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FORTE 5 Basic Giveaway
$24
EXPIRED

Giveaway of the day — FORTE 5 Basic

Forte BASIC makes it easy for you to explore the world of digital music notation software and compose with confidence!
$24 EXPIRED
User rating: 425 61 comments

FORTE 5 Basic was available as a giveaway on July 8, 2014!

Today Giveaway of the Day
$36.00
free today
Download music from 1000+ sites anytime and anywhere!

You may not be new to creating music, but is composing with music notation software new to you? Forte BASIC makes it easy for you to explore the world of digital music notation software and compose with confidence!

This entry-level edition of the Forte product family is perfect for students and songwriters delving into digital composition. It’s also a great product for teachers helping students learn to write musical notations or the musician who wants to chart out the songs you’ve written by ear or with basic chords.

For more information please watch online tutorial.

System Requirements:

Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 (x32/x64); at least Intel Pentium III or equivalent processor, Pentium 4 or higher recommended; DirectX compatible sound card

Publisher:

Lugert Verlag Publishing House

Homepage:

http://www.fortenotation.com/en/products/writing-scores/forte-basic/

File Size:

65.5 MB

Price:

$24

Comments on FORTE 5 Basic

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#61

Ref cmt #22 above (me) -- It seems that had I known that I could have gone to the Forte website and logged in to request my activation code be sent, I might have had a better experience with this giveaway; had I been able to input the activation code, the install.log file MIGHT have been created. Hindsight, though, is often enlightening. As the giveaway has passed and I have deleted the GAOTD file for Forte, I can't reinstall to test the program; unfortunate because I really would like to give Forte a second chance.

Reply   |   Comment by Jerry Guinn  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#60

I never received the confirmation email, so could not register the program. :^(

Reply   |   Comment by RichU  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#59

It places a folder in Documents.
Thanks VERY MUCH for this. Told someone else about it too.
Relatively painless install. Emails showed right up. Music notation programs usually go for big bucks.
Thank you Forte and thank you GOTD.
Also thanks for all the comments.

Reply   |   Comment by skybase  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#58

I downloaded and submitted my email and waited for hours for the registration code. Nothing. I sent my email per contact form and waited for hours. Nothing. Deleted the program and downloaded again. Left my email and waited. It has now been 13 hours since I first downloaded and have not gotten a registration code. Too bad because I wanted to give this program a try. I have never had a problem with any other giveaway. Thanks for the offer anyway.

Reply   |   Comment by Stillwaiting45  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#57

I have Windows 7. I tried this on two separate computers - laptop and desktop - and it installed both quickly and properly. No problems with email either. (It did go to my Gmail spam folder, but that happens.) I will be using this program in my spare time. I'm eager to see how this compares to Finale Notepad and how much more I can do with it.

Reply   |   Comment by Alarec  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#56

If you use your real e-mail address, you should get a response from fortenation instantly. I used my Yahoo email addy and my real IP email addy and nothing came yet to my Yahoo emails but it came instantly to my real IP email address. I'm all set and thanks for this pretty terrific program that I'll play around with. Nice GOTD offer...

Reply   |   Comment by Robert  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#55

It also tried to shut down my machine, but I managed to stop it from doing so and FORTE Basic 5 seems to be installed and working. Is the shutdown part of the setup (in which case why is it not preceded by something like "Your computer needs to be restated to finish the installation. Would you like to restart your computer now? Y/N") or is there a malware infection?

Reply   |   Comment by ronn!  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+2)
#54

I also just went and got my key and I got it in about 90 seconds, from start to finish :)

Reply   |   Comment by Danielx64  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+2)
#53

"The program can't start because mfc110.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem."

Then I try and uninstall and Windows tells me it can't uninstall because the install log cannot be found.

No point getting a registration key for a program that won't start, but it also won't uninstall! Can somebody please help me get this thing off my hard drive?

Reply   |   Comment by Pea  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#52

Works Nice, Brings back some good old times.
Thanks

Reply   |   Comment by Geeo  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-1)
#51

Everything went well with install - BUT - through a little digging & Google - this company WAS Midisoft (which by the way I OWN) but, instead of helping their customers, they chose to close-up shop under that name - DUMP all their customers transiting through Vista & miraculously opened their doors as FORTE and will not even answer the phone or return emails. I would be very wary of companies that act like that & the software today was little better than their "free to try" software & here's why - I tried over "50" midi songs & NONE of them would allow ANY changes OR saving back (even in their own format). I am at a disadvantage at the moment because ALL of my midi equipment seems NOT to like Win 8.1, so I am 'trapped' into using what Microsoft says is a midi-table (o well - what did I expect from the same company that left me stranded before). Thanks GOTD - I do realize, this has nothing to do with you - & I am sorry if it sounds like I am venting - but really I am NOT.

Reply   |   Comment by Thomas Roberts  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+7)
#50

#36 jack.
Been using the program for many years and saw on the menus at the top of the screen "Donation" and assumed it was still free, also later saw an area where you could register and assumed the developer liked to keep track of its usage.
Updated my old copy today and it seems the function perfectly even though it never has been a registered copy, so to be honest I'm at a total loss exactly what the situation is at the moment.
Maybe best to give it a try and see what happens, sorry can't be any more help.

Reply   |   Comment by XP-Man  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#49

Could not install. Setup hangs up checking activation. Task manager says it is 32bit. (I have 64bit) First time I've had a problem with GOTD software.

Reply   |   Comment by Adrian MacAdam  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+2)
#48

On another note... the registration process worked just fine. By following the directions given I received a code within minutes.

Reply   |   Comment by ToddO  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#47

I am a piano player and I have been testing this software today, as well as it's premium version. Contrary to what Karl said, I didn't know it. Well the premium version is far less sophisticated than the 2 undisputed market leaders (Sibelius and Finale, I own both), which are however much more expensive, but seems easier to use, which is a good thing. Even the cheaper Notion (number 3) however beats this software in it's premium version. It's a pity there is no 64 bit version, as if you use big virtual instruments via vst you could easily run out of RAM. What's more in the premium version, at least in Windows 8, there is now way to close the initial screen other than via task manager, which is annoying each time one launches the program. Concerning the basic version, well there is a pretty decent free software Musescore, that is no bad at all and could compete with this. However thanks GOTD for making me discover this software!

Reply   |   Comment by DigitalGuy  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+6)
#46

Overall a great giveaway!! This edition does have a limitation of only allowing up to 4 staves at one time. It was good enough for testing, but won't be useful for any real "work". However it was enough for me to want to purchase the full home (even pondering the premium) edition!!
The software works as stated and is very easy to use. I have used Cakewalk which is professional software and VERY expensive. I will use this along with Magix Studio and a few open source products I use under Linux. Curious to see what the home of premium versions can do with importing from an application like Hydrogen (Open source drum machine kit).

I definitely recommend this giveaway!! One of the best I have seen in months!

I agree with Karl. Nice to see something offered other than PDF converters, watermarking products, etc. though those are nice to have too. Just to many of them.

Have fun with this one!!

Reply   |   Comment by ToddO  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#45

Dear GOTD users,
we are aware of the registration problem and have contacted the developer.
Now we are waiting for the reply and will keep you informed about the situation.

Hope for your understanding
GOTD project team

Reply   |   Comment by Giveaway of the Day team  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+8)
#44

And by the way, still have the two activation icons on my taskbar, and they still cannot be deleted, closed or canceled. (Yellow square with a key symbol.) A reboot should take care of it, but Forte needs to seriously fix the installation program.

Reply   |   Comment by Susiekay1649  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#43

Well. Here's another first. A really interesting development. The first time I tried to install, the program froze and wouldn't copy files. An activation icon sat on the bottom of the screen and wouldn't allow itself to be deleted. Second install succeeded, but no way to get activation code (now two icons on taskbar.) Finally, I (sixth time) went to the readme link and put in a TOTALLY different email address. Instantly got an email from Forte5, clicked on confirmation, and got the code. Now the first email used is my login for GAOTD, and have never used another email address with this website. But Germany didn't like it, evidently. Very strange.

Reply   |   Comment by Susiekay1649  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#42

Aggravated. Tried several times to get activation code, went to website, followed link provided to member (above), no results. I have the activation box open, and have been sitting here waiting for the email for 15 minutes now. Hate to be so expectant of instant email response, but it has become the norm to get immediate activation info. And no, it is not in my spam folder. No communication from publisher at all. This is a first, for me, with GAOTD, after many years of participation. Was really excited about this giveaway. Darn.

Reply   |   Comment by Susiekay1649  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+2)
#41

Alright, since Voyetra decided that their software was no longer valid, I have been looking for a program that was anywhere near as easy to use. At first glance Forte looks similar to Finale. However once I started entering notes, the information window popped up, letting me know that I do not have to worry about rests. This would be a huge time saver. It appears that it would be easy to use, especially for someone who is just starting out with notation software.

The part of Voyetra's digital orchestrator that made it so easy to use was the piano roll. You did not have to click on each different note length, you could just click once, and stretch the note to the length that you wanted. This was a huge time saver.

All in all, I believe Forte might be something that I could use. I have really stopped composing digitally because I could not find software to replace the abandoned Voyetra software. Forte does not use a similar interface, but it seems to be much easier to use than many of its competitors.

Thank gotd, this is definitely one give away that I am glad I checked out.

Reply   |   Comment by Jeff  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#40

@ 16. drvajra: https://www.youtube.com/user/getpianolessons Seems like this program and that YouTube channel ought to get your daughter started.

Reply   |   Comment by Daniel J Kutscher  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#39

Re #12 Charpentier composed the music you hear when the Eurovision welcome screen is shown before their cooperative broadcasts.It is the official theme tune of the European Broadcasting Union. He died in 1704, so no royalties! He would have loved this program!

Reply   |   Comment by Pedant  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#38

re note #16 -- finally resolved, it appears.

Thank you!

Reply   |   Comment by gigi  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-4)
#37

@7 xp-man

Always appreciate your comments and links to free programs.
However,about SynthFont from the site:

"SynthFont2 is not freeware. If you have a valid SynthFont1 license (a license for the current generation) then you are entitled to use this BETA version as long as you like. Users without a SynthFont1 license may try the BETA version for 30 days."

Can you post link to the free SynthFont. Thanks

Reply   |   Comment by jack  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+3)
#36

Does Forte basic comes with a piano keyboard to use to enter notes by clicking on the piano keys?

Reply   |   Comment by wyndham  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-3)
#35

CORRECTION - I withdraw what I said above about tablature. With guitar selected it does come up. The error then is that the Help search does not result in finding a reference to it. Full marks!

Reply   |   Comment by Mike Strange  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#34

#7: "An interesting free program to play your MID files is available at the following link: ... Just import your files and play them having chosen your favourite instruments, maybe a useful accompaniment to today’s download."

MIDI files can be an interesting area to explore, XP-Man. There's not as much done today as years ago when large .wav files were difficult to handle, but it's still alive. While a .wav file [or mp3, or ogg etc.] records the actual sound, MIDI files contain the notes & timing -- a MIDI file is the sheet music in another form. Music can be composed note by note, or with a keyboard [not the PC type] connected to a PC/laptop via MIDI connections, every note played triggers the MIDI equivalent in software. And because it's just the note, it can be played by any instrument, or rather the digital representation of what that instrument sounds like. What an instrument sounds like can be anything from a block of code, from a cheap, only vaguely accurate representation, to an actual recording of the instrument, to coded representations of synthesizers.

