Finale 2008
Finale 2008
From: MakeMusic
(avg)
Price: $600 (£298); upgrades from $99.95 (£49)
Website: www.finalemusic.com
This latest release from MakeMusic introduces import and recording of audio tracks synchronised to the score. These functions are straightforward and allow you to add recordings of real instruments and voices to those instruments generated by the bundled (and improved) Garritan Personal Orchestra sound set. The score can include a waveform display that allows easy visual navigation of both score and associated audio, which will be a big help to anyone transcribing music and will be a must-have feature for some users.
The inclusion of audio tracks is a first for notation software, and indicates an increasing convergence of features between notation and sequencing programs. However, the interface in Finale 2008 is much more geared to the composer and the real focus in this release, aside from audio tracks, appears to be on improving the usability and work flow of existing functions.
Selection and editing is much improved, too, and can speed up the creative process considerably.
Human playback is enhanced and works better and more realistically, while document styles help produce professional output and multiple scores can now be merged into a single document. Not all new features will be used by all users but there is no doubt that Finale 2008 is going to be an essential upgrade for some. Ben Shirley
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