convert old .mus MusicTime file to something current

[123olson]

Back in the late 1990s I wrote music, including one song for my brother's wedding. It was using MusicTime for windows, and the file type is .mus (and .wrk I have as well), but I can't seem to open it on any software I can find. I would purchase software if I knew it would work, as I really want to be able to at least convert to .pdf, but ideally work on the music again. Can anyone help me convert this one file? I don't think MusicTime is available any more...

[michelp]

That is going to be difficult...
If you coud open it in the original program, I am afraid that you could not even export as a pdf. Too old.
(PdfToMusic Pro can convert pdf files produced with a notation software to MusicXML, a format that Finale can import).
Assuming that you don't have midi files either, the only option would be to scan a printed version of the music. I hope you have printed it...

[dtoub]

Hi. I have some old files from when I used Finale 3.2 and 3.5 and sadly they won't open either. I tried opening your file and had no luck. I can open as far back as F2000 (that was the first upgrade I bought after F3.5). What I'm wondering is if you sent it to MM, perhaps they have an old version of Finale that could still open them.

Which brings up an important point: could MM perhaps make available a "legacy" version of Finale that can open old files and convert them to MusicXML or whatever? That would certainly be useful. Some of my old files date back to 1995 if not earlier.

[michelp]

The problem is that this file, even if it has the .mus suffix, has nothing to do with Finale and MakeMusic. It was created in a different program, MusicTime, that obviously used the same .mus suffix.

P.S. : the idea of a (old) Finale to MusicXML converter looks interesting, but may be technically unrealistic.

[Zoots]

This demonstrates the problem of total reliance on file backups in the age of obsolete software versions and no longer supported hardware devices. Obviously, having good file backups is important and as demonstrated above they have to be carefully monitored and when necessary re-written in a new format or on a new storage device before it becomes impossible.
Even though it isn't a pleasant thought for a very large score, the ultimate backup is a printed copy safely stored.
In my previous work life I used to tell new programmers that a printed listing of their program with a test case is the ultimate backup - yes, it can take time to re-type it but you won't have to wonder how you did various things. This did happen and the programmer was surprised how little time it took to re-enter it compared to what he anticipated. I have no idea if this method is as good nowadays with the major changes in programming methods that have occurred but I think it would work with music.

[AnneMillington]

If you don't have a hardcopy backup, that .mus will open in Encore 5.x. If someone has that, they could export in another more useful format. The demo version doesn't allow that; all you can do is get a poor quality screenshot of the opened pages. A step in the right direction, but not really a solution yet...If I had the paid version, I would try it for you.

[AnneMillington]

This demonstrates the problem of total reliance on file backups in the age of obsolete software versions and no longer supported hardware devices. Obviously, having good file backups is important and as demonstrated above they have to be carefully monitored and when necessary re-written in a new format or on a new storage device before it becomes impossible.

Sage counsel!

[michelp]

If, as Anne suggests, Encore 5 can import this file format, an export in Encore 5 to the MusicXML format could then be imported into Finale. Try to find an Encore 5 user.
If it works, expect some clean-up work in Finale.

P.S.: I just found out that MusicTIme may still be downloadable for Windows (7). https://download.cnet.com/MusicTime-Del ... 65004.html

[AnneMillington]

That exe looks like a demo also, michelp, and in addition wouldn't install on my Windows 10. I did get the demo of Encore 5.04 to install and open the Encore .mus file (Nocturne_p1.jpg and Nocturne_p2.jpg below) but because it is a demo (PassportEncore1.jpg) , it would not print to pdf, export to pdf, or export to xml, all of which could lead us further. I tried screen shots of the opened pages, but the resolution of the pdf's was so lousy that my trusty Smart Score to music-xml could not make much of them. So I tried with full resolution tif files, which the Smart Score script is supposed to handle, and it just hung indefinitely. So now it seems a working copy of Encore would be in order. But apparently one cannot purchase that now. So we would need a person with an actual working copy of Encore 5.x to fiddle with this more.

