Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Music Notation Software.

Ratings

Ease of Use

Music notation software should be user-friendly—simple features like note entry, MIDI input, lyric entry, editing and playback should be easy to operate and icons should be self-explanatory and provide the information requested.

Feature Set

Music notation software should include ample features, including song sample files, percussion notation, automatic guitar chord notation, a metronome and so on, and each feature should perform effectively.

Input/Output Capabilities

The software ought to be compatible with various MIDI devices from different manufacturers. The music notation, timing and sound should all be high quality and correct.

Editing

The software is capable of deleting unwanted notes, inserting and changing notes in the score, revising imported files and has mixing abilities.

Help/Support

The program should offer ample help and it should be accessible and easy-to-find with help searching capabilities. The developer should provide a number of technical support options like phone, email, FAQs and so on.

Features

Voice to Note

Compose music by singing, humming or whistling the tune into a microphone or by using a WAV file you've already recorded and the pitch and duration of the notes are calculated and converted into MIDI music.

Singing Analysis

Sing into a microphone and the software compares your voice to pre-selected notes you have chosen. A graph typically shows how close you are to the selected notes.

Staves per System

The number of additional staves you can enter on a score.

Voices per Staff

Most programs accommodate up to eight voices (i.e. instruments or vocals) per staff. These are usually generic MIDI outputs common on every MIDI keyboard.

Sample Song Files

Some music notation software provide sample scores to download onto your score editing screen and allow you to practice editing and cut and paste measures into your own score.

Number of Lyric Lines Accepted

The number of lyric lines you can enter per staff.

Guitar Tablature Notation

The software is capable of notating your guitar scores on a fret board.

Automatic Guitar Chord Notation

You can choose any note or measure and the software automatically generates a guitar chord and places it above the note in the selected staff.

Percussion Notation

The notation software can notate percussion instruments, such as drums.

Cross-Staff Beaming

Through the software, you can connect notes, such as sixteenth or half notes, with beams.

Note Duration

The shortest duration of notes the software can produce, such as eighth notes or sixteenth notes.

View Notes in Real Time as Music Plays

The cursor follows the notes in real-time as the music is playing—this is typically for scores you have composed and are playing back.

Metronome

Used when playing a MIDI device into the computer in real-time—you can typically adjust the speed on the metronome to meet your score timing.

Time Display

A window on the score editing page that shows what measure and the timing of the note selected.

Input

Mouse Symbol Input

While using the software, you can use your mouse to select and place notes on your staff and also select duration, timing and symbol input.

Computer Keyboard Note Input

The ability to enter notes on the score and select duration and accidentals from your computer keyboard.

MIDI Keyboard Input(Real-Time Entry)

The music notation software is able to record and notate scores in real-time as you play them into the computer from a MIDI device or as you sing or play an instrument into a microphone. This automatically sets the duration of each note depending on how you sing or play it.

MIDI Keyboard Input(Step-Time Entry)

You can enter the notes from an external MIDI device or microphone. The software does not automatically record the duration of the notes so you must select the duration of the notes before or after input.

MIDI Thru

Used to pass MIDI signals from a keyboard, through your computer, to a second MIDI keyboard or instrument. Use this setting to play on one keyboard and hear the sounds from a different keyboard or sound module.

Real-Time Notation Display

The notes appear on the staff in real-time as you play from an external MIDI keyboard or other device.

Standard MIDI File Import

The standard MIDI format that is most common on all MIDI devices.

.wav

An inputted file format that typically consists of voice files or other files recorded from a microphone.

Output

Print Output

This software is capable of printing the score on an external printer.

Print Output w/ Clip Art or Photos

The music software is capable of exporting your music file to a word processor or an image processor so you can add pictures or other clip art to the sheet.

Standard MIDI File Export

The music notation software can export standard MIDI files to another computer or MIDI device.

.wav

You can export .wav files to another device using the software.

MP3

You can save your music into MP3 format.

Human Playback

This feature adds a human touch to the piece, so during playback it sounds like a human is playing an instrument rather than a computer-generated sound.

Windows/Macintosh proprietary file format compatibility

Mac and Window versions share the same format so music files are transferable between platforms.

Editing

Mouse Editing

You can edit scores by using the mouse to drag and select notes, change notes by dragging them up or down and changing time signatures.

Transposing

Used to move the current staff up or down by a number of semitones so you can transpose the visual score to another key.

Symbol Palettes

Tables of different icons that assist in the composition or editing of a piece. There are duration palettes, note palettes, time signature palettes and more.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard commands that achieve the same results as using a palette or a drop-down menu.

Accepts Scanned Sheet Music

You can import scores previously scanned into a computer and then make edits, add text or add to the score.

Control Editor

Used to edit all kinds of data of a continuous nature, including controllers, pitch bend, aftertouch, note velocity, tempo changes and program changes.

Piano Roll Editor

You can edit piano roll notation, which emulates the piano rolls used in player pianos, by changing the timing, pitch and other aspects of the piano roll.

Mixer

Make changes to controllers and other continuous data, like pitch bend or aftertouch, as you listen to the music. Use the mixer while recording to record the changes you make and affect playback at the same time. Use a mixer while playing to only change the playback sound and not change any data—this is useful to test any changes before you record them.

Score Editor Screen

Gives you the ability to make changes to the score. For example, changing and adding notes, transposing the music, and playing back your score, while displaying your music standard music notation.

Song Editor Screen

Gives you the ability to make changes to the score. For example, changing and adding notes, transposing the music, and playing back your score, while displaying your music standard music notation.

Punch Recording

The music notation software has the ability to cut a piece out of a track and replace it with different music.

Import and Edit MIDI Files

You can import general MIDI files and edit them using the software.

Technical Support

Phone Support

You can reach customer service by phone.

Paper Manual

The software includes an informative hand copy manual to teach you how to use the program.

Download

A list of downloads that support the software.

Demos

The developer provides a demo version of the software so you can try it before you buy it.

Patches

The developer provides patches or fixes for the software to resolve any problems.

Updates

The developer provides software updates updating your software to a newer version for free or for a minimal fee.

FAQ

The software's website includes a frequently asked questions page.

Knowledge Base Search

The software's website has a knowledge base page with hints to better use the software and quick fixes to common software problems.

Video Tutorial

A video tutorial comes with the software to teach you how to use the program.

Tutorial

A tutorial comes with the software to teach you how to use the program.

User Forum

There is an online forum or chat available to discuss the product with other customers.

Online Form

A generic email template that goes directly to customer service or customer support for any questions or comments.

eMail Address

The company has an email address so you can contact customer service with questions or comments.

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