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Finale Changelog

What's new in Finale 27.3.0.137

Feb 13, 2023
  • New Features in Finale 27.3:
  • Eight of Jari Williamson’s plug-ins now install natively with Finale, have been updated to work correctly with SMuFL-compliant fonts, and also contain fixes for several outstanding bugs  and crashes.
  • Many Special Tools are now available while editing voiced linked parts.
  • More Finale native plug-ins are now active while viewing linked parts and when using voiced linked parts.
  • The Latin Percussion plug-in now contains SMuFL-based support files.
  • The AlphaNotes plug-in can now use SMuFL-based characters.
  • The Automatic Dynamics plug-in now only works with SMuFL-based fonts.
  • MusicXML:
  • Embedded PDF graphics are now exported and imported.
  • All text inserts are now exported, including date, time, file date, performance time, file name, double flat, double sharp, and pass number. 
  • TAB clefs no longer export a line element.
  • Fixes in Finale 27.3:
  • Voiced linked Parts. 
  • Grace notes in voiced linked parts are now spaced correctly.
  • Stem directions in voiced linked parts now face the correct directions.
  • Second and unison note spacing is now accounted for correctly in voiced linked parts. 
  • Plug-Ins.
  • The Score System Divider plug-in now works correctly with SMuFL fonts.
  • The Create Handbells Used Chart plug-in now displays modified noteheads correctly when used in a SMuFL-based document.
  • The Create Handbells Used Chart plug-in displays the correct number of bells used again. 
  • The Check Regions for Durations plug-in no longer overlooks some incomplete or overfilled measures.
  • Slurs. 
  • Manual adjustments made to slurs in linked parts now retain these edits after closing and reopening a document.
  • Creating a two note slur where an articulation is present, no longer unlinks the articulation from the score.
  • Saving. Human Playback preferences can now be edited/saved if the user account name contains a unicode character.
  • Preferences. Exiting Finale with the Speedy Entry tool selected no longer turns off Automatic Update Layout. 
  • ScoreMerger. ScoreMerger no longer discards the abbreviated name of parts when merging parts into a score.
  • FinaleScript. Using the "default clef bass" command in FinaleScript no longer causes a crash.

New in Finale 27.2.0.144 (Jun 1, 2022)

  • All of Finale’s standard Document Styles have been updated to use SMuFL-compliant music fonts.
  • Added two new Document Styles using the Finale Ash and Finale Engraver fonts.
  • The Jazz Default Document has been fully revamped in collaboration with musician Darcy James Argue and now uses SMuFL-compliant Finale Jazz Font.
  • All of Finale’s default documents now use SMuFL-compliant fonts. Legacy versions are still included.
  • The new font Finale Jazz Text Lowercase has been added.
  • The Finale Jazz font now includes new and updated chord suffix characters, including a variety of parentheses.
  • The Share dialog now displays the email addresses of the users the document is currently shared with.
  • The Share dialog has been updated to reflect the simultaneous public-private state that can occur due to playlist sharing in SmartMusic.
  • MusicXML:
  • Fixed an issue where batch export can fail on some systems.
  • Parenthesized music text expressions now retain parentheses on export.
  • Enclosed measure numbers are now exported as rehearsal numbers.
  • Files with Special Part Extraction now export more accurately.
  • Text on blank pages at the end of a score is now imported.
  • Chord symbols are exported and imported more accurately.
  • Exact duplicate measure-attached Smart Shapes are no longer exported.
  • Fixes in Finale 27.2:
  • Multimeasure Rests. Multimeasure rest symbols are now correctly aligned when using handwritten SMuFL-compliant music fonts.
  • Symbol Selection. When using the Search field in the Symbol Selection dialog box the SMuFL categories now remain alphabetised.
  • Stem Connections.
  • Fixed an issue where some stem connections would be offset for specific noteheads when converting from a legacy font to a SMuFL font.
  • Fixed an issue where other stem connections in a measure would be misplaced when altering a notehead in that measure. See Stem Connections.
  • Documentation. The Finale User Manual has been updated with more accurate information and other continued improvements.
  • Printing. Fixed an issue where documents may print with incorrect margins.

