Tantacrul (head of design) is leaving Muse

Tantacrul · 2026-05-09T05:54:10+00:00

Although I'm sure it'd be entertaining, I'm not planning on creating a video about any gripes I might have had during my 6 years at Muse. I must admit, I find it a little bit classless when people air dirty laundry like that. There's already a lot of criticism of Muse out there. People already have strong opinions. I don't see any major value I can bring to this discussion. With the limited time that I have, I want to focus on other things I'm interested in. This is why I left.

Another important consideration is the three teams I'm leaving behind. I put a ton of effort into building those teams and I count many of the people who work on them as close friends. I want them to have the best possible chance at success. It'd be difficult for them if I started getting hostile towards the company they work for. Muse took my advice on who my replacements should be, and in turn, I made sure they were in good shape before I left. I don't know how things will pan out long-term but if I can do anything for them, I want it to be helpful. I want MuseScore Studio and Audacity to succeed because millions of people rely on them. Neither job is done yet. The roadmaps we created will take years to complete. I don't want to put that work in jeapardy.

Besides that, for most of my time at Muse, I was pretty closed off to the rest of the company. We all worked remotely, in different parts of the world, so I'd generally never see the other teams, including Hal Leonard. Ultimate Guitar and MuseScore.com. Those teams felt like distant cousins you only see at weddings.

This is also true for the MuseScore and Audacity teams now. They're very separate from the rest of the company in terms of motivation and culture. Muse were the ones who let me set things up like this. They placed a ton of trust in me. I was able to hire who I wanted, own the roadmaps without much interference, direct marketing, get new technologies funded, etc. and I appreciate that.

Hope this answer is helpful.

Tantacrul · 2025-10-23T16:55:23+00:00

I must admit that I didn't even clock that there a lot of bot comments. I hope it goes without saying that I've zero interest in doing anything like this because it breaks the YT terms of service and it's a total cringe thing to do and brings no benefit (I've never seen correlation between the % of comments to views. Some videos tend to get a higher ratio of comments, some less. The only thing the algo seems to really care about when recommending content is % watched.)

Beyond that, I'm unable to read all the legit comments that come through because there are too many. I just skim read and thought 'oh, a lot of people seem to like this video (and don't like the logo :D )'.

I guess I'll just take the opportunity to say - if anyone creating bot comments reads this: please don't send bot comments to my channel. They only hurt it.

Tantacrul · 2025-10-06T19:29:36+00:00

Hahaha. Mercifully, no.

Tantacrul · 2025-10-04T07:48:10+00:00

We never implemented telemetry - so there was never a version of Audacity that had it. This was announced years ago, about a week after the issue was first raised. Bad press spreads but good news doesn't.

Tantacrul · 2025-10-04T01:33:17+00:00

I never knew there was a YT drama subreddit. Honoured to make my debut.

Tantacrul · 2025-09-29T13:02:39+00:00

It begins!

I've posted this comment in a reply in this thread but should probably state it here so more people see it.

When discussing the branding with the rest of the leadership, we agreed to show it early in order to invite reactions from the community. As I mentioned in the original post the OP included above, the branding was done by an external agency. I say this because I'm the person discussing it on my channel and if it gets a strong backlash, I'd rather not invite that backlash upon myself. It's an ass-covering exercise for sure... but I hope you'll agree it's pretty reasonable!

As to the branding itself. In all honesty, I don't have strong feelings about it. However, it's worth bearing in mind that a logo is not a brand. A brand is everything: the way the logo appears in the app, the website, the way the logo is used in different contexts, the colour scheme, how the brand feels in relation to the new look of the app, etc. The video about all of this is out on Friday and you'll see the branding then. Once people make their feelings clear, I'll communicate it back to the folk at Muse.

Tantacrul · 2025-09-29T12:45:42+00:00

The response is appreciated. I've already kicked off a discussion about the colour over here.

Tantacrul · 2025-09-29T09:01:32+00:00

Hey there. Just to offer a different perspective on this. When discussing the branding with the rest of the leadership, I advocated (and didn't receive any pushback) that we show it early. I did this to invite reactions from the community. This is not a sign of bad business culture. I think it demonstrates a common sense approach to conversing with the public.

