Why I'm Switching to Dorico

[@LeeBlaske]

Finale is now owned by a fitness software company. Sibelius is owned by Avid. I could be wrong, but I don't expect to see much development from either of them. Meanwhile, Dorico development is on fire. It's amazing how Dorico has blasted past the competition.

[@Eorzat]

"Finale is now owned by a fitness software company." That explains SO much. I had no idea what the deal was with Finale, but it was clear that there was hardly any resources being devoted to modernizing and updating the program.

[@Ravn000]

Finale is owned by a fitness company? I can't find anything about this.

[@LeeBlaske]

@@Eorzat Just the fact that they were bought isn't the problem. What was needed was a large investment of money to bring Finale up to modern standards (probably, start from scratch). I had the very first version of Finale, when it ran using floppy disks. Obviously, a lot has changed since then. The reason Dorico is so fantastic is that they hired brilliant people, and gave them the funding they needed to do the job. Plus, Yamaha/Steinberg has a huge music business, so it made a lot of sense for them to own the high ground when it comes to notation software.

[@RyanLeach]

Yea, with just a bit of practice I got as quick with Dorico as I was with Sibelius. Not going back!

[@rynesantos5944]

I was on Sibelius for 2 decades and made this switch just last week and have been loving these new quality of life updates. I switched mostly out of frustration at Avid for dragging their feet at optimizing natively for the new Mac M1s. It's been a year and a half still no Pro Tools or Sibelius updates. See you later Avid, it was good knowing you.

[@robinthomsoncomposer]

Made the switch a couple of years ago after using Sibelius for over 10 years. Dorico Pro just got even better with version 4 released this week

[@rmatosinhos]

I also came from Sibelius. Played around with Dorico for 6 months while kept doing all the projects in Sibelius. When I felt that was the time I made the switch. These were the times of Dorico 1.0, I saw it grow, became a Dorico certified trainer and now I help people around the world to make the switch, or work on specific subjects. Relating to the percussion mapping you refer. This wis completely different in Dorico, but it is really amazing, much easier than Sibelius. For each instrument you can establish different play techniques with different noteheads in the percussion kit editor.

[@CarlosLalonde]

Thanks for the advice!!

[@keithwalls6316]

I’ve used them all, and have used Dorico since it was first released. Dorico 4 is a very mature, full featured product.

[@CarlosLalonde]

I'm glad to be on team Dorico from now on!

[@jaredt1983]

Well, I guess now it is the time to switch again from Dorico to MuseScore 4 (with Muse Sounds lib)

[@tomdavis9696]

I have used Finale software since its beginning until about two months ago. Composing mostly independent film, church, concert band, and large choir and orchestra pieces Finale did pretty much everything I needed. Then a composer friend called and said those deadly words, "Have you heard of Dorico?" The rest was history. I am a long way from being fully comfortable with Dorico, but the small brilliant contents are amazing. I made the switch. There have always been some things (small details) that were simply not available in Finale and communication with the company never resulted in any changes or inclusions. Often commissioned to do large dedicatory works with critical deadlines, the work flow of Dorico is worth the change.

[@CarlosLalonde]

Haha the deadly words "have you heard of Dorico" also did me in. I agree, there are so many brilliant details and features that make the workflow so seamless that I can't imagine going to back to Sibelius.

[@Musicombo]

Make sure you're using the note input *caret* as much as possible!! That's *the* fastest way to type in and edit notes during Write Mode. Think of Dorico like a music typewriter!

[@JuanAMatos-zx4ub]

Also switched from Sib to Dorico the day Dorico came out a few years ago. The new upgrade is amazig, if you haven't checked it out yet. The only thing I'm missing is the ability to export PDF's per flow, instead of page ranges.

[@bonuebonue]

Now (Dorico 5) you can export per flow! :-)))))

[@tgrimes175]

Finale is awesome.

