Off-topic: Looking for music production software (freeware)

machadinha · May 28th, 2008, 08:07

Yes, it's off-topic, and I'm being lazy, should look up some music forums no doubt.

Anyway: I'm looking for a program that would allow you to input musical notation, then have this translated into musical output.

So basically a software synthesizer that would allow for musical notation input I guess.

While tips for (preferably somewhat affordable...) commercial ware would be appreciated, a free program is really what I'm looking for.

It's for a friend (Mrs. M., in fact), while I consider myself a music lover I can't say I'm very big on the production side of it.

Well, any tips welcome. I figured we have plenty of musicians here.

Looking around for this stuff (and I have) one comes over more than one can handle really, and a lot of it seems to boil down to having you either put in some audio files (I have an excellent state-of-the-art virtual mixer already), or to goof around with your keyboard some at best. That's just not what I'm looking for.

So what I want: Something that would allow you to write music. Then output this according to any number of virtual instruments.

capt_mahajan · May 28th, 2008, 12:12

Asked my son, who knows a fair bit. He uses a Mac, so he says, not very usefully

Quote:

I don't know for PC. I use a program called Finale, but its
expensive. Tell them to search for score preparation software, and you
can export MIDI files from any of them.

Nick-H · May 28th, 2008, 12:53

There's heaps of it available; I think google would help you on this, or even searching a site like tucows.

I suspect that, from free and basic, the price probably rises quite steeply, heading up to something that gives you the possibility of an entire orchestra along with printing out the scores as well.

I did have a demo version of something on my old machine, but not on this, I'm afraid, and my vague sense that it might have been called Score might be completely wrong!

<Cross-posted>

Nope... I think it was Finale.

machadinha · May 28th, 2008, 21:48

Thanks a bunch guys, exactly the two people I was hoping might respond (might as well have PM'd, heheh).

I'll be looking into it some more. Oh, and thanks to your son, Capt., really.

Nick, I've spent some serious looking for it at intervals and for quite some time already, it's difficult though, for the reasons I already outlined. Hard to weed out the chaff from the... oh, what's the English expression. The right keywords is also an issue, so I'm happy with that new suggestion to search on. It's just a little side-project to me, but I'm getting frustrated with not finding what I want. And I figured any results may be useful to other music lovers too.

I imagine it may well turn out to be an issue of something good naturally not coming for free, yes. btw Tucows seems to have gone right down the drain to me, used to love it, not so anymore. Find it very user-unfriendly these days. CNet has some decent results and seems to have recently narrowed down its search options, which is helpful.

Anyway, if any results, I'll report on it. Cheers. I have a very old program for it but it won't even run on a modern machine and I can never find the right emulator for it, LOL.

Nick-H · May 28th, 2008, 22:54

Wheat from the chaff.

From what i can remember, Finale comes in numerous levels and versions, possibly even a free basic one --- but I'll leave you to check that out, as I'm not interested in music software these days, unless it gives immunity to malaria, or prevents rabies!

but look at this and this. for starters.

I googled for 'music notation software'

May 28th, 2008, 08:07	#1
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 9,836	Off-topic: Looking for music production software (freeware) Yes, it's off-topic, and I'm being lazy, should look up some music forums no doubt. Anyway: I'm looking for a program that would allow you to input musical notation, then have this translated into musical output. So basically a software synthesizer that would allow for musical notation input I guess. While tips for (preferably somewhat affordable...) commercial ware would be appreciated, a free program is really what I'm looking for. It's for a friend (Mrs. M., in fact), while I consider myself a music lover I can't say I'm very big on the production side of it. Well, any tips welcome. I figured we have plenty of musicians here. Looking around for this stuff (and I have) one comes over more than one can handle really, and a lot of it seems to boil down to having you either put in some audio files (I have an excellent state-of-the-art virtual mixer already), or to goof around with your keyboard some at best. That's just not what I'm looking for. So what I want: Something that would allow you to write music. Then output this according to any number of virtual instruments. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

May 28th, 2008, 12:53	#3
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,298	There's heaps of it available; I think google would help you on this, or even searching a site like tucows. I suspect that, from free and basic, the price probably rises quite steeply, heading up to something that gives you the possibility of an entire orchestra along with printing out the scores as well. I did have a demo version of something on my old machine, but not on this, I'm afraid, and my vague sense that it might have been called Score might be completely wrong! <Cross-posted> Nope... I think it was Finale. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Art House production companies?	open_air	Books, Music, and Movies	0	Apr 27th, 2008 14:06
Off Topic?	abracax	Chai and Chat	2	Nov 17th, 2002 00:38

May 28th, 2008, 21:48	#4
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 9,836	Thanks a bunch guys, exactly the two people I was hoping might respond (might as well have PM'd, heheh). I'll be looking into it some more. Oh, and thanks to your son, Capt., really. Nick, I've spent some serious looking for it at intervals and for quite some time already, it's difficult though, for the reasons I already outlined. Hard to weed out the chaff from the... oh, what's the English expression. The right keywords is also an issue, so I'm happy with that new suggestion to search on. It's just a little side-project to me, but I'm getting frustrated with not finding what I want. And I figured any results may be useful to other music lovers too. I imagine it may well turn out to be an issue of something good naturally not coming for free, yes. btw Tucows seems to have gone right down the drain to me, used to love it, not so anymore. Find it very user-unfriendly these days. CNet has some decent results and seems to have recently narrowed down its search options, which is helpful. Anyway, if any results, I'll report on it. Cheers. I have a very old program for it but it won't even run on a modern machine and I can never find the right emulator for it, LOL.

May 28th, 2008, 22:54	#5
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,298	Wheat from the chaff. From what i can remember, Finale comes in numerous levels and versions, possibly even a free basic one --- but I'll leave you to check that out, as I'm not interested in music software these days, unless it gives immunity to malaria, or prevents rabies! but look at this and this. for starters. I googled for 'music notation software'

User Name		Remember Me?
Password