Notation Express is the fastest way to work in Sibelius Ultimate, Dorico Pro, and MuseScore. It’s a custom-designed profile for the Stream Deck console and the Stream Deck Mobile app for iOS and Android that makes powerful Sibelius Ultimate, Dorico Pro, and MuseScore features easy and fun to use.

Notation Express includes hundreds of commands that are just a touch or two away, with an intuitive layout and beautiful icons. Setup is a breeze and you’ll be ready to go in minutes.

If you have Sibelius Ultimate, Dorico Pro, or MuseScore, and you have a Stream Deck or an iPhone or Android phone, you need Notation Express!

Notation Express for Dorico 4 information

Get Notation Express

for the Stream Deck Console and the Stream Deck Mobile app for iOS or Android

$29.99

Get Notation Express XL

for the Stream Deck XL Console
(not for Stream Deck Mobile)

$39.99

Bundles

Get the original and XL together and save

$49.99

Demo

Limited features with a small subset of the hundreds of functions in the paid version

Read the Demo Q&A at the bottom of this page for more info

Notation Express Demo for Sibelius / Dorico / Musescore

Mac / Windows

Retrieve Files / Get Updates

Re-download a product and download an update to a product you've already downloaded.

“This is FANTASTIC. A must for Sibelius users!!!”

— David Newman, composer and conductor

“This is a perfect use for Stream Deck and a great productivity accessory for Dorico.”

— Robert Puff, music preparer

More unsolicited user comments:

Get the Stream Deck Mobile App from the iOS App Store or Android Google Play

Videos

Musescore

Stream Deck Mobile - Sibelius and Dorico

Installation

Full written documentation for Sibelius, Dorico, and Musescore is included with a purchase of Notation Express.

FAQs

“Notation Express/XL” refers both to Notation Express and Notation Express XL.

What do I need to use Notation Express?

You need the 15-key Stream Deck console OR the Stream Deck Mobile app on iOS or Android from Elgato (purchased separately), and Sibelius Ultimate, Dorico Pro, or Musescore. The Stream Deck console and Stream Deck Mobile are not included with your purchase of Notation Express.

What do I need to use Notation Express XL?

You need the 32-key Stream Deck XL console from Elgato (purchased separately), and either Sibelius Ultimate or Dorico Pro. The Stream Deck XL console is not included with your purchase of Notation Express.

Will Notation Express XL work on the Stream Deck 15-key console or the Stream Deck Mobile app for iOS?

No. You need the 32-key Stream Deck XL console to use Notation Express XL.

Is there a Notation Express XL configuration for MuseScore?

Not yet!

Can I use Notation Express and Notation Express XL simultaneously?

Yes. Notation Express and Notation Express XL for Sibelius Ultimate share the same set of custom shortcuts for Sibelius Ultimate, and the same is true for Notation Express and Notation Express XL for Dorico Pro. These shortcut profiles are installed on your computer when you install Notation Express or Notation Express XL.

If you are fortunate enough to have both a Stream Deck and a Stream Deck XL, or even the Stream Deck Mobile app on your iPhone or iPad and a Stream Deck XL, it is possible to use both products simultaneously to supercharge your workflow even more.

I’ve already purchased Notation Express and would like to purchase Notation Express XL (or vice versa). Can I get a discount that reflects the bundle price?

Contact us by sending a message through the contact form at the bottom of this page, and we will help you. Include the e-mail address you used for your original purchase. Please be patient as this must be generated manually through our ordering system. We will not be able to help via phone. If you haven't yet purchased either product, purchase the bundle.

What version of Sibelius/Dorico/MuseScore will Notation Express/XL work with?

Notation Express/XL is built for Sibelius Ultimate 2020.3 or later and the latest version of Dorico Pro 4. Notation Express for MuseScore is built for MuseScore 3.4.2 or later. Use with earlier versions of Sibelius, Dorico, or MuseScore, or the “lite” versions such as Sibelius First or the intermediate version of Sibelius, or with Dorico SE or Dorico Elements, is not recommended nor supported.

Does Notation Express/XL work with Mac and Windows? What is the minimum operating system required?

Yes, as follows:

  • Notation Express/XL for Dorico 4 works with Mac and Windows.
  • Notation Express/XL for Sibelius and Notation Express for MuseScore: Be sure to purchase the correct version for your operating system. Mac requires macOS 10.13 or later, Windows requires Windows 10 64-bit or later.

Are there different versions of Notation Express for the Stream Deck console and the Stream Deck Mobile app for iOS?

No. The same Notation Express profile that will work on the Stream Deck console for Sibelius Ultimate, Dorico Pro, or MuseScore will work on the Stream Deck Mobile app for iOS.

Do I need to purchase the Sibelius Ultimate, Dorico Pro, or MuseScore versions separately?

Yes. Notation Express/XL for Sibelius Ultimate, Notation Express/XL for Dorico Pro, and Notation Express for MuseScore are separate products and must be purchased separately.

What languages does Notation Express/XL work with?

Notation Express/XL for Dorico 4 works with all languages without any additional configuration required. However, the labels on the icon buttons are in English only.

Notation Express/XL for Sibelius and MuseScore have only been tested on English language setups. If you work on a computer with a different language, you may be able to modify the shortcuts in the profile on your own if they don't work in your localization, but any modifications will not be officially supported.

If you purchase Notation Express and wish to localize it in a different language other than English, you may do so for your own use. Be aware that any localizations will not be supported.

Who is Notation Express/XL intended for?

Anyone, from beginner to pro, will benefit from Notation Express/XL. Everyone will enjoy the speed with which text, dynamics, articulations and more can be entered. Pros will especially enjoy the advanced engraving features available at the touch of a button.

Will Notation Express/XL replace the need to use a computer keyboard with Sibelius Ultimate, Dorico Pro, or MuseScore?

No. But with Stream Deck’s touch-and-press interface, it will reduce the need to memorize many Sibelius Ultimate, Dorico Pro, and MuseScore keyboard shortcuts and program custom ones, and will reduce dependence on the numeric keypad and mouse for many commonly-used items.

How do I set up Notation Express/XL?

Setup instructions are provided for Sibelius Ultimate, Dorico Pro, or MuseScore along with the installation files. Setup should not take more than a few minutes. Also see the installation videos for Sibelius, Dorico, and for MuseScore.

Can I use my existing keyboard shortcuts with Notation Express/XL?

Notation Express for Dorico 4: Yes. Notation Express for Dorico 4 enables the Stream Deck to communicate directly with Dorico Pro, so that you can program your own custom key commands without interfering with Notation Express.

The Notation Express (and the Notation Express XL) profiles for Sibelius Ultimate or MuseScore are based on the default shortcuts for those respective programs, although many more have been added. If you use the default Sibelius Ultimate or Musescore shortcuts, you can continue to use them just as before, and also use Stream Deck. If you have modified the default Sibelius Ultimate or Musescore shortcuts, you can either modify them to work with the Notation Express profile, or easily change the shortcuts in the Notation Express/XL profile to match yours (making sure that they don't conflict with other shortcuts in use).

I've modified my Notation Express shortcuts for Sibelius Ultimate or MuseScore, and now I see that there is an update to Notation Express. Should I update?

Running the Notation Express installer will restore your shortcut profile to Notation Express defaults. If you have customized your keyboard shortcut profile after installing Notation Express, it is advised that you make a copy of your profile and save it before running the Notation Express installer. You can then modify the Notation Express shortcut profile with any custom shortcuts if you wish.

Will you be making other versions of Notation Express that work with other software, like Finale?

Stay tuned!

 

Licensing Q & A

Can I use Notation Express on more than one computer?

Yes! A purchase entitles one person (you) to use it on one computer at a time, on as many computers that you personally use. Unless you have extra limbs, that should suffice nicely.

Can I use Notation Express on both the Stream Deck console and the Stream Deck Mobile app?

Yes! Your purchase entitles you to use Notation Express on both devices. You must purchase the Stream Deck console and subscribe to the Stream Deck Mobile app for iOS or Android separately.

Can my buddy who shares my computer use Notation Express?

No! Well, there’s no way to technically prevent it. But please ask your buddy to purchase his own copy.

My buddy wants to use my copy of Notation Express. Can I send it to him?

No! He should purchase his own copy. Let’s all be buddies!

Can I change the default Notation Express profile — move icons around, add my own shortcuts, actions, etc.?

Yes! That’s the beauty of it — it’s totally customizable for your own use. You can always re-import the default Notation Express profile again.

So, once I do that, can I send that profile to my buddy?

No! Please don’t share any profile derived from the Notation Express profile, or any shortcut/key command preference file derived from the one included with Notation Express, unless your buddy has already purchased Notation Express, too — then it’s OK.

I have Notation Express for Sibelius/Dorico/Musescore already. Can I get Notation Express for Sibelius/Dorico/Musescore too?

Notation Express for Sibelius Ultimate, Notation Express for Dorico Pro, and Notation Express for Musescore work very similarly in many respects, but "under-the-hood" they are quite different products (just like Sibelius Ultimate, Dorico Pro, or Musescore are different products) and must be purchased separately.

Demo Q & A

What do I need to use the demo of Notation Express?

You need the 15-key Stream Deck console OR the Stream Deck Mobile app on iOS or Android from Elgato (purchased separately), and Sibelius Ultimate, Dorico Pro, or Musescore. The Stream Deck console and Stream Deck Mobile are not included with the demo of Notation Express.

How limited is the demo of Notation Express?

The demo gives you a sense of what it’s like to use Notation Express, but it includes just a small subset of the hundreds of functions in the paid version, and is not intended to make you super-productive — that’s what the paid version is for! Some folders in the demo do not contain any actions, while others have quite a few. The demo uses the default shortcuts of Sibelius Ultimate, Dorico Pro, or Musescore, and does not include any of the custom keyboard shortcut files or plug-ins that give Notation Express its true power.

Can I use the demo for as long as I like?

Yes! However, if you’re using the demo with Stream Deck Mobile, be aware that there is a 30-day trial before you have to start paying for a subscription to the Stream Deck Mobile app.

Can I change the demo Notation Express profile — move icons around, add my own shortcuts, actions, etc.?

Yes! But if you start going down that road, you’ll probably want to save yourself hours of tedious work and actually purchase the full version of Notation Express instead, which includes hundreds of functions all ready to go.

I love Notation Express and want to purchase the full version. How do I do that?

Just tap any of the flashing Get Notation Express buttons (subtle, right?) or purchase the full version for your desired program and operating system right from this page. Once you purchase Notation Express and install it, you can delete the demo profile.

How do I install the demo?

Full instructions are included in the documentation that comes with the download.

Version History

February 6, 2022: Version 2.1 released. Update for Dorico 4.

Version 2.1 change details

Changelog - Dorico

  • It is no longer necessary to quit and relaunch the Stream Deck desktop app each time Dorico is opened. However, you may need to do this once, after updating to the latest version of the Notation Express for Dorico plugin.
  • Pressing a Playing Technique button (or an Articulation button that is defined as a Playing Technique in Dorico) without anything selected no longer crashes Dorico.
  • For Playing Techniques (and Articulations that are defined as a Playing Techniques in Dorico), Clefs and Octaves, and Ornaments, pressing these buttons without anything selected will load the pointer (mouse) cursor, so that you can place the item into your score.
  • (Notation Express XL only) Key Signatures: The C# major icon is correct.
  • (Notation Express 15-key only) Clefs and Octaves: The 15 line down key is correct.

In addition, the Preferences button works properly. This was technically not the result of a Notation Express fix, but rather the Dorico 4.0.10 update, so please be sure you've updated Dorico as well.

 

January 30, 2022: Version 2.0 released. Support for Dorico 4.

Version 2.0 change details

Changelog - Dorico

Completely rebuilt for Dorico 4

  • Reclaim your shortcuts - You can now reclaim all of the keyboard shortcuts for your own use, as you like, without them being reserved by Notation Express
  • Cross-platform support - One Notation Express profile works for both Mac and Windows, so you can use the same profile on both operating systems (no need to purchase separate versions)
  • Multi-language support - Notation Express is now supported in all languages, so you don’t need to switch to English to use it in Dorico (the icon labels will still only be in English, for now)
  • Faster - The direct connection to Dorico makes Notation Express significantly more responsive, because it passes commands directly to Dorico instead of invoking a series of macros that may involve opening and typing into a popover, for example
  • Control Dorico in the background - The direct connection to Dorico means that you can use your Stream Deck to control Dorico even when another application is running in the foreground

XL only: New in Playback & Navigation: Previous Page, Next Page

 

May 24, 2020: Version 1.4.1 released. Support for Dorico 3.5.

