product review notion 3 product: notion 3 what: music notation software by: notion music www.notionmusic.com price: £149+VAT from: www.musiceducationzone.net/store
Notion 3 aims to bridge the gap between music notation software and audio applications. When asked to review this software I realised that I would need to approach it with an open mind. Coming from a classically trained background where Sibelius and Cubase hold governing power (I am Director of Music at a Cathedral Choir School), I asked myself whether or not the music world really needed yet another music software program.
legendary artists at top studios around the world. What is more, I was able to export material to other programs and (perhaps more useful to me) import music to be played with Notion 3’s superior playback. After a few glitches I began to understand the notation input system. I initially found this quite cumbersome but, to be fair, I have become so used to the Sibelius and Cubase procedures that
To me though, the most pleasing aspect of Notion 3 is its non-notation use. The very advanced sequencer programme and audio mixer are both extremely easy to use and highly effective. The addition of an extra sequencer staff on the written notation page has huge educational possibilities, confirming Notion 3’s aim to bridge that gap. So, what is Notion 3 all about? Is it a score writing system (like Sibelius) or is it an audio sequencing program (like Cubase)? Well, it’s both and it’s neither and it is highly effective. It certainly bridges the gap between notation and audio-based software and is also great fun and easy to use. I’m not sure though that by bridging the gap that it will replace other established programs. It’s good, but is it THAT good…?
anything other than these was bound to be a struggle. That said, the system itself works very well and there are useful similarities between all these programs (I expect that many people using Notion 3 for the first time will already be familiar with either Sibelius or Cubase).
Brian Cotterill Director of Music, Lanesborough School
After installing the software (which was alarmingly straightforward) I did what we all do – I immediately played around with it, seeing what I could I find and what I could do with complete disregard to handbooks, on-line tutorials or manuals. Before I knew it I had managed to create music, start writing a score and play it back. This was looking promising! Feeling pleased with myself (although clearly this recognition should go to the software writers for making it so easy) I then embarked on studying this programme properly. The first thing which became apparent was the quality of audio playback. Over 10GB of sounds are incorporated into this programme, featuring the London Symphony Orchestra as well as other instruments recorded by
zone magazine digital edition 18 / mar 2010 © zone new media 2010 / www.musiceducationzone.net
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