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Robert Magnuson Posted
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Dear MakeMusic:

I'm compelled to post this 'vent' here, given the dearth of options to contact sales/administration (or the like) directly.

This is NOT an invitation for others to flame this post - something that to many is simply irresistible to avoid doing.  I could care less about your feedback.  Note I've addressed this to MakeMusic.  So we're clear, I don't care about your love for, wonderful experience of Finale.  I.  Don't.  Care.

I've paid-for and used Finale extensively since around 2007.  Probably 2005.  95% of my compositions were created in Finale.  I've used it both on Windows and Mac platforms.  I currently use 2014's latest version, but won't ever upgrade.  As my works have grown in size and complexity, the number of times I've had to contact support for problem resolution has also grown.   Tech support generally solves things, but the increasing number of problems and said problem's magnitude mean increasing amount of time 'blown' on resolution.  Newer versions of Finale for Mac that REQUIRE me to upgrade my OSX further exacerbate the whole using-Finale scenario.

Earlier 2017 I decided on a new paradigm for using Finale, and that is to score for public distribution only.  Score playback is - for me - FAR TOO FRAGILE and RANDOMLY FUNCTIONAL to rely on.  It's a roulette wheel of chance for me using score playback.  Too many times something that worked fine at noon has morphed into an inexplicable nightmare by 4pm.

Yes, I can & have created support tickets.  And eventually the glitch is solved.  Until some new glitch blooms.  There is no better way to KILL inspiration than to have your notation/playback software "go laa-laa".  Did I say it's a bother and huge time-waster to try to self-solve glitches?

About 16 months ago I began using Cockos' DAW 'Reaper'.  It is an utterly phenomenal software for MIDI & Audio production.  It's superbly priced, has a vibrant community, and has innumerable online tutorials through which education and PROBLEM-SOLVING are extensive.  Now - and for the foreseeable future - I'll score in Finale, export to Reaper, and then render to audio.  This saves me significant time, effort, and worry.  If Finale could do the same, I'd not be singing the praises of Reaper.

But Finale - for me - just don't cut it.  Yes, comparing Finale & Reaper is akin to comparing apples to broccoli.  But, to their credit, Cockos recently added NOTATION to Reaper.  At present it is simplistic and far from what Finale affords.  But Reaper's notation will likely improve.  And, at that point, Finale will probably be supplanted by Reaper.

It's my impression of Finale & MakeMusic that the journey is about making sure Finale is a "Swiss army-knife with 25 blades, 20 tools, 18 specialty-gizmos, a solar charger and a radio".  It's my impression that making Finale more reliable, durable (along with reducing glitches and random misbehaviors) takes a back-seat insofar as regarding software development.

I wish I only needed ONE software to score & render audio of my compositions.  For me, Finale is not that software.  I hope MakeMusic administration comes to know this.  Does MakeMusic want Finale owners to eagerly consider upgrading when promotional emails are sent... or does MakeMusic ignore that promotional & upgrade emails give rise to critical venting due to frustration with faltering product reliability?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MIKE ROSEN Posted
1

As you requested, I won’t say anything about how well Finale works for me. But I will ask you to consider...

 

I am primarily a mid-level copyist. I use the program for notation and rudimentary playback. I don’t use Garritan, only the basic MIDI sounds. I’ve learned to deal (sometimes unhappily) with the flaws and warts. 

 

Why would I ever want Finale to add more playback and DAW features, which would add to the cost and complexity, and probably work to the detriment of the basic features that I depend on? AFAIC, you can buy Reaper, Sibelius, Dorico, and anything else you like. You can continue to use Finale, or not. 

 

As you so emphatically stated:    I.   Don’t.   Care.

 

 

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MIKE HALLORAN Edited
2

Let’s see... you’re pissing and moaning because the latest build of a 4 year old version doesn’t do what you want? That is so silly. If you don’t want to upgrade, then, for crying out loud, don’t.

 

And you whine that the latest version requires an OS upgrade? Welcome to computing. No one holds a gun to your head. No reason not to have a dedicated computer for composition. Many of us do. At some point, it will no longer be compatible with anything else and there’s nothing wrong with that. 

 

So, Reaper cheapware finally adds notation ... how many years after Pro DAWs like Cubase, Pro Tools, Digital Performer and Logic? (Hint: it’s a lot). Hold the presses! Don’t worry. You’re going to find that building a DAW that even approaches the notation capabilities of any of the decent apps must be a real pain because no one has done it yet despite decades of trying in some cases. Every DAW platform that includes notation has an army of users crying for it to be better. 

 

Meanwhile, MM released an update for Finale 25 with improved Rewire support for syncing with a DAW. O well....

 

Dont worry, I have no intention of revisiting this thread and reading any responses.

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