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.
Steinberg Cubase
Cubase is a professional digital audio workstation that provides you with a complete suite of tools for composing, recording, mixing, and editing music at a world-class level.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | MakeMusic Finale | Steinberg Cubase |
|---|---|---|
| Website | makemusic.com | steinberg.net |
| 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 | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1990 | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Boulder, USA | Hamburg, Germany |
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.
Steinberg Cubase
Cubase gives you a professional environment to turn your musical ideas into studio-quality productions. You can compose using advanced MIDI tools, record high-fidelity audio, and mix complex projects with a console-grade environment. Whether you are a film composer needing orchestral depth or a producer crafting electronic beats, the software adapts to your creative workflow with specialized editors and a massive library of virtual instruments and sounds.
You can manage every stage of the creative process within a single interface, from initial sketches to final mastering. The platform solves the problem of fragmented workflows by integrating pitch correction, timing alignment, and professional metering directly into your project window. It serves everyone from home studio hobbyists to professional engineers in major recording facilities worldwide, offering three distinct versions tailored to different needs and budgets.
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.
Steinberg Cubase Features
- Audio Alignment. Match the timing of multiple vocal or instrument tracks instantly to ensure your recordings sound tight and professional.
- VariAudio Editing. Edit the pitch and duration of individual notes in vocal recordings with MIDI-style ease and completely transparent sound quality.
- MixConsole. Mix your tracks using a high-end analog-style desk featuring integrated channel strips, professional routing, and customizable view options.
- Chord Pads. Compose chord progressions quickly by triggering chords with your MIDI controller and experimenting with different harmonies in real-time.
- Sampler Track. Turn any audio file into a playable instrument instantly to create custom loops, hits, and unique textures for your tracks.
- Control Room. Set up independent headphone mixes and monitor setups for performers without affecting your main mix or requiring external hardware.
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
Steinberg Cubase Pricing
- Basic audio and MIDI tools
- Up to 48 audio tracks
- Up to 64 MIDI tracks
- Over 40 audio effect processors
- HALion Sonic virtual instrument
- Chord Pads for easy composing
- Everything in Elements, plus:
- Up to 128 MIDI and 64 audio tracks
- VariAudio pitch correction
- Audio Alignment tool
- VocalChain plug-in
- SpectraLayers One spectral editing
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
Steinberg Cubase
Pros
- Extremely deep MIDI editing and composition capabilities
- Stable performance when handling very large orchestral projects
- Professional-grade stock plug-ins and virtual instruments included
- Logical and highly customizable user interface layout
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners due to complexity
- High initial purchase price compared to some competitors
- Licensing system can be restrictive for multi-computer setups