From: Dean FH Macy
Organization: New England Talent, Ltd. - Epilogue Records
To: Vocalist <vocalist>
Subject: Re: Computer programs
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Lee wrote:

> I'm wondering if anyone knows of a good computer program that will allow you to scan
> music in and actually read it as music. I'd like to know if you've actually used the program,
> and, if so, how did it work?
>
I have been using MidiScan since they began with MidiScan 1.0 about three years ago. At that time
it was the most exciting program I'd ever used. It read scanned TIF music files and got about 25%
of the notation correct which mean I had to correct only 75%. After a little while I no longer was
excited. Then came 1.2, and 1.6 and then 2.0 which had an error percentage of less than 20%. That
software could read well drawn handwritten notation with 50% accuracy and regular notation at an
acceptable rate. I am now using MidiScan 2.5 with a 98% perfect read, less than 2% error on printed
sheet music and it includes a scanning program which scans at their desirable rate and allows the
saving of the scanned music also. I highly recommend this new package for converting notation to
playable music.

I believe the cost is under $200 (unsure because I've been getting updates for two years). The
MidiScan company is Musitek at 410 Bryant Circle, Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 646-8051. Link is at
http://www.musitek.com/demopage.html for a free demo (download or diskette). The latest version is
2.5.1 which I use mainly for reading in complex orchestral scores.

Try it! I think you will be surprised at the results. (And no, I do not own stock in Musitek.)

--
Dean FH Macy, Lit.D./Mus.D.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Specializing in Management of exceptionally talented youth in Music"
EPI Records - NetWork Films
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go instead where there is no path
And leave a trail."