The principle
Conversion apps transform music (audio files, videos, or YouTube links) into usable music files. You start with a recording and end up with a score and files that you can play, edit, or import into your music tools.
What you can get
Depending on the app and the output instrument you choose, you can retrieve:
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PDF : the score ready to read and print.
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MIDI : to listen to the transcription, edit the notes, or import it into a DAW.
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MusicXML : to rework the score in notation software (MuseScore, Finale, Sibelius, etc.).
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Tabs (depending on the instrument and app): particularly useful for guitar and bass.
What is its practical use?
Conversion apps are useful if, for example, you want to:
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obtain a score from a song you like,
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retrieve a MIDI file to produce, arrange, or analyze a song,
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generate a tablature to play a song on the guitar,
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Export MusicXML to properly correct the notation in dedicated software.
An ecosystem of apps, one output per instrument
La Touche Musicale offers several conversion apps, each specialized for a specific instrument (or output type). The idea is simple: you choose the app based on what you want to get at the end.
For example, PianoConvert generates piano sheet music, GuitarConvert generates both sheet music and guitar tablature, and SingConvert generates vocal sheet music. Other apps exist for drums, bass, saxophone, flute, trumpet, organ, and more. And if you want a multi-instrument output (one staff per instrument), BandConvert is the dedicated app.
How the app adapts to your situation
Before converting, the app helps you make the right choices based on:
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what is in your audio (detected instruments),
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what you want to obtain (score/MIDI/XML for a target instrument).
Depending on your objective, you can then choose:
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Transcription: faithfully reproduce an instrument present in the audio.
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Arrangement: obtain a playable version for the instrument of your choice, even if that instrument is not present in the audio.
To go further
For a complete step-by-step guide (import, analysis, selection, conversion, download), see the article: "How it works (import → analysis → selection → conversion → download)".
