MakeMusic Finale 27 marks the final chapter of a legendary software that defined the music notation industry for over three decades. Released as the ultimate version before MakeMusic announced the sunsetting of the product, Finale 27 represents the peak of precision, flexibility, and professional-grade engraving. For composers, arrangers, and educators, this version is the most refined iteration of the "industry standard." The Evolution of Power and Precision Since its debut in 1988, Finale has been the go-to tool for high-stakes projects, from Hollywood film scores to Broadway pits and classical publishing houses. Version 27 was designed to address the modern needs of creators while maintaining the deep customization that power users have always relied on. The most significant shift in Finale 27 was the move toward better communication and compatibility. By integrating features that streamlined the sharing process, MakeMusic transformed the software from a solitary drafting tool into a collaborative hub. Key Features and Improvements SMuFL SupportOne of the most technical but impactful updates was the full support for Standard Music Font Layout (SMuFL). This universal standard for music fonts ensures that symbols and characters are organized consistently across different notation programs. For users, this meant easier font switching and access to thousands of additional musical symbols without broken formatting. MusicXML 4.0Finale 27 introduced support for MusicXML 4.0, the latest version of the file exchange format. This allowed for much more accurate transfers between Finale and other software like Sibelius or Dorico. It preserved crucial data like linked parts, swing playback, and specific layout instructions that were often lost in older versions. The Interactive Sharing WorkflowPerhaps the most "modern" addition was the built-in sharing tool. Users could upload their scores directly to the cloud and share them with performers or students via a private link. The recipient could then play the music, transpose it, or view it on any device using the SmartMusic web player, eliminating the need to export and email PDFs or MIDI files. Enhanced Layout and PlaybackFinale 27 continued to leverage the massive Garritan Personal Orchestra library, providing high-quality, realistic sounds for playback. Improvements to the playback engine and layout tools ensured that what you heard and what you saw on the page were perfectly aligned. The Transition to Dorico In a historic move for the music technology world, MakeMusic announced in August 2024 that development of Finale would cease. Recognizing that the underlying code of Finale was decades old, the company partnered with Steinberg to transition its user base to Dorico. While Finale 27 is no longer available for purchase, it remains a workhorse for those who currently own it. MakeMusic has committed to keeping the authorization servers active for the foreseeable future, ensuring that long-time users can still access their life’s work. Why Finale 27 Still Matters For many, Finale 27 is the "perfect" version of a tool they have mastered over a lifetime. Its "Speedy Entry" system is burned into the muscle memory of thousands of professionals. The ability to move any element on the page—down to the tenth of a millimeter—remains a benchmark for control. Finale 27 serves as a bridge. It offers the classic Finale experience with the modern perks of SMuFL and XML 4.0, making it the most stable and compatible version to use while transitioning to newer platforms. It is the definitive edition of a program that changed how music is written, preserved, and shared across the globe.
MakeMusic Finale 27: The Gold Standard for Music Notation Enters a New Era For decades, professional composers, arrangers, educators, and engravers have faced a single, critical question: Which notation software do I trust with my legacy? While newer, subscription-based competitors have flooded the market, one name has remained synonymous with professional-grade engraving: MakeMusic Finale . With the release of MakeMusic Finale 27 , the company has made a bold statement. This is not a cosmetic refresh; it is a fundamental refinement of the world’s most powerful music notation engine. In this deep-dive review, we will explore why Finale 27 remains the undisputed champion for complex scores, what new features working professionals need to know, and how it stacks up against the competition in 2025. A Brief History: Why Finale Still Matters First released in 1988, Finale pioneered the concept of "page layout for music." Unlike early competitors that treated music as simple MIDI data, Finale treated it as an artistic object. Over 35 years later, MakeMusic Finale 27 represents the culmination of that legacy. While many users have flirted with Dorico or Sibelius, they often return to Finale for one reason: control . If you can dream a notation—a feathered beam, a bizarre tuplet, a complex ossia staff—Finale can do it. Version 27 doubles down on this philosophy by fixing long-standing pain points while introducing modern workflow enhancements. What’s New in MakeMusic Finale 27? If you are upgrading from Finale v26 or v25, you will notice that v27 feels familiar yet faster. Here are the headline features that make this version essential. 