Detailed Product Comparison Chart

Finale Family Detailed Product Comparison Chart

Finale PrintMusic Songwriter NotePad

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Unlimited

0-100

2012 2011 2010

XP/Vista/Windows 7

(64-bit compatible)

XP/Vista/Windows 7

(64-bit compatible)

XP/Vista/windows 7

(64-bit compatible)

10.5 - 10.7

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2011

XP/Vista/Windows 7

(64-bit compatible)

10.5 10.7

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24

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All but Finale

AlphaNotes, Numerics,

& Copyist

Maestro Only

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Limited

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8

5

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Whole to 32nd

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5

Maestro Only

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Step only

Whole to 32nd

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Unlimited verses

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Unlimited verses Unlimited verses

Standard guitar & bass only

Standard guitar & bass only

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Center

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Center

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One verse only

Standard guitar & bass only

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Limited dynamics

Standard, Roman &

German

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Limited

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Standard & German

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Compatibility/System Requirements

Version

Windows

Macintosh OS X

Universal Binary (runs natively on Intel-based Macintosh computers)

Share files between Macintosh and Windows platforms

Number of Authorized installations

Backwards compatibility using MusicXML Import and Export

Use Free Finale Reader to view, play, and print Finale family notation files

Getting Started

Instrument "Set-up Wizard" provides very easy score set-up with full page layout and instrument transposition

Comprehensive, printable on-line documentation with "Hot Links"

On screen Message Bar identifies tools and their uses

FREE technical support online

Open same or previous version Finale, Allegro, PrintMusic, and NotePad files, retaining all data and settings

Number of Staves available

Number of Staff Lines available (all with TAB staffs available)

On-line video tutorials that show and tell how to do almost everything

Easy start-up instructions

Installation and Tutorial manual for easy start-up

Quick Reference Guide provides easy access to most common keystrokes/tasks

Pre-designed templates

Included music fonts: Maestro, Maestro Wide, Engraver, Petrucci, Broadway Copyist, Jazz, Finale Percussion, Finale Mallets,

Finale AlphaNotes, Finale Numerics, and Finale Copyist

Unicode font support, providing access to any font character (and in any language)

Tutorial Guide and User Manual with integrated video

Auto-Detect MIDI Device makes setup easy

Entering Notes

Use a note or rests palette to click notes, accidentals and rests onto the staff

Enter pitches and rhythmic values using a mouse or MIDI Instrument

Enter rhythmic values with the numeric keypad

Notates from Imported MIDI data

Option to as a standard MIDI file

Input notes and rhythms in real time

Enter rhythmic values from a double-whole note to a 128th note

Enter pitches with the arrow keys or letter keys

Notate with a MIDI instrument using a computer-supplied beat/metronome

Re-position notes with the arrow keys

Notate as you play a single melody acoustic instrument

Scan existing sheet music with FREE SmartScore Lite software by Musitek (included)

Directly convert SmartScore™ and MidiScan™ scanned music files into Finale notation files

Open SharpEye scanning files via MusicXML (SharpEye is currently Windows only)

Enter notation in real time with the HyperScribe tool. Speed up or slow down tempo during notation.

Specify instrumentation while scanning for properly transposed playback

Select rhythmic values from a MIDI keyboard

Adding Markings, Lyrics, and more

Individual score elements display in different colors for easy distinction

Dockable palettes for a "cleaner" look (windows only)

Use a Smart Shape palette to place a predefined expression onto the score

Create and position titles, credits, copyright notices and other text

Control font, size, style and alignment

Automatically align lyrics with notes

Respace notes to automatically avoid collisions of lyrics

Enter notes directly in TAB staves

Copy/paste between normal notation and TAB staves

Type lyrics directly onto the score

Automatic Guitar Tablature

Automatically notate percussion staves that playback without extra configuration

Enter dynamics and tempo markings

Enter chord symbols by typing in their names or by playing them with a MIDI keyboard

Add repeats that automatically playback

Create Coda System

Center or left align chord symbols

Create and edit your own chord symbols, including alternate bass indication

Add rehearsal marks and measure numbers, then emphasize them with ovals or rectangles

Move lyrics, chords, expressions, titles, text blocks and other elements

Place large blocks of text with a built-in text editor

Automatic word extensions and hyphens that automatically wrap to the next staff-system