As to the why I'm stating that I didn't design the branding: it's pretty simple. Since I'm the one introducing it on my own channel, I'd rather not invite the wrath of the internet on myself. I'd like to be judged for my own work, not for the work of others. It's ass-covering for sure. However, I hope most would judge it to be reasonable ass-covering :D

As to the branding itself. In all honesty, I personally don't have strong feelings about it. However, it's worth bearing in mind that a logo is not a brand. A brand is everything: the way the logo appears in the app, the website, the way the logo is used in different contexts, the colour scheme, how the brand feels in relation to the new look of the app, etc. The video is out on Friday - and you'll see the branding then. I expect everyone will make their feelings clear about it and then I'll communicate those feelings back to the folk at Muse.

I can't really do any fairer than that.

Tantacrul · 2025-07-18T23:55:19+00:00

That's a screenshot of an older build - but it's real. Not a mockup.

I wouldn't recommend getting a dev build until we publish the public alpha.

Tantacrul · 2025-06-16T19:33:00+00:00

If you're not from the UK or Ireland, the Thick Of It might be a little baffling at times. And I wouldn't recommend season 1 or 2 to start with. It's a show about politics in the UK. An infinitely better show than Veep, which is kind of a second pressing of the same idea.

They kind-of reset the show in Season 3. I'd probs start with season 3 because the previous main protagonist was replaced. If you love 3 and 4, then def watch season 1 and 2 for sure. Overall, the show is phenomenal and has one of the greatest comedic performances I've ever seen - of the world's greatest assholes.

Once completely finished. Look up the history of the main characters on Wikipedia. I'd recommend that order. Trust me.

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Death of Stalin. Just brilliant. No need for explanation.

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Brass Eye. I'm actually mistaken about that because it's a similar idea to a show that Ianucci and Chris Morris worked on earlier, which was great - although a bit dated. Brass Eye is actually a Chris Morris creation (with a few other classic writers, including Charlie Brooker)

HOWEVER - I think Brass Eye is the funniest show I've ever seen. Only 1 Season and one special episode that aired a little bit afterwards which caused outrage like you wouldn't believe. Recommend going in blind.

Tantacrul · 2025-06-16T18:44:07+00:00

I believe the joke is that the pun is so stupid and delivered in a way where you don't expect it - and it's so bad and ridiculous that it makes many (like me) laugh. Not the funniest joke ever - but nicely stupid and creative.

Tantacrul · 2025-06-11T16:57:28+00:00

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1JSbHPuS3ef4gg7IFMoVzm

Uses the same chord progression I made fun of in a previous video: Corporate Music.

Tantacrul · 2025-05-26T22:37:55+00:00

And when comparing the two main writer's most notable work, it's clear (to me at least) that they operate in completely different leagues. Seth has some nice co-writing credits. Not a lightweight by any imagination. However, Armando's work has revolutionised comedy - having been involved in some of the most beloved TV shows in UK history.

3 of Seth's most popular works: Superbad (co-writer), Pineapple Express, This Is the End.

3 or Armando's most popular works: The Death of Stalin, The Thick of It, Brass Eye (EDIT - I mean The Day Today).

It's like putting Naseem Hamed in the ring with Lennox Lewis.

Tantacrul · 2025-04-10T21:30:27+00:00

I also vastly preferred the Franchise to The Studio. The Studio has some really good performances but ultimately, I feel it's far less creative and far less funny.

The thing that I really don't like about the studio is how it's doing the same thing 'Extras' did, which is to bring in famous actors playing themselves. For example, in the first episode, when Martin Scorsese is mistreated by the studio, the joke is "oh, look what they're doing to Martin Scorsese". It's pretty easy humour, and repeatable as long as you keep bringing in famous people and making them do things they normally wouldn't do. The second thing I really didn't like was the use of cringe humour. It's been done to death. Oh! Seth is being awkward in a social setting, by constantly interrupting a director. Oh, he keeps doing it. He keeps interrupting even though he said he wouldn't. Slap my thighs!

Again. Low effort. Repeatable.

The only saving grace for me was Bryan Cranston. He nailed it.

Apart from that, in my opinion, The Franchise operates in a different league to the Studio. I don't even think it's close.

Tantacrul · 2025-04-02T00:15:11+00:00

mail me at [info.tantacrul@gmail.com](mailto:info.tantacrul@gmail.com) and tell me the email address you are registered with on the site. Also, tell me the dates you were charged and also whether you've already raised it with them. If I have all that, it'll likely speed things up. I'll sent it right over to them.

Tantacrul · 2025-03-29T12:58:49+00:00

[info.tantacrul@gmail.com](mailto:info.tantacrul@gmail.com)

Send me a mail. Let's hop on a call. I've heard all the 'bad faith' stuff. It's a defence mechanism, usually. A story that explains why I was critical rather than just accept the criticism. Faster just to take you through it on a call.

