Dorico 6 released today April 30, 2025

[mikehalloran]

Dr. Ben Byram-Wigfield "Ben Wiggy" has a good overview of Dorico 6 including links and pricing here:

https://www.scoringnotes.com/reviews/dorico-6/

Finale owners have till August to cross-grade for $149. Since the upgrade for D-5 owners is $99.99, I'm passing on upgrading any of my licenses.

If it can save time and key strokes over Finale, I'll start using it. Otherwise, I'll keep it around for the occasional Doritos score that needs to be converted. Who knows? This version might be good — could happen...

[mhschmieder]

Just received the customer email a minute ago. Quickly skimmed the new features and enhancements and this time they do seem mostly focused on the needs of composers vs. Ableton Live loop-based musicians.

https://www.steinberg.net/dorico/new-fe ... SS3-DQQ8MA

[mhschmieder]

I was hoping to start revising a jazz score that my combo is playing live, to see if Dorico 6 can get it closer to a "Real Book" style chart, but I'm going to have to put off heavy use of the new release until I finish the project I started yesterday, which is to convert all remaining SD2 files on my system to BWAV before my 2025 Mac Studio M4 Max arrives in late June.

My quick playing around with Dorico 6 after installation, did immediately notice some improvements in the engraving department as well as markings, so I am hopeful that this may be the release that delivers most of what I need. I seriously doubt it is yet at the level of Finale, for people who do notation day-in and day-out as their livelihood.

It looks like odd numbered releases will focus on loop musicians, and even numbered releases will bias towards features needed by composers, so it may not be until Dorico 8 that more pro-level features are added. It has already been strongly hinted that Dorico 7 will focus again on Ableton Live type musicians.

[mikehalloran]

I was hoping to start revising a jazz score that my combo is playing live, to see if Dorico 6 can get it closer to a "Real Book" style chart, but I'm going to have to put off heavy use of the new release until I finish the project I started yesterday, which is to convert all remaining SD2 files on my system to BWAV before my 2025 Mac Studio M4 Max arrives in late June.

My quick playing around with Dorico 6 after installation, did immediately notice some improvements in the engraving department as well as markings, so I am hopeful that this may be the release that delivers most of what I need. I seriously doubt it is yet at the level of Finale, for people who do notation day-in and day-out as their livelihood.

It looks like odd numbered releases will focus on loop musicians, and even numbered releases will bias towards features needed by composers, so it may not be until Dorico 8 that more pro-level features are added. It has already been strongly hinted that Dorico 7 will focus again on Ableton Live type musicians.

Don't know if you use NotePerformer but v.5 dropped today. It now hosts VST3 libraries.

https://www.scoringnotes.com/news/noteperformer-5/

[mhschmieder]

Cool, thanks, I'll probably wait for the new computer so I don't have to do it twice, but I also need to check the Note Performer licensing. At any rate, the developer is super responsive, so I don't run the risk of winding up in limbo after the switch.

[Phil O]

Finale owners have till August to cross-grade for $149. Since the upgrade for D-5 owners is $99.99, I'm passing on upgrading any of my licenses....
...This version might be good — could happen...

I sprung for the $149 when they announced the demise of Finale. Dorico is a pain, but it gets the job done. I don't know if I want to spring for the 100 bucks just to stay up to date. I'm on the fence.

Your friendly neighborhood Phil