-tictech message:
Dear Folks,
Here is some information about music programs.
Regarding Jack's request about a program for elementary school that
allows inputting of notes with a mouse that can then be played, some of
the older programs by Midisoft would likely be a good choice [check out
the caveat though]. The earlier program was called Midi Soft Recording
Studio for Win 3.1/9x and was sold on closeout for 99 cents on a floppy
at PC Trades[no longer being sold there unfortunately]. A newer
version (circa 1995) was sold as Midi Magic and is apparently is still
available for about $12 bucks at this URL:
http://www.whitetigersoftware.com/midstud310re.html
I have a copy I could loan if the music teacher mentioned wants to take
a look. In addition to using a mouse, notes can alse be entered from a
midi keyboard and the proper connections.
Here's a peek at the score section:
http://hale.ssd.k12.wa.us/pics/SCORE.jpg
The caveat is that there doesn't seem to be a way to print out any notes
entered.
For more sophisticated programs - perhaps for middle or high school - I
have a good impression of Logic by Emagic. I've used a precursor
program and they have very sophisticated quantizing functions to
add syncopation appropriate for different types of music. Logic is a
very highly-rated program and includes notation (graphical display of
notes). There is a lite version of Logic called Micro Logic that costs
about $90.
Here's a glimpse:
http://hale.ssd.k12.wa.us/pics/MLOGIC.jpg
The home site is here:
http://www.emagic.de/english/products/logic/mlav2.html
All the prices below are the educational price available ot all of us at
the UW Bookstore. I was there today and took a look at what they had in
stock. The least expensive program is the 2002 version of Cakewalk,
which I believe includes notation capabilities, for about $60. Another
program called "Cakewalk Metro" is available for $119.
Programs which specialize in notation are Sibelius and Finale for $329
and $250 respectively. A lighter version of Finale called Allegro is
$179.
One thing people may want to be careful about when they purchase
midi-capable programs is the sound-based manipulation packages like Acid
and Sound Forge. They have midi functions, but don't seem to have
notation capability. Check for this first carefully before you buy.
All of these programs are available in both Macintosh and PC platforms.
The older Midi Soft programs would not work with OSX. More information
should be available on Google.
I hope this helps...
Tony
tghand@seattleschools.org
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