New in Finale 27.1.0.271 (Feb 24, 2022)

  • New Features in Finale 27.1:
  • It is now possible to convert legacy non-SMuFL MakeMusic fonts in documents to SMuFL-compliant music fonts.
  • Human Playback now recognizes expressions and articulations that use SMuFL-compliant fonts.
  • The TG Tools Easy Harmonics, TG Tools Easy Tremolos, Create Coda System, and Drum Groove plug-ins have been updated to use the correct characters in SMuFL fonts.
  • The Symbol Selection dialog box character grid can now be navigated with the arrow keys.
  • New libraries using the SMuFL-compliant Finale Maestro music font have been added for Accordion (articulations), Accordion Register (text expressions), Figured Bass (text expressions), Guitar (articulations), Guitar (smart lines), Guitar (text expressions), Ornaments (articulations), and Accidentals (articulations).
  • Fixes in Finale 27.1:
  • The Symbol Selection dialog box now filters out blank and unused character slots.
  • Articulations created with the Petrucci and November fonts now play back correctly after closing and reopening a document.
  • The Reset and Reset All buttons now work as expected in the Clef Designer when using SMuFL-compliant music fonts.
  • Very large MusicXML files can now be successfully imported.
  • Exported MusicXML files now correctly capture tempo data in metronome marks, even if playback is not set in the text expression.

New in Finale 25.5.0.290 (Nov 14, 2017)

  • NEW:
  • MusicXML:
  • MusicXML 3.1 support has been updated to the final version from the W3C Music Notation Community Group.
  • The Include subfolders option has been added to the MusicXML Preferences dialog box. When selecting a single folder to translate to or from MusicXML, files that are located in the selected folder's subfolders are now included in the import and export process.
  • Measure number text is now exported when a file contains measure numbers that are repeated in multiple movements or sections.
  • Buzz rolls and unmeasured tremolos are now supported.
  • Line lengths are now supported for doit, falloff, scoop, and plop elements.
  • Finale expressions with a mix of text and musical symbols from any Finale built-in font are now supported.
  • Unexpected symbols in Finale articulations from any Finale built-in font can now be exported in a way that can be exchanged with other applications.
  • Unexpected symbols in MusicXML files can now be imported into Finale articulations if the symbol is present in any Finale built-in font.
  • Grace cue notes are now supported.
  • Image height and width attributes are now supported.
  • Metric modulation arrows are now exported from metronome marks written in the MaestroTimes font.
  • The brass-bend, flip, golpe, half-muted, harmon-mute, haydn, inverted-vertical-turn, open, smear, soft-accent, and staff-divide elements are now supported.
  • Sostenuto and abbreviated pedal symbols are now supported.
  • The beater pictograms for drum stick, slide brush on gong, and superball are now supported.
  • The beater pictograms for glockenspiel, gum, hammer, superball, and wound stick types are now supported.
  • The effect pictograms for lotus flute and megaphone are now supported.
  • The glass pictograms for glass harmonica and glass harp are now supported.
  • The membrane pictograms for Chinese tomtom, cuica, Indo-American tomtom, and Japanese tomtom are now supported.
  • The metal pictograms for agogo, bell tree, cencerro, chain rattle, jaw harp, jingle bells, musical saw, shell bells, and tam tam with beater are now supported.
  • The pitched pictograms for celesta, lithophone, steel drums, and tubaphone are now supported.
  • The wood pictograms for bamboo scraper, castanets with handle, football rattle, quijada, rainstick, reco-reco, and whip are now supported.
  • The handbell belltree symbol is now supported.
  • Interface changes:
  • MusicXML:
  • Translating a folder to or from MusicXML can now be canceled mid-operation by using the work in progress dialog box.
  • MusicXML Preferences dialog box:
  • The Include subfolders option has been added to the MusicXML Preferences dialog box. When selecting a single folder to translate to or from MusicXML, files that are located in the selected folder's subfolders are now included in the import and export process.
  • Fixes:
  • Document Options - Lyrics dialog box. Minor adjustments have been made to the button positioning in the Document Options - Lyrics dialog box.
  • Exporting audio. Finale has been updated to address occasional crashes when exporting audio.
  • MIDI Setup dialog box. The MIDI Setup dialog box UI has been updated to list 64-bit.
  • MusicXML.
  • Memory leaks during MusicXML batch export have been removed.
  • Files without any measure number regions now correctly export that measure numbers are not displayed.
  • The direction that a strong accent (marcato) symbol points is now exported more accurately.
  • Additional chord suffixes are now exported as chord symbols rather than text.
  • Chord symbols with the words "no", "omit", and "add" in chord alterations now export more accurately.
  • Hidden tuplets are now exported correctly.
  • Incorrect unrecognized notehead processing instructions are no longer exported.
  • Plug-ins. The Drum Groove and Smart Cue Notes plug-ins correctly appear in the Plug-ins > Scoring and Arranging submenu.
  • ReWire. The Finale installer now delivers the most up to date Finale ReWire Device bundle to address crashes with 3rd party digital audio workstations.
  • ScoreManager. The ScoreManager is now named consistently throughout the Finale application.

