Compiled by Peter
Webster and David Williams
(Copyright © 2000-2009 by P.R. Webster & D.B. Williams)
We know that each of the titles below has been used in educational settings and each is well regarded by the musicians that use them. Other titles not included here may also be effective for music teaching and learning but simply have not been evaluated by us. Please send us your recommendations. We have no financial relationship with any of the companies or vendors mentioned here. Check for current pricing, educational lab packs, and more details.
Possible Sources for Purchase. McCormick's (www.mccormicksnet.com), MusicBarn.com (formerly AABACA) (www.musicbarn.com), Lentine's (www.lentine.com), Academic Superstore (www.academicsuperstore.com), Kelly's Music and Computers (www.kellysmusicandcomputers.com), Musicians Friend (http://www.musiciansfriend.com), and Amazon (www.amazon.com).
How to Use This Listing. We have created several categories of software dependent on use. These categories conform to the organization of sections from our text, Experiencing Music Technology. Many of the the titles here are presented in described or highlighted in the text. The title in bold is followed by the publisher with a website link to determine the latest versions and detailed information. Prices are highly variable so shop around! Online price might not be the lowest.
"D" means that the software may be downloaded from the publisher's site. If there is a fee for the software, online cost might not be the lowest compared to other vendor prices.
The last column indicates the computer operating system as of the latest version we have checked.
A short description is included.
Please contact us if we have
incorrect information or if we should consider adding other titles to this
list.
Click on the following to go right to the categories of interest to you.
DIGITAL AUDIO MANAGEMENT
AND EDITING
MULTITRACK: DIGITAL AUDIO (primarily)
MULTITRACK: LOOPING
MIDI/DIGITAL AUDIO SEQUENCING
VIRTUAL SYNTHS, SAMPLERS, AND INSTRUMENTS
NOTATION and MUSIC SCANNING
COMPUTER-AIDED INSTRUCTION: Drill and Practice
COMPUTER-AIDED INSTRUCTION: Flexible Practice
COMPUTER-AIDED INSTRUCTION: Guided Instruction
COMPUTER-AIDED INSTRUCTION: Game-Based and Creative
COMPUTER-AIDED INSTRUCTION: Teacher Resource
iTunes Apple
Computer Free D MacX/Win
Manages
digital audio and video files on computer and supports external devices such
as the iPod series. Creates iMixes, playlists, podcasts, and audio CD burning.
Links to iTunes Store.
Audacity SourceForge Free D MacX/Win
Digital
file editor with a selection of special effects. Allows layering separate tracks
of audio. Saves files in standard formats (mp3 requires added free resource).
Open source software.
Peak LE 6, Peak Pro 6 BIAS $99-495
D MacX
Series of digital audio
editors. Supports plug-ins. CD burning. Several effects and file saving options,
depending on level of software package.
Sound Forge Audio Studio, Sound Forge 9 Sony
Media $59-$195
Win
Series of digital audio editors. Supports plug-ins. CD burning. Several
effects and file saving options, depending on level of software package.
Roxio Creator 2009 (Win), Toast 10 (Mac) Roxio $79 D
Create, master, and burn CD and DVD formats.
Audition 3 Adobe $149
D Win
Records multiple tracks of digital audio. Advanced mastering and editing features
including creation of audio CDs. Supports many plugins and surround sound.
MIDI files can be integrated.
Pro Tools|HD • Pro Tools LE • Pro Tools M-Powered M-Audio and
AVID/Digidesign $300 and up D ( often
bundled with hardware purchase from M-Audio or Digidesign) MacX/Win
Industry standard multiple track digital audio software. ProTools is most
often paired with hardware purchases. Software supports the integration of
MIDI files. Many options for routing of digital audio recording and supports
many plugin options.
ACID MusicStudio 7, ACID Music Studio 7, ACID Pro 7 Sony
Media $55/$300 D Win
Software that starting much of the interest in looping software. Family of looping
software products with various capabilities. For some products, loops may need
to purchased separately.
GarageBand Apple
Computer Free/$71 D MacX
Software comes as part of the iLife series with
Macintosh computer purchase. Can be bought separately. Several
extra loops and other resoureces can be purchased in the form of Jam Packs
from Apple. Supports digital audio tracks with software instrument sounds and
MIDI tracks, as well as looping capabilities with many built-in loops. Notation
possible. Compositions can be saved in several formats and can be imported
to iTunes. Useful for creating podcasts. (MIDI keyboard recommended)
Sequel 2 Steinberg $70 Win
Music looping and special effects included. Additional loops and other resources
sold separately.
