Power Tab Editor

Power Tab Editoris afreewaretablatureauthoring tool created by Brad Larsen forWindows.It is used to createguitar,bassandukuleletablaturescores,among many others. The current version uses the *.ptb file format.

Power Tab Editor

Power Tab Editor in editing mode running in Windows XP
Original author(s)	Brad Larsen
Developer(s)	Brad Larsen
Final release	1.0.0.175 / August 26, 2006(2006-08-26)
Repository	github.com/powertab/powertabeditor
Platform	Windows
License	Freeware
Website	http://www.power-tab.net/

The Power Tab Editor is able to importMIDItracks, and can export toASCIIText,HTML,and MIDI formats. In addition, individual sections may be exported asbitmap files.

The program allows for tablature scores to be created alongside standardmusical notation.The software achieves this through the input of tablature.

Each Power Tab file contains two scores: guitar and bass. Only one score needs to be used for a Power Tab file. For proper playback, it is required that thetime signaturesandtempomarkers be consistent between the two scores.

The latest version was released in 2000. In 2006, the author released an open-sourcewxWidgetsbased program named the PT Parser. This code contains useful information for developers who want to write software that can convert, view, play, or edit Power Tab (.ptb) files. The PT Parser project is hosted at Google Code[1].

PowerTab 2.0 project

There is a project on GitHub since July 2014 to develop a new version of Power Tab from the scratch, called PowerTab 2.0. It's a cross-platform (Windows, Linux, OS X) open-source solution. This new version can read the old PowerTab 1.7 files as well asGuitar Profiles. A main change is that guitar and bass score are now in the same window. Currently (March 2021) the Alpha 14 version is published[2]resp.[3].

Features

The software primarily uses tablature notation entry. This is very useful for guitarists who are not familiar with standard notation and for instructing proper positioning on the neck. Other than the expected buttons for normal notation (i.e.time signature,tempomarkers, etc.), there are many others that are directed more at the guitarist. These include:

• Slurs- in the form of slides or hammer-ons/pull-offs
• Vibratosand bends
• Harmonics- natural and artificial
• Mutesandpalm mutes
• Tremolosandarpeggiated chords
• Whammy bardips and dives

These buttons can be used in either score and the guitar and bass scores are not restricted to theclef,either. It is possible to switch betweentrebleandbass clefs.

Power Tab also features several tools to enhance appearance, accuracy and playback for thetranscribedmusic;

• Score checker - this checks that there are no notation errors in the score
• Score polisher - this aligns ('justifies') the written music so that it is evenly laid out with no gaps
• ChordIdentification - this tells you the possible names for the chords entered into Power Tab
• Shifter tool - this moves groups ofnotes,whether chords or amelody,inpitchor around thefingerboard(maintaining pitch)
• Tonalitytools - gives the key signatures that fit best with the music entered
• Chord/Tuningdictionary

Limitations

Some limitations of the software include:

• Notes can only be inserted intablature;it is not possible to enter music in standard modern music notation.
• Power Tab Editor can only utilize up to a maximum of seven guitars across both scores (i.e. MIDI voices).
• Pick-up measures,for example, are counted as errors although they are commonly used in music.
• Swing/shuffle time withswing notescannot be applied to start or stop part-way through a measure. Conversely, notes in 'even time' cannot be notated within a measure where swing time applies.
• When using high and low melodies,redundantrests that are left out (as in regular notation) are counted as errors.
• A Segno cannot be used for more than oneD.S.A Double Segno must be added in the same position.
• Thetremolo,reverbandchorus effectsonly work on computers where theirMIDIdriversandhardwaresupport it.

Detailed bugs are listed in the Power TabKnowledge Base.

Legal action

Based on allegations of copyright violations,theMusic Publishers Associationhas encouraged its members to seek legal action against those sites which distribute Power Tab files of commercial artists. The creator of the Power Tab Editor, Brad Larsen, has stated on his website that the program is not directly affiliated with these sites.

However, the MPA working with the founders of powertabs.net opened a legal powertabs site calledTab Library.

See also

• TuxGuitar
• List of music software

External links

• Official website
• Newbie Guide.
• Main features
• ptb file format specification