MuseScore Studio for MAC
Free, open-source music notation app for Mac: write, play back and print scores, with MIDI input and MusicXML, MIDI and MEI import and export.
MuseScore Studio Overview
MuseScore Studio is free, open-source music notation software for macOS, Windows and Linux. You enter notes on what looks like a virtual sheet of paper and the page you see is the page you get. An integrated sequencer and software synthesizer play your score back, and when it is finished you can print it or create a PDF. Notes can be typed in or played in from a MIDI keyboard.
It works well with other music software too: it imports and exports MusicXML, MIDI and MEI files and imports MuseData. The 4.7 series adds new engraving tools such as chord brackets, chord parentheses and arrow lines, searchable mixer menus, improved playback and new guitar features, including dive lines and capo transposition options.
MuseScore Studio is released under GPL version 3.0 by MuseScore Limited and others. It needs macOS 11 or later and the Mac build is universal. The main download on the official page gives you the MuseHub utility, which installs MuseScore Studio and MuseSounds and needs macOS 12 or later. You can also download MuseScore Studio without MuseHub, but you need MuseHub to use MuseSounds. Version 4.7.6 adds options to convert a PDF, a scan, a photo, audio or a YouTube link into a score through MuseScore.com. Converting is free but needs a musescore.com account and is limited to 200 scores per account for now; the link options are in beta. Check the copyright of a recording or arrangement before you convert it.
Key Features
MuseScore Studio covers the path from first note to printed score.
- WYSIWYG notation: enter notes on a virtual sheet of paper.
- Note entry: quick input from the keyboard or a MIDI device.
- Playback: an integrated sequencer and software synthesizer.
- File exchange: MusicXML, MIDI and MEI import and export.
- Printing: print scores or create PDF files.
- Engraving tools: chord brackets, chord parentheses and arrow lines.
- Guitar features: dive lines and capo transposition options.
- Score conversion: turn PDFs, audio or YouTube links into scores via MuseScore.com.
What’s New in Version 4.7.6
MuseScore Studio 4.7.6 adds score conversion and fixes problems.
- Options to convert PDFs, audio or YouTube videos to scores via MuseScore.com
- Fixes for several bugs and crashes
MuseScore Studio FAQ
Is MuseScore Studio free?
Yes. MuseScore Studio is free and open source under GPL version 3.0.
What is MuseScore Studio used for?
It is for writing music notation: you enter notes, hear the score through its built-in synthesizer, and print it or save it as a PDF.
Which macOS version does MuseScore Studio need?
MuseScore Studio needs macOS 11 or later. The MuseHub utility, which is the main download, needs macOS 12 or later.
Does it run on Apple Silicon?
Yes. The Mac build of MuseScore Studio is universal.
Do I need MuseHub?
No. You can download MuseScore Studio without MuseHub. You only need MuseHub if you want to use MuseSounds.
Can I enter notes with a MIDI keyboard?
Yes. MuseScore Studio supports MIDI input for note entry.
Which file formats does it support?
It imports and exports MusicXML, MIDI and MEI, imports MuseData, and can create PDF files.
How does score conversion work?
Version 4.7.6 can send a PDF, scan, photo, audio or a YouTube link to MuseScore.com to be turned into a score. It is free but needs a musescore.com account, with a limit of 200 scores per account for now. The link options are in beta.
Can I install MuseScore Studio with Homebrew?
Yes. The command is brew install --cask musescore.
Where does the MuseScore Studio download on musescore-studio.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official MuseScore Studio download page at https://musescore.org/en/download. musescore-studio.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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