New in Finale 25.1.0.182 (Oct 26, 2016)

  • HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Graphics. Finale's output is true black and a transparent background can now be selected in the Graphic tool's Export dialog box.
  • Hyphens. Users can now choose the hyphen character for their lyrics under Document > Document Options > Lyrics.
  • Key Signature dialog box Scroll bars have been improved in the Key Signature dialog box.
  • Mute All and Solo All. Individual and universal Mute and Solo settings can easily be toggled using M and S in the Score Manager.
  • Palettes. Improvements to the palettes including titles, resizing, and scrolling have been made.
  • Repeats. Find options to determine the position of your repeat ending brackets by using the Repeat Endings dialog box in the Document Options.
  • ReWire. Don't Show Again checkbox has been added to the HyperScribe in ReWire mode warning.
  • Time Signature dialog box. The user interface for the Number of Beats and Beat Duration options have been improved.
  • Windows. Finale includes Automatic Tabbed Windows and Automatic Snapping Windows in Mac OS X 10.12.
  • MusicXML:
  • "Let Ring" ties on noteheads are now exported to MusicXML.
  • MusicXML now exports Engraver Font Set brackets correctly.
  • Center Smart Shape text is correctly exported to MusicXML.
  • Chords with suffixes that define a numeric chord type after parenthesized alterations are exported correctly to MusicXML.
  • MusicXML export support for MaestroTimes font has been added.
  • Improved MusicXML export of accidentals in page-attached text.
  • MusicXML now respects Finale's Show on Multimeasure Rests and Show Measure Ranges on Multimeasure Rests options.
  • MusicXML now supports Engraver Text arrow characters.
  • MusicXML supports export for tacet parts with no instruments.
  • Playback Controls:
  • Finale's Playback Controls can now be used while in ReWire mode.
  • The Slave to ReWire Master Tempo check box has been added to the Playback Controls to allow the user to either use Finale's tempo map or their DAW's tempo.
  • A Sync button has been added to the Playback Controls to update score data when using a DAW to playback.
  • FIXED DEFECTS:
  • Decimal Character:
  • The localized decimal character is correctly recognized in Finale's dialog boxes.
  • Dialog Boxes:
  • Text in the Metatool creation warning is no longer truncated.
  • Text in the Extract Parts dialog box is aligned correctly.
  • Truncated text in View Continuous Data dialog box has been fixed.
  • Enharmonic Spelling:
  • The Enharmonic Spelling preference is maintained from session to session.
  • Human Playback:
  • Switching between open documents no longer resets the Human Playback Swing value to 0.
  • Measure Number Regions:
  • Choosing Display as Frames under Measure > Edit Measure Number Regions > Style > Time only draws one instance of the time.
  • MusicXML:
  • Files with slurs referencing non-existing starting measures export to Finale and re-import into Finale with all slurs intact.
  • MusicXML export succeeds when percussion instruments have unassigned playback.
  • Processing instructions are now included when logging is turned on during Finale MusicXML batch export.
  • MusicXML does not export a tempo of 0 from expressions.
  • MusicXML imports Sibelius percussion notes on the correct staff lines.
  • Palettes:
  • Tool palettes correctly resize in Mac OS X 10.12.
  • PDFs:
  • Parts named with the forward slash character (/) can now be saved, extracted, printed, and exported as a PDF.
  • When printing to PDF, users are no longer prompted with "UNTITLED" instead of the document name.
  • Finale does not adjust the name of a PDF export for scores that do not contain linked parts, " - score", or a score/part insert.
  • Preferences:
  • The Default Document text field in the Preferences - New dialog box now displays the correct file when saved.
  • Printing:
  • Mismatched Page Size dialog box does not appear when printing matched page sizes.
  • The Copies text field in the Print dialog box multiplies the number of sets in the Score and Part selection.
  • SmartMusic Markers:
  • Clicking Done in the SmartMusic Markers dialog box no longer crashes Finale.
  • Speedy Entry:
  • Using Caps Lock to enter notes in Speedy Entry now works consistently.
  • Text:
  • Switching away from Finale and back, while the Text menu is active, no longer disables font family submenus.
  • Tool Sets:
  • Relaunching Finale after creating a Tool Set no longer crashes the program.
  • Transpose MIDI on Input:
  • The correct note is now played or entered when using a simplified key signature in a transposing staff.

