CNET Editors' review
Power Tab Editor may easily become the veteran fretter's best friend. This feature-packed program lets you plot music onto digital tablature for exporting, burning, or playing MIDI files. The features are staggering--11 toolbars, 47 tips, and a max of seven guitars or basses per song are just the beginning. Deluxe tabbing capabilities let you adjust octaves and phrasing, and place an onslaught of markings, such as slides, bends, and vibratos. You can also create notes, store lyrics, and enter your favorite Italian music term if you're in the mood for something vivace. Well-stocked chord and tuning dictionaries help move you along.
Unfortunately, the software's features sometimes outpace its functionality. Though attractive, the interface isn't very intuitive and contains character errors and other mistakes that could frustrate the most intrepid user. One crucial broken Quick Start link for creating new tablature spoils an otherwise robust and detailed Help menu.
However, if you're feeling scrappy enough to push past the lesser points, the power payoff for using Power Tab Editor--digital tunes you tab yourself--may sound like rockin' music to your ears.
Publisher's Description
From Power Tab Software:
Power Tab Editor is a tablature-authoring tool for Windows. It allows for the creation of tablature scores that can be printed out and played back via MIDI. Features standard music notation and symbols as well as all of the popular tablature symbols. Can import MIDI tracks, and can export to ASCII Text, HTML and MIDI format 1 files. Version 1.7 build 80 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
What's new in this version: Version 1.7 build 80 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
4.2 starsout of 102 votes
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Current version:
4.2 starsout of 102 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Cracking program"
Version: Power Tab Editor 1.7 build 80
Pros
Easy to use
Cons
Old Program but ticks all the boxes
Summary
Can't go wrong
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"Interesting Tool"
Version: Power Tab Editor 1.7 build 80
Pros
You can punch fret numbers in there and listen to it playback as different instruments.Seems to have all the little tab symbols on it.
Cons
none,it is free after all
Summary
I thought it kind of fun to play around with.I'm not a tab guy or able to read music,I've always played by ear but it does seem to work good.This is probably great for someone giving lessons or just trying to use tab
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"This thing is awesome."
Version: Power Tab Editor 1.7 build 80
Pros
Great shortcuts. Easy to use. Wide range of ability.
Chord finder is an amazing tool to have.Cons
Umm... It won't deliver pizza. Or your soul mate.
Summary
I'm a newbie just picking out notes, and this helps me to record what I play. It's so quick to learn. Be sure to check out the hot keys in the help menu.
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"Can't make this do anything useful at all"
Version: Power Tab Editor 1.7 build 80
Pros
none that I can find
Cons
Can't make this do anything useful at all, and can't uninstall.
Summary
I just wanted to stick some notes on a staff but this thing doesn't do anything but give me one lousy empty measure. Useless. If it really does do what I want it to do, then its interface must just be counter-intuitive. I would uninstall if there was any such function. Can't believe I downloaded this bag of dog poo.
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"WAS ABLE TO WRITE MY PIECE WITHOUT READING DIRECTIONS."
Version: Power Tab Editor 1.7 build 80
Pros
i AM JUST LEARNING AND IT IS SO EASY TO JUST PUT IN THE TAB AND IT AUTOMATICALLY SHOWS THE NOTES. (IMPORTANT IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO READ MUSIC GOOD YET).
Cons
DOE'S NOT PRINT OUT ALL THE LYRICS I PUT DOWN NOR PRINT THE WORDS WHERE I PUT THEM. (I HANDWRITE WHAT'S MISSING).
Summary
IT'S FREE, IT'S EASY, AND MAKES LEARNING A SONG MUCH MORE SIMPLE THAN TO STOP YOUR PRACTICE TO TURN PAGES FROM A BOOK.
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"Wonderful program."
Version: Power Tab Editor 1.7 build 80
Pros
Easy to use, tons of down-loadable songs available.
Cons
None that I can think of yet.
Summary
Very highly recommended for all guitarist. Can also help to learn to sight read music.
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"Beautiful layout and Extensive Menu Options"
Version: Power Tab Editor 1.7 build 80
Pros
-Free
-Lots of options
-Nice crisp GUICons
-May be a little more than some need
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"Very good program"
Version: Power Tab Editor 1.7 build 80
Pros
- It's free
- Has many song customization features (over 100 MIDI options, various tunings and effects, different time and key signatures, etc)
- Helpful score checker for correcting any mistakesCons
- Adding a drum track is impossible
- 7 instrument limit
- Effects are not particularly well done (slides and harmonics, for the most part)
- Sound occasionally stops working for some reasonSummary
Despite minor flaws, this program is quite useful and lacks only a few features a professional program would have. That is all.
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"Don't waste your time..."
Version: Power Tab Editor 1.7 build 80
Pros
None..You can't download it.
Cons
This is just a plot to get your E-Mail Address....
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"Works better than other tab/music editors I have used."
Version: Power Tab Editor 1.7 build 80
Pros
Easy to use, and the midi sounds good.
Cons
Needs more keyboard shortcuts, or if they are available, they need to be easier to find.
