[nhmaf]

Hi,

I am planning to get out of the 20th century with all my paper RealBooks after being caught without the right one on a gig with a bunch of guys who already had tablets in a dark nightclub.
I'm planning to go the Android route with MobileSheets Pro, and some other notation software, and am looking for input experience with the Samsung S6 Lite or the Samsung S5e (or other mid-level 10-inch Android tablet, which is as small as I will go with my older eyes).

Everything I've read indicate the S5e is the better tablet for battery life and for better viewing of the display, especially at wider angles or outdoors/brighter lights.
The only thing that holds me back a bit is it doesn't work with the Samsung S-pen stylus, and I am wondering how frequently folks use it for making notations on the go, pre/during gigs, etc.
Maybe there are other stylus products that work as well with the S5e ?

I'd love to have a giant 12" iPad Pro, but that just isn't in the budget right now, and, well, I prefer Android over Apple anytime I have a choice.

Any helpful input is greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Mike

 

[lydian]

I used to run something like MobileSheets on a 10-in iPad. It worked ok. Then I ran MobileSheets on a 12-in Android tablet for a few years (tablet was $120). I eventually upgraded to a 14-in 2 in 1 Windows laptop which is perfect, and was only $240 for an open box at Micro Center (Lenovo Flex 14), also running MobileSheets. The beauty of the laptop is it was able to replace my main personal laptop as well as all my other tablets. In fact, I'm writing this post on it.

Unfortunately, none of the above work in bright sunlight. I would think only a kindle paper-white type of device would work in those conditions.

While I have an active pen which I use for sketching and composition, I never use it for annotations at rehearsals/gigs. My finger works well enough.

Also think about getting a page turner. I've personally used, and hated, the paddle type. I currently have one from Airturn that has a button like a guitar effects box. It's much better since I can feel the button through my shoe. The paddle type was always hard to find by feel.

Speaking of real books, at last count, I think I have about a dozen in MobileSheets now in addition to all my big band and sax quartet charts. Works beautifully. Now if I could just start getting some gigs again.

 

[nhmaf]

Thank you for your helpful info - I'm also liking the look of the button style AirTurn unit, and I am glad to hear that it works well. I haven't played much guitar in over a decade (but am starting to get back into that more now, too) so having a pedal-style box is like coming home again. Some of the 2-1 laptops have nice screens, but I have had some bad experiences with earlier Windows Surface machines, and also didn't want to buy an expensive, heavier unit that would more likely break on me if it took a tumble. The protective covers work only so well, but I'll cry less if it is a less costly device that dies from a mic stand bump, etc. The open box route might also be worth checking into on that. And, you find a stylus unnecessary for quick annotations, so that is a good data point for me.

Yes, that one gig in July was the only one I've had since March. And, I made nothing on it, but boy, did it feel good to be playing with a few other people again!
Fortunately for me, I have a good paying daytime job, but some of my music friends aren't so lucky and are really hurting.
I try to help them out where and how I can, even if it is sometimes just buying their CDs to give to other friends, picking up lunch/food/gas, etc.

We are finding (here in New Hampshire, where things aren't tooo awful as far as virus infections go) that outdoor-type gigs, such as on bandstands in parks where people can spread out, are *just* starting to trickle in a tiny bit. But of course, one rainstorm or T-storm and the whole thing gets cancelled anyway. And, some restaurants, etc. can have small solo/duo groups with appropriate precautions, distancing, etc.

 

[nhmaf]

duplicate

 

[lesacks]

Two purely techee observations (I don't gig!)
Chromebooks will run mobilesheets perfectly happily*, so that might expanded the ranges of devices you can look at with > 10'' screens. Some have detachable screens or 360 rotatable screens (probably too heavy).
I regret not having an active stylus for marking up music (the first time in my life I've found a use for one!). Samsung has the S-pen, but now there is a relatively new universal stylus standard USI worth looking out for.

*I do not have a page changer peddle, so can not verify if those work with Chromebooks...

 

[Jazz House]

I often use a Galaxy Tab S3 at gigs. The screen isn't big, but it works really well and saves me carrying a lot of paper around. I usually use pdfs as sheet music and view them on google drive using its "offline file" capability. If I need to edit things during rehearsal, I'll usually use the S-Pen to draw on them using an app called Xodo, which works brilliantly as a pdf editor. I realise this isn't 'proper' software, but it works really well for me.

I would love a huge screened iPad some day, but I really like my little Samsung. I've had it for a few years and it's just a great little tablet. Very capable and haven't had a single issue with it. I'm sure the newer ones are even better.

 

[dexdex]

Sorry, I’m a happy iPad user for more than 6 years now. They never bug, start quickly and have superb battery life, even after a couple of years. Running ForScore for my band books. And plenty of other stuff for teaching (not music) and my daily life. No fan of the Apple religion, but their stuff just does the job, and you can concentrate on your tasks. I do have a 12’ (1st generation) for music, and a mini for all the other uses.

 

[nhmaf]

Thanks for the helpful input - I appreciate it!
I *might* get a refurbished iPad Pro if I Can get a really good deal on one that is in nice condition, but I think my budget this month is going to cap me around $500, maybe $600, and I don't expect a nice used 12" Pro for that cheap. Maybe a 10" Used iPad Air, but then I can get a new 10" Samsung for that amt. If next year proves to be more gig-filled, I can always upgrade then, I guess.

 

[dexdex]

ForScore has a clever split page function, I don’t need any page turning device, and I don’t use a stylus. Nothing to lose or forget.