Freedom251 › Music notation software
MC Musiceditor
What MC Musiceditor is
MC Musiceditor is free, open-source desktop software for writing and editing music notation on Windows and Linux. It uses a modified form of ABC notation and can also interpret ABC code. Notes can be entered by mouse, keyboard shortcuts, or typing, while chords are entered with mouse clicks. A score previewer and MIDI player let users review their work, and the software exports to MIDI and PDF. Editing tools include transposition, pitch conversion, score and MIDI formatting, file renaming and merging, templates, and score examples. The maker says notation data can be exchanged with MuseScore, Finale, and Sibelius. A script-based editor allows users to manipulate data in a text editor such as Notepad++. The maker also describes making web applications, including an example that runs offline in a browser. The software is published under GPLv2 or later, with donations encouraged. The listed release is version 9.0.0, dated 31 December 2023, which added a new menu structure and menu search. Windows XP or later is listed as a system requirement; Linux use is described for version 8.5.7 and later under Wine.
Who it suits
It suits musicians and notation users seeking free desktop tools for composing, editing, previewing, and exporting scores. Linux users need to run supported versions under Wine.
What it does well
- Free and open source under GPLv2 or later.
- Exports music to MIDI and PDF.
- Supports mouse, keyboard, and typed note entry.
- Includes a score previewer and MIDI player.
- Notation data can be shared with named notation tools.
What to know first
- Linux use requires Wine for version 8.5.7 and later.
- Linux Lite was discontinued in release 9.0.0.
- The listed latest release dates to 31 December 2023.
Limits
The software is free to use, with no paid tier described. Linux support is through Wine for version 8.5.7 and later, and the Linux Lite version ended with release 9.0.0.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free to use · Open source under GPLv2 or later | Free |
| MC Musiceditor | Free to use · free of charge · donations encouraged · GPLv2 or above | Free |
As mcmusiceditor.com lists them, read 23 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the MC Musiceditor website
- Choose the Windows download or use the Linux version under Wine
- Install the desktop software on Windows XP or later, or configure Wine on Linux
- Enter notation with clicks, shortcuts, or typed ABC code
- Preview the score or play it with the MIDI player
- Export the result to MIDI or PDF
Verdict
MC Musiceditor provides a broad set of notation and file tools at no charge. Check the platform requirements and Linux support details before choosing it.
Questions
How much does MC Musiceditor cost?
It is free of charge. Donations are encouraged, and the software is released under GPLv2 or later.
Which operating systems are supported?
The listed platforms are Windows and Linux. Windows XP or later is listed, while version 8.5.7 and later runs on Linux under Wine.
What notation formats does it use?
It uses a modification of ABC notation and can interpret ABC code. It also supports MusicXML and MIDI.
Can it export or play music?
Yes. It includes a score previewer and MIDI player and exports to MIDI and PDF.
Can files be exchanged with other notation programs?
The maker says notation data can be shared and interchanged with MuseScore, Finale, and Sibelius.
Facts from MC Musiceditor's own pages
- Deployment
- desktop · mcmusiceditor.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Developer and audience
- The software is developed by Reinier Maliepaard, whom the maker describes as a psychologist, software engineer, musician, and retired educator in music theory, music history, and composition. · mcmusiceditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Editing tools
- Listed tools include transposition, pitch conversion, score and MIDI formatting, file rename and merge, templates, and score examples. · mcmusiceditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Entry methods
- Users can enter notes by mouse clicks, keyboard shortcuts, or typing, and enter chords by mouse clicks. · mcmusiceditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · mcmusiceditor.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Interoperability
- The maker says notation data can be shared and interchanged with MuseScore, Finale, and Sibelius. · mcmusiceditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Latest listed release
- The site lists version 9.0.0, released 31 December 2023, with a new menu structure and menu search tool. · mcmusiceditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Licensing and warranty
- The software is published under GPLv2 or above, and the development page disclaims warranties of merchantability and fitness for purpose. · mcmusiceditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Linux support
- The maker says version 8.5.7 and above runs on Linux under Wine; the Linux Lite version was discontinued in release 9.0.0. · mcmusiceditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- MIDI support
- Yes · mcmusiceditor.com, 23 Sept 2026
- MusicXML support
- Yes · mcmusiceditor.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Notation format
- It uses a modification of ABC notation and can also interpret ABC code. · mcmusiceditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Playback and export
- It includes a score previewer and MIDI player, and exports to MIDI and PDF. · mcmusiceditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- MC Musiceditor is free and open source music notation software. · mcmusiceditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Script based editing
- The script based editor lets users manipulate data with a text editor such as Notepad++. · mcmusiceditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Web applications
- The maker says users can make web applications and provides an example that can be run offline in a browser. · mcmusiceditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- The download page lists Microsoft Windows XP or above as the system requirement. · mcmusiceditor.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where MC Musiceditor stands on Freedom251
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