Graphical MIDI Tools (GMT), the ingenious plug-in for Sibelius by Santiago Barx that allows the user to manipulate MIDI information in the score in a graphical manner, has received significant updates both to its method of availability and its technical implementation.
For the first time, GMT is being made available in a free tier, with basic features that may be used for an infinite time. The free tier, called GMT Lite, is equipped with essential features that enable users to create more realistic mockups of their scores. No license key is required to download and use GMT Lite.
Should the user require more advanced features, the impressive paid edition — GMT Full — continues to be offered for sale as a perpetual license. The user may upgrade at any time.
In addition, GMT (both Full and Lite) has been updated to take advantage of Sibelius Connect, which simplifies the installation process, especially on Mac. There is also a new maximize button, enabling the user to quickly enlarge GMT to full screen.
GMT Lite vs. Full
When running GMT Lite, you’ll notice a button with “Lite Edition” in the corner, with a prompt to upgrade to the Full edition.
GMT features two of the most common automation tabs: automating volume (CC#7) and panning (CC#64).
Of course, GMT Lite includes the central features of GMT: the abilities to edit note velocities in a graphical way, and the piano roll view to change the sound of the note’s starting position and length, without affecting its notated appearance in the score.
The GMT Full edition includes:
A maximum of 12 automation tabs, configurable to any MIDI CC; pitch bend automation; a graphical tempo module; an advanced transport bar with grid control (see below); a phantom notes module; and a graphical hit point editing feature.
| Feature | Lite Edition | Full Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Automation Tabs | 2 | 12 |
| CC controllers | #7 (volume) and #64 (panning) | All CCs |
| Pitch bend automation | ❌ | ✅ |
| Tempo module | ❌ | ✅ |
| Transport bar | Basic | Full |
| Phantom notes | ❌ | ✅ |
| Hit points | ❌ | ✅ |
Running GMT Lite
The 15-day GMT Full trial is still offered, with access to all of its features. Now, the Lite option has been added as well. All three options are offered in a new “activation center”:
If you choose Continue to Lite, the GMT Lite welcome window will appear:
Sibelius Connect
GMT now uses Sibelius Connect, available since Sibelius Ultimate 2024.3, which should simplify the connection experience. Users running a version of Sibelius earlier than 2024.3 can still connect via the legacy “shortcut key” method.
To enable communication between GMT and Sibelius, you must activate the Sibelius Connect feature. This can be accomplished by navigating to Preferences > Input Devices.
- Check the box labeled Allow Sibelius to be remotely controlled by other applications
- Make sure to keep the default network port number: 1898
This is the same feature that the most recent version of Notation Express uses to connect to Sibelius, so if you’re a Notation Express user, you may already have this option enabled in Sibelius.
When you launch GMT and perform your first edit, Sibelius will prompt you for the corresponding permission.
Although setting a shortcut key is no longer a requirement, it is still recommended to make use of it to access the GMT window more quickly.
Other improvements
A new Maximize button has been added to GMT’s top bar, enabling the user to quickly enlarge GMT to full screen.
How GMT works
For a full review of how to install and use GMT 2, along with a more detailed description of its features, please see this post.
Please also read the news about the GMT 2.1 update, the GMT 2024.2 update, and the GMT 2024.5 update, for information about more GMT features.
Price increase of Full edition to $79.99 as of January 1, 2025
As new features have been added to GMT, the price has remained at $59.99 for a long time. As of January 1, 2025, the price of the Full edition will increase to $79.99. This means that anyone purchasing the Full version before then will lock in an excellent value of 25% off for this remarkable tool. The perpetual license never expires and comes with free updates and support for one year.
Graphical MIDI Tools is $59.99 ($79.99 starting on January 1) and available at our Notation Central marketplace. The Lite edition is also available there as well. You can also get GMT directly from the Graphical MIDI Tools web site. Full documentation, installation guide, and corresponding videos are included.
If you already own a current license for GMT, simply download the latest installation package from the Graphical MIDI Tools download page, and run the installer to update.
For users who purchased GMT within the last year, your period of free updates and support is still active. You simply need to download the installer from the Graphical MIDI Tools download page.
If you originally acquired GMT from Notation Central, you can now download the installer and full documentation directly from your account page at Notation Central. Further, if you originally acquired the free trial version of GMT from Notation Central, you can now access the unlimited Free version from your account page at Notation Central.
If you acquired GMT previously, you can renew your license for $13.99 and receive a full year of additional free updates and support by visiting the Graphical MIDI Tools renewal page.
Renewal can also be done by following the steps requested in the latest GMT version. Just install it and follow the instructions provided from within GMT.
Renewals are handled directly by Graphical MIDI Tools and not through Notation Central.