The Transition from Finale to Dorico 5: A Comprehensive Analysis

By James A. Goins

Finale Music Software Sunsetting.

The landscape of music notation software has witnessed a seismic shift with the announcement of the sunsetting of Finale Music Notation software and the growing prominence of Steinberg's Dorico 5. For many musicians, composers, and arrangers, the transition represents a significant change in their daily workflow. This blog explores the features of Finale and Dorico 5's features, details the transition's timeline, and delves into user experiences to provide a comprehensive overview of this major shift in the music notation software industry.

1. A Brief Overview of Finale and Dorico 5

Finale has long been a stalwart in music notation, known for its powerful features and flexibility. First introduced in 1988 by Coda Music Technology, Finale became the go-to software for professionals and educators. However, as technology evolved, so did user expectations, leading to the emergence of new competitors in the market.

Dorico 5, Steinberg’s latest flagship notation software, represents a new era in music notation technology. First released in 2016, Dorico has quickly gained acclaim for its intuitive interface, advanced features, and the integration of cutting-edge technology. The release of Dorico 5 has further solidified its position as a leading notation software.

2. Feature Comparison: Finale vs. Dorico 5

When comparing Finale and Dorico 5, several key areas stand out: user interface, workflow efficiency, notation capabilities, and advanced features.

User Interface

• Finale: Finale's interface has often been described as powerful but complex, with a steep learning curve for new users. Its traditional approach to notation is feature-rich but can be overwhelming due to its many tools and options.

• Dorico 5: Dorico is renowned for its clean, modern interface that prioritizes ease of use and efficiency. The software employs a task-oriented approach, making common tasks more intuitive and accessible. Dorico’s use of panels and context-sensitive menus allows users to focus on their music without getting bogged down by technicalities.

Workflow Efficiency

• Finale: Finale offers a high degree of customization but often requires multiple steps to achieve specific results. For example, tasks like formatting or adjusting articulations might involve navigating through several menus or dialogs.

• Dorico 5: Dorico is designed to streamline workflows by automating many processes. Its “Write” mode allows for rapid input of notes and changes, while the “Engrave” mode handles formatting with minimal intervention. Dorico’s ability to handle complex notation tasks with fewer steps can significantly save time.

Notation Capabilities

• Finale: Finale supports a wide range of notation styles and has been a reliable choice for complex scores. However, certain advanced features, such as modern rhythm notation or specific jazz and contemporary techniques, can be cumbersome to implement.

• Dorico 5: Dorico excels in handling a diverse array of notation styles. Its advanced capabilities include modern rhythmic notation, simplified cross-staff notation, and seamless integration of extended techniques. Dorico also supports multiple transposition schemes and complex layout options with ease.

Advanced Features

• Finale: Finale’s advanced features include custom plugins, scripting, and a high degree of flexibility in notation. However, some of these features are considered less user-friendly and require additional learning or technical know-how.

• Dorico 5: Dorico introduces innovative features like automatic part extraction, advanced playback options, and intuitive dynamics and articulation handling. Its “Note Perform” feature, for instance, provides realistic playback with human-like nuances, which is a significant advancement over Finale’s more basic playback capabilities.

Dorico Notation Software A New Day

3. Timeline of the Transition

The transition from Finale to Dorico has been a gradual process marked by several key milestones:

2016: Dorico’s Initial Release

Dorico 1.0 was released in October 2016, marking Steinberg’s entry into the music notation software market. The initial version focused on providing a fresh approach to notation and received positive feedback for its intuitive design and advanced capabilities.

2018: Dorico 2

Dorico 2 introduced several enhancements, including support for complex time signatures, improved layout options, and additional tools for orchestrators and composers. This version cemented Dorico’s reputation as a serious contender in the notation software arena.

2020: Dorico 3 and 3.5

Dorico 3 and 3.5 brought further improvements, such as enhanced playback features and better integration with other music production software. The release of Dorico 3.5 was notable for its focus on improving user experience and expanding the software’s capabilities.

2022: Dorico 4

Dorico 4 represented a significant update with new features and improvements. Highlights included enhanced notation options, better support for complex scores, and further refinements to the user interface. The update solidified Dorico’s position as a leading notation software choice.

2024: Dorico 5

Dorico 5, released in early 2024, brings a host of new features and refinements. Among the most notable are improvements in AI-driven notation assistance, enhanced collaboration tools, and expanded support for various musical genres and styles.

You can see just from the releases, in such a short amount of time that Steinberg's Dorico has been light years ahead of Finale in development. Plus, I hate to say it but their development team has listened to its users and integrated the necessary changes and updates quickly and efficiently. Those of you who have been Finale users for decades know how long the response time has been between ignored fix-it tickets and bug removal requests we had to deal with.

4. User Experiences: Time Saved and Advanced Features

User experiences with Finale and Dorico 5 reveal a clear trend: Dorico’s advanced features and streamlined workflow often result in significant time savings and a more efficient notation process.

Time Saved

• Input Speed: Users frequently report that Dorico’s streamlined input methods and automated features significantly reduce the time required to enter and edit music. Dorico’s ability to handle complex tasks with fewer steps means that users spend less time navigating menus and more time composing.

• Formatting and Layout: Dorico’s automatic formatting and layout adjustments save time by reducing the need for manual tweaks. Users appreciate the software’s ability to handle complex layouts and formatting without extensive manual intervention.

Advanced Features

• Playback and Realism: Dorico’s advanced playback features, including the “Note Perform” engine, offer a more realistic and nuanced playback experience compared to Finale’s basic playback capabilities. This feature is particularly valued by composers and arrangers who rely on accurate playback for evaluating their work.

• Complex Notation: Dorico’s support for modern and complex notation styles, including jazz and contemporary techniques, is a major advantage. Users find that Dorico’s intuitive handling of these styles simplifies the notation process and reduces the learning curve associated with complex notational practices.

5. Conclusion

The transition from Finale to Dorico 5 marks a significant shift in the music notation software landscape. While Finale has long been a powerful tool with a loyal user base, Dorico 5’s modern interface, advanced features, and efficient workflow offer compelling advantages. As users adapt to Dorico 5, the benefits of streamlined notation processes, enhanced playback realism, and advanced notation capabilities become increasingly apparent.

For many musicians, the change represents an opportunity to embrace new technology and improve their creative processes. Dorico 5 stands as a testament to the evolution of music notation software, offering a glimpse into the future of how music is composed, arranged, and presented.

Whether you are a longtime Finale user or new to music notation software, Dorico 5 provides a powerful and innovative alternative that meets the demands of today’s musicians. As the industry moves forward, Dorico 5 is poised to become the new standard in music notation, setting a high bar for future developments in this ever-evolving field.

I started using Finale 35 years ago. Do I feel rugged pulled after 3 and a half decades of using the same software working through all the bugs and laying out several thousands of dollars? Damn right, I do! But in the final analysis, I want what is right for my music and the advancement of our craft as composers, arrangers, and music creators. Learning new stuff hurts. But walking was once new after you were born...and look where that's got you.

Let's go Finale Pro Users! We got this. RIP Finale and Thank you for your service. Hello, Dorico.