MakeMusic Finale
MakeMusic Finale is a professional music notation software that allows composers, arrangers, and educators to create, edit, and print high-quality musical scores with complete control over every page element.
REAPER
REAPER is a complete digital audio workstation for computers, offering a full multitrack audio and MIDI recording, editing, processing, mixing, and mastering environment for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | MakeMusic Finale | REAPER |
|---|---|---|
| Website | makemusic.com | reaper.fm |
| Pricing Model | One_time | One_time |
| Starting Price | $99/month | $??/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 60 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1990 | 2004 |
| Headquarters | Boulder, USA | San Francisco, USA |
Overview
MakeMusic Finale
MakeMusic Finale gives you the ultimate power to create any musical score you can imagine. Whether you are composing a simple lead sheet or a complex orchestral work, you can customize every aspect of your notation with surgical precision. The software adapts to your creative process, allowing you to enter notes via MIDI keyboards, computer mice, or even scanning existing sheet music.
You can produce publisher-quality scores that meet the highest professional standards. It solves the problem of rigid formatting by giving you total manual control over staff spacing, measure widths, and font styles. It is the industry standard for professional engravers, film composers, and music educators who need a tool that never says 'no' to a specific notation requirement.
REAPER
REAPER provides you with a complete digital audio production environment without the bloat of traditional workstations. You can record, edit, mix, and master audio and MIDI using a highly flexible interface that adapts to your specific workflow. Whether you are tracking a full band, scoring a film, or editing a podcast, the software handles complex routing and high track counts with remarkable stability and low CPU usage.
You get a fully functional environment that supports a vast range of hardware and plug-in formats, including VST, AU, and DX. Because the entire application is less than 20MB, you can run it from a USB drive or install it on almost any system. It is a favorite for engineers who value deep customization, as you can script your own actions and skin the interface to match your personal aesthetic.
Overview
MakeMusic Finale Features
- Flexible Note Entry Enter your music your way by playing a MIDI keyboard, using your mouse, or typing on your computer keyboard.
- Garritan Sound Library Hear your compositions performed with stunning realism using a vast library of world-class sampled instrument sounds.
- MusicXML Support Collaborate with others easily by importing and exporting files between different notation programs without losing your formatting.
- SmartMusic Integration Share your music directly with students or performers through interactive practice tools to streamline the rehearsal process.
- Linked Parts Edit your score and watch as your individual instrument parts update automatically, saving you hours of manual correction.
- Professional Engraving Adjust every detail of your page layout, from hairpins and slurs to precise measure spacing and custom fonts.
REAPER Features
- Multitrack Recording. Record many tracks of audio or MIDI simultaneously to create professional-grade songs, podcasts, or cinematic soundscapes.
- Drag-and-Drop Routing. Route any track to any other track or hardware output with a simple drag-and-drop patch bay interface.
- Real-time FX Processing. Apply thousands of third-party plug-in effects or use built-in tools to shape your sound without lagging your system.
- Non-Destructive Editing. Slice, dice, and crossfade your audio clips freely knowing your original source files remain completely untouched and safe.
- Customizable Interface. Change the entire look and feel of your workspace with community-made themes or create your own custom layouts.
- Automation and Scripting. Automate every parameter in your mix and write custom scripts to perform complex tasks with a single keystroke.
Pricing Comparison
MakeMusic Finale Pricing
- Full professional feature set
- Complete Garritan sound library
- Unlimited staves and measures
- Standard technical support
- Two installations per user
- Everything in Full Version, plus:
- Discounted pricing for students
- Discounted pricing for educators
- Verification of status required
- Full professional functionality
REAPER Pricing
- One-time $60 purchase
- For personal use only
- For businesses earning <$20k/year
- Full software functionality
- Free updates through version 8.99
- No dongle or phone-home DRM
- One-time $225 purchase
- For professional commercial use
- Required if earning >$20k/year
- Full software functionality
- Free updates through version 8.99
- Install on multiple computers
Pros & Cons
MakeMusic Finale
Pros
- Unmatched level of control over score aesthetics
- Industry standard for professional publishing and engraving
- Extensive library of high-quality playback sounds
- Powerful automation for managing linked instrumental parts
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Interface can feel dated compared to competitors
- Requires significant time to master advanced features
REAPER
Pros
- Extremely lightweight and fast to load
- Unmatched stability even with high track counts
- Very affordable one-time purchase price
- Deep customization options for advanced users
- Generous 60-day fully functional trial period
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Lacks a large built-in instrument library
- Interface looks dated without custom themes