Double Bass Tablets for sheet music

[__C_c_]

Does anyone have any insight into using tablets on gigs for both sheet music and the iRealb app. I know the iPads work great and I work with a few people that use them but they are very expensive. Any comments on the kindle or google tablets?

I am a 100% apple person so I am very skeptical of the quality of anything else.

thanks

 

[longfinger]

If you are a 100% Apple person, and the only thing holding you back from an new iPad full size is the price, then look at buying a used iPad 1st gen (2010). Now in 2013, they must be selling for a low price on the used market. The iPad 2 is still being sold new at a high price, but older iPad 2s used from 2011 with the lower storage capacity are likely being sold for half of those dollars.

 

[lsabina]

I use an iPad2 and the forScore app on every gig I do. Tons of lead sheets and complete fake books are at my disposal as well as are original sketches (I take pictures of them). Also use some performance based apps for the occasional synth solo.

 

[elgecko]

I have a 9.7" Android (same size as an iPad) that works great and was less than half the price. I'd stay away from the 10.1" tablets due to the aspect ratio which would make for goofy looking pages.

 

[craigb]

My old eyes didn't enjoy when I tried it with my Asus Transformer (10.1" widescreen), and I'm working from charts, not dots. As another data point, albeit not a cheaper one, I found this video very interesting as an intro to the current state of what can be done with tablet PCs:



I'm currently experimenting with a 12.5" screen tablet PC to see if I can go paperless.

 

[Phil Smith]

Does anyone have any insight into using tablets on gigs for both sheet music and the iRealb app. I know the iPads work great and I work with a few people that use them but they are very expensive. Any comments on the kindle or google tablets?

I am a 100% apple person so I am very skeptical of the quality of anything else.

thanks

You can pick up a 1st gen iPad or a 2nd gen iPad used for a decent price. Check with your local craigslist.

 

[pkazzo]

Kindle HD 8.9" along with MobileSheets and a Bluetooth page turner (Cicada) do the job nicely for me.

 

[bass81800]

I bought a cheap 9.2" SVP tablet on Amazon for around $125. I specifically looked for the android ice cream sandwich as this is compatible with being able to use iRealb. It is set up to seamlessly download google play apps.

This works great with iRealB, but the screen has the length, but not the width I would like for Real Book charts, etc. A little too small for my eyes. So, unless you are just thinking of using only iReal B, I would suggest making sure you know the width of the screen, as well as the length before purchasing. I probably will get another cheap tablet as a backup and for use with regular charts. They are out there.

 

[Funk_Pirate]

That's the primary reason I got my ipad! That and reading books

 

[robobass]

It isn't just the screen size but the resolution. I just picked up a 10" android with 1280x800 for well under $250. Haven't yet tried Mobile Sheets, as my kids won't let go of the thing, but I'm sure it will be clear enough. Of course I suppose you want to find a way to mount it closer to you than normal orchestra desk distance. Question, Can you read Finale .mus files with this?

 

[ricobasso]

I've always thought the iPad was a bit too small for comfortably reading music or chord charts. Has anyone tried the Archos Familypad 2? It is a 13" tablet, so I guess the active screen size would be approaching the size of a letter/A4 piece of paper. I'm seriously considering getting one. On the down side, I haven't seen any stands or holders for that size and it doesn't have Bluetooth so you'd have to use a wired footpedal.

p.s. Mobilesheets is great.

 

[Ulf_Hansson]

Agree with Robobass, screen resolution is key here. I use both the Nexus 7 and 10, work great with the Fakebook app.

Fakebook is kind of the Android equivalent to iGig Book -- they both import and index huge PDF collections effortlessly, includes thousands of jazz chord progressions, transpose freely, search, sort, make setlists etc. They differ in details and in implementation, but put it this way -- I left Apple and I'm not looking back...

And BTW it's dirt cheap, like $2 on Google Play.

 

[elgecko]

I just picked up a 13.3" Hannspree tablet that destroys my 9.7" tablet for reading notation. I'll try and shoot a comparison pic later.

 

[drumsnbass]

I bought a used iPad 1st gen 16G for $110, and liked it enough to go on eBay and get a used 2nd gen 64G for $300 shipped. Though both were great deals. Certainly don't need the latest and greatest for what I do.

 

[elgecko]

I just picked up a 13.3" Hannspree tablet that destroys my 9.7" tablet for reading notation. I'll try and shoot a comparison pic later.

Letter size paper, 13.3", and 9.7" (iPad size)

 

[robobass]

Now somebody needs to invent a bluetooth pedal to turn pages. That would be killer!

 

[elgecko]

Apparently, I can't post links without meeting some sort of criteria but Google Airturn and Cicada Pageflip for bluetooth pedals

 

[robobass]

Apparently, I can't post links without meeting some sort of criteria but Google Airturn and Cicada Pageflip for bluetooth pedals

Well, I think you just have to register, like on most forums. Your message did get posted, and thanks! I had no idea such a product existed.

 

[csrund]

Anyone know if it's possible to annotate pages with a stylus or fingertip? (i.e. To mark bowings, fingerings, etc.)

 

[elgecko]

Anyone know if it's possible to annotate pages with a stylus or fingertip? (i.e. To mark bowings, fingerings, etc.)

I use the Mobilesheets Android app and you can draw, insert text or musical symbols, and highlight very easily. Otherwise, you'd have to find a PDF reader that supports annotation.