"Personal Composer" -- Does it have orchestral instrument playback ?

[Mayla]

Is anybody familiar with this software ?  I am thinking about purchasing it, but one of the things I most want is to have some semblence of orchestral instruments in the playback feature.  I have read the site and list of features, but I don't see this listed here (or anywhere else).

Thanks for any info,
Mayal

[quantum]

I'm not familiar with it, but it looks like you wish to have a program with scoring ability plus good playback. 

I have to recommend Finale here (I'm not associated with the company).  I find Finale very powerful in terms of professional scoring abilities and layout.  Also great sounding playback. 

There are several versions at different price points. 

Many Finale users are around to ask questions, or to seek help using the program.

[Mayla]

Hi quantum, thanks for your response .  Yes, I have been considering Finale as well, however PC is about $450 USD's less !!  I am not associated with PC either, but I think I am leaning that way.  They seem great as far as I can tell, I just don't know whether they provide the feature as far as instrumentation that I am asking about.  I suppose I could actually ask them though.

[quantum]

Are you a church musician, or do you know one?  There is a significant Finale discount for such people, as well as students. 

[Mayla]

Well, I have checked it out and I can get the same discount for being a teacher and a member of MTNA.  What I can't figure out though is if it's the real thing or a different version of finale to make it a smaller price.  Do you have the academic/theological version ?  Thanks for your help .

[quantum]

I have the full version.  I believe the pricing is a discount and not a difference in software features. 

There is a comparison chart on the right side here:
http://www.finalemusic.com/allegro


What I particularly like about Finale is the degree of customization you can archive with the score.  You can get Henle or Barenreiter looking results with a bit of practice.  I use it to do quite a bit of customized score work for church music - mostly for my own use.  I also do engraving on the side for people who need it.