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Music => Music => Topic started by: Pianist Da Sootopolis on February 26, 2015, 01:34:49 PM

Title: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Pianist Da Sootopolis on February 26, 2015, 01:34:49 PM
I'm currently 14 and a student. I have no official music software, and the limitations of finale notepad really bum me out; no time signature changes, etc... won't fit with the arrangements I'm working on as of right now.
So is it truly worth the price tag of $99.(whatever the hell it is)? I know it's great software and all but that price bums me out.
I hear they also give discounts to students. What's the truth behind that? XD
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Bespinben on February 26, 2015, 01:47:20 PM
I'd say give the 30-day free trial for Finale 2014 a try. See if you like it or not. It is great software, but don't go shoveling out half a grand if it doesn't suit your fancy.
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Xaoz on February 26, 2015, 01:50:03 PM
Quote from: Bespinben on February 26, 2015, 01:47:20 PMI'd say give the 30-day free trial for Finale 2014 a try. See if you like it or not. It is great software, but don't go shoveling out half a grand if it doesn't suit your fancy.

And when it expires... We'll cross that bridge when we get there, I promise.

Sorry, could not resist :D
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Maelstrom on February 26, 2015, 01:54:15 PM
$99.00? Pfff. Try $600.00 for Finale 2014. I guess you could get by with printmusic (compare here (http://www.finalemusic.com/products/compare-finale-products/)). If you want to submit anything to the site, you will need finale. Period. As for the student discount, it's more of a, "Are you a student? Check yes or no." kind of thing. It is considerably cheaper, especially on ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Makemusic-Finale-2014-Academic-DOWNLOAD-MacOS-Windows-Notation-Software-/171284503718?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27e15a1ca6). If you just want notation software on a budget, Musescore will get the job done for free, but it has it's limitations. And, of course, there is always Sibelius, but it'll probably run a slightly cheaper price.
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: mikey on February 26, 2015, 02:17:36 PM
I got mine for the net worth of a Concerto
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Sebastian on February 26, 2015, 03:20:46 PM
I highly recommend any Finale software (except Notepad :P)
It's very easy to do and very useful.
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: King Sammer on February 26, 2015, 04:29:16 PM
Finale is worth it, as long as you get the templates...set up.
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: BlackDragonSlayer on February 26, 2015, 04:29:43 PM
Quote from: mariolegofan on February 26, 2015, 03:20:46 PMI highly recommend any Finale software (except Notepad :P)
It's very easy to do and very useful.
Quote from: Bespinben on July 07, 2012, 03:44:44 PMNotepad is - no joke - designed to frustrate you, that way you'll be compelled to purchase a higher model.
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Sebastian on February 26, 2015, 04:34:05 PM
Quote from: BlackDragonSlayer on February 26, 2015, 04:29:43 PM
^
You could try Notepad first.
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Pianist Da Sootopolis on February 26, 2015, 05:40:01 PM
I've tried (and failed) with notepad. It doesn't let my change time sig's, anything like that...
Would it be an option to send musescore PDF's to people and have them convert it onto finale?
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Maelstrom on February 26, 2015, 06:01:26 PM
No. You would need musicXML files. And that will still require some editing. If you can, get finale. At least printmusic.
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: JDMEK5 on February 26, 2015, 06:12:50 PM
Printmusic is an option. As said, try the 30-day trial but make sure you can get around good by the first day. I was about 14 when I got Finale and I haven't regretted it since. If you're a piano student then you can just count the price as $350 cuz that's all you'll need to pay. They don't really investigate anyways so you could prob slip by even if you weren't.
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Korados on February 27, 2015, 05:31:28 PM
*cough*...just download it on an underground website...*cough*

I apologise! ;D Finale is a horribly expensive program. But it's very nice to have all features! NotePad is very limited, I never
was very happy with it, and I guess that you wouldn't be, too. I have the full 2014 version.
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Sebastian on February 27, 2015, 06:32:41 PM
Well well well Korados!  Long time no see!
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Boost the Cat on April 19, 2015, 06:28:24 PM
Two questions:

Would I be better off waiting for a 2015 version of Finale/Does it update for free?

Can you download Finale on multiple computers (without paying for it again?)
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Boost the Cat on April 19, 2015, 06:33:55 PM
Ok, third question.

These other Finale Products (Songwriter, PrintMusic); Are they included in Finale 2014?
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Maelstrom on April 19, 2015, 06:36:46 PM
Finale 2015 does not/will not exist. It is a bi-annual publishing.
You get a single license for use on a single computer.
You need to pay $150.00+ (I think) to update. Definitely not free.
All the other finale products are basically scaled down versions of finale (think Notepad, but not nearly as bad)
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Sebastian on April 19, 2015, 06:39:05 PM
Quote from: Boost the Cat on April 19, 2015, 06:28:24 PMTwo questions:

Would I be better off waiting for a 2015 version of Finale/Does it update for free?

