MAKEMUSIC Finale 2007 (Mac/Win)

Mar 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Peter Hamlin

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Since EM's last review of Finale, the program has gained several valuable features. It has long been available for the Windows and Macintosh platforms, and Finale 2007 offers versions that run natively on both Intel- and PowerPC-based Macs.

An important addition to Finale 2006 was the inclusion of Garritan Personal Orchestra, which greatly improved the playback quality of scores (see Web Clips 2 and 3). GPO sounds more realistic in Finale 2007 because Finale's Human Playback features have been expanded to better reflect tempo changes, dynamics, and articulations indicated in the score. Human Playback also supports a wide range of performance techniques, and many of them (such as bends, glissandos, and harmonics) are idiomatic to each instrument. Although the default settings work well, Finale has detailed options for customizing Human Playback if desired.

Another feature added in Finale 2006 was Studio view, offering a mixer and other functions that resemble a sequencer's controls. Also, a TempoTap feature lets you adjust the tempo for lifelike performances (see Fig. 3).

Finale 2007's most significant new feature is Linked Parts. Thanks to Linked Parts, you don't need to create separate files for each orchestra part; the parts are created automatically and integrated into the same file with the score. Make a change in the score, and that change is automatically reflected in the appropriate part. Make a correction in a part, and you automatically correct the score at the same time. If you want to make a change in a part that won't be reflected in the score, you can do that too. A color code helps you keep track of which items in the part are linked to the full score. Finale's implementation of Linked Parts makes creating, editing, and managing parts effortless and trouble-free.

Finale 2007 also introduces integrated onscreen video. Before this version, you could work with video clips only by syncing to an external editor. Now an integrated video window makes the process much more convenient. Finale supports a wide range of video formats and allows you to change the SMPTE frame rate. You can automatically synchronize a movie with your score, and you have the option of starting the video after the music has begun or vice versa. Finale's system of Bookmarks allows you to create cue points, and a MIDI tool called Fit To Time lets you select a region of the score and specify either its length or end time. Fit To Time then changes the tempo to arrive at those times, ensuring that the music matches the desired locations in the video.

Finale 2007's Latin Percussion plug-in allows you to instantly create Latin-flavored rhythmic passages. Simply select a region of your score, bring up the plug-in, and select from a list of Latin styles including several varieties of Afro-Cuban, bolero, cha-cha-cha, mambo, and salsa. A percussion section with authentic rhythms, performance practices, and notation conventions is instantly created in the selected region (see Web Clips 4 and 5).

Although the version of GPO that comes with Finale is extensive, you can purchase expansions of the library. You can buy the full Garritan Personal Orchestra for $189 and Garritan Jazz and Big Band for $239. In addition, Garritan's General MIDI Collection ($139) and Marching Band ($199) should be available by the time you read this.

Is Anything Wrong?

Although Finale 2007 doesn't give me much to complain about, I still have a wish list. First, the index of the PDF manual could be easier to navigate; when searching for information, I often wish for a better way than scrolling through several screens of the 2-column index. On the other hand, clicking on an item in the index jumps to the appropriate page. Also, a few customization features are unnecessarily complicated to use. The tools for creating custom key and time signatures and playback controls called Executable Shapes are very powerful, but the process of creating them could be somewhat smoother and more streamlined.

Additionally, it would be wonderful if Finale could implement automatic rehearsal letters. Currently, rehearsal letters are created manually, which means that if you change the music in a way that puts the rehearsal letters out of order, you have to edit them all by hand. A system that would automatically keep rehearsal letters in sequence even when you moved them would be a welcome addition.

Standing Ovation

About 95 percent of the time that I work on a score, I pay no attention to Finale. The program has become as natural a part of the compositional process as my piano and pencil. The only time I think about Finale is when I don't know how to notate something and I have to think a bit or dig into the documentation to do what is needed. In such a situation, I especially appreciate Finale's many options for controlling almost every aspect of a score's appearance.

Finale is a mature, sophisticated, flexible, and powerful music-notation program. If you already use Finale, I strongly suggest that you purchase the 2007 upgrade. And if you're in the market for a notation program, give Finale a serious look.

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Peter Hamlin teaches electronic music, theory, and composition at Middlebury College in Vermont and plays in the live electronic-music improv band Data Stream.

GUIDE TO EM METERS
5 = Amazing; as good as it gets with current technology
4 = Clearly above average; very desirable
3 = Good; meets expectations
2 = Somewhat disappointing but usable
1 = Unacceptably flawed

Specifications tables for EM reviews can be found at www.emusician.com/specs.

PRODUCT SUMMARY
MAKEMUSIC Finale 2007
notation software
$600 (academic price, $350)

FEATURES	5
EASE OF USE	4
DOCUMENTATION	4
VALUE	4

RATING PRODUCTS FROM 1 TO 5

PROS: Extensive features. Valuable updates. Supports wide range of notation styles. Offers alternate techniques for using many functions. Good technical support.

CONS: Some rarely used customization features are difficult to use.

MANUFACTURER
MakeMusic, Inc.
www.finalemusic.com