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Review Summary
2024-12-18T06:23:16
I'm a big fan of Sibelius and having been making heavy use of it for two decades (starting with v. 3). It does almost anything I need it to (there are still a few awkwardnesses and limitations but they rarely show up.) What I don't like is Avid's customer support. They put lots of digital hurdles between you and the tech support folks, and it is barely worthwhile trying to overcome them to talk to a live person. Adorama was fine about helping me obtain this software--the person whom I dealt with (a live person on the phone!) was helpful and well-prepared; there was a hitch when she was (unavoidably) unavailable and then it was difficult to find out why there was a delay, but it worked out well in the end.
LARRY W.
When it comes to advanced music notation and arrangement software, Sibelius | Ultimate stands out as a professional's choice. This software offers a plethora of features designed to streamline your music creation process. It intelligently transforms MIDI compositions from Pro Tools or other DAWs into fully orchestrated scores with a single click. The Intelligent MIDI Import feature ensures proper notation, instrumentation, techniques, and articulations are automatically assigned, preserving the composer's original intent.
Sibelius | Ultimate also allows you to add comments directly to a score in Review mode, making it easy to communicate rehearsal notes, feedback, or directions to an editor, engraver, or student. You can highlight sections and annotate parts directly with a stylish or Surface Pro pen, enhancing your collaborative efforts.
The software's loop playback feature is perfect for composers who like to experiment with different melody lines, riffs, and chords over a section of music. You can select any part of your score for loop playback and even slow down the tempo for easier rehearsal and lesson practice, making it an ideal tool for both students and teachers.
Sibelius | Ultimate also includes a scrub playback feature, which allows you to use simple keyboard shortcuts to scrub the playback line across your score, hearing the notes and chords beneath it. This feature is excellent for spot-checking parts, fixing mistakes, and teaching chord progressions and harmonic analysis.
The software also supports a variety of plugins that can add functionality or perform complex tasks for you. With new search capabilities built into the Install Plug-ins dialog, finding the plugins you need has never been easier.
Sibelius | Ultimate also supports playback for multiple instruments playing the same notes and melody lines in your score, such as an ensemble of violin or trumpet players. This feature allows you to hear all the richness and distinct nuances of having multiples of the same instrument part play together in unison.
With the new Review mode, you can ensure that your scores are safe from accidental edits or movements. The software also includes new Go to Bar and Go to Page commands, allowing you to jump to your specified section and immediately start playback without requiring an extra step.
Sibelius | Ultimate is designed with a complete upgrade of its underlying infrastructure, aligning with native Mac and Windows OS experiences, offering faster performance, and supporting high-res displays and screen readers. This makes it an ideal solution for modern workflows and future technology advancements.
The software also includes intelligent note respacing, multiple text changes simultaneously, and faster engraving scores. It's perfect for copyists, engravers, and educators who need to create worksheets quickly.
Sibelius | Ultimate also offers a substantial discount for students, teachers, and educators, making it an affordable solution for learning and teaching music notation, composition, and music theory. With flexible licensing for institutions and built-in classroom management features, Sibelius | Ultimate is the superior choice for your classroom or lab.