PhotoScore
Neuratron sheet music scanner with a Sibelius-style editing interface
Summary table
| Company | Neuratron Ltd |
|---|---|
| Category | Music Notation Software |
| Headquarters | Canterbury, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1993 |
| EU Presence | Yes - United Kingdom |
| Data Location | not stated on the pages we read |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | OmniScore2 dual-engine recognition, PDF opening, playback, guitar tab, percussion staves, text in 120 languages, WAV/AIFF export, MusicXML and MIDI saving |
| Pricing | not shown in the text we read; a free demo can be downloaded and an ordering page is linked |
| Best For | Teachers and arrangers who convert printed scores to editable files |
| Replaces | Sibelius (for scanned score input) |
Review in detail
PhotoScore is made by Neuratron Ltd of Canterbury, Kent. The about page describes the product's history from Optical Manuscript on Acorn computers in 1997 to the Neuratron PhotoScore releases for Windows and Mac from 1999 and 2000.
The about page also states that PhotoScore was first seen as a Lite Windows version bundled with Sibelius in late 1998, and that Sibelius Software updated Sibelius 7 to import Optical Manuscript files.
What does PhotoScore recognise?
Neuratron states that PhotoScore & NotateMe Ultimate reads PDFs and originals with its OmniScore2 dual-engine system, and that it recognises 4- and 6-line guitar tablature and 1-, 2- and 3-line percussion staves. The accuracy figure on the page, over 99.5 percent on most PDFs and originals, is the vendor's own claim.
The comparison table lists slurs, dynamics, lyrics in 120 languages, grace notes, tuplets and repeat markings for the Ultimate version.
How does PhotoScore connect to other software?
PhotoScore sends music directly to Sibelius, or saves MusicXML for importing into Finale, Dorico and other editors. The Ultimate version also saves WAV and AIFF audio, and the Lite version does not.
The Lite version limits the page count and the number of voices per staff.
PhotoScore as a European alternative to Sibelius
PhotoScore is UK software that works alongside Sibelius and other editors rather than replacing them. It suits users who leave Sibelius but still need to digitise printed parts.
The text is dated 2020 and 2021, so check current versions.
Where it falls short
The pages we read date from 2020 and 2021, and prices are not in the text. The Lite version restricts pages, voices and many symbols. PhotoScore is a recognition tool, not a writing environment, so combine it with MuseScore or Flat.
Best suited to users of PhotoScore
Teachers, librarians and arrangers who need to digitise printed or PDF scores before editing them elsewhere.
Advantages and drawbacks
Pros
- UK company address published
- Reads guitar tab and percussion staves
- Opens PDF files
- Sends scores to Sibelius or saves MusicXML
- Free demo download offered
Cons
- Pages dated 2020 and 2021
- Prices not in the text we read
- Lite version has strong limits
- Recognition tool, not a writing environment
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Neuratron's Canterbury address is published
- Recognises guitar tablature and percussion staves
- Can open PDF files
- Passes music to Sibelius or saves MusicXML
- A free demo can be downloaded
Cons
- The pages we read are from 2020 and 2021
- No price in the text we read
- Lite version caps pages, voices and many symbols
- A recognition tool, not a place to write music
Alternatives to PhotoScore
More European music notation software you can weigh against it:
See all European music notation software or compare them directly against Sibelius (for scanned score input) on our alternatives page.
Questions buyers ask
It complements Sibelius. PhotoScore is made by Neuratron Ltd in Canterbury and can send scanned scores to Sibelius or save MusicXML for other editors.
The comparison table lists guitar tab, percussion staves, dynamics, ornaments, lyrics and repeat markings in the Ultimate version.
Yes. The product page offers a free demo download.