New Computer On The Way
I’m waiting on delivery of my new computer, an M2 Mac Mini that’s going to dramatically change my music studies & composition. I’ve been running MuseScore v 1.1 since I don’t even know when, the old computer was an airlocked 2008 iMac. I’ll be downloading the latest version of MuseScore & am wondering what major differences I can expect & if the v 1.1 files I’ve saved will be fully compatible & able to be updated. I’m really looking forward to this; my version doesn’t even have a metronome! Thanks!
Comments
What types of scores?
Full symphony orchestra scores which you painstakingly and meticulously formatted?
Simple "songbook style" sheet music of a few pages each (with few adjustments needed)?
In reply to What types of scores? Full… by Jm6stringer
Up till now it’s been almost exclusively the songbook type. I’m looking forward to some horn section arrangements & maybe some multiple string parts. Novice stuff, I’m pretty much self-educated, but some years back I had the benefit of becoming friends with a conservatory trained musician who before he passed took me under his wing as best he could. I have some of his preliminary scores that I’d like to realize.
In reply to Up till now it’s been almost… by Michael M-3
You wrote:
Up till now it’s been almost exclusively the songbook type.
For simple scores, not much can go wrong with opening in a newer version of MuseScore. Best practice would be to open MS1 scores successively in MS2, then MS3, then MS4. Different (major) versions of MuseScore can co-exist on the same computer.
Although I actually just now tested some MuseScore 0.9 files - lead sheets - which open directly in MuseScore 3 (after disregarding MS3's protest about the score being from before version 2.0.0).
The problems arise in older scores which required lots of manual adjustments which may get messed up when opened in a newer version which has different layout defaults. Throughout the years the need for manual adjustments has decreased substantially as typesetting quality has improved. Therefore, some manual adjustments done on older scores may not display exactly the same. Resetting the position of all score elements to the newer version's defaults often helps.
As already mentioned below, you should keep older scores from being overwritten until you are sure they look good in the newer version.
You wrote:
I’m looking forward to some horn section arrangements & maybe some multiple string parts.
and:
I have some of his preliminary scores that I’d like to realize.
If this refers to creating new scores, and if you are moving up from MuseScore v 1.1, you'll be amazed at the many changes. I don't know if MuseScore v 1.1 had you entering rests using the spacebar, but nowadays spacebar is used to toggle playback on/off. Zero (0) is used to enter a rest. (I remember feeling stymied by this change when it occurred way back.)
Good luck with the new computer!
Recommendation: go carefully, and never overwrite any scores which are still in MS 1.1 format. Instead always use Save as to place the new version in a different folder.
Earlier advice Upgrade from MuseScore 1.x or 2.x when MS3 was first introduced:
https://musescore.org/en/handbook/3/upgrade-musescore-1x-or-2x