Software for composing music

Posted by: James R, January 21st, 2009, 2:25pm

I know there are a few composers out there, so I thought I'd ask what software you use. I am working on some compositions and would like to get something that will aid me in writing sheet music. Freeware would be great!

Any suggestions?

Posted by: Murphy (Guest), January 21st, 2009, 2:49pm; Reply: 1

If you have a Mac then Logic Express is a really great application, not freeware but not overly expensive.

I used to use Steinberg Cubase, they have a cut down down version called 'Cubase Essentials' and is for Windows and Mac. Probably the best entry level package out there. It used to be possible to get free versions that were cut down somewhat (limits on number of tracks etc..) that are worth searching for but it is not really a very expensive application.

http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/musicproduction/cubaseessential4_product.html

Though to be honest I am a few years out of the loop on a lot of this stuff, used to be something I messed around with a lot when I was in a band. But I am pretty sure that it does have the option for exporting sheet music.

Posted by: mcornetto (Guest), January 21st, 2009, 3:31pm; Reply: 2

If you are using windows then you might try Band in a Box which has an option for creating soundtracks. It does this automagically by using a song pattern. It's not bad for romantic themes and incidental music but I didn't really like it for action music.

The other software you might check out is Acid Loops, which is a sequencer. It's pretty easy to get a music sequence together using the software but you have to do it little bit of work to do it.

Posted by: James R, January 28th, 2009, 2:00pm; Reply: 3

I grabbed a trial version of Noteworthy Composer that I really like. Has anyone ever worked with it? It lets you compose sheet music and plays it back, it's a pretty nice little piece of software.

Has anyone ever scored any films here? Just curious about the process.

James

Posted by: George Willson, January 28th, 2009, 2:04pm; Reply: 4

I don't know about Freeware, but I've used Cakewalk until I got ahold of Finale Notepad when it was free. They charge for it now, though. I don't write as much music as I used to, and typically just used pencil and staff paper before programming it into a sequencer.

Posted by: James R, January 29th, 2009, 1:26pm; Reply: 5

Looks like Finale Notepad is only $10, it's a pretty good product? I'll try out the trial version and compare it with NC. Thanks, George.

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