New in Finale 2014.5.6360 (Nov 24, 2015)

  • Modern installers. Finale now uses an entirely new installer framework, offering a familiar installation experience with a slightly different appearance.
  • Apply Human Playback. The Apply Human Playback plug-in has been replaced with the Apply Human Playback option in the MIDI tool menu.
  • Change Noteheads. The Change Noteheads utility has been updated to include the functionality of the removed Change Noteheads plug-in.
  • Latin Percussion. The names of the Latin Percussion styles have been updated to reflect whether they use the Maestro or Jazz font.
  • Modernized plug-ins. Plug-ins that do not apply to linked parts (such as Voice 2 to Layer) are properly disabled when editing a linked part. Additionally, many plug-ins are more reliable, including Vertical Collision Remover, Create Coda System, and Auto Dynamic Placement.
  • Removed plug-ins. The Clear Measure Number Positioning, Command Line, Find Parallel Motion, Midline Stem Direction, and Smart Page Turns plug-ins have been removed.
  • MicNotator. This feature for transcribing audio performances has been removed, but you can still record an audio track into a Finale document.
  • For more information regarding specific menu command changes, see Finale 2014 Interface Changes in the User Manual.
  • Features added in this release include:
  • Options to automatically create double barlines before key changes
  • The ability to change sample rates
  • A means to quickly and easily reorder staves
  • Enhanced MusicXML and EPUB support
  • Options to automatically create double barlines before key changes
  • The ability to save SmartMusic accompaniments with premium VST/AU instrument sounds, including the provided Garritan sounds
  • Updated SmartScore X2 Lite scanning software, with many improvements in core musical features such as beams, augmentation dots, and tuplets

New in Finale 2014.4.5030 (Nov 17, 2015)

  • Interface Changes:
  • Customizable tool palettes. You can now customize the layout of all palette buttons exactly as you could in Finale 2012.
  • File and Edit palettes. These palettes, which restore the functionality of the corresponding toolbars in Finale 2012, can be displayed via the Window menu.
  • Page View and Scroll View buttons. These buttons have been added to the View palette so you can easily switch between views.
  • Optional large-size tool palettes. A larger size for improved visibility can be chosen in the Preferences - Palettes and Backgrounds dialog box.
  • Disable snapping for beat-attached Smart Shapes. Deselect Smart Shape > Snap When Attaching to Beats to return to the Finale 2012-style method of placing Smart Shapes.
  • Help Improve Finale. After installing this update, a new dialog appears on the first launch asking whether or not you want to submit anonymous usage data to MakeMusic. MakeMusic uses this data to inform the design of new versions of Finale; no personally-identifiable or document information is ever collected, and you can change your mind at any time by choosing Help > Help Improve Finale.
  • Speedy Entry:
  • Contents of the previous measure no longer overwrite existing music when selecting the "Move the extra notes to the next measure" option in Speedy Entry.

