Muff's Modules & More

Waz · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 2:50 am Post subject: Finale vs Sibelius

From your experience which one is better?

I have extensive experience with Finale, but that was some time ago (4 years). I've found it to be a little buggy and somewhat restricted to a certain creative mindset, but that was 4 years ago. I have absolutely no experience with Sibelius.

VortexRanger · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:25 am Post subject:

I haven't used Finale, but when shopping around I got the impression Sibelius was more flexible, and more important to me it's more conducive to "intellectual improv" for lack of a better phrase. I went with it, and though there's a bit of a learning curve I soon found myself able to write very quickly with it. A word to the wise: it heavily used the number pad on the far right of a desktop keyboard so if you plan on running it on a laptop be forewarned. I rarely use it anymore because my laptop has become my main rig and I don't have one of those USB num pads.

VortexRanger · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:52 am Post subject:

Wow, so I forgot I'd replied to this thread and I just came rushing back in hopes I hadn't abandoned you...

I know if there's any place on the internet where musicians aren't really into "traditional" notation, this is it. But I didn't realize there would be nobody here at all who has notated scores. I'm pretty wowed.

...

...

So yeah, go with Sibelius. Dead Banana

Waz · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:23 am Post subject:

I'll give the demo a shot. I have an old version of finale 2007, but I need something a little less clunky.

Chris Johnson · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:41 pm Post subject:

Sibelius seems to have the better reputation among non-technical musicians.

jbucks · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 2:55 am Post subject:

I have Sibelius First, thinking of upgrading to the full version of Sibelius 7. I really like the program, the interface is intuitive. Never used Finale, though.

However, I just read this today (main dev team behind the software are losing their jobs):
http://createdigitalmusic.com/2012/08/avids-sibelius-scoring-tool-marc hes-on-but-without-its-creators-as-users-protest/

Waz · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 3:13 am Post subject:

My only beef with Sibelius is that it's owned by Avid. I absolutely adore/adored protools, but after buying a copy of Reaper, I have been converted. Avid's DRM practices are just awful. And now the creators of Sibelius just got canned!?

I did test both Sibelius and Finale out. Sibelius is pretty great. Finale seems to have the theory and technical stuff down, but its UI is really rigid.

Seemless Sibelius and Protools interaction makes me Drunken Homer Simpson

jbucks · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 3:40 am Post subject:

There's a campaign by Sibelius users to get Avid to sell Sibelius (hopefully to the creators of Sibelius, the Finn brothers). Who knows whether it will work, but I put my name down anyway: http://sibeliususers.org

VortexRanger · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 8:01 am Post subject:

I'd be into it. I hate protools. Never realized a piece of software could even have an attitude, let alone the most self-righteous attitude of anyone I've ever met.

slovo · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 4:51 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I use Sibelius but just because I got a very good price along with some other stuff on fleabay. I dig it but am worried about its future. Avid own some nice stuff, but they're as vulturey as they come. I foresee a lot of halfassed maintenance updates and large annual fees. ;p