Newzik
French digital score app with LiveScore PDF conversion and transposition
At a glance
| Company | SYNCSING SAS |
|---|---|
| Category | Music Notation Software |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - France (RCS Paris 525 205 514) |
| Data Location | not stated; the legal notice names Google LLC as website host |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Score library and setlists, annotations, face-gesture or Bluetooth page turning, real-time collaboration, instant transposition, LiveScore PDF conversion with MusicXML and MIDI export, OMR API |
| Pricing | a pricing page exists; amounts are not in the text we read |
| Best For | Orchestras, ensembles and schools that share and annotate scores digitally |
| Replaces | Sibelius (for transposing and part preparation) |
Review in detail
Newzik is developed by SYNCSING, a simplified joint-stock company (SAS) with a share capital of 5,804.70 euros, registered at the Paris trade register under number 525 205 514, with its head office at 7 avenue Ingres, 75016 Paris. The VAT number is FR61 525205514.
The privacy policy states that SYNCSING commits to comply with the GDPR and French data protection law.
What does Newzik do with sheet music?
Newzik centralises PDF scores, scans and setlists, and lets users annotate, share and sync them in real time. Page turning works through face movements or a Bluetooth pedal.
The home page claims 500,000 users, more than 150 institutions and 14 million scores managed, which are the vendor's own figures.
How do LiveScore and transposition work?
LiveScore converts a PDF into an interactive score with guided reading and sections. The site lists export to MusicXML or MIDI and transposition after conversion.
Newzik also advertises an OMR API for developers.
Newzik as a European alternative to Sibelius
Newzik is a French company, where Sibelius is a product of Avid. It is a score reader and converter more than an engraving program, so it replaces part of a Sibelius workflow: transposing and preparing parts.
Writing a new score from scratch is not what the pages we read describe.
Points against
Newzik is not a full engraving tool, and the legal notice names Google LLC, a US company, as host of the website. Prices are not in the text we read, and the main app is described for iOS and web. For writing new scores choose MuseScore or Flat.
Who Newzik fits
Ensembles, schools and players who manage many PDF scores and need transposition and shared annotations.
What works, what does not
Pros
- French SAS with register and VAT numbers published
- LiveScore PDF to interactive score
- Export to MusicXML or MIDI listed
- Real-time shared annotations
- Hands-free page turning
Cons
- Not a full notation editor
- Website hosted by Google LLC per the legal notice
- Prices not in the text we read
- App described for iOS and web only
Pros and Cons
Pros
- French SAS with register and VAT numbers published
- LiveScore turns a PDF into an interactive score
- MusicXML and MIDI export listed
- Annotations are shared with a group in real time
- Pages can be turned without touching the device
Cons
- It is a reader and converter, not a complete notation editor
- The legal notice names Google LLC as website host
- No amounts in the text we read
- App described for iOS and web only
Alternatives to Newzik
Further European music notation software to compare:
See all European music notation software or compare them directly against Sibelius (for transposing and part preparation) on our alternatives page.
Common questions
Partly. Newzik is run by SYNCSING SAS of Paris and handles transposition, annotation and PDF conversion, but it is not a full score engraving program.
The site lists export of converted LiveScores to MusicXML or MIDI.
The pages we read do not state where the app data is stored. The legal notice names Google LLC as host of the website.