How to transform a corrupted .mscz file to a valid one?

• Jan 22, 2024 - 21:04

1) Can you tell me if it's possible to transform a corrupted file, resulting from downloading a PDF file to .mscz format, to a valid file, which will correctly play the score, by editing it and making manual changes to it. If so, what do I have to do in order to repair the corrupted file?
2) Can you tell me other solutions to transform a corrupted file, resulting from downloading a PDF file to .mscz format, to a valid file, which will correctly play the score.


Comments

Hi , I think there is a very....very big work to get a correct file.........you have a lots of little "+" or "-" in grey at the end of many measures...........each of these measures are incorrect...........at the end you get 2 measures more than PDF......

What PDF reader produced this mscz file? If it was the built-in reader, you might consider the full Audiveris software. Though the UI is tricky.
Part of the problem is some the triplet notation in the PDF. The first few triplets that have a rest for the first note are not well marked. The piano fingering can also confuse a reader.
If you plan to do a lot of this kind of work and the full version of Audiveris doesn't work for you, you may need to buy a pdf reader.

In reply to by bobjp

Thank you bobjp for your detailed response. Personally, I own Adobe Acrobat PRO, which is a great application that allows you to create and edit PDF files, as well as other useful features, such as OCR (convert a file containing text from an image format such as jpg, or an image in a PDF file to text in the PDF file, which can be copied and pasted into a text format such as .doc/WORD).

But I wasn't the one who created the PDF file, which I converted to .mscz format. I read your response carefully. My reaction to what you told me is that the solution to my problem might be to first edit the original PDF file, using my Adobe Acrobat PRO application, and then make manual changes to the PDF file , such as changing the triplet notation and piano fingering notation in the PDF. They will then be better understood by the PDF to .mscz conversion function of MuseScore. However, I'm afraid that all these changes to improve the original PDF file will require a lot of knowledge and work on my part. I have no knowledge of Audiveris software, so I will ask the developers of Audiveris software what their product does and if it is possible to test it for free before ordering it.

If you have any comments to make in response to this message, I will read them with interest and pleasure.

Thank you again for your help.

Have a great day,
Yossi

In reply to by YossiPatt

Audiveris is free software. https://github.com/Audiveris/audiveris/releases
Unfortunately, it is not very easy to use. At least you can recognize what is being interpreted incorrectly and take corrective action. If you know how to use it, the result will definitely be better. But rarely perfect.
Audiveris is also used by MuseScore for PDF import, but you have no influence on the result.
There is other commercial OMR software that is supposed to deliver slightly better results. But none of them are perfect! This has already been mentioned here in the forum, I have no personal experience with it.

In reply to by HildeK

"There is other commercial OMR software that is supposed to deliver slightly better results."

  1. So much depends on the clarity of the original PDF. A score which has been photocopied and scanned multiple times is never a good starting point.
  2. The best commercial OMR software can achieve startling results. Sometimes 99% correct, not just "slightly better".

In reply to by YossiPatt

Thank you my friends for your answers. I will study them. Here is a question I have just asked to ChatGPT and its answer. I will study it too.

Me

What OMR application which gets a music score in PDF format as input and gives a score in .mscz format (The format used by MuseScore) as output can you recommend me?

ChatGPT

OMR stands for "Optical Mark Recognition." It is a technology used for scanning and reading optical marks on printed documents. OMR technology is commonly used for tasks like grading multiple-choice exams, collecting survey data, and processing various types of forms where respondents fill in bubbles or checkboxes. OMR scanners and software can quickly and accurately detect and interpret these marks, making it a valuable tool for automating data collection and analysis. If you have more specific questions about OMR or need additional information, please feel free to ask.

As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, there isn't a specific OMR software that directly converts a PDF music score into a MuseScore (.mscz) format. OMR technology is primarily used for recognizing marks on scanned paper documents, such as multiple-choice exams, surveys, and forms, and converting them into digital data. It is not commonly used for converting complex music scores from PDFs to specific music notation software formats.

For converting music scores from PDF to MuseScore (.mscz) format, you may need to follow these general steps:
1. PDF to MusicXML: First, convert the PDF music score to a MusicXML format file. There are software tools available that can assist with this step, such as "PDFtoMusic" by Myriad Software or "SmartScore" by Musitek. These tools can extract music notation from PDFs and convert them into MusicXML files.
2. Import MusicXML into MuseScore: After you've obtained the MusicXML file, you can import it into MuseScore. MuseScore supports MusicXML as one of its import formats, allowing you to open and edit the music score.
3. Save as .mscz: Once you have imported the MusicXML into MuseScore, you can then save the score in the .mscz format using the "Save As" option within MuseScore.
Please note that the quality of the conversion may vary depending on the complexity and formatting of the original PDF score. You may need to do some manual adjustments and editing in MuseScore to ensure the accuracy and layout of the score.
Keep in mind that software options and capabilities can change over time, so it's a good idea to check for any updates or new software tools that may have emerged since my last knowledge update in 2022.

In reply to by YossiPatt

Just know that ChatGPT's response #1 omits quite a few other software options. Google music scanning software and you will find not only other options, but reviews, etc. You will at lease learn about some of the glitches. And some programs are better for certain types of music. I have used Photoscore, but it chokes when for example choral music varies from closed (such as SA on one staff, TB on the other) to open (full S A T B on 4). I also have a PDF where leaving the copyright info at the page bottom leads to a corrupted .musicXML file.

That bit of Mozart is already in Musescore. Search at the top of the forum page and you'll find a few versions that could help you out - quicker than editing the corruptions.

https://musescore.com/sheetmusic?text=mozart%20397
At least nine versions already.

For scanning I've had better luck with Notateme Now for android or iphone. Free version will do a single instrument score.

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