I kind of enjoy this kind of tinkering, but not sure it is worth continuing. If 123olsen has a high quality pdf on file, it might be worth trying to scan to .xml or .musx with better tools.

[michelp]

Well done, Anne. As a last resort, screenshots can help to recreate the music in Finale...

[N Grossingink]

Hi. I have some old files from when I used Finale 3.2 and 3.5 and sadly they won't open either./quote]

I have a fully working copy of Finale 2012 on an old computer. It is capable of opening Finale v3 files. Contact me privately if you'd like to discuss trying to upsave your files to Finale 2012 which might make them accessible to more recent Finales.

[ebiggs1]

123olson,
You might try this, https://www.deepsignalstudios.com/file- ... -midi-file
Perhaps it will help.

[Epeedad]

Hi folks,

I've taken the image that Anne posted and entered into Dorico (fastest for me), exported it to xml, and imported it into Finale 25.5, the latest version that I have.

Hope this helps,
Chris

[AnneMillington]

Hey Chris,

That is spectacular! Did you do a MIDI/keyboard entry into Dorico? So nice.

We should ping the OP that his problem is addressed, if not solved!

Very nice work!

[123olson]

Wow, thanks all. There was a few minor mistakes in translation that i'm sure I can fix as I learn Finale! What a great community

[Epeedad]

Hi folks,

I'm glad that this was useful. It took me about 20 minutes to do. I copy a lot of music for various purposes and I've gotten very fast at it.

My workflow in Dorico is to work system by system in a two step process. The first step is to enter the notes of each staff in the system with my right hand on my midi keyboard, selecting the durations on a Streamdeck XL with my left hand. The second step is to enter the dynamics, articulations, playing techniques, etc. using the mouse in my right hand and the Streamdeck with my left.

For me, the key to my speed and accuracy is the combination of Dorico's design (YMMV!) and the Streamdeck with the custom dorico profile, Notation Express. Although I've converted to Dorico, I'll be updating Finale when I replace my current computer sometime next week. I still have several hundred Finale scores to be converted and it is good to be able to help out in situations like this.

Chris

[AnneMillington]

And as for me, I have had a lot of career experience translating all sorts of arcane files into xml or other data files. So that part is easy and fun. Now the entry of notes into a program of choice is another thing altogether, as I do note entry via computer keyboard. Excruciatingly laborious, right? I rely mostly on bringing in via pdf -> xml. I am not a pro; it's just for fun. My husband the pro does MIDI keyboard entry into Finale, and is wicked fast at it.

I have never seen Streamdeck. I'll check it out.

Really glad we could help!

Anne

[ebiggs1]

We are talking just the two pages shown? I could probably enter that in Finale 27 in 20 -25 minutes. The baseline is mostly simple single note or octaves which makes that super easy and fast. Minimal expressions, too.
I use Speedy and the thing I don't like most about all the other programs is, they don't have Speedy. Perhaps it's just because I am so used to it.

[Zoots]

Even if it can be less than ideal, we tend to be happier with the Devil We Know.

[ebiggs1]

Yes sir and sometimes that is the problem, isn't it?

[David Ward]

… … … as I do note entry via computer keyboard. Excruciatingly laborious, right?… … …

It doesn't have to be. I've entered thousands, 10s of 1,000s I suspect, of bars of music, including opera, sometimes for large vocal and orchestral forces, using the QWERTY keyboard, and I have become fluent and reasonably fast at it. Admittedly these are my own compositions, so I'm still thinking about and editing the music itself which is usually from my manuscript sketch or (if an older piece) manuscript fair-copy. If I were a pro engraver, I expect I'd use a MIDI, but I don't feel I'm held back by using the computer keyboard.

[AnneMillington]

Thanks for your comment, David; I will hold QWERTY entry in higher esteem!