All user reviews for the MakeMusic Finale 2004

Make Music Finale 2004 is a music notation software. The general setup of Finale is pretty simple, especially with a MIDI keyboard. The typical functions are pretty easily accessible; more complex functions are somewhat more difficult to get used to but still pretty easy overall. The manual explains everything sufficiently, but it's really tedious and full of information that most people won't find relevant. You'll find yourself leafing through it far too often. 


SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

My software has never had a problem performing well. It always responds to my MIDI keyboard and it is pretty realistic in terms of response time. I have been using it for two years and haven't had any serious problems with it. I've never had a problem with the gear slowing down or taking a while to play. 


OVERALL OPINION

I think that the best thing about Finale, at least at first, is its simplicity. It isn't very difficult to write notes, assign a note value, or notate in real time. However, if you are really trying to write a score, and you need rehearsal, dynamic, and other types of marks, it gets a little bit more confusing. It's still, however, much more enjoyable and less tedious than Finale or other programs. In all honesty, it makes other programs look pretty bad in comparison. It's a shame that so many universities are still using a bunch of other softwares, when Finale feel so much more natural to a musician who's used to writing music by hand. The sound certainly leaves much to be desired, as most MIDI programs tend to do. But I can't say it's that much better or worse than any other music program. Finale's MIDI sounds are almost the same, unless you get one of the better plug-ins. I don't know about Finale plug-ins, because I haven't felt the need to purchase any. I find that for people who want to notate easily and with little stress, this program is probably the best way to do it. It's definitely not too overpriced, and will pay for itself if you do this for a living.

No problem installing the software version HFFR (French for PC and Mac), if not the online registration which requires you to download a patch on the website of distibuteur www.ip-music.com (http: / / www.ip-music.com). The manual provided about 200 pages, is devoted in the form of lessons, the basics. Help installed with the software (in pdf format) is very large (over 700 pages) and comprehensive with two topics: table of contents and index and a clever navigation system. There are fifty chapters, each corresponding to a different pdf file.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

My configuration:
AMD Athlon 2166 MHz
Asus A7N8X
Radeon 9500
Creative Audigy Player
Windows XP Home Edition

The configuration seems stable. In early use, some instabilities Windows when importing MIDI files.

OVERALL OPINION

I use this software for a little less than a month and I have not explored all the possibilities seem immense. New compared to the previous version (Finale 2003) are:
- Improved ease of entry notes
- Bank sounds more efficient
- Automatic interpretation of nuances when playing and the sound quality
- Registration as possible to the work created in the format Wav
- And a few other points.

What impressed me most is the quality of the scan scores, the high quality of the partition when editing, easy to enter notes and nuances, can import MIDI files by separating different channels, where the possibility of such a system instrument.

After importing a MIDI file, Finale does not however take into account, when printing of the score, the expression and nuances of the source file, unlike, for example, Harmony Assistant, Myriad. All shades are to be added by hand to be taken into account when printing.

Capture the nuances in terms of changes in velocity (crescendo, diminuendo) is less powerful than the Yamaha XGworks where you can get graphic variations in the mouse.

However, the final enormous possibilities for n-Olette, d 'grace notes, trills and accent marks, which are not found in the software that I know.

The return of shades and expressions in a partition back hand is really excellent with good sound quality.

French telephone support is very difficult to reach, the line being constantly overloaded. When you get to join the technician, the explanations are satisfactory with good reception and a great understanding.
The best method, if unresolved by the FAQ, is to talk at the forum on-line (in English) www.finalemusic.com (http://www.finalemusic.com). I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly they answered my questions and by the kindness of the members. You can also request to be notified by e-mail about the answers posted.

The price (about 300 euros for the feast of music, and valid until July 14, 2004) seems a little high and requires thinking before making the purchase decision. In retrospect, when looking at such time has been spent writing the manual, the opportunities and quality of the edition, the price seems justified.

My idea, buying this software was able to print the scores of works created with Yamaha XGworks in sufficient detail in order to protect the rights of use with the SACEM.
This objective is fully completed and I do not regret my purchase.

Installation without problems, except the French patch to download, but otherwise things are going well.
The config is clear, the manual (tutorial) is well done.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

My computer: Athlon 2400, 512 ram, rme card with Converto alesis to a mixing desk. Win XP
No crash.

OVERALL OPINION

Cubase since 93, I have behind me hundreds of scores from various symphonic choir through all the formulas orchestral possible.
My editor is in Finale, I got started in July 2004 because he had to redo the work already done in cubase, which was heartbreaking.
In general, I am quite disappointed. Of course it is a dedicated software to burn pro, so it is not the same destination as Cubase with a score (in VST because unfortunately the SX versions are useless for this part) is made to produce partoches quick, clean ...
That said, I find the ergonomics of Finale very heavy and unfortunately the Mac and PC versions are barely traded, thus the files I provided to my editor asked him more problems than if I had provided a midi file and score a "paper".
The musical input is dramatically slower than including the famous Cubase sequencer is amazing.
Even the entry of annotations (colors, links ...) is much faster.
As for the general layout (made available), I think it's a horror to get an early result.
In short, the possibilities are huge but in terms of ergonomics, it is very average.
Result, I quit because I need about 5 times longer for the same result.
I will try to turn the side of Sibelius seems to be much more efficient.

Installation is simple. The manual is an encyclopedia ... but it is easy to use. on the other hand to fully exploit all the possibilities, you must get up early. But who can do more can do less ...

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Process 1.8 Ghz, 500 MB memory, 40 GB hard disk Sound card not so good ... The fonctinnement is correct, I did not recency of bug ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a year. We can write scores of professional quality. What a joy ... The ability to partition out a PDF to send to (on) a friend (e) has not Final, is useful. Some functions are not very ergonomic (like programming times), but I'm not a pro using this software. Ultimately, it seems difficult to find fault with this type of tool. Gone are the days of pen ...