Abelton Live LE, Live, Suite, Abelton $140-699
D MacX/Win
Pattern-based composition and performance software based on MIDI and digital
audio loops. (MIDI keyboard recommended)
SONAR Home Studio 7, XL, SONAR 8 Studio Cakewalk $79-$399
Win
MIDI and digital audio sequencers with loop-based
composition tools. Versions have different levels of support for loops,
plug-ins, and special effects. Includes a General MIDI soft synth. (MIDI
keyboard recommended)
Logic Express 9/ Logic Pro 9 Apple
Computer $149-$399 MacX
Professional-level sequencer in two versions. A number of loops, plug-ins and
special effects are included. Reads Apple GarageBand compositions and loops.
(MIDI keyboard recommended)
Cubase
Essential 4, Cubase Studio 5, Cubase 5 Steinberg $74-299
MacX/Win
Professional-level sequencer in multiple versions. A number of plugins
are included. One of the only cross-platform MIDI/Digital Audio Sequencing
programs available. (MIDI keyboard recommended)
PowerTracks Pro Audio PG
Music $39 D Win
Inexpensive sequencer
that does digital audio and sequencing. (MIDI keyboard recommended)
Digital Performer 6 Mark
of the Unicorn $329 MacX
Professional-level sequencer with digital audio. Many advanced features and,
for many, an industry standard. (MIDI keyboard recommended)
Reason 4 Propellerhead $239
MacX/Win
Virtual recording studio with simulated transport controls, mixers, samplers,
sequencers,granular-analog-digital-modeling synthesizers available as virtual
devices for creating and managing music creation and recording. Teaching with
Reason is a more limited version with multiple installs (10) and includes
lesson plans for teaching electronic music design.
Garritan Personal Orchestra 4 Garritan $149
D MacX/Win
Set of virtual orchestral instruments. Support as a plugin resource for standard
sequencers and notation programs. New downloadable version.
Noteflight. Noteflight Free
(for indivdiual use, fee-based for use with classes). MacX/Win
Online music notation program with flexible sharing features for use on the Internet.
NotePad, Print Music, Allegro, Finale 2010 MakeMusic $10-$219
D MacX/Win
Music notation programs that
combines powerful printing with sequencing in real-time. Printing is
very elaborate, allowing user much freedom in placing graphics. Includes many
digital sounds from the Garritan sound library. Import (recording) and export
of digital audio supported. Offers an expandability capability with plug-ins.
Supports the creation of teaching materials. Files can be saved to be used
in SmartMusic. NotePad, PrintMusic! and Allegro are less expensive and less
capable versions. Scanning capabilities included (SmartScore Lite). Finale
Viewer (free) provides a way to view and play Finale files. (MIDI keyboard
recommended)
SmartScore X (several
versions) Musitek $79-$299
D MacX/Win
Scanning software that works with Finale. Supports MusicXML for working with
Sibelius and other notation programs. Various levels of capability.
Sibelius First, Student, Sibelius 6 Sibelius $82-$219
D MacX/Win
Strong competitor to Finale as a notation package that is designed to offer
high-end features. Kontact and Garritan instrument sounds. Expandable with plugins.
Excellent supports
the creation of teaching materials. SCORCH plug-in support for playing
and viewing Sibelius files on the Internet. Playback tempo control from
QWERTY or MIDI keyboard. Support for linking notation files to other music
software with ReWire technology. Scanning options (Photoscore Lite). Sibelius
First and Student are less expensive and less capable versions. (MIDI keyboard
recommended)
Photoscore Ultimate 6 and AudioScore Ultimate 6 Neuratron $249-369
D MacX/Win
Scanning software
that works directly with Sibelius and supports MusicXML for working with Finale
and other music notation programs. AudioScore scans audio files and returns
notation.
NoteAbility Pro 2 Opus
1 Music $225 (Canadian) D MacX
Alternative notation program
with features that match Finale and Sibelius.
Protege, Notion 3 Notion
$69-$499 D MacX/Win
Advanced notation program with excellent sound support.
Ricci Adams' MusicTheory.net musictheroy,net Free
MacX/Win
Online tutor for music theory. Also available as a complete archive to download
and use off line. Several options for traditional theory lessons as well as aural
skills trainers.