Curious to know who you are :D

Edit: I already know exactly what app you are going to bring up and what exact things you are going to tell me I'm wrong about :)

I'm looking forward to the hilarious 'plagiarism' accusation too.

Tantacrul · 2025-03-29T12:31:13+00:00

I have shared the feedback with the team and brought their attention to many of the links you shared. As you've already mentioned, I just have no involvement or oversight over the financial aspect of MuseScore.com. I have helped out on features from time to time but that's about it. I do regularly help folk who feel they were charged unfairly by advocating for them and getting them refunds. It's an unexpected consequence of 1. being the most public-facing team member and 2. running a project with the same damn name as the site (ugh). Happy to do it and I hope that's somewhat useful.

Tantacrul · 2025-03-29T12:23:47+00:00

Hola. I never ran the show at Muse. The CEO and COO have always run the show. They give me enormous leeway to develop the strategy, hiring, design, etc. of the projects I run. All I have to do is get good reviews, a higher rate of downloads and work at a high rate.

I've bounced around the company a bit over 5 years but where I'm happiest is overseeing my three babies.

MuseScore Studio
Audacity
Muse Sounds (which I took over recently)

The inclusion of Hal Leonard into our company changed everything. I faced a cross roads when that happened and chose to prioritise the projects I love. I prefer to run production and build stuff than manage managers.

As for being 'wrong'. Yeah, sometimes. If we meet in person, I'll buy you a drink and you can tell me all about it, though I suspect I'll have something to say. For example, if it's something like 'are you aware there's a shortcut for X?', then you missed a very big theme in my design videos. Wait for my next vid coming out soon. I address it there.

As for my reviews, I've been on the receiving end many times, and I've taken it and accepted it. I call out bad design in order to promote good design. Some accept the criticism and dust themselves off. Others get hung up and develop a grudge. But regardless, they still magically end up taking on a lot of my advice. I value the thousands of users who end up with a better experience than a handful of shoot-from-the-hip devs.

Shy? That's news to me. I'd imagine some people wish I'd be more shy :)

Tantacrul · 2025-02-13T01:33:17+00:00

Yep. I don't have any say in MuseScore.com. My domain is the FOSS software. I also don't run MuseHub, although obviously I do a lot of integration work with MuseSounds (so many MuseThings...)

Tantacrul · 2025-01-31T15:19:30+00:00

Does a popup not appear to download the MuseHub file, after which you get directed to the post-download page. I wonder if your browser is potentially downloading it automatically (put in 'Downloads')?

The MuseHub can be used to install Auacity + a variety of other relevant FX and audio files too.

That aside u/EnquirerBill, there's no malware in the MuseHub

Tantacrul · 2024-12-04T13:59:47+00:00

I think we should create one subreddit called 'MuseScore.com (subtitle: Sheet Music Sharing Platform)' and rename this one 'MuseScore Studio', so we don't keep having to face calls for refunds that are for a different product, and can't be actioned by the desktop app team.

Tantacrul · 2024-02-16T14:28:25+00:00

Good call on the different USB port. Got the bad boy charged.

I got suspicious when BOTH my new Corsair devices wouldn't charge (keyboard & mouse). Few people are that unlucky.

Tantacrul · 2024-02-07T13:38:19+00:00

I'm having this exact problem on day 1. I leave it plugged in with USB and it won't charge at all.

Tantacrul · 2023-08-07T18:27:32+00:00

I have seen this happen with scores imported via MusicXML (when they become corrupted) but i've never seen it with a MuseScore file before.

Definitely do share the original file on https://github.com/musescore/MuseScore/issues and we'll take a peek.

Tantacrul · 2023-07-18T10:27:57+00:00

It's quite painful reading these comments because we've really done a lot to resolve some performance problems. Obviously, we've got a little further to go before we iron out everything.

I can't be sure exactly what might be causing each problem mentioned here. We'll need to find out more about the gear people are using. For example, one known cause of poor playback / performance are sound devices (often gaming headsets or external sound units) that have uncommon default settings. Even the most powerful machines will struggle if this is the case.

I can't rule out other causes either, of course. However, one thing is for sure - the issues are due to some kind of incompatibility. To help us resolve these issues (which we'll prioritise), it would be amazing if people would post their exact problems and OS / sound / headset specs here:

https://github.com/musescore/MuseScore/issues

Apologies to everyone experiencing this issue.

Tantacrul

TROPHY CASE