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After over 25 years using Encore as my primary music notation software, I am ready to move on from a dead and buggy program, despite the great user interface. A friend told me about Overture by Sonic Scores. Has anyone here used it and can offer an opinion? The demo looks very promising. Thanks.


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Matt,

I know that you are aware of MuseScore but do you have hands-on experience with it? I really like it. I used Encore for many years but since I started using MuseScore, I haven't opened Encore; it just sits on my system.

While MuseScore is very different to use than Encore and, because of this, there's a bit of a learning curve, it's equally powerful (in my opinion at least).

Regards,
Noel


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Matt -

According to this page, you should qualify for a $79 crossgrade from Encore to Notion 6 (regualarly $149), if you are interested.

I don't know what your requirements are. I'm a big fan of Noteworthy Composer at $49, but it does have some limitations. But it also does some things others don't do and it does them pretty quickly. Noteworthy is very keyboard intensive (versus mouse, although you can certainly use the mouse, but as a touch typist, I find keeping my fingers on the keyboard speeds my workflow).

I like both Notion and Noteworthy. I also have Finale (the latest version) and an older version of Avid Sibelius (but didn't upgrade, because I didn't want to get into their subscription model). However, I found that I picked up Notion much quicker than either of those (and Notion does things differently, but once you see how it works, it's pretty intuitive). I find Finale and Sibelius more like using a 15 pound sledge hammer to hit a nail to hang a picture on the wall.

I also have Musescore, but haven't used it alot (although I like that it incorporates some BIAB support), and Notation Composer, and Forte.

But I keep coming back to Notion and Noteworthy Composer for my needs.

But that's just it, what are your needs?


John

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Thanks Noel and John.

I have Encore scores by the hundreds and my main interest is to transfer those and continue work on them, in a stable 64-bit music notation program with a user interface that I like. A tall order, I know, because I'm very picky about the user interface. The most critical function is that the chord info must transfer.

I have tried just about everything. Musescore has worked well with BIAB songs. I did purchase Overture, a different program from Notion, at the crossgrade price of $129. I'm experimenting now.


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I don't think Noteworthy will handle the chord info.

Does Encore export to XML? If so, if you send me a file, I'd be happy to import it into any of the programs I have and send back the results to you.


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John, thanks. Yes, it does, but I'm not convinced it is properly formatted. Musescore says it has errors, and most programs just abort with no message (like Forte).

Encore was recently described by another user (far more experienced than I am, if there is such a thing) as "dead program walking". We cannot expect Encore to correct anything at this point.

I'll send you a file by email for testing. Much appreciated!

EDIT: sent. I'll be out of touch till tonight but no rush!!!

Last edited by Matt Finley; 11/03/17 05:20 AM.

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Got it; I'll take a look at it this weekend and see what happens.


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Bad news: I just read through the Music XML code generated by Encore. It is not sending the chords.


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Check your email, Matt, and yes, I came to the same conclusion that it appears Encore is not exporting the chord information into the XML file. Anyway, the files I sent should give you an idea of the result from several different programs.


John

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Got it, John, and thanks so much for your effort.

I have further learned that no development effort has been expended on fixing this from the Encore side.


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Matt -

Have you had a chance to play with Overture yet? It's one I had not previously considered, but I went to the web site and it looks pretty cool. And I see that you can cross-grade from Encore, Finale, Notion, and Sibelius for $129 (which seems pretty reasonable).


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A little bit, John. I did use the crossgrade. So far, it shows more promise for my needs than any other.


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After another bug-filled session with Encore writing music for an upcoming concert, I’m re-examining music notation software again. Overture by SonicScores again seems the most promising for my needs.

Is anyone else here using it?

I’ve decided it will be worth it for me to dedicate a few weeks starting in January to just learning a new notation software.


BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
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