Sibelius First

Sibelius First

Avid Sibelius® First is the fastest, smartest, easiest way for everyone to start to write and share music—from aspiring composers and songwriters, to teachers and students. Even if you’re more comfortable playing instruments than using notation software, the intuitive interface will guide your songwriting process. Magnetic Layout and other time-saving tools make it easy to get professional results fast—and the premium sound library plays back your compositions in stunning detail. When you’re done, choose how you want to introduce your music to the world—make a video of your score, export for iPad, or share directly to YouTube, SoundCloud, and Facebook.

Start composing right away

The new user interface is so intuitive, you’ll be able to jump in and start writing music right away. Choose the note input method that’s most comfortable for you—play a MIDI instrument, transcribe audio, or scan sheet music. Revolutionary features like Magnetic Layout automatically take care of the details, so you can write music and create print-quality scores with ease. If you get stuck or want to take your skills even further, just check out the how-to and help content.

Get inspired

Want to hear how your ideas will sound in real life? Play back your scores in beautiful detail with the amazing collection of sampled instrument sounds—or use your own VST/AU virtual instruments or effects. If you need further inspiration, check out the Score Starter and Ideas library to kick-start your creativity. With Sibelius First notation software in your toolkit, writer’s block won’t stand a chance.

Share your music with the world

What fun is it to write music if you can’t share it? Sibelius First notation software gives you more options than ever—export scores to video; share directly to YouTube, SoundCloud, and Facebook; publish scores online; export to iPad; and more. Of course, you can also print, email, export scores as MIDI/MusicXML, and create audio files. You can also send your scores to the Avid Scorch mobile app and take them with you wherever you go.

• Intuitive music notation software makes it easy to get great results without prior experience
• Let the innovative, task-oriented interface guide you through the songwriting process
• Scan printed sheet music, transcribe audio, or play MIDI instruments to get your ideas into Sibelius First—and transfer music between applications via MusicXML interchange
• Add chord symbols and guitar fretboard diagrams by playing a MIDI keyboard or guitar
• Turn guitar tab into notation, and back again
• Take advantage of built-in smart tools to get great results without engraving or notation expertise
  • Magnetic Layout prevents collisions and moves score elements into position automatically
  • Dynamic Parts automatically update when you change your score
• Easily add lyrics, titles, other text, and graphics
• Hear your compositions in amazing detail thanks to the professional-quality sound library
• Expand your sonic palette with VST/AU virtual instruments or effects
• Unlock the full power of your 64-bit computer and directly address more than 4 GB of RAM
• Sync with other music software via ReWire
• Enjoy tons of sharing options—export scores as videos or audio files, publish directly to social media, publish online, email, print, make a PDF, and more
• Add Sibelius First scores to the Avid Scorch app (available on the App Store) and take your music on the go

Sibelius First is the fastest, easiest way for students to start to learn notation— and the perfect complement to their classroom’s copy of Sibelius 7. The incredibly intuitive interface leads them through score creation, while built-in smart tools produce beautiful results automatically. Teachers can guide student progress through sticky notes and comments, or take advantage of the included instrument library to demonstrate how scores will sound in real life. When students are done composing, it’s easy to show off their accomplishments—turn scores into videos, share directly to social media, export for iPad, print, email, and more.

Magnetic Layout—perfect scores in half the time

Magnetic Layout takes care of almost every detail of score layout—effortlessly. As students write, it gives everything just the right amount of space and avoids collisions to produce beautiful results. This single feature can cut writing time in half, leaving time for other lessons.

Keyboard window for input and playback

If students prefer using a keyboard to learn and write notation, this beautiful window is ideal. Simply click on the keys to input notes and chords or play a computer’s QWERTY keys just like a piano. And when students play back a score, the keyboard plays too.

Add sticky comments

Want to swap comments or score ideas with other students and teachers? Simply place them directly on the score using handy sticky notes.

Recognizes chord symbols automatically

Sibelius First understands the same chord types as Sibelius, and will even recognize and produce appropriate chord symbols in text and/or guitar diagrams when students input using a MIDI device or by typing suffix elements.

New sounds and VST/AU support

Sibelius First includes an exclusive, professional-quality instrument sound library, and can also play back scores using VST and Audio Unit instruments. So students can use world-famous sound libraries such as EastWest Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra, Vienna Symphonic Library, Synful Orchestra, and many others. Use as many different VST or Audio Unit effects as your computer can handle.

Get complete control of your session with M-Audio keyboards

Sibelius First works with all M-Audio controller keyboards, giving you numerous choices for entering notes and playing along with your compositions. The software is even compatible with HyperControl™, the MIDI mapping technology used in M-Audio Axiom Pro controller keyboards. HyperControl allows you to make music faster and easier by automatically mapping the knobs, faders, drum pads and numeric keypad buttons on the keyboard to playback, Mixer, and note input controls in Sibelius First. The two-way link ensures the keyboard’s controls are always in sync with your software.