[MusicTlk] Question regarding best Braille printer and braille music translation software (Margaret Denton)

[carcione at access.net]

I have an Index Basic D.  It's easy to use, and all the buttons are marked in braille, which is handy.  
But, next time I have to buy a printer, I'd prefer it not to be tractor-feed.  I waste paper getting the top-of-page set properly.  One would think it would stay set, once it's right, but stuff happens, and it has to be fixed.
And I always stand by the printer while it's printing, in case the paper gets caught coming out of the box or whatever, trying to avoid a problem.
I have not used a single-sheet printer, but I imagine it would be easier.
However, I haven't seen one that takes the wide paper, and, as you say, that would affect the formatting and the number of pages required for a piece.  Goodfeel can easily be changed to use different margins, so that's not a problem.
I imagine that printers that use the wide paper cost more than the ones that don't, and braille printers are quite expensive to begin with.  If I'm wrong about that, tell me.
Tracy


-----Original Message-----
From: MusicTlk <musictlk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Margaret Denton via MusicTlk
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 10:59 AM
To: musictlk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Margaret Denton <mdenton5 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [MusicTlk] Question regarding best Braille printer and braille music translation software (Margaret Denton)

Beth, I am also looking for an embosser right now and have been doing lots of research into that. From what I've learned, I think it would be best to get an embosser that can handle a 40 cell line (so, the specs will be to handle at least 12 inches wide paper). Otherwise I don't think the formatting will come out correctly on the Braille Buddy, which only handles 8.5 inches. The main differences seem to come down to a few features--tractor fed paper vs. cut sheet, single vs. double sided, embossing speed, dots per inch, and wifi/bluetooth capabilities. I found this video very helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKNDyni9pXk

I've narrowed my own search down to the Viewpoint Delta 2 and Irie BrailleSheet 120, but if you want tractor fed there is an Index Basic-D and Humanware Juliet 120 that look good. I'd be curious to know what others use that don't have access to an organizational embosser, especially tractor fed vs. sheet fed.

-----Original Message-----
From: MusicTlk<musictlk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Beth Gustin via MusicTlk
Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2025 6:30 PM To:musictlk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Beth Gustin<bethglpc at gmail.com>
Subject: [MusicTlk] Question regarding best Braille printer and braille music translation software

Hi all,

I appreciate this list for its wealth of knowledge and prompt responses.

I am a trumpet player and a singer in a band. I also play some piano. We play primarily just for fun with a few local gigs out every now and then.
We tend to play new songs each week, given that we don't play out often.

I am looking for a way to hopefully find trumpet/brass lines and lyrics/vocal sheets, and piano sheet music to modern songs, and then be able to print them in Braille as I am relearning how to read Braille music.
I know I need GoodFeel (Dancing Dots), and I believe Duxbury. I am looking at the Irie Braille Buddy as this is just for individual use. Will this meet my needs, or do I need something else? I like double-sided Braille, but this is not a necessity.  If I want to scan in sheet music to then translate it to Braille, do I need anything else?

Thanks!!

Beth



_______________________________________________
MusicTlk mailing list
MusicTlk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/musictlk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for MusicTlk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/musictlk_nfbnet.org/carcione%40access.net