New in Finale 2014.3.4736 (Jul 8, 2014)

  • Audio:
  • The audio sample rate is now retained in the Finale preferences.
  • Human Playback/MIDI tool:
  • MIDI key velocity information is now played back in all layers.
  • Stop and start values are now interpreted correctly by Human Playback.
  • Printing:
  • Documents no longer print off-center when selecting crop marks or registration marks.

New in Finale 2014.0.3163 (Nov 6, 2013)

  • Finale 2014 Interface Changes:
  • Human Playback Preferences. To access the Human Playback Preferences, choose Edit > Preferences > Human Playback.
  • Percussion Layout Designer. The Percussion Layout Designer has been updated to: display the current staff name and Percussion MIDI Map; access the Percussion MIDI Map editor; display the MIDI note values from the current Percussion MIDI Map for assigned note types; optionally only allow note types found in the current Percussion MIDI Map; and provide a button to add all note types from the current Percussion MIDI Map.
  • Movie Window. The playback controls and error handling in Finale’s Movie Window have been updated to provide greater flexibility and ease of use.
  • Transcription Mode. This method of recording MIDI data via the HyperScribe Tool has been removed. MIDI data previously recorded with Transcription Mode is embedded in your document and still plays back.
  • Manage VST Plug-ins dialog box. Finale now uses an audio engine that automatically scans the audio plug-ins in the directories specified in this dialog box when you launch the program. Additionally, you can have Finale automatically re-scan your plug-ins directories for new plug-ins while Finale is running.
  • Toolbars/customization. The toolbars (and their customization), which duplicated commands available in Finale’s menus, have been removed to free up screen space.
  • Composer’s Assistant plug-ins. These seldom-used plug-ins have become out-of-date and have been removed. They no longer appear under the Scoring and Arranging submenu.
  • Mixer/Studio View. The Mixer and Studio View control modules have been updated for clearer control.
  • Scroll View. Staff names are fully visible and remain to the far left when zooming and scrolling in Scroll View.
  • Open dialog box. By default, the Open dialog box now displays all file types that Finale can open.
  • New Features:
  • New file format:
  • Designed to improve compatibility, the new format for documents created in Finale helps you share your music more easily. Older Finale documents are automatically converted when you open them, and you will be prompted to save the file in the new format. You can also export your document to the older format for use in Finale 2012 (use MusicXML for earlier versions of Finale).
  • Keyless scores:
  • Create scores or sections with no key signature. You can also easily hide key signatures and continue to automatically display accidentals using the Hide key signature/Show accidentals option.
  • Beat-attached Smart Shapes:
  • Smart Shapes that previously attached to measures now attach to beats (in the same manner as expressions) with lines showing the attachment point. Beat attachment allows a Smart Shape start or end point to attach to a particular note, beat, or right barline. Affected Smart Shapes include hairpins, trills and trill extensions, 8va/8vb (ottava/ottava bassa), horizontal brackets, and lines.
  • Smart multi-layer accidental and rest handling:
  • Rests of the same duration and accidentals on unison notes in multiple layers now are displayed only once. Accidentals in one layer are also carried through the measure for all other layers (these can optionally be displayed in Staff Attributes or Staff Styles).
  • Improved percussion functionality:
  • There is now greater interaction between the Percussion Layout Designer and Percussion MIDI Maps, and Percussion MIDI Maps can now be removed.
  • Unlinkable Special Tools:
  • Alterations made with any of the Special Tools are now unlinkable between a score and its parts.
  • MP4 support:
  • Finale now supports loading MP4 videos.
  • Improved Scanning/SmartScore Lite Enhancements:
  • Finale now includes SmartScore Lite version X2, offering improved notation recognition.
  • New ARIA Player:
  • Finale includes the latest ARIA Player from Garritan, with more than 400 instruments including the additions of alto flute, bass flute, oboe d'amore, Eb clarinet, contrabass clarinet, piccolo trumpet, tubular bells, string harmonics, percussion "toys", orchestral brass mutes, flugelhorn, basic African percussion, steel drums, banjo, fife, tablas, Celtic harp, and nine patches from Garritan Instant Orchestra.
  • Improvements to opening files:
  • Finale displays all readable file types in the Open dialog box. Additionally, MusicXML files can now be dragged-and-dropped onto the Finale application.
  • New method for Finale updates:
  • At launch, Finale automatically checks for updates. Instead of requiring you to download and install the updates manually from the Finale website, Finale now downloads and installs the updates automatically.
  • Fixes:
  • Chords:
  • Fret values over 10 for capo no longer cause a crash in the Chord Definition dialog box.
  • Expressions:
  • Descriptions for new expressions can be copied in the Expression Designer.
  • Fonts:
  • Finale font annotation now supports Unicode.
  • Engraver fonts are no longer missing when exporting to PDF.
  • Graphics:
  • Handles stay attached to a selected graphic when scrolling.
  • Human Playback:
  • Accordion instruments are now recognized as a single grand staff.
  • Lyrics:
  • Hyphens and word extensions now appear in mirrored measures.
  • Music Spacing:
  • Music spacing is now applied correctly to all layers when using Automatic Update Layout.
  • PDF Export:
  • Finale no longer crashes on PDF export when a measure- or beat-attached score element is selected.
  • Playback:
  • Unison notes of different durations in multiple layers now play correctly.
  • ScoreManager:
  • Percussion MIDI Maps now display correctly when changing a staff’s notation style to Percussion.
  • ScoreMerger:
  • Certain files containing repeats no longer cause a crash when being merged.
  • Measure number regions are now retained when merging documents.
  • Merging documents with duplicate instruments no longer overwrites the first instrument staff.
  • Setup Wizard:
  • Eb cornet instruments now appear with the correct transposition.
  • Ensembles containing Unicode characters now display correctly.
  • Text:
  • Text from multi-line text blocks now appear correctly in the Edit Text dialog box.

