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Product Comparison Chart

Feature MPS HN  

Typical Applications

Learn about and experience harmony X X  
Support manual composition (Songwriting) X X  
Compose and edit chord progressions X X  
Compose and edit melodies and figures X    
Compose comprehensive and complex works for subsequent MIDI production X    
Analysis, „cloning“ and re-use of arbitrary musical material (MIDI Files) X    
Synthesis of algorithmic Music X    

Harmony Palettes

Standard palettes (Major, Minor) X X  
Alternative palettes (arbitrary scale sets) X X  
Tonal center independent from scale root X X  
Dynamic coloring schemes X X  
User defined layouts X X  
User defined coloring schemes X X  
Visualization of live MIDI input X X  
Navigation in the Circle of Fifths X X  
Navigation by harmonic functions X X  

Accompaniment

Real-time accompaniment playing palettes X X  
User defined patterns X Limited *)  
Variation X X  
User defined interpretation X    
Maximum instruments at the same time 12 6  
Maximum length of a pattern Unlimited ca. 16 Measures  

Supported Instruments

Keyboards Piano (12 Tone Equal Temperament)
String Instruments Guitar, Left Hand Guitar („Lefty Guitar“), Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Gamba, Viola, Cello, Banjo, Tenor Guitar, Cello, Violin, Mandolin, Irish Banjo, Tenor-, Bass- or G Violin (Lute)
Chord and scale symbols for Guitar and all other string instruments X X  
Chord and scale symbols for keyboard X X  

Progressions

Settings for harmonic context Global Key
Local Relation
Horizontal Scale
Vertical Scale Chord
Extensions
Bass
Superimposition
Layer
Global Key
Local Relation
Horizontal Scale
Vertical Scale Chord
Bass
 
Recording („Capture“) and editing X X  
Enter chords by name X X  
Enter chords by menus X X  
Enter harmonic function expressions X    
Manual assignment of scales & keys X X  
Automatic knowledge-based suggestions X X  
Superimposition and polytonality X    

Musical Knowledge Management

Catalog coverage Unlimited Extended  
User defined chords, scales and spellings X X  
Automatic cross referencing X X  
Automatic key recognition X X  
Automatic modulation recognition X    
Harmonic Functions (Riemann) X X  

Score Building and Arrangement

Modular and hierarchical construction of comprehensive compositions X    
Inheritance of attributes and parameters X    
Sketching of figures and phrases X    
Graphical shaping and forming of figures and parameters („Shaping“) X    
Unlimited conversion between all musical parameters X    
Variation and development of Motifs X    
Symbolic Morphing (melodic crossfading) X    
Phrase Libraries X    
Maximum number of instruments Unlimited    

Modular Motif Synthesis

Synthesis of parameters, figures and musical phrases Expected in 2.0    
Vector processing of data from arbitrary sources Expected in 2.0    

Musical Analysis

Musical Phrase Modelling on MIDI input
(pattern & structure recognition)
X    
Interactive harmonization of melodies X    

Input

MIDI input X X  
MIDI recording of phrases X Melodies  
MIDI recording of dynamics and rhythm X    
Import and analysis of Standard MIDI Files („Training“) X Melodies  
Import of sound bank definitions
(MIDI XML, „.midnam“)
X X  
Direct data exchange with popular sequencer programs In preparation    
       

Output

MIDI output to internal sound card X X  
MIDI output to external equipment X X  
MIDI channels 256 (16 Ports) 64 (4 Ports)  
Arbitrary assignment of MIDI controllers X    
Support for articulations (e.g. Garritan GPO) X    
Export compositions to MusicXML X    
Export to LilyPond notation format In preparation    
Export to Standard MIDI Files (SMF) X X  
Export sound bank definitions
(MIDI XML, „.midnam“)
X X  
Direct data exchange with popular sequencer programs In preparation    

Printing

Palette printing X X  
Progression printing, printing of chord symbols and scale symbols X X  

Support

Direct access to online update server X X  
Cognitone technical customer support X X  
Access to user forum X X  

Packaging

Digital download from cognitone.com   X  
Printed user manual X Optional  
Product box with DVD/CDROM and additional accessories X    
       
*) Patterns may be combined freely from individual phrases that can be taken from other patterns. Sketching and editing the individual figures themselves however is only supported by MPS.