What does a PDF-to-MusicXML converter do?
A PDF preserves the appearance of a page. MusicXML describes musical structure: parts, measures, pitches, rhythms and other notation. BestOMR uses optical music recognition (OMR) to read printed staff notation and produce a MusicXML draft you can open in a notation editor.
Convert a score in three steps
- Choose a clear source. Upload one PDF or put PNG/JPG page images in reading order. This beta accepts up to 3 pages per conversion and files up to 8 MB each.
- Review the recognition. Compare the original with the result, listen to the recognized notes and examine any automatic review prompts. A file that opens successfully can still contain musical errors.
- Download and edit. Export MusicXML or compressed MXL, open it in your notation application and correct anything the recognition missed. Save your edited score there.
Prepare a better input
Use a direct PDF export or a sharp, straight scan when you have one. For a photo, keep the full page flat and evenly lit, avoid shadows and perspective distortion, and make sure small markings remain legible. Include the clefs, key signature and time signature. Avoid cropping through staves or notes.
What should I check?
Check the number of measures and parts first. Then check pitches, accidentals, note and rest durations, voices, ties, tuplets and repeats. Lyrics, chord symbols, dynamics and articulation also need attention. BestOMR’s structural checks and second-reading prompts are aids, not an accuracy guarantee.
Which files should I download?
MusicXML is the straightforward choice for further notation editing. MXL is a compressed MusicXML package. MIDI contains a performance-oriented representation of the recognized notes; it does not preserve the complete written notation.
Supported scope
Start with short, clear, printed standard staff notation. Handwriting, tablature, numbered notation and dense full orchestral scores are outside the intended beta scope. If a page cannot be recognized or the pages cannot be combined, try a clearer source or convert each page separately.
Ready to experiment? Try BestOMR with your score, or use the original example provided on the homepage. Only upload scores you own or have permission to process.