Posting Suggestion.

I have encounter many times that people complain that they cannot open the files of a piece which is to be ready for commenting, simply because some only attach .mus or .sib or give a completely illegible PDF.

So I was wondering, isn't it better to have a posting standard to demand from the composer to post at least a midi file since a larger spectrum of programs can open these files. I have not been able to hear or examine a handful of piece just because they are either .sib or have a bad PDF. I also know that older versions of Finale cannot open the newer ones.

But what about those of us that don't have midi capabilities?

I instantly ignore anything with .mus or .sib files...

Isn't Midi a universal music file?

I had the feeling that almost all programs could deal with midi and create midi files.

Midi's and MP3's are universal. In fact, .mus and .sib are midi files basically, the files have a slightly different format for the notation editors. Saiming's suggestion could be a good idea, but it is not something that can be forced, unless our moderators are really on top of this. Or maybe it could be forced if Mike writes a script that will only allow attachments in the upload forms to at least contain a midi. I could ask him about this, but he is away on vacation right now.

I think that Saiming's suggestion is a very good one because many of us (including CalTech) have to use a dial up, which takes upwards of forty five minutes to download a single five minute mp3.

Granted, I steal wireless DSL from neighbors when I can, but still...:thumbsup:

... Or maybe it could be forced if Mike writes a script that will only allow attachments in the upload forms to at least contain a midi. I could ask him about this, but he is away on vacation right now.

Hmm... sounds like a fair idea, but can it be applied only to the initial post and not the replies? Sometimes people reply (sometimes the original poster) and have an attachment, such as a .pdf, and may be forced to include a midi.

But again, that would prevent the few of us with just notepad to upload anything. Which, might not be a bad thing(especially in my case, lol), but nonetheless, we'ed have to depend on other people to make midi's for us.

... but nonetheless, we'ed have to depend on other people to make midi's for us.

Which kinda sucks. A lot. We should maybe 'broadcast' CutePDF and similar tools so people can make scores? Is there a non-Finale program that can open a .mus file and produce a midi?

I think it would be great if more people would post midi files, especially if they have the capablity to make them.

Obviously those who can't make them can't post them.

With dial-up, I'm just not going to be downloading mp3 files just to take a quick peek at them because there's nothing quick about downloading mp3 files.

If they are streamed forget it. I can't even listen to them at all. It simply won't work with dial-up.

So for me, if there's no midi I'm not going to be hearing it. It's as simple as that.

But again, that would prevent the few of us with just notepad to upload anything. Which, might not be a bad thing(especially in my case, lol), but nonetheless, we'ed have to depend on other people to make midi's for us.

Is there not converter? Because the thing is that if you only upload Notepad there will be much less who will listen to it. Since not everyone can open Notepad Files

Is there not converter? Because the thing is that if you only upload Notepad there will be much less who will listen to it. Since not everyone can open Notepad Files

I know that, but since we can only post MUS files, making it a requirement to post a midi is unfair.

I know that, but since we can only post MUS files, making it a requirement to post a midi is unfair.

I agree that making midi files mandatory would be unfair. I don't think that would be a good idea. I think they should be encourage, but not forced.

By the way, if you want a really great sheet music program that will produce midi files and mp3 files you might want to try Melody Assistant by Myriad. It costs $20 to register, but it's WELL WORTH THE PRICE!

It puts Finale Notepad to shame in so many ways that I could ramble on and on. There may be some who will disagree because they have gotten used to the feel of Notepad and like it. But once I gave Melody Assistant a serious chance I can't even imagine wanting to go back to Notepad. Like I say, the features are astronomical in comparison. Plus it has better midi sound, and FULL CONTROL over the volume of all channels. Plus it recognizes and plays most articulations with full control over precisely how they should be played, it has unlimited staffs that can be changed on the fly. You can change key and time signatures anytime anywhere. You have full control over defining keyboard short-cuts. It does TAB, Chords, lyrics. In fact, there isn't much it doesn't do.