Play chords on a MIDI instrument for automatic analysis and labeling

Positioning guides built in for accurate placement of chord symbols

Notate TAB as you play a MIDI guitar

Automatically add guitar fretboards

Automatically transpose chord symbols with changes in key

Adjust ties, slurs, crescendos and diminuendos

Mix fonts, font sizes and styles (English, Nashville, Roman, German, etc ) within chord symbols

Change or delete notes without chaning your chords

Show only the tools you need, or display all the tools

Independently specify the alignment, position and font for any staff name

Create word extensions

Shift lyrics right or left by syllables

Hide signatures and accidentals on individual staves (e.g. , percussion staves)

Create lyrics all at once and click onto the score one syllable or verse at a time

Mix fonts, sizes and styles rev. October 6, 2011

Finale Family Detailed Product Comparison Chart

Finale

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PrintMusic Songwriter NotePad

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Full page or section.

PDF, JPEG, PNG,

TIFF, EPS, PICT (Mac only)

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Full page or section.

JPEG Only

Full page or section.

PDF, JPEG, PNG,

TIFF, EPS, PICT (Mac only)

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More than 1,000

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Full page or section.

JPEG Only

More than 150

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Full measures

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Full measures

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Customization & regional selection also

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Standard style only

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Standard style only

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Analyze chords from notation across one or two staves

Customize Fretboard diagrams and save in transposable groups

Notate bends, stair steps, double bends, pull-offs, hammer-ons and releases

Control the exact placement of each part of a beat

Hide key and time signatures if desired

Create chord-only charts

Create and edit text blocks on any view

Create your own TAB styles

Create "cue measures" using the Ossia tool

Specify tempo changes using the Tempo Tool

Support for: mezzo-soprano, baritone C, treble 8va, Bass 8va, french violin, alternative percussion, blank clef

Define your own clefs

Place multiple clefs within measures

Flow text into and around irregularly-shaped graphics

Align and Justify Lyrics either globally or syllable by syllable

Create custom staves

Create your own articulations

Flat Beams (Add/Remove)

Ledger Lines (Hide/Show)

Add Again metatool

Editing Tools

Select any group of notes for editing, including partial measures

View each window in any fashion desired (page or scroll view, magnification, and measure location)

Reduce a view down to 5%, or enlarge it up to 1000%

Size and position the tool palettes to fit the way you work

Cut, copy and paste text

Cut, copy and paste between windows

Reposition any symbol, character, graphic or text anywhere on the page simply by dragging it

Multiple Undo even past the last “Save”

Apply ""smart articulations"" with automatic positioning and stem direction sensitivity

Drag & Drop dynamics and tempo markings

Respace notes to automatically avoid collisions of lyrics

Quickly select items using the Selection tool

Multiple-page editing

ScoreManager makes controlling staff appearance easy

Easy Instrument Doubling

Hearing Your Music

Play your score through a MIDI instrument, sound module, sound card or internal computer speaker

SmartMusic SoundFont - 128 sounds included free

Playback the music as notated

Human Playback plays feeling, phrasing and nuance in a variety of styles

Play back repeats, dynamics, tempo changes and chord symbols

Play a note, chord, phrase, selected staves or an entire score

Define playback sounds of each staff, layer of music and/or chord symbols

Assign a MIDI channel or patch, and play/solo/mute setting for each staff

Map multiple staves to the same instrument sound

Row-Loff Marching Percussion Sounds included free

Play back as you played it - retaining your original MIDI performance including key velocity, pitch bend, rubato, and more

Program the percent of ""swing feel"" for playback

Percussion staves automatically plays back without extra configuration

Integrated Garritan™ Aria Player with Ambience Reverb

More than 400 world-class sounds from the makers of Garritan Personal Orchestra

More than 100 concert and marching percussion sounds from Tapspace Virtual Drumline

External Sound Library Support (VST/AU Instruments and Effects)

Boomwhackers® tuned percussion tube sounds

Define/control playback of interpretive marks, text and shapes

Define your own scales and micro tonality

Assign a playback meaning to any graphic

ScoreManager makes additional sound control easy

Sharing your Music

Use Free Finale Reader to view, play, and print Finale family notation files

Post files to MakeMusic's Finale Showcase website to be viewed using the Finale Reader

Print professional quality sheet-music

Open files created by same or earlier product version

Export MIDI and MusicXML files

Save as Audio File to create CDs ( MP3, WAV, AIF)

Export your score or a section of your score as a graphic files

Educator Tools

Create your own worksheets or quizzes by exporting music into a word processing program

