My main suggestions

[Zach]

I have four main suggestions for future versions. My first suggestion is to have the ability to import .xml files. My second suggestion is to include support for vst. My third suggestion is to have the ability to enter fretboards when adding chord names in the score. And my last suggestion is to have the ability to export mp3 files. Once again these are not complaints. I think this software is great as it is. These are just suggestions on how to improve the software and make it even better. If any of these are possible and I did not pick up on it, please let me know. Thanks for taking the time to read this:)

[Sherry C]

Hi Zach,

Thanks for your suggestions for improving Notation Composer. We really appreciate it when our musicians let us know what features are important to them. We really do listen :) You'll be happy to know that each of your four suggestions are already on our "to do" list for a future major new version.

There are a couple of ways to "work around" two of them currently, and for free. For VST instruments, you can use VST Host (http://www.hermannseib.com/english/vsthost.htm) and "virtual" MIDI cables such as LoopBe1 (http://nerds.de/en/download.html). For details on how to set this up, you can see this post (http://www.notation.com/vb-forum/showpost.php?p=14223&postcount=2).

To get an mp3 of a file, you can use a soundfont (see our information page (http://www.notation.com/Articles-Soundfonts.htm)) and a program called SynthFont (http://www.synthfont.com). Create your file in Composer and use File/Export to save a .mid version. Then using SynthFont, you can render this .mid file into an mp3 or wav (or other audio) format.

If you want any further explanation of either of these, just ask, or you can search around the forum for more info as well.

ttfn,
Sherry

[Zach]

Ok thanks, wow you responded within minutes. That's great. Thanks for your suggestions I will look into them.

[Sherry C]

Hi Zach,

Ok thanks, wow you responded within minutes. That's great. Thanks for your suggestions I will look into them.

We aim to please ;)

ttfn,
Sherry

[djimtio]

Hi Zach and Sherry

Just my eurocent in the basket.
You may want to try the Midi-input feature of Synthfont first ,with a virtual cable,for listening and making changes in Composer and Synthfont ,before exporting to midi and recording in Synthfont.
The midi-input feature does not support direct recording,yet.
Hope this will help you saving precious time.

Regards

Djim

[Sherry C]

Howdy guys,

Yes, what Djim is suggesting is using SynthFont's "Activate MIDI Input" feature.
This allows you to work in Composer for your editing, and hear the sounds of the soundfont that you want to use through SynthFont. In other words, SynthFont is then acting as a MIDI device for Composer to use for playback of files.
I forgot to mention that bit - thanks Djim :)

ttfn,
Sherry

[djimtio]

YHi Sherry

You are most welcome.
Also forgot to mention VST-Synthfont,a stripped off version of its big brother.
Does the same with Composer but less jingles and bells.

Regards

Djim

[Zach]

Thanks so much guys, you helped out a lot!:)

[Zach]

Is there any other program with this midi input feture? I am asking this because every time I try to use that feture Soundfont stops working.

[Sherry C]

Hi Zach,

One thing you might try is using an older version of SynthFont. Kenneth (the developer) is a great guy, and tries to keep putting updates out there. But sometimes the latest version will have a serious bug, and so he usually keeps an older stable version (http://www.synthfont.com/SynthFontSetup1345.exe) available for such cases.

If the older version of SynthFont doesn't work for you, you can try the VST Host method as outlined here (http://www.notation.com/vb-forum/showpost.php?p=14223&postcount=2). The installation is listed there.

If you only need one "set" of virtual MIDI cables, then probably the easiest (and most reliable) is LoopBe1 (http://nerds.de/en/download.html) With any of the "cables", you'll need to be sure that you don't have both the "in" and the "out" enabled at the same time in Composer. In Composer, you'll only want the "out" side enabled.

SynthFont has a VSTi that is available (VST Synthfont (http://www.synthfont.com/VSTSynthFontSetup.php))
You'll need to run VST Host, and load the SynthFont VST. Then run Composer, and select the virtual MIDI cable that you're using as the device, and you should hear sound when you play your files.

Have fun, and if you have any questions, just ask :)

ttfn,
Sherry

[djimtio]

Hi Zach and Sherry

Last,but not least, the youngest sibling called SyfonOne which is doing fine with Composer,but again no direct recording facility.
You might want to visit the Forum to have a look around yourself and meet some die-hards on Synthfont matters.
Sherry,sorry for bashing in into your thread again,an old mans bad habit I suppose..........

Regards

Djim.

[Sherry C]

Howdy Djim,

It's not bashing at all - it's "helping out to make things more complete." That's what friends are for ;)

I haven't tried out SyfonOne, so thanks for mentioning that!

Thanks!
Sherry

[djimtio]

Hi Sherry

Sometimes it may sound like helping out to make things more COMPLEX........
I must admit that I am very fond of the Synthfont family .I have been engaged in the pre- and beta-testings for almost all versions ,predominantly in combination with Composer.
Kenneth is indeed a great guy.I might introduce him to the Lady of Beanfield Castle on FB......?

Regards

Djim

[Zach]

I got Synthfont to work. However, every time I try to play a song in Composer, a pop up of LoopBe1 says "Do not connect and input and output on LoopBe1 within a single application" even after I set the input off for Composer and output off for Synthfont.

[djimtio]

Hi Zach

Sorry ,but I can not reproduce your problem on my system now ,because I dont use LoopB anymore because of the same recurring problems as mentioned by you.And there is always a nagging small icon below on the right in your taskbar warning you about a short circuit and muting the sound.
There is an excellent thread on the use of virtual cables on this site by Dave Jacklin and others.
As for the moment I would personnaly suggest trying out Maple
virtual cable as first choice alternative.
Keep up trying and asking ,there are lots of experts on this particular field in this Forum.
Hello Dave,are you listening in ?
Regards

Djim