[@TimWhalenMusic]

I switched in 2017, and haven't looked back since. I'm so pleased with Dorico.

[@Pianodud]

Thanks for reviewing and introducing Dorico. I'm also a composer and by this video. I decided to buy Dorico 4. (P.S. it's so sadly that MTF- Fonts developer no more sell those of font-stuffs)

[@CarlosLalonde]

Yeah it’s so sad :/

[@franzcomposer]

I know your website and it is well done, essential, easy to consult. I will be updating mine shortly and having looked at your website has given me interesting suggestions

[@naedolor]

It was a cyber monday sale 50% off this year. I bought it instantly. It's really a no-brainer for 200 euros.

[@VeitLehmann]

I admit I'm mostly new to music notation, I have used Capella and Sibelius many years back (far before the ribbons age). But now that MuseScore 4 was just released, I had to give it a try, and I watched some videos about Sibelius, Dorico and alternatives to refresh my mind and to see how things are right now. I have to say I'm blown away by what the MuseScore team has accomplished! Seems like most of its drawbacks are gone. The auto spacing is amazing, the playback sounds mindblowing when using Muse Sounds, the UI is really slick, completely new design and UX, still familiar. The dialogs are so much more user friendly compared to the competition and the old version. Note input works similar to Sibelius. Slurs over multiple notes can be done by selecting them (shift + left/right arrow) and hitting S (you used your mouse for that in the other video). It's easy to operate via keyboard and you have a lot of freedom like tuning spacing manually with the mouse. Dorico is also very interesting because it approaches things in a completely different way. I can imagine that it offers you features that you'd miss elsewhere. However, MuseScore does all I need and the results are far, far more professional compared to version 3. You should give it another try!

[@CarlosLalonde]

I've been impressed so far with MuseScore 4 as well and hope to give it an honest review after I've become more acquainted with it!

[@VeitLehmann]

@@CarlosLalonde I'm looking forward to it! Merry Christmas!

[@DonaldMellor]

Using Dorico notation software has been an ongoing struggle, primarily due to the constant issues with sound functionality. I use Cresendo, much more friendly to use.

[@JohsRIngaas]

Feature 4, at 1:27 you say that moving notes horizontally «is a small little feature that has no easy equvalent in Sibelius». Well, in Sibelius you move selected notes horizontally by using cmd-alt and arrow key. In Dorico it's exactly the same.

[@arhoosier1058]

This was surprising seeing as you’ve been using Sibelius. I had recently saw Tantacrul’s video on dorico as well so this was interesting to watch.

[@digitig]

Some parts of the Tantacrul video were a combination of hilarious and frustrating to me as a Dorico (and former Sibelius and Finale user). All the people he got to try it out struggled to get started because they were trying to overcome a design flaw in those other programs (the need to specify at the start how many bars will be needed) and couldn't work out how to (because the design flaw isn't in Dorico, so the mechanism to add a fixed number of bars doesn't have to be so obvious).

[@vasicp]

@@digitig In other words, they had to un-learn bad habits they needed to acquire, in order to overcome problems with those other software tools. Someone without any experience with engraving software would intuitively figure it out immediately (while spending much time figuring it out in Sibelius / Finale).

[@DavidArdittiComposer]

The main strengths of Dorico are its superior handling of multi-part works (the ’flows’ system) and its logical way of producing different score and part layouts, which, if one spends the initial time on getting the setup right, saves all the endless fiddling you get with other programs at the final copy production stage: everything just turns out right in all the parts, because it was set up to do so. The main drawback I see with Dorico currently, for professional or semi-pro composers, is that not many publishers use it. I hope this changes soon.

[@CarlosLalonde]

Right, I agree with everything said. I hope too that it becomes more mainstream especially by music publishers.

[@skillacereviews5731]

Another 🔥 upload! Keep it up bro

[@JJTownley_Classical-Composer]

Carlos, have you had any problems with importing scores to Dorico Pro5? I have tried importing several of my Notion6 scores and Dorico completely mangles them beyond repair. See my video, "How Dorico Pro5 absolutely destroyed my Notion6 music score and audio".