Can you download Finale on multiple computers (without paying for it again?)
1. Honestly, I don't know.....

2. Yes, I think you can download on to multiple computers. I have it on 2 computers and my dad has it on his arranging computer. My brother.....has it on his and uses it all the time :p
Btw, he (my brother)is a music theory nerd and loves arranging.
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Maelstrom on April 19, 2015, 06:42:06 PM
Quote from: mariolegofan on April 19, 2015, 06:39:05 PM2. Yes, I think you can download on to multiple computers. I have it on 2 computers and my dad has it on his arranging computer. My brother.....has it on his and uses it all the time :p
Wait, what? I can only have 2011 installed on one computer at a time. You can only activate the initialization and prevent it from locking up after 30 days if you deactivate the previous install first. Trust me, I know from buying Finale from a neighbor.
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Bespinben on April 19, 2015, 06:42:23 PM
Quote from: mariolegofan on April 19, 2015, 06:39:05 PMBtw, he (my brother)is a music theory nerd and loves arranging.
:O :O :O bring him here you must!

(His blood TALENT is greatly desired)
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Boost the Cat on April 19, 2015, 06:49:21 PM
Ok, so I CAN get it on multiple computers, and it will cost $150 to upgrade next year. Correct? (Trying to get this straight.)
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: mikey on April 19, 2015, 06:54:07 PM
bespinben loves fresh blood
-AweYea 2014
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Maelstrom on April 19, 2015, 06:59:10 PM
Quote from: Boost the Cat on April 19, 2015, 06:49:21 PMOk, so I CAN get it on multiple computers, and it will cost $150 to upgrade next year. Correct? (Trying to get this straight.)
1. Cannot confirm or deny.
2. Yes. However, you never really need a newer version. I'm just fine with 2011. It's got everything I need and it works flawlessly.
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Boost the Cat on April 19, 2015, 07:11:44 PM
Ok, thanks guys. I think I'm about ready to try to convince my mom to fork out 350 bucks for this (she's a music lover, so hopefully it will be pretty easy.  ;D )
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Boost the Cat on April 19, 2015, 07:15:12 PM
She says "saving up for, or Christmas."

 :-\
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: AwesomeYears on April 19, 2015, 07:19:49 PM
Meh, at least you've got Notepad/MuseScore
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Sebastian on April 19, 2015, 07:25:58 PM
Quote from: Bespinben on April 19, 2015, 06:42:23 PM:O :O :O bring him here you must!

(His blood TALENT is greatly desired)

I'd love to but theres as few reasons why he hasn't.
1. He uses the same IP address as me and everyone would think its me using another account.
2. I told him about this site and he says, " I don't wanna take all your glory." Since we play the same games he would be doing the same material as I would.
3. Hate to say it.....but he's kind of a big mouth :p
He is like my polar opposite and very outgoing. He's also very wise. He reminds me of Fierce.....having much wisdom.
I always love having him help me with music theory but he is often busy.
I'll see if I can get him to join. He made an account a while back.....but never used it.
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: JesterMusician on April 19, 2015, 07:52:34 PM
I tried out Finale, and quite frankly I hate it for writing sheet music, and very much prefer the free program MuseScore. Here's a list of some of the issues I've had with it:
The program is decades old and while everyone praises its playback, the user experience is pretty terrible. I'd much rather do my arrangements in MuseScore and deal with Finale only if I want to submit something.
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Maelstrom on April 19, 2015, 08:02:55 PM
At least Finale's rests don't look diseased.
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: JesterMusician on April 19, 2015, 08:12:47 PM
Well I've just been using the Bravura font for all my music. There are two other fonts should they suit your fancy:

Bravura (the one I use)
(https://www.ninsheetmusic.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F1jxcOtD.png&hash=e2f14a8317e6d26858e570994613c02419a58d72)
[close]
Emmentaler (default):
(https://www.ninsheetmusic.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FKvGA4p0.png&hash=ed0be5f7ae2b2d3e416918ce077f5a08cf7ff767)
[close]
Gonville:
(https://www.ninsheetmusic.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FuU4DZ7q.png&hash=55dabb1c739491a9bd41e3f8ab0794e3d9fbfe8d)
[close]
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Boost the Cat on April 20, 2015, 06:36:10 AM
Well, she now says that if I manage to have something to show for it (an arrangement or two,) we can split the cost. So, any tips for surviving Notepad for the moment?
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Maelstrom on April 20, 2015, 06:52:29 AM
Use the NSM template. It breaks the program and lets you use the full set of articulations. If you need to do a song in something other than 4/4, just stick the articulation you want in a measure and paste it into the other song, unlocking it for further use.
Title: Re: Is finale worth it?
Post by: Boost the Cat on April 20, 2015, 08:29:39 AM
Alright, thanks!  ;D