You have a melody in your head, or a school assignment due, and pencil and manuscript paper keep getting in the way. Every correction means erasing, and you can't hear what you wrote until you play it yourself. MagicScore Note 7 is a basic music notation program that lets you write the score on screen and play it back as you go.
Quick facts
- Vendor: DGSoftware (Maestro Music Software)
- Price: $19.95
- Trial: a free trial version is available, about 5.78 MB
- Educational discount: available if you contact the vendor
- Engine: the new MagicScore Music Engine V
Key features
Hear your score on any instrument or the whole orchestra
You can play the notes you have entered on a single instrument or on the full orchestra. Volume, balance and effects can be set separately for each score instrument. Version 7 also supports sf2 sound fonts and adds a Jazz Swing playback option.
Enter notes with a virtual piano and catch input mistakes
You can add notes through the virtual piano. The program automatically checks that the information you enter is correct. If a measure has no time signature set, it calculates the measure length from the notes you add.
Edit quickly with copy, transpose, drag and drop, and undo
Editing covers copying, inserting, deleting and transposing, either single notes or selected blocks. Drag and drop works, and so do Undo and Redo. Version 7 adds transposing by key signature and lets you place a drum note from a drums map list.
Move music in and out with MIDI, Karaoke and MusicXML
You can read MIDI and Karaoke files and record in those formats. Version 7 adds MusicXML export and import and a new MIDI import algorithm. You can also embed OLE objects such as Word documents in a composition.
Print scores, blank staff paper and MIDI files with preview
You can preview a score before printing. The program prints blank staff sheets and can print the notes from MIDI files.
Control layout and notation details
The notes layout is customizable, and you can set the horizontal and vertical position of symbols relative to the notes. Voices can be placed into two staves. Slurs and ties are now separate tools. There is a new jazz notation font and style.
Who it's for
This is for students, teachers, music schools and music lovers who need a basic notation tool at a low price. The vendor calls it basic notation software. If you need more advanced functions, the vendor points to its Maestro and School editions.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Low price of $19.95, with a free trial to test first.
- Playback, with per-instrument mixing and sound font support.
- MIDI, Karaoke and MusicXML support.
- Interface and help available in several languages, including German, Spanish and Polish.
Cons
- It is the entry-level edition, so advanced notation work calls for the Maestro or School versions.
- The vendor offers educational discounts only through direct contact.
FAQs
Can I try it before buying?
Yes. The vendor offers a free trial version, so you can check that it suits your needs first.
Can I open MIDI files?
Yes. It reads MIDI and Karaoke files and records in those formats. You can also print notes from MIDI files.
Does it work with other notation programs?
Version 7 can export to and import from MusicXML.
Is there a discount for schools?
The vendor offers an educational discount. You ask for it by contacting them directly.
Which version should I choose if I need more features?
The vendor recommends its Maestro and School editions for more advanced notation functions.