[@Adam-Taylor-Composer]

I used Finale for about 20 years and I decided to give Dorico SE a try during COVID for a project. Within a week, I was hooked. I bought Dorico Pro 3, and have recently upgraded to 4. Now it actually HURTS to go back to Finale. It's so awful.

[@HymnworksInc]

Pro tip: re-purpose Q from chord mode to interval popover. Now I select a group of notes, Q, 3, Enter adds notes an interval of a 3rd above. Fast as it could be.

[@CarlosLalonde]

Thank you!!

[@raztube90]

Do one for dorico 4 now

[@franzcomposer]

thank you, Carlos. I have a question: is it possible to set the watermark in dorico pro 5? I can enter it but I cannot edit it

[@soulfulandnice]

I'd have to agree! Between Finale and Sibelius, Dorico is accelerating beyond what these brands have done. I'm glad the original developers from Sibelius kept it real, musical and technically practical once they left and started Dorico.

[@paulscimonelli1939]

Can you communicate with other platforms? My brother uses Finale and we are working on some big choir/orchestra scores. Can you send sound files or page files back and forth between the two? Thanks.

[@ClassicMusicianChannel]

Steinberg did indeed hire the folks laid off at Avid. In common parlance, it's called 'poaching.'

[@lyleastang]

how do we assign metronome click track to Yamaha midi 10 key number C2 volume 100 beat one and C2 beats 234...I did figure out how to assign metronome click to yamaha midi ch 10 ... now I need the exact keys notes to be triggered thanx Lyle Stang Buffalo NY

[@Heartandstring]

Hi I am a Classical Guitarist how can I write a polyphonic music for a single line not using piano staff . means sustaining bass line or melody using same single line . please explain or if you have a tutorial video can you send me the link .Thank you in advance. I am using Dorico 5

[@ViolinistJeff]

Question: Is the numeric keypad design of Sibelius to input notes copyrighted? Could Dorico legally imitate it?

[@tgrimes175]

Also Musescore is awesome and free.

[@vasicp]

MuseScore has a few quite significant shortcomings (for orchestrators who produce scores and parts). Creating cues in parts, in MuseScore, is a major, colossal hassle. Same for creating proper condensed scores for the conductor (two flutes on same staff, two oboes on same staff, etc.). You either create proper parts (one per each player), and have twice as many staves in the score, or consolidate pairs into a single staff, forcing musicians to determine which line they're playing (very unprofessional). Or you have to create additional staves, with consolidated pairs of winds, and then use those to build the score. And then, all changes must be made twice -- in the consolidated staves, as well as in individual ones (for each part). MuseScore is an amazing piece of software for its price. It does lack many features that professionals need on occasion.

[@tgrimes175]

@@vasicp I don't know what version you are using but I never had any problems that you are stating. Second off, NOTHING Finale does is worth 300 to 600 dollars more than Musescore..... absolutely nothing. I use both, and I know.

[@f1livenews2023]

because you work with Sibelius 7 version and on. Sibelius 6 is still awesome but it got no support on os X, but you can still use it in windows 11. I'm having issues with Noteperformer in Dorico last version, but no trouble with Sibelius 6, Amazing! 🤩

[@vasicp]

Sibelius 6 has too many shortcomings to count (compared to the current version), missing features, problematic formatting, it is simply far too old. As bad as ribbon is, the feature set alone (as well as bug fixes) make up against the positively archaic v. 6. It's 13 years old by now!

[@f1livenews2023]

@@vasicp Naa, Sibelius is so intuitive to use. Especially qhen you have to make the parts y fornating. With Sibelius 7 and on is a head ache.

