Note: I initially called this topic iRealB vs iGigBook but soon learned there are many other iPad music apps for importing and storing music sheets, charts and .pdf's, so I renamed it.

Do any members here have any experience with either iRealB or iGigBook, apps for either the iPad or iPhone. Both seem able to import and store music - the iGigBook via an import of .pdf files and the iRealB via a link from their web site (and maybe other ways I haven't determined yet).

This feature would seem to allow one to take an iPad to any practice or show, and leave the fake books and maybe other sheet music at home.

I would appreciate any comments or comparisons. Thanks.

I use the Musicreader software that is compatible with the AirTurn page turner. I also use the app that for Musicnotes. I downloaded a bunch of music from that site and it all syncs automatically with the app.

I'm not familiar with the programs you mention but I do believe quite a few options are available for using the iPad to store and read all your sheet music digitally. The AirTurn system really makes the iPad perfect for the job. I also like the Musicreader software because you can make notations.

thanks for the info. I was unaware of other options but your post set me on the right track.

Here is a link to the Air Turn system which also lists a large number of compatible apps http://www.airturn.com/ipad-apps/

I also found another app called Unreal Book.

Edit: Reviews of Music Notes are very good. The reviews of Music Reader were not so good.

Maybe I should rename this topic "Review of iPad Music Apps"

MusicNotes is good if you buy music from their site because it syncs automatically and can be transposed instantly. It isn't good for loading your own sheet music. A decent scanner and one of the other programs works great for that. The screen could be slightly larger but the convenience of the iPad coupled with AirTurn has me using the combo more than paper these days.

I haven't really found anything comparable to ForScore

iRealB gives you access to chord charts i.e. just the changes and they have material that you can download from their forum which is also the best place for information about the product.

iGigBook, which I am the author of, allows you to get the most out your fake book and real books because it provides indexes for over 60 books, which enables you to search through multiple books at once. There's more information available on our site or out forum as well, if you want additional information.

I'm not trying to do a sell here, just want to provide some information and am open to any questions anyone may have.

Phil

I also use the Musicreader program. I am a church choir director and organist. I've been scanning the music so it is on my PC and IPad and use the Airturn pedal to turn pages. Much easier than turning paper pages.

The For Score reviews seem very good. Any further specific info on what you like or don't like?

http://www.forscoreapp.com/
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/forscore/id363738376

Correction:

I confused Music Reader and Music Notes in my original post (now edited):

It is the iTunes reviews for Music Reader which are very poor, with most folks having problems with poor reliability and crashes. This may be unique to the Music Reader pdf app since the product also is avail for the PC (but I can't find a Mac version on the web site). The reviews for MusicNotes are good.

The Music Reader web site has an update of a new release (4/29/2011) which identifies corrections with the iPad version addressing the crashes. There is also mention of updates for a PC/ Mac OS version so I guess there is also a Mac version. Posting this to make sure I submit correct info.

Today we released new versions for Apple iPad and Mac OS/Windows.

iPad v. 4.15
- Multiple crashes solved
- Problem with library sorting solved.
- Problem with malfunctioning of foot pedal support solved
- Improved onscreen keyboard appearance
- Ordering PRO features improved
- Improved pinch to zoom support
- Rotated PDF files now supported
- Playlist loading problem solved
- Faster loading of playlists
- Improved detection of new files
- Faster searching in library - less than half the time

Windows / Mac OS v. 4.10
- Annotation selection problem solved
- AVG problem solved.
- Multiple small issues solved.
- PDF display problems solved: negative display and multiple display errors.
- Improved synchronization - less transfers required
- Sorting in library is remembered
- Flickering after loading solved

I've used Musicreader on my PC and my iPad and haven't had crashing issues. That being said, I used it because it came with the original AirTurn. Now that I have the newer Bluetooth AirTurn and iPad I might check out some of these other programs for iPad. They look a bit more polished than Musicreader.

Hideki and Dave,

When you use your Musicreader iPad app, is it integrated with your PC version (which from what I can find is a separate purchase on their web site)? Are you able to transfer files b/w the iPad to the PC (or Mac since I've now found that there is also a Mac OS version) and store them on your home desktop or laptop?

Thanks,

Jon

Another program I found which has received good reviews on iTunes:

Deep Dish Gigbook.
http://deepdishdesigns.com/home.html
http://itunes.apple.com/app/deepdish-gigbook/id373676401?mt=8

Some comments about "super bookmarks" which allow one to pull a single page from a real book .pdf and create a separate chart. Also references to it being faster than ForScore and more flexibilty in organizing.

Use it every day, love it. Not only displays the changes, but plays very usable backing tracks.

I scan my music to a PDF file, then load that file into musicreader. Music reader 4 will synch with my iPad using a wireless network and transfer all the music on my PC to the iPad. Make sure you use version 4-much better than older versions.

You may find this App Guide helpful:

http://airturn.com/ipad-apps-faq/airturns-app-guide-for-the-ipad

This guide breaks down recommended apps according to genre, such as jazz, rock, pop, worship, classical, and even apps for speakers and singers. AirTurn is working with 55+ developers, and several more cool apps are on their way.

BTW, you may find this announcement interesting: Musicnotes, the Internet's leading digital sheet music retailer, has now collaborated with AirTurn to add hands free page turning capabilities to their sheet music app. Musicnotes Sheet Music Viewer has some fantastic annotating capabilities, as well as the ease of purchasing and instantly downloading sheet music from most of the major publishers, so you're sure to find just about anything you're looking for, particularly in popular genres: