How to use iPad for lyrics instead of a 3 ring binder?

Hey guys,

Saw a dude once using an iPad for a lyric prompter instead of a 3 ring binder. This, I believe, is the most valuable reason to even have an iPad :). But I am not sure how to upload pdf, or word files in an easy to navigate type of way. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys!

Hey guys,

Saw a dude once using an iPad for a lyric prompter instead of a 3 ring binder. This, I believe, is the most valuable reason to even have an iPad :). But I am not sure how to upload pdf, or word files in an easy to navigate type of way. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys!

I'm a music director and I use the iBook app to load sheet music - scan it in and load onto iTunes- but there are a few great free tele prompter apps that are pretty effective and even allow you to slow down or speed up.

can't think of their names so far yet, but if I do later I'll post back!

easy ... I keep my doc (word, PDFs and others) in a Dropbox (http://db.tt/5wNvdKTy)folder and can access it from anywhere. They give u plenty of space for free.


Hey guys,

Saw a dude once using an iPad for a lyric prompter instead of a 3 ring binder. This, I believe, is the most valuable reason to even have an iPad :). But I am not sure how to upload pdf, or word files in an easy to navigate type of way. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys!

I use my iPad for lyrics & chords when learning songs all the time, and it's great for that. I also use it as a wireless controller for my PA/recording system (which is driven by a little Mac mini hidden inside the rack.)

There is an app called OnSong. They also have a wireless bluetooth controller, I don't remember the company though. You should be able to find it with a Google search.

Can't help you with the iPad, but we use a Kindle and just email pdf's to it. It's small, has a lot less glare under stage lights, killer battery life and the page down button is easy to grab left handed or right. Our bass player attached a little piece of aluminum to a mic mount and we just velcro the Kindle to it. Nobody really ever notices it and it sure helps out a lot.

-DJ

There are lots of ways to do that nowadays.

OnSong is a great app cuz it can let you organize all your music/chords/lyrics and even make playlists and stuff.

There are teleprompter apps that are probably even more useful.

There are 2 controllers that are worth a damn...

One is the Airturn http://airturn.com/ which is BlueTooth and seems awesome, tho kinda pricey maybe, but maybe not.

Griffin just put out one that I will be trying - it is StompBox and it is actually a controller for a couple guitar modeling amp apps, but it can be used with a couple teleprompter style apps and will likely be able to be used with some of the others. https://store.griffintechnology.com/stompbox

A friend of mine asked me the other night at a gig actually to help him get this set-up cuz he totes around about 500 pages of lyrics with him when he gigs.

on song here too. but I dont worry bout it much using a binder....wont glitch! saw Elvis costello the other night he had a big ol binder in front of him. it takes a bit of time to get the scrolling to be just right on the onsong but once its set it pretty neat just not sure its needed.

I have all my lyrics in a PowerPoint document. Then I "save as" and select the jpeg option, which saves each slide (song) as a jpeg. Then I just upload all those to the iPad and flip through as needed at the gig.

I use the Apple software Pages with the Ipad for lyrics and setlist. It attaches directly to my mic stand with an Iklip (http://www.ikmultimedia.com/iklip/features/) -- it works fantastic.

I use Goodreader. Nice and easy App. You can send and share your sheetmusic with your other badmates.

One time on a road-gig I forgot to print out the set-list before leaving town, but happened to have the iPad along to watch movies in the hotel afterwards. Totally saved my bacon to be able to just lay it on the grill of one of the stage wedges.

How about software to use a lap top (PC) as a Telepromter?

I create a MSWord documtent (MS Office 2010). I create a page break after every song (to keep them separated). I then save as a pdf, email it to my iPad and open it in iBooks.

If you don't have MS Office 2010 I believe you can download Caliber (which is free) and covert word docs to PDF so you can send it to the iPad...

Wow great responses. Now I "need" to get a Kindle. Sounds perfect, and cheaper than an ipad too. Good stuff...

How about software to use a lap top (PC) as a Telepromter?


Defeats the purpose of having a small footprint of just an Ipad or Tablet.

Once you use a laptop, you might as well have a stand with the 3 ring binder!!

Defeats the purpose of having a small footprint of just an Ipad or Tablet.

Once you use a laptop, you might as well have a stand with the 3 ring binder!!

But it looks so much more hi-tech. And you can use it with a controller for soft-synth applications.

But it looks so much more hi-tech. And you can use it with a controller for soft-synth applications.

Paul, I was just referring to the OP's suggested usage.

If you want to get high tech, then I am sure that will work!

I'm just getting started with the Ipad for reading charts & lyrics on stage. I am using the app called "unrealBook". You can even make set list so dont have to scroll for each song. You can also write notes on them and save it.

The only downside that I've noticed so far is that I can only put PDF's in it. Most of my lyrics are Word Doc's. I'll have to scan them now:(

Been doing the iPad2 lyrics thing for about 6 months.
You need two things for your iPad:

1- Deepdish Gigbook app $5
2- iKlip to mount your ipad to your mic stand $39

done

the perfect solution....you'll love it.

Same idea but i have been using an android acer 10" model which i just copy across a big pdf i made of all our lyrics.

I didn't get an ipad spefically because they are a pain to transfer data to. Unlike an android which you can usb to a pc and copy files backwards and forwards. Use a memory key etc.

So much simpler than any apple product.

Although i really wish Amplitube, garage band etc were available for it. In that regard ipad is better. As a practical tool for a pc user, I find android easier.

I've been using an app called Newzik HD (formerly SyncSing). You can search the web for songs and import lyrics and chords - when it works. The cool feature takes advantage of the iPad's accelerometer to let you scroll down by tapping the iPad or stomping on the floor (you can set sensitivity). The uncool part is that the app is not really ready for prime time - the interface and execution are amateurish and it doesn't always work the way it should. But it's free. It fits my current needs but I wouldn't dream of gigging with it in its current condition.

I'm just getting started with the Ipad for reading charts & lyrics on stage. I am using the app called "unrealBook". You can even make set list so dont have to scroll for each song. You can also write notes on them and save it.

The only downside that I've noticed so far is that I can only put PDF's in it. Most of my lyrics are Word Doc's. I'll have to scan them now:(

Download Calibre - it's a free ebook converter & will convert your Word docs to pdf, epub or mobi (kindle)... there's free readers for all formats available for the ipad