The stave limit has been upped to 16, it includes 10GB of sampled sounds, a comprehensive range of instruments, four voices per staff and a host of preset score layouts. The modestly priced standard version of Sibelius, named plainly as Sibelius (opens in new tab), is just the ticket for many users. It's fun and easy to use but its four stave (instrument part) limit is, well, limiting.

Sibelius|First (opens in new tab) enables hobbyists to write simple scores and is completely free to download and install. In fact, Avid markets three versions in order to satisfy everyone from novice to expert.

What's more, it's been owned by Avid since 2006, the company behind Pro Tools and Media Composer.įortunately, despite its pro leanings, Sibelius has always remained accessible to use. It's been developed, over almost 30 years, to be an absolute powerhouse for professional composers, arrangers, engravers and educators. Sibelius has a massive following, and for good reason. With its user-friendly feature-set, and samples recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios, it's stunning value at just $149/£128. It too boasts a mobile app, this time with handwriting recognition. PreSonus Notion 6 (opens in new tab) lacks Sibelius' heritage, but it does offer much of the functionality for a fraction of the price. Sibelius isn’t for everyone, however – partly because of its steep pricing. No wonder it's one of the most widely used packages in the industry. Its recently introduced iOS app integrates seamlessly with the desktop versions, enabling you to work freely anywhere, from a hectic filmset location to your favourite quiet place in nature. Its comprehensive feature set has been fine-tuned over decades of development, with Avid's current team doing a fine job of tempering all that power with a fast, efficient workflow. Whether you're a student or seasoned pro, it's impossible to ignore Avid Sibelius. Best music notation software: Our top picks Not sure if you need this type of software? Scroll to the bottom of the page for our comprehensive buying advice. So, which are the best music notation software packages right now? Let's dive in.

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