How is Notion compared with Sibelius and Finale?

[memyselfandus]

How is Notion compared with Sibelius and Finale(latest versions)?

anything you cannot do in Notion that you can in the other two?

[dmacintyre]

IMHO Sibelius and Finale are designed to write scores whereas Notion is designed to write music in score format. If you want to create scores from already composed music for printing out then go for the first two choices (my preference is Sibelius) but if you want to write music and use traditional notation dynamic and expression symbols and have that reflected in the performance when doing so then Notion is the way to go. All three do something similar but their strengths relate to why you are using notation.

BTW Sibelius probably has more pure notation functions and features than the other two. I think all 3 have demos (Sibelius and Notion definitely do) so probably worth trying them all for yourself.

I am currently trying to sell Notion because what I need is a score editor and Notion is really a composing / performance application.

Hope this makes sense.

[koolkeys]

That's a pretty good description. Pretty much, Finale and Sibelius are the powerhouses for a reason. They can both do everything you could ever want. I mean, if you can do it in one, you can do it in the other for the most part. It's really a pick'em as there are very few differences in what they can do(though each has items the other doesn't, naturally). When you throw Notion in the mix, it does come down to how you use the notation.

Anyways, not really adding anything to the discussion. Just agreeing with the above post.

Brent

[hxcobd]

I've been going through Sibelius tutorial/instructional videos and trying to find comparable functions in Notion currently.

They're really similar for the most part. One of the first differences I noticed is that Notion doesn't give you as many options as far as the fine details of the score go. (For example, I couldn't find a "proper" way to add Tempo Text in Notion (allegro, adagio, etc.). I'm assuming you'd just have to add a Text box and drag it to where it should properly go.)

Notion's mixer is really cool. The sound library seems decent, too. Nothing that'll blow your mind if you already own great orchestral VSTis, but passable.

Also, Notion doesn't appear to let you save/export to either a graphic file or PDF; just XML, which I've never used and seems rather useless.

Notion's entire interface kicks the crap out of Sibelius', though. Really sleek and inspiring.

[sandbags]

Also, Notion doesn't appear to let you save/export to either a graphic file or PDF; just XML, which I've never used and seems rather useless.

Can it print? If you're on a Mac then save-as-PDF is built into the print dialog.

Matt

[hxcobd]

Yes, it can print, so I suppose you could use the Microsoft XPS Writer thing. Would prefer options for JPEG and PDF directly, but I suppose that works.

Good tip, thanks!

[lavoll]

cool, seriously concidering getting notion... for composing music by writing notes

[lfm]

Top ten notation software:
http://music-notation-software-review.t ... views.com/

Not Notion what I could see, but a pretty good comparison chart.

[koolkeys]

Top ten notation software:
http://music-notation-software-review.t ... views.com/

Not Notion what I could see, but a pretty good comparison chart.

Seems that is a comparison of budget level notation, including budget versions of Finale and Sibelius. I would put Notion up with many of those packages.

I think the chart isn't exactly current though, as Notion has improved as of late. Hard to say.

Brent

[the_grimace]

never used notion, but used finale in school, and sibelius was my first music program since i started at age 12. i know it almost in and out. (really only thing I havent messed around with too much is the rewire feature in sibelius 6)

either way, Im a strong supporter for sibelius, because its quite possibly the easiest way to not only arrange and notate scores, but if you know notation, write music in general. Almost all my compositions are written in notation in sibelius, then i take it to a DAW (in my case Logic 9) and replace instruments, add effects, and mix. But for just getting accurate raw data down, sibelius can't be beat.

[contrary]

Top ten notation software:
http://music-notation-software-review.t ... views.com/

Not Notion what I could see, but a pretty good comparison chart.

Seems that is a comparison of budget level notation, including budget versions of Finale and Sibelius. I would put Notion up with many of those packages.

I think the chart isn't exactly current though, as Notion has improved as of late. Hard to say.

Brent

It's a bit of a problem for a layman to decide how much "engraving " power they are going to need. I keep reading that the big two are the way if you are worried about the produced ,printed page results ; all the options are there .....
I'm checking some of the one out in that article and they are'nt wimpy or anything ... the two I'm demoing use the built in MS GS midi synth. ( nothing included sounds wise like the big two )

If you are most interested in composition , and are later going to just import the midi into your DAW then use it for sounds , then I'm not sure the extra hundreds for the upgraded sound capability and uber score printing abilities are what's needed .....



As usual , I'm on the fence and not wanting to find out I should have just gone all out and be dissapointed that I already wasted $$$ on a lesser program , but , The problem is I just don't know exactly what my needs are going to be in the long run !!! At the moment it looks like I don't want to make that big of an investment .... maybe I learn enough with the lesser programs that I'll have an appetite for more power... maybe not !!

[eduardo_b]

Top ten notation software:
http://music-notation-software-review.t ... views.com/

Not Notion what I could see, but a pretty good comparison chart.

Seems that is a comparison of budget level notation, including budget versions of Finale and Sibelius. I would put Notion up with many of those packages.

I think the chart isn't exactly current though, as Notion has improved as of late. Hard to say.

Brent

Am I misremembering or have prices come way down in this category?

[universalextract777]

Great post
Im using notion 6 , Im trying to add Trill and dynamic techniques , I'v added on the sheet but it does not perform the trill and others , what is the way to go with?

[trtzbass]

cool, seriously concidering getting notion... for composing music by writing notes

The coolest thing about Notion is that it has handwritten input and it's actually decent at that.
If you have a tablet, get the mobile version. It's pretty much the same thing but the touch screen makes it easier to use

[ReleaseCandidate]

Im using notion 6 , Im trying to add Trill and dynamic techniques , I'v added on the sheet but it does not perform the trill and others , what is the way to go with?

You need to make expression maps to map the articulations to the libraries you use.
Or, if you have the old (not the new synchronized) VSL special edition, you can use that with the included maps. If you have EW QLSO (Gold) you can use the old but still still functional templates you find in the web https://forums.presonus.com/viewtopic.p ... 755#p38755