Get the Notion -- Full Featured Composition Software for the iPad, Mac, and Computer

Notion Music, Inc has created what I believe is destined to be one of the most defining songwriting products available for Mac, PC, and iPad. Notion is a full-featured song composition tool that offers everything previously only available in products like Finale and Sibelius. The really cool thing, though, is not only does Notion offer these capabilities on Mac and PC, it brings the same full features to the iPad -- something even Finale and Sibelius have not been able to do.

With Notion (whether you use it on Mac, PC, or iPad), you can compose, arrange, and playback your music using real sampled instrument. Note input (which can be accomplished by clicking on the staves or using interactive tools like the keyboard, fretboard, drum pads, or chord library) is easy. There's also a range of articulations and tools that allow you to fine tune your scores exactly the way you want. You can add or remove instruments, add lyrics, make notes -- there's nothing left to chance here.

I use Notion on my iPad. Here are some of the features the app and the computer software offer:

• Enter, edit, and playback notation, tab, or both
• Orchestral samples by the London Symphony Orchestra recorded at Abbey Road Studios.
• Piano, keyboards, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, electric bass
• Clean and intuitive user interface
• Interactive piano keyboard for fast entry
• Export/Email audio
• Real-time/step-time MIDI entry
• Retina Display
• Audition/Entry Modes
• Interactive 24-fret guitar fretboard
• All instruments and functions from Progression are in Notion
• Interactive drum pad
• Quick and simple selection palette
• Distortion and reverb effects
• Full audio mixer
• Full range of orchestral functions and articulations including: Staccato, Flutter tongues, Trills, Vibrato, and much more…
• Full range of guitar functions and articulations including: bends, vibrato, slides, hammer on, pull off, mutes, whammy bar techniques, bass slap, harmonics, and more…
• Drag and drop cursor option
• Switch Instruments
• Transposition
• Insert text
• Lyrics
• Chord symbols and diagrams
• Quick “Undo” and “Redo” functions
• Chord and melody modes
• Easy delete and erase capabilities
• Enter and edit title and composer information
• Convenient file sharing
• Import .notion, MIDI, MusicXML, GuitarPro 3-5 files
• Email .notion, PDF, MusicXML, or MIDI files
• Import from Dropbox
• Search for tabs, MIDI, or MusicXML online from within the app
• In-Store app to add more instruments and gear
• Help Files

Notice you can purchase additional instrument sounds. Don't let this scare you away. There's no need to purchase extra instrument samples unless you want some of the more obscure instruments or you are composing huge orchestral pieces. For most users, Notion comes with all the instruments you'll ever need.

Not only can you compose and playback with Notion, you can record your song, mix it down, and export it in PDF, MDI, or MusicXML files. There's a range of import features as well, allowing you to bring in scores you're working on elsewhere.

If you're a songwriter or arranger, this is truly the only app you will need on your iPad or the only software you will need on your Mac or PC. Best of all, if you want the power of this app on your iPad, it's only $14.99 in the iTunes app store. You can't beat that.

NOTE: Notion Music, Inc. also makes Progression, which is tab songwriting software for guitar, bass, and drums. Progression can be purchased as stand-alone software or app, but it's included in Notion.

Songwriting Apps for the iPad

There are a ton of apps available to help you create music on your iPad. I have been trying them out. Just  ask my wife. I am  extremely picky about what I use. It has to do exactly what I want it to do or I move on to something else. I do that until I find what works and then I endlessly talk about what I find that works for me. These are some of the most useful apps for songwriting on the iPad. I use and recommend them all.

SongWriter HD by SimonApps is my main songwriting app. It allows me to write lyrics and chords, tab out guitar parts, and export my songs for backup. There are alot of extra cool features that give me full control over every aspect of the song. It's easy to use and great for creating lead sheets. Get it in the iTunes Store for around five bucks.

Notion by Notion Music, Inc is an app I use for full on music notation. This app is like using full-fledged music notation software like Finale and Sibelius. Seriously, this does it all. It even plays your compositions using real sampled instruments. This is for the serious composer.

Garage Band by Apple is billed as a recording app for beginners, but there is so much you can do with it that pro musicians will find it useful. First off, the virtual guitars, basses, keyboards, strings, and drums are awesome. They provide a quick way to add some tracks to a song when there are no instruments available to you. The big thing for me, though, is using Garage Band and an iRig to take advantage of the many popular amplifier set ups and effects pedals Garage Band offers. It is literally like having thousands of dollars worth of equipment on my iPad. I use more professional DAW apps for more professional recording, but Garage Band is a great place to sketch out a tune. The plus side is it's free for the iPad.

Auria by WaveMachine Labs, Inc is a full-fledged professional recording app that allows you to record and mix with studio quality results. This is the way to record and mix on your iPad.

Music Studio by Alexander Gross is a full-fledged recording studio that doesn't quite stack up to Auria, though it offers more features and possibilities than Garage Band.

These are just the apps I recommend. There are many more. Let us know what you use.