New in Finale 2011.r4 (Jun 29, 2010)

  • Hiding Empty Staves. Finale makes it easy to hide staves that don't contain music, in your whole score or selected regions.
  • Auto-Showing Music. If you choose to hide empty staves in your score, and then subsequently move measures or add notes to the hidden staves, the appropriate notes and staves now automatically appear.
  • Hiding Staves Containing Music. Finale makes it easy to hide staves that contain music. Need parts for an instrument that you don't want to appear in the score? Simply hide staves in the score.
  • Moving Staves. It’s now incredibly easy to move staves. Want to increase the distance between staves? Click and drag. Your music updates automatically as you drag and you receive on-screen feedback about the distance between the staves and what staves will be impacted.
  • Reordering Staves. Want to reorder staves and/or groups? Now it's easily done instantly in one place.
  • Enhanced Groups and Brackets. We've simplified the process of editing group names and brackets, and to change groups and brackets for the whole score or just selected regions – and groups automatically adjust their measure ranges when measures are added or removed. It's also easy to show the full staff and group names for any system (very helpful when you're starting a new movement).
  • Music containing Lyrics Looks Better – Automatically. The default music spacing of music with lyrics is more intelligent, and multiple verses of lyrics are better aligned. Lyrics and music space together more intelligently – the way an engraver would prefer.
  • Word Extensions. In addition to better music spacing on melismatic passages, word extensions now automatically draw to the next rest. Should you choose to edit a word extension, your edits are permanently "locked down," and you can freely drag word extensions to subsequent systems.
  • Intuitive Lyric Entry Interface. Lyric fonts, word extensions, and hyphens now instantly update as you enter and look exactly as they will print. Should you want to fine-tune, you're free to do so with improved handles, drag-select control, and visual feedback including lyric attachment lines.
  • Lyrics window. Whether you are typing directly into the score or click-assigning, Finale's new Lyrics window accompanies you throughout your lyric entry process.
  • Type Into Score and Auto Update. Finale 2011 makes it much easier to access multiple fonts within lyrics. Now you have access to a text menu when you're typing into score. This makes it easy to change fonts and sizes while you're typing, and your lyrics instantly appear just as they will print out. Similarly all word extensions always update automatically.
  • Automatic Lyric Numbering. Finale can now automatically add verse numbers to your lyrics.
  • Additional Music Education Worksheets. Finale 2011 includes more than 350 education worksheets and more than 400 music education flash cards found in previous versions of Finale, plus these additions:Dozens of Jazz Improvisation Worksheets: Finale files that playback with the free, downloadable Finale reader and offer tips to beginning improvisers AND include jazz rhythm section accompaniment.
  • New worksheets covering concepts related to form and analysis.
  • Dozens of Classroom Resources – popular public domain literature to be used in the classroom. Includes folk songs, traditional songs and all Bach inventions.
  • A few new additions to the existing collection of music-themed puzzles and games.
  • Finale AlphaNotes Font. Created for use with beginning music students, the FinaleAlphaNotes font places note names inside noteheads. In addition to note names, sharps, flats, and solfège syllables are also provided. Finale 2011 also automates the process of applying these new noteheads to any region of any piece.
  • Finale Percussion Font. Many publishers use icons to represent standard percussion instruments in their scores. This font contains the most complete collection of percussion characters available. Also included are handbell symbols and many unique characters including castanets, sine waves, scribbles, and more.
  • Finale Mallets Font. The Finale Mallets font includes icons to represent any variety of mallet usages, including the ability to create cross-mallet symbol. For example, you could use two of the zero-width mallet characters to indicate the performer should use a yarn mallet in the left hand and a hard mallet in the right hand.
