Product Comparison Chart

Feature	Synfire Pro	HN
Typical Applications
Compose comprehensive works for MIDI production	X
Analysis, cloning and re-use of arbitrary musical material	X
Edit melodies/figures	X
Edit chord progressions	X	X
Learn about and experience harmony	X	X
Support manual composition (songwriting)	X	X
Structure 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	Limited
Maximum number of instruments	Theoretically unlimited	6
Musical Analysis
Musical Phrase Modelling on MIDI input (pattern & structure recognition)	X
Interactive harmonization of melodies	X	X
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
Intelligent 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
Define custom string instruments	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
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
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		X
Printed user manual	X	Optional
Product box with DVD and extra accessories	X
Copy protection	USB Smart Key "iLok"	Challenge/Response

*) 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 Synfire Pro.