[greatlakeswinds]

I finally took the plunge and ordered an iPad (iPad pro with 12.9" screen). I'm looking for advice/suggestions for music related accessories and apps. Of most immediate concern, I'm wondering about what other forum members are using as far as a stand/holder for using their ipad on stage. I'd rather not have it just sitting on a traditional music stand due to the risk of getting knocked over. I guess there are stands built specifically to hold an iPad, as well as mounts that you can add to a mic stand. I think I'd prefer the latter. There seem to be a lot of options, but some look pretty chintzy. What do you use/suggest? Also looking for opinions on page turns, as well as any other external music related components you use and find useful, and of course apps (I already know about ireal pro). Thanks!

 

[Frank D]

Sounds like you already have ForeScore or similar, since you're looking for a page turner. If not, get it for holding lead sheets, real books and entire books of big band charts, etc. You'll also want a pencil device to annotate the music sheets with your own notes and highlights. The Apple Pencil is good but pricey at $100. There are some other alternatives out there.

I'd also suggest getting some kind of case for the iPad so you don't get the screen bashed in toting it around in your gig bag. I found a thin model that clips over the back and folds around the front like a book, so you just fold it around the back when you're ready to play. As a plus the back is magnetic so it sticks to most music stands, so I don't have to worry about the mic stand clips that you mentioned.

https://www.amazon.com/Spigen-Smart-Fold-Designed-iPad/dp/B07K17V4TT/ref=sr_1_18?crid=1TV0YYE0KNST2&keywords=spigen+ipad+case&qid=1581011912&sprefix=spigen+ipad+%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-18

 

[motteatoj]

I have a 12.9 iPad.

I use this, but not on stage, for home practice, but works very well, strong enough that it doesn't move when tapped, and has about the most adjustability that I could find.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JXZLAGG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Apps I use a LOT...
iReal Pro
TE Tuner - great metronome, tuner, etc
Notion (with apple pencil, can write music by hand and auto converts to printed sheet music as you go, its awesome)
AnyTune Pro+ - transcribing/ slowing down
for Score - been importing all my pdfs of sheet music here
Garage Band

 

[greatlakeswinds]

Sounds like you already have ForeScore or similar, since you're looking for a page turner. If not, get it for holding lead sheets, real books and entire books of big band charts, etc. You'll also want a pencil device to annotate the music sheets with your own notes and highlights. The Apple Pencil is good but pricey at $100. There are some other alternatives out there.

I'd also suggest getting some kind of case for the iPad so you don't get the screen bashed in toting it around in your gig bag. I found a thin model that clips over the back and folds around the front like a book, so you just fold it around the back when you're ready to play. As a plus the back is magnetic so it sticks to most music stands, so I don't have to worry about the mic stand clips that you mentioned.

https://www.amazon.com/Spigen-Smart-Fold-Designed-iPad/dp/B07K17V4TT/ref=sr_1_18?crid=1TV0YYE0KNST2&keywords=spigen+ipad+case&qid=1581011912&sprefix=spigen+ipad+%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-18

Well, I haven't gotten FourScore yet bc I just ordered the ipad this morning, but that app is on my radar. I was planning to get it...unless anyone has other suggestions, but some local musician friends have also suggested that one. I am getting an apple pencil with the ipad. Not sure when you got yours, but the new ones are $200!

As for a case, I'm definitely interested in what others have to say about what they've got. I was thinking an Otterbox, because I've had those for my iphones, and they have definitely saved them MANY times. I'm a clutz and literally drop my phone on a nearly daily basis. Granted, I'm much less careful with it than I would be if I didn't know it was safe in the Otterbox, but still. I don't think I'd be as careless with the ipad (I carry my laptop around the house and elsewhere all the time, and have never dropped it), but still want something that will protect it from accidents on stage, such as a drunk dancer careening into the band stand. My only concern is the potential for glare from the screen cover...thoughts on that anyone? I suppose it probably wouldn't be any worse than paper charts in those plastic sleeves.

 

[KeithL]

I use the K&M 19742 with my Samsung which is a bit smaller than the 12.9 iPad pro. It may fit just the tablet without a case but if you add a case the 19790 might be a better option. I've had mine for 7-8 years now and had no issues. The K&M products aren't the cheapest alternatives but they seem to hold up well. I'd stay away form the Gig Easy brand stuff. Many of the guys I play with started with those as they were one of the first to market but had all sorts of trouble with parts stripping out and breaking.

As far apps go forScore is one of the best for iPad, iReal Pro is also great. I use iGigBook as well which can be super handy if you play a lot of gigs using fake books but it isn't the most user friendly app to setup and the guy who created it (and provides most of the support) is a dooosh.

 

[johni]

I use a Hercules holder for gigs but for general practice use this neat little device which clips onto a mic stand
https://cpc.farnell.com/qtx/mts-a/c...qmToyOGGk7E4pMUgpwRZbfAC6YRi9r4saAhoqEALw_wcB
It's very sturdy and holds a tablet and/or sheet music for making notes.

