If you know nothing about how to compose music then Encore can help you look like Mozart without the complexity of more advanced programs like Finale.
Encore has been designed to be as easy as possible for aspiring composers although it still takes a bit of grasping at first. Note that Encore requires a MIDI interface and a MIDI keyboard if you want to record live music with it. In addition, the developers recommend using an ink-jet or laser-quality printer for best results when printing-out your compositions.
However, whether you play directly into Encore or transcribe your MIDI files, most users agree that the results are very elegant and professional. Encore allows musicians to extract parts, transpose them for different instruments and basically represent music as close to the original idea as possible. Encore allows a high degree of control of composition via on-screen palettes which let you enter the correct notes or graphics including lyrics and any other text you may want to add.
As a guitar enthusiast, I was interested by the option to instantly transcribe music into guitar tablature with correct fingering and guitar fret diagrams although in the end, I couldn't quite work it out. This is why as good as Encore is, it's still a bit tricky for newcomers. Some users have complained that the latest version is also subject to several bugs compared to previous releases although there is a forum on the developer site for addressing such problems.
For professional musicians writing compositions,Encore is one of the simplest composition tool out there although it still takes some grasping for beginners.
