Notion 4+

Beware

I previously wrote: Beware of installing this upgrade. I foolishly installed this update to find that I had lost all the files I had created using this app over many years. Make sure you back up your files before upgrading. I also found that I was being asked to pay again for features that I had paid for in the past (e.g. entering notation by handwriting) or that came as standard in the past (e.g. a broad range of export formats). Presonus, what do you think you are doing!!! I suspect also that the previous upgrade may have lost some of my notation files. I had a lot of files in folders within the Notion folder in On My IPad; those folders seem to have disappeared so I now seem to have lost a lot of work. Some of these problems have now been resolved though not all, so I have change my rating.
The latest version is clearly an improvement particularly as to entry of notation and the quality of playback instruments. However, it is does not have the range of instruments available to me in Dorico, so I will probably still prioritise use of Dorico for playback and tweaking. My impression is that notation entry is now easier in Notion than in Staffpad, which I had been using for handwriting notation.
The serious problems that I had with the original version 3 have mostly been resolved. Now it mostly the resolution of little niggles that remain, e.g. split between treble and bass clef when recording to grand staff.

Developer Response ,

Split between treble and bass will be in version 3.0.3 - currently in testing as I write this reply.

^Previous answer
Thanks for the feedback and we appreciate you taking the time to update your review.

^Previous answer
Hello, thanks for the feedback. Some users have reported issues with their iCloud folder visibility – this has been addressed in 3.0.1 which is now live in the App Store ready to download.

Restoring purchases from the previous version is absolutely supported. Please see more information here: https://support.presonus.com/hc/en-us/articles/10044381073677-How-To-Restore-Your-Purchases-in-Notion-Mobile

For community help, tips and support, join our new Facebook user group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/PreSonusNotionUsers/
Or our Notion Mobile forum at
https://forums.presonus.com/viewforum.php?f=416

Confusing upgrade to 3.0

Version 3.0.2 installed as an upgrade to my previously purchased 2.6.X for which I had also purchased the handwriting recognition. While everything now seems to be working OK the process of retrieving my previous purchase was confusing in the extreme. The “Manage Features” dialog contains a “Restore Purchases” button that apparently did nothing: tap it, it goes grey for a couple of seconds and then re-enables with no indication of whether my previous purchase had been restored. Immediately above that is a button to “Unlock additional features” that includes handwriting: this remained enabled and showed the additional features as being locked, so it appeared I had to re-buy the handwriting recognition. In practice all I needed to do was go to the app menu, choose Options and enable Extended Palette to make the handwriting option visible again. The process here really needs to be more obvious because immediately after the upgrade it appears a previous purchase of the handwriting recognition has not been recognised and that you have to purchase the additional features to get it back.

An Excellent Performer

I appreciated a response from the developers, Well Done!

I really like this App and have been using it extensively for around a month. I'm impressed by the way in which my keyboard Midi files are imported and correctly notated in both the treble and bass clefs, something that similar Apps are not so capable of doing, I've found. Editing and adding additions are very intuitive and within a short period of time I was able to produce sheet music that was very similar in format to the industry standard software costing hundreds of pounds more. I did upgrade and pay the additional £28 for all the instruments. Overall, I'd rate this App as a four because although the orchestral sounds are good I find others, particularly the harpsichord lacking in authenticity. So too, the piano could be better sampled to provide that concert spaciousness. As a classical composer, I'd also like to have more options with the organ, including the addition of trumpets and reeds. There is also the quirk of the program crashing when the imported Midi file is being processed. Nothing is lost, however, and when the App is started again the file loads correctly. I'm not yet sure if I can play different, separate instruments on each of the clefs? Overall, It's still a great way to make music on the move!

Baroque

Developer Response ,

Hi,
I can't replicate the newly imported MIDI file issue you're having here - can you hit the Feedback button on the App homepage and send us a message. We can then work with you to see what's happening and maybe get some of your files to work with?
Many thanks