What is a MUS file?
Musical notation file from Finale software
MUS files are most commonly used as music notation files that have been created by Finale Software (MakeMusic’s flagship musical notation program). Finale allows creators and producers to compose and publish music files and their associated metadata. MUS files are very similar to MIDI files, but they can contain extra metadata information. They usually only have notes, but do not contain any actual audio data. There are some other MUS files that may contain voice data.
Common uses for MUS files
- Sheet music creation
- Music composition
- Music notation
- Finale software
- MakeMusic applications
Who works with MUS files?
Composers, arrangers, orchestrators, and music engravers rely on MUS files to prepare scores and parts for performance and publishing. Music educators, school band and choir directors, and church music directors also work with them when distributing or editing arrangements created in Finale.
MUS vs WAV: which should you use?
A MUS file stores symbolic music notation — notes, rhythms, dynamics, and page layout — that notation software renders as sheet music, while a WAV file stores an actual recorded audio waveform. Choose MUS when you need to edit, print, or share a score in Finale; choose WAV when you need audio that any player can play back or that a transcription service can process. Finale can bridge the two by exporting a score's playback as an audio file.
Convert WAV to text