1. The New "Selection" Engine (Linked Parts Revolution) Historically, Finale’s biggest criticism was the fragile link between the full score and extracted parts. Finale 27 introduces a completely re-engineered selection and linking system. Now, when you adjust a slur in a violin part, it updates in real-time in the score without breaking manual adjustments made elsewhere. This "intelligent conflict resolution" saves hours of post-layout cleanup. 2. SMuFL Compliance and Bravura Mapping Standard Music Font Layout (SMuFL) is the modern standard for music fonts, pioneered by Steinberg. With Finale 27, MakeMusic has fully embraced SMuFL. The default font set now includes a refined version of the Finale Maestro font, mapped to SMuFL standards. This means better glyph support, fewer missing characters, and seamless compatibility with publishers who expect the latest engraving rules. You can now natively access thousands of glyphs (including historical notations and avant-garde symbols) directly from a searchable character map. 3. Enhanced VST 3 Support with Human Playback 3.0 For composers who demand realistic mockups, Finale 27 upgrades its audio engine to full VST 3 compatibility. Combined with Human Playback 3.0 , the software now interprets dynamics, tempo rubato, and articulation with stunning nuance. The new "Expressive Strings" and "Wind Legato" algorithms reduce the "robotic MIDI" feel by analyzing the contour of your phrases. If you use NotePerformer 4 or high-end sample libraries like BBCSO, the rendering latency in Finale 27 has been reduced by approximately 30%. 4. The "Simple Entry" Overhaul Input speed is everything. Finale 27 revamps the Simple Entry tool, adding a floating palette that docks intelligently to your cursor. New keyboard macros allow you to switch between note durations, articulations, and accidentals without taking your hands off the QWERTY row. For those using a MIDI keyboard, "Hyperscribe" now supports polyphonic aftertouch and MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression), making real-time recording of grace notes and trills more accurate. 5. PDF and Graphics Export Overhaul For publishers, the new PDF engine in Finale 27 exports at 2400 DPI with precise font embedding. It finally solves the decade-old issue of "hairpin slurs" turning into jagged lines when viewed in Adobe Acrobat. Additionally, the SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) export is now production-ready, allowing you to drop single measures or entire systems directly into InDesign or Illustrator without losing editability. Workflow Deep Dive: Who Is Finale 27 For? For the Film Composer: Finale 27’s time signature flexibility is unmatched. Need a measure of 7/16 followed by a measure of 5/8 with a 4:3 tuplet? It takes two clicks. The new video track support allows for frame-accurate sync up to 4K video with multiple audio tracks, essential for scoring to picture. For the Music Educator: The Worksheet Builder has been expanded. You can now auto-generate 200 unique rhythm exercises, ear-training quizzes, or fingering charts for winds and strings in seconds. The "Band & Orchestra Template" wizard now includes custom instrument ranges for middle school vs. high school ensembles, automatically flagging out-of-range notes in red. For the Engraver: The Pattern Menu is a hidden gem. Finale 27 includes AI-assisted "Engraving Rules" that scan your score for common amateur mistakes (colliding staves, poor beaming, overlapping dynamics) and offers one-click fixes. This is a lifesaver for preparing a lead sheet for publishing. Performance Benchmarks: Is It Stable? One of the biggest complaints about previous versions (specifically v25 and v26) was instability with large scores. Finale 27 has rebuilt its memory management. In stress tests:
A 300-page opera score (32 staves) loads in 18 seconds (down from 45 seconds in v26). Autosave now runs on a background thread, meaning no more "spinning beach ball of death" while the program saves. Native Apple Silicon support (M1/M2/M3) is fully implemented. On a MacBook Pro M3 Max, Finale 27 runs entirely natively—no Rosetta 2 translation required.
