The workspace has three different views to choose from, page, scroll and studio each with its own advantages. There are 30 tools that are organized into 5 main pallets and can be arranged in customized ways within the workspace. You can also customize favourite toolsets and store them. Navigation within the workspace is well laid out with keyboard shortcuts for quick and efficient operation. In Scroll view up to 8 programmable staff sets are available for easy management of the project.

Finale 2007 features a number of note entry methods. In the simple entry mode, either you can use the mouse to enter notes one by one or the numeric keypad to enter note value and the alphanumeric keyboard to enter note names. Alternatively a MIDI keyboard can be used to enter notes. If you are using a laptop, it will be worth investing in a USB numeric keypad since configuring the laptop keypad to simulate the numeric keypad can be tricky. The Hyperscribe mode can be used to transcribe music played using a MIDI keyboard in real-time.

You can import standard MIDI files (SMF) into finale and convert them to notation. Finale also has Smart Score Technology that allows you to convert printed scores into Finale files by scanning them. Finished scores can be printed directly from Finale as how you would print a regular document. No specific configuration is required if the computer is already configured with a printer. You can also export pages or sections as EPS or TIFF using the graphics tool, a smart way to insert excerpts from the score into a word or similar document.

Comprehensive editing capabilities are available in Finale. The Mass edit tool allows modifications to a range notes. Context menus available with right click in Windows or Command click in Mac allows quick modification to most score items. Finale also features a lyric tool to insert lyrics into the score. Metatools is another great feature that allows you to add articulation, expression marks etc with single keystrokes using macros programmed on the alphanumeric keyboard.

Finale Metatool Assignment

Finale 2007 takes advantage of Native Instruments Kontakt Player 2 to playback music using Finale GPO. This coupled with Finale's Human Playback feature can give you some realistic listening experience. The audio mixer features level, pan and reverb controls to listen with an optimum balance.

Finale Mixer

Finale supports video playback, which is versatile for film scoring projects. Finale also features some great education tools. Custom exercises can be created easily for any ensemble with the help of the exercise wizard. SmartMusic accompaniment, auto stick and Kodály templates are great tools to teach music.

Latest version of Finale box set is priced at US$600. Academic price is US$350 and site licenses can be bought at US$135 per station, which is a great saving for schools in acquiring this feature rich program and is certainly value for money. Finale can be bought from any of the major local music stores or directly from Finale website or Amazon.com. You can download a 30 day trial version from Finale website for evaluation.

Finale's fundamental feature is Music Publishing, while it can be a CAI tool to a great extent. Finale is an extensive and thorough application and could appear complex to beginners. And it is likely that it will take a while before you master most if not all the features of Finale. As mentioned earlier, one can master it one step at a time and the tutorial resources are excellent. Extensive documentation is available for reference and support is available through Finale website. A feature rich application like Finale deserves nothing less than 8 on a scale of 0-10.