Recordare has released version 3.0 of its MusicXML digital sheet music format and has also released version 6 of its Dolet plug-ins for the Finale and Sibelius notation programs to support the new MusicXML 3.0 format.
According to Michael Good, founder and CEO of Recordare, MusicXML 3.0 has three main improvements compared to version 2.0:
° A standard taxonomy of 886 instrument sounds to allow better transfer of virtual instrument playback between applications;
° Coverage of more sheet music repertoires, including Chinese jianpu numbered notation, Turkish maqam music, Persian and Iranian music, and improved support for educational music;
° Support for newer and more detailed features of common Western music notation, including 20 features described in the new notation reference Behind Bars.
MusicXML 3.0 adds 76 new features compared to MusicXML 2.,0 while staying compatible with earlier versions. All valid MusicXML 1.0, 1.1, and 2.0 files are also valid MusicXML 3.0 files.
Musicians can start using MusicXML 3.0’s new features with the Dolet 6 for Finale and Dolet 6 for Sibelius plug-ins. Dolet 6 for Finale imports and exports MusicXML 3.0 files from Finale 2000 and later. Dolet 6 for Sibelius exports MusicXML 3.0 files from Sibelius 5.1 and later. Each plug-in costs US$99.95 and can be purchased from Recordare’s online store (http://shop.recordare.com).
The MusicXML format is supported by over 150 music applications on the Mac, iOS, Windows and Linux operating systems. All the major music notation editors can read and write MusicXML files, and all the major music notation scanners can save MusicXML files. Developers of mobile sheet music apps use MusicXML to exchange music notation files with these desktop programs.