Just in time for Christmas, we are happy to present to you MuseScore 2.0 Beta 2. This beta release includes hundreds of bug fixes and other improvements made as a result of feedback from users of the Beta 1 release and subsequently nightly builds. There are even a few new features that have been added during these last few months. See below for more information on what’s changed.

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The official release of MuseScore 2.0 is still yet to come, but we would like you to try out this Beta 2 release to help us find whatever problems may still remain. Please report your findings in the Technology Preview forum on musescore.org, or, if you are sure you have found a bug, in the Issue Tracker.

Download MuseScore 2.0 Beta 2

Update Dec 23, 4:39pm: The beta2 packages above have been reissued fixing a few critical bugs.

New Features in MuseScore 2.0

What’s Changed Since Beta 1

In addition to the many new features introduced in the Beta 1 release, two significant new features are added. First we are introducing the Start Center. This startup window will initially invite you to create a new score, guiding you to the revamped score wizard featuring new visualized templates. Next time you startup MuseScore, the Start Center will list your most recent works. Also shown is a community section where you can search for scores and find each day a MuseScore user put in the spotlight.

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Another new feature is the Edit → Tools menu, which contains a number of useful functions like explode/implode, slash notation, add/remove line breaks, and automatic rehearsal mark sequencing.

There are a few other improvements as well, such as new options for more control over chord symbols, some enhancements to automatic fingering layout, and refinements to palette customization. But most of all, tons of bug fixes!

What’s Next

This beta release will hopefully be the last one before the official release of MuseScore 2.0. In the coming weeks we will keep on fixing bugs. As always, your bug reports are very welcome in our forum or the issue tracker.

Translations

To let everyone enjoy the final MuseScore 2.0 release, we are calling upon everybody to help translate the software. Head over to the Transifex online translation service and help us to get your language up to 100%. In case of doubt, you are welcome to discuss in the translation forum.

Documentation

We have a first draft available of the 2.0 Handbook so you can learn about all the great new features. In case you spot a mistake or you believe something is missing, please leave a comment on the handbook page so the editors can take note and improve the handbook.

Support

If you would like to support our efforts toward the final release of MuseScore 2.0, consider making a donation. We are still short on reaching our donation goal for 2014. Any support on this is very welcome!