If you can record what I call speaker out -- the audio you can hear with your speakers or headphones -- you can also record .wav files [or most other formats] of a playing MIDI file by having two apps running at once, one to play & one to record. And you can assign whatever instrument you want to play each part. Google "Sound Font" [with/without quotes].

That said, MIDI is actually a communications protocol, so if you research it you'll come across a lot of references to using MIDI for timing or to turn things on/off, e.g. on stage an artist may use a device such as a keyboard or controller to send a MIDI signal to a laptop, triggering playback of music files or to activate FX. Lots of software [for PCs, tablets, &/or used in keyboards & other electronics] does the same stuff as MIDI software only without MIDI. I mentioned above that notes from a specific instrument are often recorded -- sampling itself is a very large area to explore, ranging from single notes to phrases & loops and well, anything audio that can be recorded.

When it comes to playing at artistry, *Play* is an important part, experimenting & inventing for yourself, to please yourself -- if someone else likes it so much the better, but the creativity you unleash is beneficial in so many ways. Give FORTE a spin & see what you can make -- use it along with other software to see what you can invent.

Reply   |   Comment by mike  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+14)
#33

The activation process worked perfectly on although the message with the code went into my ISPs spam folder (th initial link email was fine). However, as the installation process came to its completion a couple of error messages came up very briefly with the final information that Windows was being shut down which it did, although seemingly in a controlled manner. I was Sandboxing the installation on a bare machine with Windows XP installed. Despite the error the software is running and looks to be very competent; for me the absence of guitar tablature is a downside.

Reply   |   Comment by Mike Strange  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#32

PLayed with it, it is NICE ! Thank you !

Reply   |   Comment by NYB  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-3)
#31

Went through multiple steps to get activation code. Installed Forte on Win7 Ultimate 32 bit. Software insisted that system be restarted. Not given anywhere to input activation code. Restarted system. Although I had checked the boxes for shortcuts to be added to desktop and start menu, it did not appear in either place. Could not find it anywhere in Program Files. Installed it a second time. It gave me a box to input the activation code, which the software apparently accepted, although I can't find anything in the menus (e.g., in the help or about tabs) to verify whether it is actually activated. The GOTD Activating window is still open and won't close. Although I am currently using Chrome, I have IE installed on system, as well as Spark, Firefox, and Opera. (Not a firewall problem.)

Reply   |   Comment by Sparky  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+3)
#30

This is indeed a very nice program to be able to get as a freebie ! I have seen other people mention that they would like to see such a thing here, so I sure hope they check in daily. It would be a shame for them to miss out on this great software. To be able to write and hear the music in one program is really wonderful ! I would say that anyone who has an interest in writing music would appreciate this very much. Thanks for the fantastic gift today ! Two thumbs up from me.

Reply   |   Comment by Jpod  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-4)
#29

Registration failed. Activation requires navigating to the website, provide an email address, it then emails a link to click which in turn is supposed to email the activation code. I got the link email, never got the activation code. Tried twice with 2 different email addresses...same problem. I hate wasting my time!

Reply   |   Comment by David Potts  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+3)
#28

Does this giveaway have a piano keyboard to use to enter notes? This is important to me.

Reply   |   Comment by wyndham  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#27

Installed on Win8.1 Pro 64 bit with absolutely no problems. A nice clean interface to work with. Downloaded this to replace Crescendo which sort of worked under Win8.1, but the fonts went bad when the machine was upgraded, so while the program still worked, the notation was garbage.

Look forward to using this a lot more. Thanks GOTD.

Reply   |   Comment by Dave  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#26

Cannot find anyplace to even put some registration code that it says will be sent to email. Yes, I've checked SPAM several times, too, not just inbox. So, I'm wondering . . . . . . . .

Would surely like to register it before it's over. :(

Thank you.