[@vasicp]

@@f1livenews2023 I recently got to try Sibelius 6 again, and there were so many things I couldn't do, or had to do them manually, one by one. Things like pasting dynamics across a section where not all instruments start at the same time; or different staff sizes in a single system. Many other features that are missing in 6. It's just far too old at this point.

[@f1livenews2023]

@@vasicp what's the problem? keep using Sibelius 7 🤷

[@f1livenews2023]

@@UnitedNationsDESA whatever Sibelius is up to then

[@mayae9372]

one of the worst things in sibelius was wheen I was importing my own symbols for notating electronics. And any time the layout changed slightly, all my symbols got messed up and placed somewhere else ;-;

[@chibenchiben2578]

Is it possible to arrange music only by using Dorico ? （Of cource with musical keyboard）　I was a Yamaha XGworks user until Windows XP era. (on Windows 10 not available)

[@mr.p5446]

Does it recognize handwriting if I want to write with a tablet pen ?

[@johnenriquemenesesrizo4497]

How can I select notes above a set pitch?

[@Tokkemon]

The same team that designed the Sibelius ribbon made Dorico.

[@CarlosLalonde]

I guess I can't escape after all...

[@TheOldgeezah]

I used Sibelius for years but bought Dorico when it first came out. The early version was rubbish and I put it to one side until Dorico 3 came out. It was finally usable and I dumped Sibelius. I just got Dorico 4. I would describe this latest version as the "Sibelius Killer" - Sibelius has nothing to offer now. Also they've dumped that damned dongle. Alleluya!

[@CarlosLalonde]

I have yet to purchase Doric since I’m on a free trial still, but I can’t wait to use Dorico 4’s new features!

[@joey2119]

how’s the audio playback in dorico? can you use noteperformer in this software if the playback is bad?

[@CarlosLalonde]

I only use NotePerformer. Any default sound libraries are god awful.

[@johnmc3862]

Can’t believe people from the US don’t pronounce it, ‘Door-eeko’

[@kyfisher3662]

what do you think of notion?

[@CarlosLalonde]

I have yet to try it!

[@christopherpaul1810]

Sibelius user here since before 2010, tried to make the switch to Dorico. Oddly I find Dorico to be so incredibly awkward I find it virtually useless but remains unmatched in their use of 3rd party VST instruments it's incredible. Both have their uses and now I can't have one without the other.

[@Thadnill]

I believe dorico has a steep learning curve (similar to cubase workflow) but I find it a bless when you're used to it

[@christopherpaul1810]

@@Thadnill I hear that a lot. I prefer to input notes using the mouse, Dorico is wired for keyboard input and geared more towards engraving. Excellent platform, but far from intuitive. Awkward for me personally but that's where my midi data goes after it's composed in Sibelius.

[@vasicp]

@@christopherpaul1810 For long-time Sibelius users, it requires a lot of unlearning and mental cleansing in order to move to Dorico. People coming to music engraving for the first time will find Dorico much more intuitive and logical. Because of Sibelius's often counter-intuitive user interface, we had to adopt some awkward habits in order to overcome interface issues. I now need to unlearn that stuff in order to be comfortable in Dorico. After a few weeks with Dorico, I can definitely say it's worth it.

[@KeithOtisEdwards]

When there were basically only two notation programs, Finale and Sibelius (NotWorthy Composer was for Windows only and thus ignored), some publishers accepted only Finale, and you had to shop your scores around to one which accepted your version of Sibelius. Now there are a dozen or more good notation programs, and I wonder how many first-class publishers (those with good distribution and connections) accept scores as Dorico or Muse files?

[@notealles5714]

the learning curve is far too flat, as a serious composer you do not have this time to get to know the program for weeks

[@CarlosLalonde]

I feel like the Dorico team made it very intuitive to transition over from Sibelius. It only took a few days to learn the shortcuts before I was able to fluently use it.

[@NilEoe]

I feel like the more serious you are, the more you save time by having an efficient program, even if it means spending some initial time learning it.