[Feature request] Score Editor

[ElsAr4e]

Enhancement Summary

I would like to have an option to view, create and/or edit music using a score editor of LMMS (no need to import / export a midi file).

This is possible for example if you use Mixcraft or other software:

https://acoustica.com/mixcraft-10-manual/midi-editors-score-editor

https://archive.steinberg.help/nuendo_score/v12/en/cubase_nuendo_score/topics/score_editor_window/score_editor_window_r.html

Implementation Details / Mockup

Allow multiple tabs: So you can switch between score and non-score editing options.

Example of Mixcraft:
https://youtu.be/94_oD-sT5tE?feature=shared&t=77
https://youtu.be/vQyO_k24LhA?feature=shared&t=83

Please search the issue tracker for existing feature requests before submitting your own.

• I have searched all existing issues and confirmed that this is not a duplicate.

[bratpeki]

I'm against this simply because I don't believe LMMS to be that kind of program.

• What about automation? How would scores behave with linear automation of BPM that goes from 100 to 150? What about a lowpass filter controlled by an LFO controller?
• Where does the mixer fit in all this?
• What about stacked notes or automatic arpeggios that you can set on instruments?
• What about nightly's microtonality support?

Those are a few examples of why I don't see this in the program.

[ElsAr4e]

At least if you use VSTs this feature would be useful for me.

[musikBear]

We once had a request to 'only' make midi-clips into classic music-score. I found a way to do that, but actually making edits in a dedicated score-editor, is imo a different program.

[bratpeki]

At least if you use VSTs this feature would be useful for me.

I get that, but I've listed you a bunch of reason as to why this very difficult to implement. Why not use tools like MuseScore and export a MIDI, which you can then process in LMMS? Or maybe you have some idea as to how those technical issues could be resolved?

[regulus79]

I mean..... I could see this happening sometime. Just like as an alternative way to edit midi clips, similar to the piano roll but not as prominent. I know lmms is more focused on electronic music, but having the ability to write sheet music would be cool and might attract users who like classical music.

You'd have to find someone willing to implement it though (I could maybe do it.... but that would probably be pretty far in the future unless I suddenly become super excited about sheet music)

[ElsAr4e]

Why not use tools like MuseScore and export a MIDI, which you can then process in LMMS?

I would like to have the possibility for live editing. So no need to always import / export midi files. And I don't want to depend on other software (although I want to have the possiblity to use the generated music file in as many apps as possible and don't depend on LMMS only).

And live editing/reloading - in terms of you change the score in MuseScore - and without the need to import / export midi files -LMMS will automatically change / adapt the score in LMMS (something similar like Godot and Blender: https://80.lv/articles/using-blender-s-platform-generator-with-live-reloading-godot-assets/) is not an option:

• Not sure if technically possible / easy-to-implement
• What happens if you would use like 4 different score editors with 6 different settings during live editing?
• You would still depend on external software

Or maybe you have some idea as to how those technical issues could be resolved?

Maybe LMMS would just show a message like "This feature does not support using the score editor".

[rdrpenguin04]

This is a rather large feature. It would be nice to have in the future, but I'd like to see LMMS become more robust before that point. MuseScore has gone through quite a lot to make its notation software extremely robust, and even it still has cracks around the edges. To replicate that in an editor that isn't even intending to focus on score editing would be a nearly impossible task. But I don't think that's what you're asking.

What features in specific do you want the score editor to have? A score editor can theoretically range from Finale/Sibelius/MuseScore levels of precision all the way down to Anvil Studio where you're basically just editing MIDI with a thin shell, and then even lower down than that. What specifically are you looking to get out of the score editor?