Progression (software)

PROGRESSION is a music creation and performance computer program created by NOTION Music. Created for use on Microsoft Windows and Mac OS laptops or desktops, PROGRESSION focuses on composition for guitar, but can also be used to compose for keyboards (piano, electric piano, and clavinet), bass (electric and upright), and drums (standard drum set). NOTION Music also offers other programs called NOTION (a composition program oriented to the orchestral setting), PROTEGE (similar to NOTION but with limited functionality), and NOTION Conducting (for Conducting classes).

Summary

Users can compose in PROGRESSION both in standard notation and tablature ("TAB") at the same time and hear their musical ideas played back with digital samples from Victor Wooten (bass), Roy "Futureman" Wooten (drums), Neil Zaza (guitar), and others.[1] Playback features include built-in effects, amp simulators, customizable bends and slides, and continuous real-time control of playback tempos. With its MIDI Out features, a user can incorporate sounds from other sound libraries outside of PROGRESSION. Target users include beginning guitarists, emerging composers, music students, and home hobbyists.

Input

A user can enter notes, rests, and chords with standard computer keyboard/mouse input (including keyboard shortcuts) or by MIDI keyboard, MIDI guitar, MusicXML file, MIDI file, or any mix of these. Other input options include an interactive fretboard (that a user can add/remove strings and assign alternate tunings) and chord library. Changes made to the TAB staff automatically update an instrument's standard notation staff and vice versa.[2]

Output

There are no MIDI or audio channel setup tasks to immediately play built-in sound samples. The program's audio mixer not only offers gain, pan, and mute/solo buttons for individual instruments, but also provides access to VST effects and digital channels for routing audio to a mixing board or digital audio workstation. In addition to PROGRESSION files, output options include print out (in either standard or jazz font), .wav digital audio file, standard MIDI file, or MusicXML file.

Notes

  1. ↑ Dr. Joseph Pisano of Music Technology.net and Associate Chair of Fine Arts at Grove City College wrote in a review 11/21/07, that "the sound library is truly sonically impressive"
  2. ↑ Mark Starlin of Better Guitar placed the "automatic updating between TAB and standard notation" at the top of his Positives list in a review of PROGRESSION 1.0

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