Exercise Wizard (custom exercises or lessons for your whole ensemble)

Orff Instruments in Set-up Wizard

Create SmartMusic Accompaniments (SmartMusic subscription required to practice with these files in SmartMusic)

Ready-made, customizable music education worksheets included

Includes solfege, instant Tonic Sol-fa conversion plus most Band, Orchestra, Choral and Church music set-ups

Colored Noteheads

Finale AlphaNotes font puts note names inside noteheads, benefiting beginning readers

Finale Numerics font makes it easy to type in Roman numeral or harmonic analysis rev. October 6, 2011

Finale Family Detailed Product Comparison Chart

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Finale PrintMusic Songwriter NotePad

4 layers only

1 or 5 lines (plus tablature)

24 stave limit

Standard only

4 layers only

5 lines (plus tablature)

8 stave limit

Standard only

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Layers, 2nds, and unisons

Layers, 2nds, and unisons

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Page View only

Page view only

2-3 voice harmonies 2-3 voice harmonies

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Transpose

4 layers only

5 lines (plus tablature)

8 stave limit

Standard only

Layers, 2nds, and unisons

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Page view only

Composing and Arranging Time Savers

Define up to four layers of music per staff with two independent voices per layer

Number of staff lines per staff from 0 to 100

Create any multiple of staves and measures up to 32,768

Use standard or non-standard key signatures

Automatically avoid collisions of mid-score and mid-measure clefs, 2nds, and unisons when using layers

Extra Palettes for File, Edit, and Help menus (Windows only)

Use easy on-screen Playback Controls to play any range of measures at a specified tempo

Set-up Wizard automatically assigns General MIDI patches and channels

Easily set up Key and Time Signatures using the Set-up Wizard

Automatic final barline

View a score in either scroll view (continuous staff) or page view (staves arranged on page)

Scroll music on-screen during playback in Page view or Scroll view

Band-in-a-Box Auto Harmonizing - add two to six-part harmonies of selected styles with or without chord symbols

Drum Groove - create custom drum parts instantly

Set the distance between a staff system and the staff system above

Enter an unlimited number of notes per measure

Control stem direction individually

Fit selected measures into staff systems

Transpose using chromatic, diatonic, enharmonic or modal methods

Single commands to transpose, rebar, or rebeam your music

Shift easily between a score window and individual extracted parts

Use on-screen rulers to position score elements

Add graphic repeat signs and text repeat markings

Reduce a score, page, staff system, note group or single note down to 5%, or enlarge it up to 999%

Extract individual parts, with separate page layout control for each part, create automatic multi-measure rests

Adjust measure widths

Choose from over 50 pre-designed score templates to help you quickly prepare professional scores

"Optimize" the conductor's score by hiding empty staves

Save multiple MIDI/instrument setups

Re-quantize any notes in any region entered from any note entry method

Protect scores with automatic backup

Capture music as you play, then convert to notation later Record one "track" while playing back others

Define your own noteheads; change the shape of any notehead

Specify separate time signatures for display and beaming control

Use different time and key signatures in each staff

Latin Percussion rhythms included

"Explode" scores to create instant orchestrations

"Implode" scores to create instant piano reductions

Add Cue Notes - easily place cue notes on any staves in any layer at any percentage

Align/Move Dynamics - vertically align all selected dynamics, expressions and hairpins

Automatic Barlines - Place double-barlines automatically before all key changes and a final barline at the end of the score

Automatic Dynamics Placement - automatically places dynamics on the score based on the notes key velocity

Canonic Utilities - transforms the selected region using inversion, retrograde, transposition or any combination of these

Cautionary Accidentals - allows various forms of cautionary accidentals added to your score including display on all notes

Change Fonts - Change fonts globally for text blocks, staff names, group names and lyrics

Change Noteheads - allows you to change the noteheads of all the notes in the selected region

Change Stem Direction changes the stem direction of notes on the middle staff line to follow the direction of the melodic line

Change to Default Whole Rests - allows you to change all the whole measure rests in the selected region to default rests

Change to Real Whole Rests - allows you to change all the default measure rests in the selected region to real whole rests

Check Range - verifies the selected instruments range with setting for beginner, intermediate and advanced players

Check Region for Durations - checks the selected region for any measures that have too few or too many beats

Chord Morphing - generates a variety of smooth between-chord transitions

Chord Realization- generates four-part realizations of a triad based on major key & scale degree specified

