Note to old Sibelius users...

[Prime Mover]

I hadn't seen the need to update Sibelius since version 4, but now it looks like we Snow Leopard users are going to have to. Sibelius 4 still used some Carbon code in it, which means that it's Rosetta time (usually no prob). But at least on my machine, it crashes during some random keystrokes... one of them being cmd-S, yes, I now crash on save due to the fact that Sibelius likes to crash when keys are pressed. This seems not to effect any notation entry items, only shortcuts (which in Sibelius are not always confined to command keys).

Probably most people around here have been better about keeping up with the latest versions, so there probably shouldn't be any issues. But I thought I'd put out a warning just in case. I'd like to hear if anyone else is experiencing similar issues.

*sigh* there goes any thoughts of upgrading Kontakt or DP any time soon, since I'll have to finally fork out $$$$ for Sibelius... damnit.

[BobK]

Now that I'm faced with an aging and, eventually, obsolete G5, I've had to face the reality that budgeting for updates -both software and hardware- is a fact of life in the computer world. The only way to avoid it, or at least postpone it, is to 'freeze' your system at a point when things are working reasonably well, and resist the temptation to get the latest updates, particularly of the OS. Otherwise, just count all that in as part of your budget.

As for Sibelius, I'd say version 6 is worth it. For me, 'Magnetic Layout' alone is probably worth the price of the update. It's not perfect, but it does save lots of time. For the types of charts I do, the new customizable chord symbols, and the new two and four-bar repeat symbols are also very handy.

[frankymax]

What Bob said! I think Sibelius 6 is fantastic and is working incredibly well. It's really become my favorite notation program. The magnetic layout is way cool.

[dosuna11]

Thanks. I have been thinking about that. I am definitely in freeze mode ($) and predict this is the last version that will work on a G5.

[Mr_Clifford]

I hadn't seen the need to update Sibelius since version 4, but now it looks like we Snow Leopard users are going to have to. Sibelius 4 still used some Carbon code in it, which means that it's Rosetta time (usually no prob).

In their defence, they were always pretty clear on that. Sibelius 5 was the first properly intel-compatible version. I always resisted the 5 upgrade because most of the feature additions in that version were for the playback engine, which I really couldn't give a toss about - why would you, when you have DP?

They tempted me last year with a half-price upgrade offer, and I caved, mostly for the non-rosetta compatibility with my MBP, and of course then, not long after that, they announced version 6, which, to me seems like a much better version than 5. I'll be getting it eventually, but not quite yet. The magnetic layout looks amazing.

[Mr_Clifford]

...and the new two and four-bar repeat symbols are also very handy.

They have 2 & 4 bar repeat symbols now!!!
Looks like I'll be upgrading sooner rather than later then. I've been hanging out for a 2-bar repeat ever since I got Sibelius.

[BobK]

Mr. C - Here's a tip: At least on my system, I found that when I tried to enter 4-bar repeats into older Sibelius files, they didn't work properly (the four slanted slash marks under the number 4 were absent). Turns out I first had to import a Sibelius 6 House Style into the file, then the 4-bar repeat worked as expected.

It's really convenient to have the 2 and 4-bar repeats in the keypad now!

[Alan Craig]

I've been using Sib6 since it arrived and it really is a very stable platform with many stunning features. In the last two weeks, I've scored 180 pieces of music for a project I'm working on without the slightest hitch (ignoring an overnight mixer problem when SL was first released and a 'lines' function that took a week to sort).

Personally, I think Sib6 is a no-brainer for any SL user.

But Mr Clifford! Just who are you calling OLD!!

[Sergievsky]

Yup, Sib 6 is a must. And as far as updating to a new computer and updates...man, what a real pain. Especially if you have big sample libraries like EWQLSO. You should check out the Apogee Symphony setup, which lets me integrate my older G5s in a more streamlined way by using the SBUS feature. Anyway, before I get OT, I think ALL sibelius users should upgrade to 6.

[Mr_Clifford]

But Mr Clifford! Just who are you calling OLD!!

Hey, I didn't name the thread.

[Alan Craig]

But Mr Clifford! Just who are you calling OLD!!

Hey, I didn't name the thread.

You're right! You're innocent! Sorry Mr.C.

If I'd looked properly I would have seen it was Mime Prover calling us old!

The cheek of these young whippersnappers!!

[Larry Mal]

Is version 5 working with Snow Leopard then? It's been crashing every time I go to the mixer- but it's obviously all a brand new system between the two, so I haven't figured out why. I've only tried it a few times.

I was not at all impressed with version 5. It took a long time to boot, it kept loading things into itself that wasn't necessary (the VI's from the previous sessions), I just didn't like it. I'd love to hear how 6 is working.

[Alan Craig]

Is version 5 working with Snow Leopard then? It's been crashing every time I go to the mixer- but it's obviously all a brand new system between the two, so I haven't figured out why. I've only tried it a few times.

I was not at all impressed with version 5. It took a long time to boot, it kept loading things into itself that wasn't necessary (the VI's from the previous sessions), I just didn't like it. I'd love to hear how 6 is working.

Larry, the mixer in earlier versions is NOT compatible with SL. In fact, Sib6.0.3a (Avid's release for SL) had the same problem and required a further patch: Sib6.0.3b.

I think the story is: if you want Snow Leopard, you MUST upgrade to Sib6. I think you'll find Sib6 is quite a lot faster and even more stable than Sib5. Another thing is that Sibelius will load a lot faster if you turn off the IDEAS library (Preferences > Ideas > 'untick' Show built-in ideas). Unless you use this feature (I think it's garbage), it takes ages to load.

And then there's the working "repeat bar" signs – an absolute delight for those who write a lot of percussion scores! I use Sibelius all day long, and I have very few complaints. Once you've created a library of personalised keyboard shortcuts, you'll find your production time gets exponentially faster.

It'll be interesting to see how Quickscribe in DP7 scrubs up ... but to be honest, my expectations are low. But one should never judge without giving it a fair chance.

[Mr_Clifford]

It'll be interesting to see how Quickscribe in DP7 scrubs up ... but to be honest, my expectations are low. But one should never judge without giving it a fair chance.

I imagine it will still seem pretty clunky compared with Sibelius. It's a pretty steep hill to climb from QuickScribe in Dp6.

[Alan Craig]

I imagine it will still seem pretty clunky compared with Sibelius. It's a pretty steep hill to climb from QuickScribe in Dp6.

That's my guess too, Mr.C.!

I'd have to say that QuickScribe is one of the truly awful experiences in music production for me. For a company that could give us Mosaic (way ahead of its time in the '90s) to have come up with a total crock like QuickScribe is completely beyond me ... thank goodness I love the rest of DP!