|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3 |
Since I don't play piano all that well, I'm thinking of investing in some music scanning software to convert some sheet music to MIDI files. It looks like there are a few packages out there, including Neuratron PhotoScore (Mac and Win), Smartscore Pro (Mac and Win), and SharpEye (Win only, I think.) Anybody tried any of these packages? Are any better than the others? Worth the money?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,792
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,792 |
Have you tried googling the song to see if there is a midi file that already exist. they may not be the best, but from what i have heard scanning is difficult as well. Most of the time that type of twain based software makes a lot of mistakes.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163 |
I used to have Smartscore and it scanned the music with "ok" results. I had to edit each page in several places and it is tedious work. I used the software on out-of-print, or hard to find sheet music which I could not find a compatible midi file for.
It will save a scanned a piece and let you save as a midi file. If you know how to read music, you will have better results reading, setting up repeats etc . . . In the end, I was saving the lead or melody notes only and importing them into a Biab created backing midi file. Took alot of work.
I find it is much easier to use the Biab notation editor to enter a lead, riff or specific solo part I can't figure out how to record live. It also helps if there is a Biab style suited for the specific song I am trying to make.
I don't use any scanning software now. I found that I can enter the parts quicker using Biab's notation editor.
Trax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Never had any luck with that software. That said I gleaned over 20,000 'standard' songs in band in a box format. Then you can get files from Notes Norton, check out his stuff.
In order for the software to work you need a pristine copy, flat, no freckles and not to much extra notation. (Like the Mantooth standards with dual chords.)
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,826
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,826 |
Hi
I have used Smartscore from the start,if you have the right scanner,if the sheetmusic is new and well printed,if the music is quite straight forward it does a excellent job but if like me i wanted to make midi files out of older ragtime sheetmusic i have given up,i have not used up all the ragtime midi files you find on the internet
regards Dave
Last edited by jazzband; 08/12/10 12:20 AM.
I always play the right notes but not always in the right order
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
I guess I'm always looking for shortcuts. I've tried a couple of different music scanning programs. It took me so much time to edit the scans that I now just enter the stuff myself. I've used both Sibelius and BIAB notation. Right now each one takes me about the same amount of time. With Sibelius, I use copy and paste to save a lot of time. With BIAB, I use the qwerty keyboard and enter the notes in the correct rhythm and then move them to their correct places on the staff.
If you find scanning software that works well for you, good deal. One problem I've had is that some of the music does not fit on the scanning bed. Good luck!
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 196
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 196 |
Quote:
One problem I've had is that some of the music does not fit on the scanning bed.
Stan
No kidding -- I wonder if music publishers settled on that slightly-larger size for virtually all sheet music and books, in part to discourage copying. It's particularly a pain if you're trying to scan music (sheet music you purchased, of course!) into a program like SmartScore -- which I bought but don't use that often, since even with clean source material, manually fixing any notes, rests, etc. that confused SmartScore is still a time-consuming business. Worth it only if for some reason you really want to hear (or start with) the tune played exactly as written and don't have the skills yourself, or a pianist friend who could just play the sheet music for capture into a sequencer or music notation program. It seems strange that publishers don't make this easier: right now I can go to one of several sellers of sheet music online, hear the audio of the sheet music being played (through the Sibelius Scorch plug in), then pay my money and download the music to my printer. But I don't think there is anyway that I can simply download the tune -- the music Sibelius/Scorch just played for me -- as midi. Seems a shame.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
I have had fairly good luck in finding midi files on the web and then modifying them to suit my needs. I have downloaded the sheet music just as you have, but I don't like then taking the time to enter it my hand. Sometimes though, it's the only solution. We have bought many fake books since they give the best value. We have bought Norton's fake book disks when available. Sure has saved us a lot of time even though we may have to enter the melody manually.
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163 |
I have a few of Norton's Fake Disks for Biab and they work great. Most songs in his Fake Disks use his custom styles he sells, but you can replace them with a Biab style. There are no melodies in the songs on his Fake Disks for Biab.
You can do a web search for Norton's Music and it should immediately pop up. You can browse his collection along with his free Biab fake disk songs. He usually adds a couple of free songs on his fake book song list on the right hand side of the page.
Good luck,
Trax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
Not all the styles that Norton uses are his own, at least from my experience. Allanah has also been a nice source for some songs that are not in the fake books we have. We just got Norton's Ultimate Broadway Fake Book disk and the book also. It has over 820 songs. Of course we will never use them all, but it's a great resource for us.
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 29
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 29 |
I know this post is old, but wanted to see if anyone had updated suggestions. I've heard about Scanscore, and was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on it (or any other software?)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,572
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,572 |
Just a suggestion: Once you get a hit on one of your posts, be sure to make a note in the others where you posted the same question that the thread is continuing in only one place. Otherwise, it will get confusing fast. Thanks.
I don't have much more information than I did several years ago, sorry. I have mentioned in the recent past a program called PDF to Music Pro, but it's quite expensive and only works on printed published scores (if that).
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,211
Posts801,972
Members40,070
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean