NotePerformer vs Virtual Guitarist

NotePerformer enhances playback in Sibelius, Dorico, and Finale notation software with its own large-scale modern symphonic orchestra sounds. It analyzes scores and performs instruments with natural musical phrasing; the maker describes its virtual instrument technology as patented and developed in-house. The software runs on macOS and Windows and has a 30-day trial. During that trial, the notation software must restart every hour, audio export to disk is unavailable, and the trial ends after 30 days. A single-user perpetual license costs $129 as a one-time purchase, including EU VAT, and permits use on as many computers as desired. Single-user rent-to-own costs $10.75 a month, including EU VAT; after 12 consecutive months it converts to perpetual, with offline use up to 14 days. A site license costs $200 as a one-time purchase for 1–5 seats. Listed compatibility starts at Sibelius 7.1.3, Dorico 3.5, and Finale 27 (English).

Virtual Guitarist is UJAM’s collection of electric and acoustic guitar plug-ins for creating accompaniment in varied styles. The listed range includes CARBON, IRON 2, SPARKLE 2, AMBER 2, SILK 2, and CINEDREAM, totaling 777 presets, 12,110 phrases, and 365 styles. Patterns can be dragged into a DAW as MIDI. Built-in effects, amp modeling, and selectable guitar, amp, and speaker combinations shape the sound. UJAM says no guitar or sound-engineering skills are required. The plug-ins work with Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, FL Studio, Cubase, Studio One, Bitwig, Reaper, and Reason. IRON 2 adds 30 styles, over 350 phrases, stomp-box emulations, Finisher FX modes, Drop D tuning, and doubling. It supports 64-bit VST 2, VST 3, AAX, and AU 2 on Windows and macOS. Pricing is from $129 with a seven-day trial.