  • Apply Capo Chords. Easily add capo chords and fretboards to your arrangement using this new utility.
  • Garritan Sounds. Finale now includes more than 375 Garritan sounds. New additions include bass trombone, brass section, children ahs, flute section, electronic drum kit, synth space voice, synth warm pad, and steel drums.
  • New Aria Player with a new user interface, clearer controls, an integrated Ambiance reverb, and a powerful new ability to save Ensembles, allowing you to quickly load multiple sounds even when configuring the player manually.
  • Change Percussion MIDI Maps mid-score. You can now assign a new Percussion MIDI Map to any point in a staff when multiple non-pitched percussion instruments are used.
  • Improved Pickup Measures. Finale now automatically fills pickup measures with the appropriate rest duration.
  • Quick Reference Guide. The included Quick Reference Guide shows you how to complete common tasks quickly and easily in Finale. With a graphic-rich presentation, you instantly see how to accomplish your goals without reading lengthy descriptions.
  • For details on specific interface changes added since Finale 2010, see Finale 2011 Interface Changes in the User Manual.
  • Fixes:
  • Chord Symbols - Problems relating to missing chord symbols have been resolved.
  • Enharmonics - Enharmonic Alterations are now retained when notes are moved to subsequent measures. Equivalent enharmonic spellings are now recognized when reducing notes.
  • Exercise Wizard - Selection problems on page 3 of the Exercise Wizard have been resolved.
  • FinaleScript - Two copies of all documents are no longer printed when processing a folder.
  • Fonts - Data Check-Font Utilities now changes the font of measure numbers.
  • Human Playback - Human Playback no longer causes unexpected controller CC11 data. Errors regarding inserting keyswitches have been resolved. Dynamics now play back properly with Garritan Sound Effects. Interpretation of trill accidentals has been improved. Additional instruments including harpsichord and accordion are now supported.
  • HyperScribe - Finale no longer crashes during HyperScribe sessions when MIDI Thru is set to Off.
  • Lyrics - Undo during Click Assignment no longer shifts focus away from the score. Handles no longer become displaced when clearing manual positioning of syllables. Finale no longer crashes when clearing all word extensions with the Delete key.
  • Measures - The default horizontal position of measure numbers in documents without libraries has been restored to 0. There is no longer an extra tab stop in the Left Barlines section.
  • Page Layout - Extraneous pages are no longer created after copying notes with Automatic Page Layout enabled.
  • Text - Measure-attached text blocks can now be reassigned after they have been created. Special characters like hard spaces can now be copied using the Edit Text dialog box.
  • ScoreMerger - ScoreMerger now handles pickup measures correctly.
  • Setup Wizard - Creating a file with more than 8 non-pitched percussion instruments no longer causes a crash.
  • Selection - Stack selection can no longer appear when not all staves are selected.
  • SmartMusic Accompaniments - Non-General MIDI percussion sounds are no longer off-by-one when saved as a Solo .SMP file, permitting proper percussion playback.
  • Staves - Deleted staves are now removed from systems in parts with Hide Empty Staves applied. - Context-clicking a staff or group handle and then clicking outside the context menu no longer erroneously selects measures. Deleting a staff no longer transfers highlighting to the staff below. Staff handles can no longer be deselected while measures in the staff remain selected. Distances in the Staff Usage and Respace Staves dialog boxes are now positive. Staves beneath a staff being dragged no longer continue to move after the dragged staff is restrained by a page margin. The staff order can no longer be changed in the Respace Staves dialog box. Applying Music Spacing to a pickup measure when in the Staff Tool no longer opens the ‘partial measure’ warning.’
  • Ties - Changes made to one tie no longer affect all other ties on the same note.
  • VST - VST settings are no longer lost while extracting parts. VST plug-ins moved to the ‘Ignore’ list are no longer re-evaluated and moved back to the ‘Validated’ list after Finale is re-launched.
  • Word Extensions - Problems related to word extension handles displaying properly have been resolved.

