What's New in Version 2.1

If you have been using Notation Composer version 2.0, then you can quickly scan through the list of features below to discover what is new in Composer version 2.1.

If you have been using Composer version 1.0 or 1.1, then you should first review the more significant changes between versions 1.0/1.1 and 2.0.  See What's New in Version 2.0.

Easy access to software updates for Notation Composer

It is no longer necessary for you to manually download and install patches for free updates to Composer.  Instead, you can now use the Help menu's Software Update command.  It pulls down the update from Notation Software's web site and automatically installs the update.

Improved Notation .not file compatibility between versions

Starting with Composer version 2.1, Notation .not files can be exchanged between different versions of Composer, as well as with other Notation family product members, such as Notation Musician.  This will work in both directions.
 
For example, consider a case where Composer is updated to version 2.2 and you update to it, but your music friend has not yet updated it. Your friend will still be able to open in his version 2.1 of Composer the Notation .not file that you have saved with version 2.2.

This improved Notation .not file version compatibility extends forward, starting with version 2.1.  However, versions of Notation products prior to version 2.1 will not be able to open Notation .not files saved by versions of Notation products 2.1 and after.  This is the last time there will be such a limitation, except possibly between major releases such as 3.0 and 4.0.  In such cases, Composer will include as File Save As Previous Version option, to support passing Notation .not file "down" to others using the earlier version of Composer.

Fixed number of bars per line

In some types of music, such as Broadway musicals and jazz, it is common practice that each line of the score has a fixed number of bars, typically four.  With a single command, you can specify or change the number of bars per line at any time, for the entire score (or part) or any range of measures in the score.

Automatically reassign staves to new default MIDI playback device when reopening Notation .not files

 
If you change the default MIDI playback device, this question is raised:  When you reopen Notation .not files, do you want to reassign the staves from the old default MIDI playback device to the new one? Composer will now ask you that question whenever you reopen a Notation .not file with staves assigned to the old MIDI device.  Typically, you will not want to be repeatedly ask that question.  If so, you can optionally provide an answer to that question which will be applied to all subsequently reopened Notation .not files.

Quick method to listen to just the instruments in a section of instruments or voices

If you have defined a part to include all of the instruments or voices of an ensemble, then with a single click you can solo all of those instruments and mute all of the accompaniment instruments or voices:

While holding down the SHIFT key, click the solo button for one staff.

-- OR --

Type "qsolo" for Quick Solo.

Automatic chord name transpositions for instruments with key transposition

The viewed or printed part for an instrument that has a key transposition, will now automatically transpose the chord names.