At $20 it's pretty hard to imagine anyone who can afford to have a computer not being able to afford this software. Of course, the *.mus files from Melody Assistant won't be compatible with Finale, but the midi files it makes are well-tracked.

So if you're interested in being able to make your own midi files and mp3s I highly recommend it. You might find it a bit awkward at first in comparison with Notepad, but if you give yourself time to get used to it I can't imagine you wanting to go back. You can even toggle back and forth between working within a measure, or allowing the music to be pushed forward into the next measure. I don't think Finale will do that. Once I got used to that feature I can't live without it now. It's almost indispensable.

Check it out,… And don't let the price fool you, it's serious software!

Melody Assistant

I do understand that it is unfair, but what about those with dail-up? They have a minute selection of songs that they can listen and comment compared to people with broadband. And besides if midi will be made obligatory the amount of comments on pieces could rise because more people have access to it.

I understand that it is a huge problem for those who cannot upload a midi file, but there must be a converter somewhere.

If there is non, I would gladly convert for those who want :P

Another thing just came into my mind. Is it possible for the board to have some posting template. Since I hardly ever see people writing about the 5 that should be included:

1. Techniques used

2. How long it took to compose the piece

3. Structure of your piece

4. Obstacles when composing

5. Summary of overall piece

Maybe a way to remind the post is to have such a template?

I notice that the poster, not always but quite often, does not talk or introduce us to the piece. Of course there are some that do and it really helps a any person to comment the piece, since one will be more in the composer's shoes.

All we can do is try to drum the concept of proper commentary into people's heads and hope they oblige. We're authoring an FAQ for new members at the moment which we believe touches on everything a new arrival should know, and the subject of commentary on users' own compositions will feature.

The only problem is that because MIDI is a conversion from score to sound, converting it back to score is often hellish, cruel, and just plain bad and/or inaccurate.

So if MIDI is required, a score must be required too.

Well I thought that midi would function as a score. I mean you can open midi with almost all programs, no? And then you will have a score and then you can also hear it with the sound library you have.

I do so every time I download a midi

But, getting an accurate score from a midi is bloody difficult.

But, getting an accurate score from a midi is bloody difficult.

True, indeed but it is better than not being able to browse through the score at all, or?

True, indeed but it is better than not being able to browse through the score at all, or?

That's what .pdf's are for. And I'm sure everybody is capable of viewing .pdf's and making them.

Midi + Pdf = Ideal post

You can listen to the midi, even through a sound library if you have one, and view the score as it should look.

That's what .pdf's are for. And I'm sure everybody is capable of viewing .pdf's and making them.

Midi + Pdf = Ideal post

You can listen to the midi, even through a sound library if you have one, and view the score as it should look.

Yes, I thought so too. BUT most of the PDFs I have seen so far are are not very good. You just see the stem of the note, not actually the entire note with the notehead or sometimes the PDF gets really wacko and you just see rectangles.

That only happened to me once - the PDFs looks really nice for the most part.

It's probably your damn mac. :huh:

That only happened to me once - the PDFs looks really nice for the most part.

It's probably your damn mac. :huh:

Shh! Quiet you! :angry:

To weigh in, I would say that at a minimum, some representation of a score (.pdf, .sib, or .mus) and some form of audio file (.mid, .mp3, .wav) should be posted when posting to the upload forums. It would probalbly be a good idea for the poster to indicate which version of Finale or Sibelius they are using.

There will be times when it's just not feasible to do a low-res file like a .mid for playback... two examples: I have several spoken vocal works... there's no notes to playback, just rhythm (ideally a recorded performance would be included instead). I also could not post a .mid of my latest band piece because I'm using 40-50 midi channels for playback.

Personally, I don't even look at pieces that don't have a score... I need to see what's actually happening on paper to judge if a work is put together soundly or not; playback often obscures bad compositional technique rather well.