Beta testing for version 2.6 - volunteers needed
 

Hi friends,

We are happy to announce some significant development efforts here at Notation Software, and we would appreciate your help :)

The next version release of Notation Musician and Notation Composer (2.6) will include some bug fixes and improvements.

New Chord Name tools: There will be some nice additions to the Chord Name tools, which some of you have suggested.

New "Rebar" Feature: Notation Composer will also have a new feature that allows you to adjust the barlines in files that were created without reference to a metronome. If you've ever opened a file and it sounded great, but the notation was messy, or the beat cursor moved differently than when you tapped the tempo for what you heard, then you've come across this type of file. With the new "Rebar" feature, you will be able to tap in the barlines by tapping along with the song, and also make any fine adjustments you may need. You can also "zoom" in to fine-tune any measures that may have tempo changes within the measure. This means that when recording into Composer, you will no longer have to be right on the tempo. You will be able to make your recording, and then make any barline adjustments that you need without re-recording the music.

Given the nature of this release, we are asking for some beta tester volunteers with the following qualifications:

1. Enthusiasm :)

2. Currently a Composer user (Musician users should know that the bug fixes will also apply to Musician, but we'll be doing all testing in Composer to keep things simpler and faster.)

3. Either has some metronomeless files to work with, or can record files to work with using a MIDI instrument.

4. Willing to participate in and contribute to discussions by reporting problems and suggesting improvements for this new feature.

5. Willing to test bug fixes and report any remaining problems.

We want to use a cross section of our musicians, and we want to be efficient in this testing phase so we can get this new version into the hands of all our musicians. Therefore, if there is a huge response there is the possibility that we won't need everyone who may want to volunteer for this round. We really appreciate all of you who want to contribute to making Notation Software products the best they can be for all our musicians. We plan to have other rounds of beta testing for future releases as well :) And as always, we listen to our customers in the forum, at the helpdesk, and via direct email.

If you are interested in being a beta tester for the upcoming version 2.6 release, please use the "Contact us" button at the bottom of any forum page and let us know (1) that you're interested and (2) your Forum username and (3) your email address. We will get back to you as soon as possible with more information. When we have enough beta testers for this round, I'll announce that here as well.

I'm also happy to announce that this new 2.6 release will be a free update for current version 2.0 - 2.5.2 users. Sort of a "Happy New Year" thing :)

Thanks!
Sherry

Re: Beta testing for version 2.6 - volunteers needed
 

Hi Sherry,

This is very good news. After a bit of a break, progress is now on the horizon again. The forecast improvements to Notation Composer will further enhance the capabilities of this most intuitive and capable music production software.

Can’t wait to hear more and see matters move along.

Best wishes,

Herbert

Re: Beta testing for version 2.6 - volunteers needed
 

Hi,
That sounds a great feature - I'd be very keen to have a program that could respond well to MIDI timing changes. It would be great if also you could save this version as a MIDI-file complete with some tempo changes. I'd be happy to do some beta-testing for you if it was helpful. My forum user-name is funkycornwall.
Thanks
Tony

Re: Beta testing for version 2.6 - volunteers needed
 

Please put me on your Beta list. I'll be more than happy to do what I can to expedite enhancements. Keep the good stuff coming. Ralph (rrayner and rrayner@att.net)

Re: Beta testing for version 2.6 - volunteers needed
 

Hello Sherry:
I would like to beta test the new release version. It has been quite a ride from my early versions 'till now, and would enjoy seeing what Mark is up to for the future versions.
Thanks,
Larry

Re: Beta testing for version 2.6 - volunteers needed
 

I can ofcourse help you out betatesting. Just drop me a email, and I'll do my best.

By the way; Is there an easy way to move the green playback arrow? It would be awsome if I could just pick it up with the mousepointer and drop it where I want the playback to start. Like now I use the "Go to" --> "Measure number" but using the menu for this is time consuming.

Re: Beta testing for version 2.6 - volunteers needed
 

Hi Kengun,

There are several ways of starting playback, to be found in the manual.

My favorite method is to highlight a note and then use Shift Spacebar.


Best wishes,

Herbert

Re: Beta testing for version 2.6 - volunteers needed
 

Herbert -- thank you for making this post. I hadn't stumbled on this method yet. It's much nicer than the other options. Ralph

Re: Beta testing for version 2.6 - volunteers needed
 

I might not be an "old user of Notation," But I am an " old musician using Notation." I work with my music on this computer using Windows Vista and would be happy to be a bata tester of version 2.6. My normal email is jerryfouts@hotmail.com. Jerry