice For Keyboard Players and For iPad Recording *
Presonus iTwo Studio Audio Interface Recording Bundle
* Good Value Package To Record Vocals As Well As Keyboard *
https://cremsutoci.tistory.com/5.
M-Audio Vocal Studio PRO Complete Vocal Studio Package
* Perfect For iOS and Android Recording as well as Mac/PC *
IK Multimedia iRig Pro Duo Studio Suite
This is a really brief intro to the world of Recording – if you want to know more, then there is a fantastic guide to computer music making written by Cakewalk, The Desktop Music Handbook – which covers MIDI in depth, and also features a great guide to Digital Audio.
Write Music Online Songwriting
And once more, do check out my complete step-by-step video guides to recording your digital piano or keyboard. I cover audio and MIDI recording, plus how to sync your playing to video if you want to upload stuff to YouTube!
NordVPN is the best all-around VPN service for most Mac users. While it isn’t the fastest VPN service that we’ve tested, it’s not particularly slow, either. https://cremsutoci.tistory.com/2. The Best Mac VPNs of 2018 A virtual private network, or VPN, is one of the best and simplest ways to take control of your privacy online. We did the tests, and these are the best VPNs for your Mac.