Our expert take on the newest product releases, with in-depth coverage, pros and cons, pricing and availability information, and more.
Cantai, the vocal synthesis plugin from the Turing Opera Workshop, now works directly in Dorico. Here’s a review of how to get started with it, with an assessment of its strengths, limitations, and what’s coming next.
MuseScore Studio 4.6.4 brings support for Cantai, a new machine-learning-based vocal and lyric synthesizer, within a major music notation software application for the first time.
A review of Rock Paper Pencil, a screen protector and pencil tip combo for the iPad that improves writing ability and reduces glare, making the device feel more like interacting with paper.
Dorico 6 is out with engraving leading the way in this update. Cutaway scores and proofreading are two of the headline features, but there are robust advancements in chord symbols, text, playing techniques, user workflows, and much more.
Sibelius 2025.2 introduces a new “decondensing parts” option, where Sibelius will create two new Dynamic Parts from a single staff, rename them for you, and show only the music relevant to each player, using a new “staff filter” feature.
A review of six music scanning products that run the gamut from machine-learning web tools, to mobile apps, to desktop software: Newzik, Soundslice, PlayScore 2, Sheet Music Scanner, SmartScore 64 Pro 64 NE, and ScanScore Professional.
Using PDF Expert and its new Copilot AI assistant to wade through thousands of pages of the Dorico and Sibelius references, with promising results.
Cubase 14 offers a Dorico-based score editor that can be capable of producing a score that looks like it belongs on a music stand.
MuseScore Studio 4.4 introduces integrated support for a new percussion playback library, Muse Drumline, tailored for marching band composition and arranging. Engraving improvements abound in the areas of hairpins, dynamics, accidentals, beams, text, and more.
The MuseScore Studio 4.3 release is centered around enhancing playback and setting the table for future updates. There are additional improvements in the areas of clefs, key signatures, guitar tablature, MusicXML, sharing to MuseScore.com, and more.
PDF Expert is a Mac and iOS app with robust PDF editing, annotating, and enhancing features, without the visual clutter and higher costs of other products.