Chord Reordering - finds new placement options for chords

Chord Splitting - creates subsets of the original chord

Classic Eighth Beams - Beam Eighth notes together when using common time over the selected region

Clear Lyric Positioning - will reset any changes you’ve made to your lyric baselines in the selected region

Clear Measure # Positioning - clears all measure number positioning in the selected region and sets it to the default position

Command Line - allows for quick note entry by typing in specific text commands

Common Tone Transposition - creates a series of transpositions where one note is equal to one note of the original chord

Easy Harmonics - string harmonics fast and easy

Easy Tremolos - create tremolos for display and playback

Find Range - Run this plug-in to find the highest and lowest notes in the selected region

Frequency Modulation Chord Generator - generates a series of chords with increasing complexity and texture

Global Staff/Group Attributes - Apply the same staff or group attributes to any staves or groups

Handbells Used Chart

Latin Percussion

Melodic Morphing - creates a melodic transition from one melody to another

Menu Shortcuts - write your own script to automate common tasks

Midline Stem Direction - changes the stem direction of notes on the middle staff line to follow the direction of melodic line

Mid-Measure Repeats

Move Rests - lets you move rests in the selected region to a different vertical position

Number Repeated Measures - Place numbers over measures that are repeated again and again

Piano Reduction - creates a piano reduction of the selected staves

Rhythmic Subdivisions - Change the selected region to eighth notes, or divide all your notes in half

Single Pitch - changes all the notes in your selected region to the specified pitch

Smart Playback - adds a playback effect to glissandi, hairpins and trills

Space Systems - automatically positions your staff systems evenly on each page

Split Point - lets you reset the split point between two staves in the selected region

Tie Common Notes - inserts a tie between any two successive notes if the notes have the same pitch

Update Brackets & Groups

Vertical Collision Remover

Virtual Fundamental Generator - automatically gives the appropriate “root” for any selected group of staves

Voice 2 to Layer - moves Voice 2 entries to the selected layer

Word Extensions - add or remove word extensions to and from your lyrics rev. October 6, 2011

Finale

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Mixer only

Before only

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Mixer only

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PDF, PNG, BMP, GIF,

TIFF, EPS, PICT (Mac only). Embedded or linked graphics

Embedded JPEG only

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Provided styles only

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11x17 limit

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Finale Family Detailed Product Comparison Chart

PrintMusic Songwriter NotePad

Before only

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11x17 limit

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Features for Production/Sequencing

Quantize before or after opening

Import MIDI data

Read and write standard MIDI files

Import and export XML files, such as SharpEye scanning files

Notate while playing back other staves - sequencing

Record and play with a resolution of 1024 pulses per quarter note

“Minimize Rests” give notes full value even if played too short so that unwanted rests never appear

Key Sequencer Features/Integrated Mixer

MIDI Tool - Full MIDI editing

Edit individual MIDI events in a graphic window

Define two sets of 16 MIDI channels and up to 64 instruments

Record an Audio Track or Import an Audio File

TempoTap™ -- lets you create tempo nuances by tapping your finger

Movie Window - allows you to import a video and play it in sync with your music as you compose or playback

Send SMPTE/MTC time code

Insert and display time code

Finishing Touches

Create pages up to 118 miles by 118 miles (large pages can be "tiled")

Print on virtually all Postscript or non-Postscript printers

Page Layout Controls

Textured paper on-screen (over a dozen backgrounds)

Control the layout of individual staff systems and page margins

Indent staff systems and adjust systems horizontally or vertically

Reduce or enlarge a score

Color Printing, if desired, of Layers, Smart Shapes, Score and Staff expressions, Articulations, Text and Lyrics and Chords

Convert TIFF files of scanned sheet music into notation

Import graphics like logos and pictures

Personal Document Styles (variety to choose from and the ability to make your own)

Hide staves that contain music for unseen playback effects

Use the Shape Designer to draw your own musical graphics

Create lines, ovals, rectangles, polygons and curves Control line thickness, fills, object grouping and more

Control curve resolution and thickness on non-Postscript printers

On-Score Page Layout with Snap to Grid and Guidelines for easy, exact alignment of all score elements

Set or Clear Page Breaks at any Staff System

Compile Postscript listings for efficient downloading and printing on systems without Finale installed

Create Non-standard key signatures

3rd Party Music Font Support

Cross-staff beaming and detailed deletes with the NoteMover Tool

Slash Flagged Grace Notes (Add/Remove) rev. October 6, 2011