Isn't Sibelius a type of cloud? Nope it's a music program!

Sibelius, what is that? Isn't that a type of cloud or something? Those were my first thoughts when I heard of this unique program. So what is Sibelius? Really?

Being a non-music major, and not being very talented in audio recording, I've never even heard of Sibelius until I started working at SMDC! Honestly, as of today I was still rather clueless as to the benefits our students would have using the program.

Then today a fellow classmate of mine asked about our sound studio and after talking about her projects for a few minutes I recommended her to try using Sibelius for her music composing, knowing that many music majors use it. Yes, even though I personally know little of the program.

After hearing the program start up, yes its an audible experience, it peaked my interest! Yes, I am that easily amused! So what exactly is Sibelius? What can it do? What makes it different from programs such as Audacity or GarageBand?



First let me just say, it is nothing like either of those two programs. Sibelius takes composing to a deeper level. 



Here are a few key points that their website makes:

• Intuitive music notation software makes it easy to get great results without prior experience
• Let the innovative, task-oriented interface guide you through the songwriting process
• Scan printed sheet music, transcribe audio, or play MIDI instruments to get your ideas into Sibelius First—and transfer music between applications via MusicXML interchange
• Add chord symbols and guitar fretboard diagrams by playing a MIDI keyboard or guitar
• Turn guitar tab into notation, and back again
• Take advantage of built-in smart tools to get great results without engraving or notation expertise
• Magnetic Layout prevents collisions and moves score elements into position automatically
• Dynamic Parts automatically update when you change your score
• Easily add lyrics, titles, other text, and graphics
• Hear your compositions in amazing detail thanks to the professional-quality sound library
• Expand your sonic palette with VST/AU virtual instruments or effects
• Enjoy tons of sharing options—export scores as videos or audio files, publish directly to social media, publish online, email, print, make a PDF, and more

 So what does that translate to, for us non-music majors, it means:

• Easy to use
• guides to help walk you through a process
• import music from all sorts of methods (sheet music, audio files, etc)
• Add diagrams to your music
• Smart tools, do I need to say more!?
• Add words, titles, graphics
• Play back with real sounding instruments!
• Share your ingenious work with the WORLD!

Sounds like something you need to try, you should! Stop on by the Student Multimedia Design Center!

You can also find out more and even watch videos at:
http://www.sibelius.com/products/sibelius/7/index.html