New in Finale 2010.r6 (Aug 11, 2009)

  • Percussion Notation:
  • We've simplified the process of getting notes on percussion staves to look – and playback – exactly the way you want them to.
  • Music Education Worksheets
  • Finale now includes hundreds of ready-made, customizable, music education worksheets designed for K-12 students.
  • Garritan sounds:
  • Finale now includes more than 350 world-class instrument sounds from the makers of Garritan Personal Orchestra. Free new sounds include organ, a variety of electric guitars, five octaves of handbells, and a brush drum kit.
  • Broadway Copyist:
  • Inspired by the golden era of handwritten Broadway scores, the Broadway Copyist hand-written font offers a lighter, classic appearance.
  • Measure Numbers:
  • Control measure number alignment, positioning, and fonts separately in your score and linked parts.
  • Automatic Rehearsal Marks:
  • Use a keystroke to enter rehearsal marks and Finale automatically sequences them correctly and dynamically updates them when you delete, insert, or move any rehearsal mark or measure.
  • Chords:
  • Change or delete notes without changing your chords. Attach chords to measures – whether or not they contain notes or rests – and have the chords appear and playback correctly.
  • Graphics Support:
  • Export as .JPEG, and .PNG and import as .JPEG, .PNG, .BMP, and .GIF in addition to previously supported formats of .TIFF, .EPS.
  • VST / AU Support & Updated Aria Player:
  • Finale now supports all third-party VST / AU Instruments and Effects, providing users with unlimited sonic possibilities. Updated for Finale 2010, the Garritan Aria Player simplifies the process of changing MIDI channel assignments.
  • Scanning Improvements and More:
  • New Smartscore Lite scanning interface enables you to specify the instrumentation so that your staves will automatically be properly transposed and configured for playback. Also new are transparent selection handles, exporting lyrics to a word-processing document, and improved help documentation.