Auralia 2 (Mac) 3.5 (Win) Sibelius $95-$119 D
Basic aural skills with a nice interface and sound effects. Best for junior to
senior high.
Musition 3.5 Sibelius $99
Win
Compliments Auralia with more drill and practice exercises.
Essentials of Music Theory 2.0 (Volumes 1-3) Alfred
Publishing $38 MacX/Win
Interactive series of lessons and exercises for music theory.
MacGAMUT 6 MacGAMUT $40
D MacX/Win
Comprehensive aural skills program that covers intervals, scales, chords, and
melodic dictation. Recommended for college-level. (MIDI keyboard recommended.)
MiBAC Music Lessons I and II MiBAC Software $93-$123 D MacX/Win
Interactive tutorial and drill programs for music theory and ear training fundamentals
(Lessons I) and chords and harmony skills (Lessons II)
(MIDI keyboard recommended.)
Practica Musica 5 ArsNova $100
D MacX/Win
Many drills and multi-levels. Excellent
system for customizing dictation melodies. Alternative tuning systems for computer
sound offered. Good for junior high through college. Newest edition features
Internet server options and file export. (MIDI keyboard recommended.)
TimeSketch Editor, TimeSketch Editor Pro ECS $90-$400
D MacX/Win
Allows students and teachers to create bubble charts that show form of a composition.
Charts can be labeled and act as hot spots for playback. Editor Pro allows
Internet use.
MIDISaurus Series Town4Kids Yearly
subscription. D MacX/Win
Several volumes (12) of interactive
CDs that each the fundaments of music to children ages4-10. Guided instruction
is used to help children solve simple tasks. The "Composers","Notation", "Instruments",
and "Rhythm" (Volumes
9-12) are recommended.
MusicAce I, II, Maestro Harmonic
Vision $35-$89 Hybrid
Guided instruction software for music fundamentals. Designed in units that
progress from simple to complex. Has a "Doodle Pad" for experimenting
with composing. Maestro version combines both I and II. Multiple user versions
available.
Thinkin' Things I and II Riverdeep/Edmark $69
D MacX/Win
Levels I and II each contain
music modules that are entertaining for children, ages 4-10.Drills pitch,
rhythm and the ability to remember patterns. Basic-level sequencing skills.
Additional creative tasks as well.
Groovy Music: Groovy Shapes, Jungle, and City Sibelius $69
each D Mac/Win
Combination of music training exercises and music loop sequencer design with
visual metaphor for young children. Groovy Shapes (5-7 years), Jungle ( 7-9
years), and City (9-11years).
Jam Trax Sony
Media $20 Win
Looping software program for young children in the heritage of the ACID software
series. Software includes several loops.
Subotnick's Making Music, Making More, Hearing Music, Playing
Music, World Music (Beginner), and World Music (Advanced) Creatingmusic.com $39
each D MacX/Win
Making Music and Making More Music are free-form drawing program that allows
children to create polyphonic musical gestures and manipulate them freely.
Stores compositions. Hearing Music is a set of pattern-based games and Playing
Music stresses experimentation with playing music. World Music explores sounds
from world music cultures and explores their use in composition. Each title
contains a variety of activities.
SmartMusic 2010 MakeMusic $30-$130
Yearly subscription. D MacX/Win
Intelligent accompaniment for vocalists and instrumentalists. Thousands of
titles available. Music includes solo and ensemble literatures. Scores can
be created using Finale 2010. The version for teachers include gradebook management
via the Internet. Student and teacher versions include powerful assessment
tools for student practice.
Singing Coach Unlimited Carry-a-Tune
Technologies $50 Win
Pitch tracking software that helps teach accurate singing using interactive
graphic representation. Software also includes tutorials about singing.
Band-in-a-Box 2009.5 PG
Music $129-699 D MacX/Win
Music accompaniment program for improvisation. Computer creates an ensemble
of instruments that accompanies improvisation. Many music styles are available
and user can generate custom styles. Cost depends on the breath of resources
desired. Band-in-a-Box is the flagship program from PGMusic, but the company
also markets a collection of resources that feature different music styles
such as latin or jazz piano, jazz guitar and other offerings. (MIDI keyboard
recommended)
Starclass Sibelius $159
D MacX/Win
Collection of lesson plans tied to national standards. Additional resources
for teachers.
Sibelius Instruments Sibelius $119
D MacX/Win
Interactive CD that features information on and digital audio for instruments
and ensembles. Also includes a 500-item quiz database on content.