StarDestroyer.Net BBS

I just got Finale '06 for Christmas (damned nice gift, as I've wanted it for awhile) and I was wondering if anyone else used it. If you do, I'd love to hear some of the stuff you've put together in it. I'm already working on arranging a few Christmas carols . Also, if you have any advice for an arranging and Finale n00b, please share.

I got a free 2001 version as a freebie from a cd in a trombone method book...
does that count?

I used to use my mother's Finale program; she had Finale '04. I haven't used it in a while, though; she doesn't like me on her computer ...

In any case, I posted a thread several months ago with stuff I'd written on Finale, and uploaded to my geoshitties site. I'll see if I can find it ...

My band teacher has '04. Needless to say, he's just a tiny bit jealous

I have one of the older versions I use from time to time when I have some idea for a song in my head I wanted to write down before I forgot it. Nothing more frustrating than coming up with an idea for a song you think will be great, and then forgetting it later that night.

I don't think I... No wait! I do have Finale! It's version... 3.7

But I don't use that. I use Cakewalk 5 for all my composing needs. I really need to upgrade...

Dooey Jo wrote:I don't think I... No wait! I do have Finale! It's version... 3.7

But I don't use that. I use Cakewalk 5 for all my composing needs. I really need to upgrade...

I can't say I've ever heard of Cakewalk. What's that like? Is it Finale-like, or more like Garageband?

Fleet Admiral JD wrote:I can't say I've ever heard of Cakewalk. What's that like? Is it Finale-like, or more like Garageband?

Garageband?
Well, my version is fairly similar to Finale 3.7, can't say anything about newer versions of Finale because I haven't used them... Finale (my version at least) seems to be more focussed on writing music for actual people to play, whereas Cakewalk is more of a digital music creation thingy; you can do pitch-changing all that stuff MIDI supports that's very hard to write with notes. Of course, Finale might be able to that too, I don't know. I haven't used it very much, hell I don't even know how to change the instruments

I have used Finale once and never again. It is a rather annoying, non-intuitive, slow program with a learning curve like a motherfucker. I'll take Sibelius any day of the week.

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi wrote:I have one of the older versions I use from time to time when I have some idea for a song in my head I wanted to write down before I forgot it. Nothing more frustrating than coming up with an idea for a song you think will be great, and then forgetting it later that night.

If you don't already have a midi controller to do step-time input, you're better off grabbing some manuscript paper and doing it by hand.

Dooey Jo wrote: I can't say I've ever heard of Cakewalk. What's that like? Is it Finale-like, or more like Garageband?

Originally, it only did midi sequencing, but now they offer programs like Sonar (a wicked nice one, in my opinion) that do recording as well.

Damnit, sucka, I have '04!

Surlethe wrote:In any case, I posted a thread several months ago with stuff I'd written on Finale, and uploaded to my geoshitties site. I'll see if I can find it ...

'Tis here.

Speaking of which, are there any good free composition programs avaliable? I'd like one mostly to just dick around with and maybe map out some simple tunes for my pipes.

Rise from the dead, O thread...

Captain tycho wrote:Speaking of which, are there any good free composition programs avaliable? I'd like one mostly to just dick around with and maybe map out some simple tunes for my pipes.

Well, there's Finale notepad, which is free from Makemusic, and is a very, very basic version of Finale. You can only do 8 staves, and the instrumental selection isn't great, but it gets the job done. http://www.finalemusic.com/notepad/

Now then, for my own contribution, I'm working on a variation of the Deep Space Nine theme song, which is bigger and bolder. I'm fairly happy with how it's turned out so far. Hear it at my site: http://www.jdroger.com/DS9%20Variation.mp3

PLEASE NOTE: Work in progress much. I have much to do to this, It's not even close to done, and the harmony parts after the opening have yet to be written, as do many percussion parts.

EDIT: More to come

Since a thread's already open, I'll throw it out in here. Any good webhosting services? I was thinking of putting some techno songs I've made up for grabs. That and my media player, Creative MediaSource Organizer allows me to record what the speakers are putting out so I can grab lines from DVD's or stuff that's not normally recordable off the internet.

Working off of PFC Brungardt's post, I'll open this up to anyone who wants to post their own works. Please keep it serious, guys, no joke songs, and please only songs that belong to you.

Slight Necro again and dubble post. Sorry mods.

Anyway, I've updated the tune that I posted, and since it's really taken more of a life of its own, I've renamed it "Victory Fanfare." If anyone has a better suggestion, you're welcome to post it, and I'll take it under consideration. <<Prepares trashbin>>

Anyway, find the update here: http://www.jdroger.com/DS9%20Variation.mp3

Enjoy!