Version 1.4.1 change details

Changelog - Dorico

New in Formatting: Dynamics fomatting subfolder, Condensing Change, Note Spacing Change, Toggle Condensing, Lock System, Set Local/Global Properties
New in Staff Text: Fingering, Figured bass
New in Filters: Condensing Changes, Figured bass
Dynamics folder: Repositioned Other dynamic button to the right of hairpins

Changelog - Dorico XL

New in Formatting: Condensing Change, Note Spacing Change, Toggle Condensing, Lock System, Set Local/Global Properties, Edit Graphically, Edit Frames, Edit Staff Spacing, Edit Note Spacing, Graphic Slices
New in Staff Text: Fingering, Figured bass, Create Chord Symbol Region
New in Filters: Condensing Changes, Figured bass

 

March 10, 2020: No new Notation Express release, but information and FAQs updated for Stream Deck Mobile on Android.

February 17, 2020: Version 1.4 released. First release for Musescore. Support for Dorico 3.1 and Sibelius 2020.1 and many other updates.

Version 1.4 change details

Changelog - Musescore

First release

Changelog - Dorico

New in Filters: Guitar Bends, Harp Pedals, Horizontal Lines, Vertical Lines
Renamed: Move Up Chromatically to Semitone up, Move Down Chromatically to Semitone Down
Filters are now enclosed in orange border
Installer more reliably installs support files in user home folder (Mac only)

Changelog - Dorico XL

New Keypad & Keyboard folder
New in Notes: End tuplet, Diatonic Up, Diatonic Down, Octave Up, Octave Down
New in Bars, Barlines…: Short (top)
New in Filters: Guitar Bends, Harp Pedals, Horizontal Lines, Vertical Lines
New in Modify & Arrange: Move to Downstem Voice 1
New in Noteheads: Toggle round brackets, Toggle square brackets
New Custom demo folder, illustrating a way to combine items from several folders for a particular project
Filters are now enclosed in orange border
Updated arrow key graphics for better contrast
Moved arrow keys from Notes to Keypad & Keyboard folder
Removed staccatissimo, tenuto-staccato, and marcato from Notes folder (they are still in the Articulations folder)
Rearranged various icons in Notes, More Notes, and Modify and Arrange folders
Renamed: Move Up Chromatically to Semitone up, Move Down Chromatically to Semitone Down
Installer more reliably installs support files in user home folder (Mac only)
Dorico 2 installers and profile no longer included

Changelog - Sibelius

New subfolder in View & Options: More View Options, Zoom, with: Engraving Rules, Keypad, No note or voice colors, Note Spacing Rule, Preferences, Project Info, Ribbon, Toggle full screen, Transport, Voice Colors/Out of Range, Zoom in, Zoom out, Zoom to Fit Page
Filters are now enclosed in blue border
Renamed: Move Up Chromatically to Semitone up, Move Down Chromatically to Semitone Down
Renamed: View folder is now View & Options
Installer more reliably installs support files in user home folder (Mac only)

Changelog - Sibelius XL

New Keypad & Keyboard folder
New in Notes: Diatonic Up, Diatonic Down, Octave Up, Octave Down
New in More Notes: Tie into notes
New in Filters: Pedal Lines, Comments
New in View & Options: Staff Rulers, Object Rulers
New in Modify & Arrange: Reset Note Spacing, Add/Remove Instruments, Cut, Copy, Paste, Paste as Cue, Paste into Voice, Select Graphic
New in Hiding & Formatting: Focus on Staves
New Custom demo folder, illustrating a way to combine items from several folders for a particular project
Filters are now enclosed in blue border
Updated arrow key graphics for better contrast
Moved arrow keys from Notes to Keypad & Keyboard folder
Removed staccatissimo and marcato from Notes folder (they are still in the Articulations folder)
Rearranged various icons in Notes and More Notes folders, and a few other places
Renamed: Move Up Chromatically to Semitone up, Move Down Chromatically to Semitone Down
Installer more reliably installs support files in user home folder (Mac only)

 

October 1, 2019: Version 1.3 released for Dorico — first support for Dorico 3.

August 6, 2019: Version 1.2 released — first release of Notation Express XL for Dorico and Sibelius.

June 24, 2019: Demo released for Dorico and Sibelius.

May 29, 2019: Version 1.1 released — Support files installed via installer; updates for Stream Deck Mobile.

April 29, 2019: First release for Dorico.

March 7, 2019: First release for Sibelius.