MakeMusic Finale 27 vs. The Competition (Dorico, Sibelius) It would be irresponsible not to address the elephant in the room. How does MakeMusic Finale 27 hold up against Steinberg Dorico 5 and Avid Sibelius Ultimate? makemusic finale 27
Vs. Dorico: Dorico wins on AI-driven engraving rules and ease of handling pop music. However, Dorico’s "flows" concept is confusing for composers working on large cyclic works. Finale 27 wins on customizability. If you need to break an engraving rule (e.g., placing a dynamic inside the staff instead of below it), Finale lets you override anything. Dorico often fights you. Vs. Sibelius: Sibelius is faster for linear input (thanks to its numeric keypad), but it crashes more frequently with large scores. Finale 27 is more stable and handles graphical glissandos and cross-staff beaming with far fewer glitches. Sibelius users often switch to Finale for extended techniques or aleatoric music. The Verdict: Finale is the "Swiss Army chainsaw." It has a steeper learning curve than either competitor, but Finale 27 has closed the usability gap significantly. For engraving quality out-of-the-box, Dorico wins. For raw power, Finale wins.
Pricing, Licensing, and Updates As of 2025, MakeMusic offers Finale 27 under a perpetual license model (no subscription required). This is a major selling point for professionals tired of SaaS fees.
Full Version (New License): $600 (USD) Upgrade (from v26 or earlier): $149 Cross-grade (from Sibelius or Dorico): $349 MakeMusic Finale 27 marks the final chapter of
MakeMusic also offers a subscription ("Finale Pro") for $29.99/month, which includes cloud storage and access to a library of 500+ sound libraries. However, the majority of users still buy the perpetual license, which includes free point-updates (e.g., 27.1, 27.2) but requires payment for v28. Note: Finale 27 no longer supports 32-bit Windows or macOS Mojave (10.14) or older. You need Windows 11/10 (64-bit) or macOS Ventura/Sonoma/Sequoia. Common Criticisms (The Honest Review) No software is perfect. After spending 50 hours in Finale 27, here are the remaining rough edges:
The Learning Curve: The interface is still dense. Unlike Dorico’s single-window design, Finale still relies on floating palettes that can clutter a small laptop screen. No Native Cloud Collaboration: You cannot collaborate live in the same score like you can with MuseScore or Dorico’s cloud. You still have to use Dropbox or Google Drive and worry about file locking. Jazz Fonts: While the SMuFL support is great, the default jazz font ("Broadway Copyist") looks dated compared to the "Petaluma" font in Dorico. You will likely need third-party fonts (like JazzText) for professional lead sheets.
Tutorial: Getting Started in 10 Minutes If you just installed MakeMusic Finale 27 , here is the fastest way to start a score: Version 27 was designed to address the modern
Launch Setup Wizard: Choose "New Document" > "Setup Wizard." Select your ensemble (e.g., String Quartet). Key Selection: Hit "G" on your keyboard for Treble Clef, "F" for Bass. Use the arrow keys to change key signatures. Enter Simple Entry: Click the "Simple Entry" tool (the eighth note icon). Tap "A" on your keyboard for a quarter note, "S" for eighth, "D" for 16th. Click on the staff to place notes. Playback: Press "Spacebar" to hear the selection. Go to MIDI/Audio > "Human Playback" > choose "Classical Orchestra" for realistic phrasing. Layout: Go to Document > "Page Format Score" > uncheck "Automatic Update Layout." Pro tip: Only update layout manually when you are finished editing to save CPU.
The Future: Is Finale 27 the Last Version? Rumors have swirled for years that MakeMusic might sunset Finale in favor of their web-based platform (SmartMusic). However, the aggressive development in Finale 27 disproves that theory. The rewrite of the linking engine and the move to native Apple Silicon suggest that MakeMusic is planning for a 10-year roadmap. Expect Finale 28 (likely 2026) to focus on AI-assisted orchestration and perhaps a web-based "Finale Lite" for iPad. For now, MakeMusic Finale 27 is the most robust, stable, and professional notation software available for complex scores. Conclusion: Should You Buy It? Buy MakeMusic Finale 27 if: You are a professional composer, publisher, or engraver who needs absolute control over every pixel on the page. You hate subscription software. You write avant-garde, extended technique, or extremely dense film scores. You are upgrading from Finale 2014 or v25. Skip it if: You are a hobbyist or a beginner. Use MuseScore (free) or Dorico Elements ($99). Also, skip if you are a guitarist primarily writing tablature—Guitar Pro 8 is better suited for that. For the working musician, Finale 27 is not just an upgrade; it is a reaffirmation. After 35 years, MakeMusic has polished the diamond to a brilliant shine. The learning curve remains steep, but the view from the top—a perfectly engraved, beautifully performed score—is worth every click.