Topic #39: Files, cloud, and audio.com

In this penultimate MuseTube lesson, we focus on a fundamental feature that often goes unnoticed: file management in MuseScore. You’ll learn how to save your scores properly, export them in various formats, publish them online, import PDFs, and open other types of files. Plus, we close with a final note about how chords are handled in the mixer — a detail from previous videos that deserved a full explanation.

🎚️ Bonus tip: chord symbols in the mixer

When you enter chord symbols (Ctrl+K), MuseScore automatically creates a separate channel for them in the mixer. It’s labeled according to the instrument (e.g., “Trumpet Chords” or “Piano Chords”). This lets you control the volume or mute them independently from the rest of the score.

💾 Saving your score

From the “File” menu, MuseScore offers several ways to save your work:

• Save: overwrites the current file
• Save As: saves a new file with a different name
• Save a Copy: creates a duplicate but keeps you working in the original
• Save Selection: saves only the selected measures into a new file

All these options use the native .mscz format.

📂 Opening and importing files

Via “File > Open”, you can open a wide variety of formats: MSCZ, MusicXML, MIDI, MAY, and more. Each format includes import settings that can be adjusted in “Edit > Preferences > Import”.

For example, you can control how MuseScore handles rests and articulations when importing a MIDI file, or how it adapts styles from MusicXML files.

📄 Importing PDFs

From “File > Import PDF”, MuseScore will redirect you to musescore.com where you can upload a PDF and convert it to an editable score using Audiveris (optical recognition). This can also be done directly from the website. There’s a full MuseTube video dedicated to this topic.

☁️ Saving to the cloud and publishing to musescore.com

Via “File > Save to cloud”, you can upload your score to your musescore.com account. You’ll be asked to log in, give your score a title, and choose whether to make it public, private, or shared via link.

You can also use “Publish to musescore.com” for similar functionality.

🔊 Sharing to audio.com

From “File > Share to audio.com”, MuseScore lets you export your score as an MP3 and upload it directly to audio.com. You’ll need to log in with a different account, as audio.com is a separate platform from musescore.com.

📤 Exporting to other formats

Via “File > Export”, MuseScore lets you save your score in many alternative formats:

• PDF: for printing or sharing
• PNG / SVG: image files
• MP3 / WAV: audio files
• MusicXML, MIDI, MAY: for use in other programs
• Braille: for visually impaired musicians

These export tools are essential for collaborating, publishing, and adapting scores across various platforms and formats.