Reply   |   Comment by gigi  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+6)
#25

Once I (the"knowitall") FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS to read the READ ME, I miraculously found easy directions to activate the program!!!!!! Try it, it should work for you. Thax to GAOTD for this program. I have been searching for this type of program since my old disc for a similar program would;t work on Window 7 (XP only). You are a lifesaver.

Reply   |   Comment by David Martin  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-2)
#24

Export to XML?? That is capital for me; I've read the help file, and I read:
- Switch to the main tab "Export" and click on "MusicXML"
- In the File Name text b ... [etc etc]
But I can't find the option !! What am I doing wrong? I coul be even interested in a higher version ...

Reply   |   Comment by Sonny  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#23

Thanks GAOTD for this. Folks, my daughter is keen to learn the piano. Is there a good website where a beginner can learn musical notes?

Reply   |   Comment by drvajra  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#22

Recognizing that many other programs receive negative reviews while I have had no problems, this may be just a fluke of my system, but ...

Downloaded and installed per instructions. Waited for email registration for quite a while, but none came. Remembered that a request for restart appeared after installation (could be coincidence), I rebooted -- still nothing in my email (or spam folder). Looked in the Forte start menu folder showed an uninstall link. Clicked on this and received a message saying "install log could not be found." Tried uninstall via Windows CP uninstall, but received the same "installed log could not be found" message. Finally had to use Revo Uninstaller (quite a long process) to rid myself of the program. After the Revo uninstallation, and out of curiosity, check my email again, but still no registration code in my inbox or spam.

I don't usually have problems with GAOTD apps, but for some reason, today's seemed to just be not for me. Glad others have had success.

Reply   |   Comment by Jerry Guinn  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+8)
#21

At the end of FORTE installation on Win 7 pro 64 my system was suddenly restarted without any warning! What's even more weird - there is no Forte installed on my computer. It looks that Forte installation cancelled itself by restarting my computer.

Reply   |   Comment by Ian  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+2)
#20

Always free alternative: MuseScore, at www.musescore.org. Scanning quickly through the feature list, I can't see that Forte Basic does anything which MuseScore doesn't.

Reply   |   Comment by Bruce Fraser  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+12)
#19

Wow, what a great product and a great offering! Thank you, Forte!

Reply   |   Comment by serena  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#18

I love Forte. There is only one program better and it costs in the $1000's so this is a great giveaway

Reply   |   Comment by Phillip Childs  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+3)
#17

Installed easily in Win 7 64U using the two step method demanded by the publisher. See the readme.txt for the how to.

Per Karl's review, composing and using this software is very easy. Making music which won't embarrass me seems to be another matter entirely. Even if you never make a nice composition, this software will give you a great appreciation for those who can and do make beautiful music.

Reply   |   Comment by paul  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+3)
#16

Been waiting 20 minutes for activation code since I confirmed my e-mail... still no code. Too bad. I'm a regular user both of G-vox MusicTime and Finale, so I use notion software regularly... it would be nice to make a comparison to these larger programs. Hopefully it will come soon.

Reply   |   Comment by Steve Goad  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+4)
#15

I have waited a long time for the key. I went to http://www.fortenotation.com/en/lp/gaod/ and confirmed my email address but nothing has come through. I have checked Spam etc, but nothing. There seems no way to request a new key.
Thank you
Max

Reply   |   Comment by Max  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+6)
#14

I did check my spam filter with the provider. There is nothing there and it´s almost 3 hours now. Can you not send a new one?

Reply   |   Comment by Cathy  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+3)
#13

A nice change from the usual types of program given away. Thanks to Lugert Vlg and GotD of course.

Just one question, what is "Eurovision" doing under Charpentier?

Reply   |   Comment by BenAsp  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-4)
#12

I see Finale and Capella support, but surprised not to see Sibelius support on the list. Good to give Finale some competition in the introductory notation space, though.

Reply   |   Comment by pointtx  –  9 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+2)
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