With regards to apps I assume you know about Orpheus? Fabulous app for gigs and storing your sheet music electronically.

Hope that helps.
John

 

[Frank D]

The thing to keep in mind when choosing a case is how hard is it to get the iPad in/out of the case, and will it fit in the stand holder while still in the case if it doesn't come out of the case easily. I had an iPad case I really liked but once the iPad was in it was in for good. This was a problem because it didn't fit in the stand clips that the bandleader insisted everyone use (control freak), which led me to find the Spigen cover.

ForeScore is pretty versatile. Beside just holding sheet music it can let you attach an audio file to the page, so you can play a track while you study the transcription, or play a backing track while you play the head or solo. Right now my current rig is the iPad stuck on a music stand using ForeScore to play the track while it shows the lead sheet. The track is routed out to a small mixer next to it on the music stand, adding my sax + reverb, and the whole mix goes to the PA. Simple and compact. This doesn't show the iPad, but the sheet music is where it would go.

Second the recommendation for Garage Band. It's an easy to use DAW. You can import pre-recorded backing tracks (Aebersold, YouTube or high quality tracks you can purchase) and record yourself playing along and mixdown a pretty high quality mp3, or create your own tracks if you're so inclined.

 

[SuperAction80]

My girlfriend has used one of the Hercules stands for awhile, and they're bulletproof. I just ordered one tonight. Outside of the obvious sheet music advantages, you can use your device to set your monitor mix if the soundman is using a Soundcraft mixer. DON'T use the app. Rather, go into your wi-fi settings and connect to the board's router. It's a game changer and time saver for both wedges and in ears.

 

[Milo B.]

Highly recommend the Airturn goStand and Manos Universal holder for the 12.9" iPad. It’s sturdy and portable and grips the iPad firmly.

For apps, another vote for ForScore, iRealPro, of course, and Anytune Pro.

 

[ZootTheSim]

+1 on Anytune.

I use an older IK Multimedia holder for my iPad mini, and like it a lot--it's well-made, adjustable, and not at all fussy.

The signal from my pedal chain gets into the iPad via an iRig Duo. I use a bunch of apps for virtual effects, including Tonestack, AUFX:db, and Loopy (which I can control with a Tech21 Midi Mongoose foot pedal). TouchOSC lets me send midi control messages to my (actual) fx pedals from the iRig via an iConnectivity mio4 midi-usb bus, and AudioBus makes sure all the apps play nicely together (though it might not be strictly necessary with the latest iOS).

My chain's a bit complicated and not for everyone, but it works well, and lets me integrate actual pedals with virtual effects.

 

[bobsax]

I Went with the Airturn Manos iPad holder and the compact microphone stand they make. Both are extremely sturdy and well-made and the Manas holds pretty much anything. Plus you can keep it in its case which is a really good idea because eventually somebody is going to tip it over so you can use your OtterBox or any good protective case with the Manos. All the pros and show players I know are using this set up. I’m using Forscore to store the music and I haven’t gotten a page flipper yet so Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Of course I use iReal Pro have used it from the very beginning.
I’ve been trying different slow downer/looper apps it looks like Anytune is probably the one I’m going to go with. I’ve seen some that work with YouTube and Spotify. I don’t think Anytune works With Spotify but I canceled my subscription anyway. I think free YouTube is probably the best jazz listening app. Spotify’s search was/is terrible.

 

[Milo B.]

I Went with the Airturn Manos iPad holder and the compact microphone stand they make. Both are extremely sturdy and well-made and the Manas holds pretty much anything. Plus you can keep it in its case which is a really good idea because eventually somebody is going to tip it over so you can use your OtterBox or any good protective case with the Manos. All the pros and show players I know are using this set up. I'm using Forscore to store the music and I haven't gotten a page flipper yet so Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Of course I use iReal Pro have used it from the very beginning.
I've been trying different slow downer/looper apps it looks like Anytune is probably the one I'm going to go with. I've seen some that work with YouTube and Spotify. I don't think Anytune works With Spotify but I canceled my subscription anyway. I think free YouTube is probably the best jazz listening app. Spotify's search was/is terrible.

That's the set-up I use and really like. I've used Anytune Pro for a while and it's great. But when I realized that Amazing Slow Downer worked with the streaming services and YouTube, I started using it more and really enjoy it.

 

[Huesax]

Still finalizing my setup, but so far I have the following:

iReal Pro
iPad v7 (Garage band and ordering Forescore)
URBAN ARMOR GEAR UAG Folio iPad
iphone 7+ (tune storage and playback)
JBL EON One Line array speaker system
Behringer x Air XR12 mixer ( ipad, iphone and Android controllable mixer via built in wifi)
Youtube for tune (Playalongs and new beats and sounds.
Adonit pencil (Adonit Note+ Plus Stylus Pencil with Native Palm Rejection, Pressure Sensitivity, Programmable Shortcut Buttons, Support Tilt for iPad Pro 3rd Gen, iPad 6, 7th Gen, iPad Air 3rd Gen, iPad Mini 5th Gen.
Maschine MK3