StaffPad

Best features than any other scoring app, very bad handwriting recognition

There’s nothing like it. A complete game changer on the way we write music. I can finally turn all my ideas to life in an instant and no matter where I am, connect my imagination to my ears, educate myself faster than ever and even create a good enough mockup to show to a client. And I have a feeling this is just the beginning. Thank you Staffpad team.

The concept of this app is amazing and the layout is amazing. But the most prominent feature is not that great. The handwriting recognition for notes is god awful. I can’t change any values unless a I change them manually. I would like to write them instead. I can’t even writing articulation correctly. Does an accent look like a staccato? Because StaffPad sure does think that. I draw obvious notes and articulations and StaffPad makes something completely different. This app desperately needs an update to make handwriting recognition better, and make it do what it was built to do: RECOGNIZE OUR HANDWRITING.

So far, I have really been liking staff pad. I’ve never liked notation softwares so I have always relied on paper. However, though it is intuitive and easy to use there are a few things missing for me that I bet if added could be perfect for A LOT of composers. Overall I just find it bit too traditional. As someone interested in experimenting and in avant-garde techniques, I find myself unable to use certain types of notation that are not even that uncommon in today’s age. Since I’ve never been interested in notation softwares for listening to my own music, I would love if microtonal accidentals could be added as an option even if it doesn’t change the audio. Another thing that would be great for me is being able to just write the note heads or neumes for the musician to improvise. Something else that I really wish would be added is cross staff notation and being able to hide time signatures and barlines. Or just be able to select no time signature as an option. As I said, this could make it perfect for more modern composers like me. Who are not too interested in listening back to their music but need these kinds of notation. One more suggestion would be being able to “format the score” my way. Not always trying to fit 4, 6, or 8 bars into each system. But to be able to really customize the end product of your score. I really hope these can soon be integrated! it would make it the best for me and many other composers and I think it doesn’t need too many changes. Keep up the good work

Writing music in this app is impossible. Flats, natural signs, triplets are extremely temperamental and will not read even when written clearly. I want a refund

Staffpad used to be a dream to work with because it was easy to use. Out of nowhere, the app started to crash everytime I tried to edit any score. I emailed them for help to which they used to respond. Then they left me high and dry for no reason after contiguous back and forth emails. The issue still hasnt been fixed. Horrible sevice and broken app.

Strengths: -Lasso tool is a huge time saver once you learn how to use it -Recording and digital audio interface functions mended with notation Is game changer for getting together the desired sound. -instrument library sounds pretty great out of the box -changing note lengths and pitch by dragging Opportunities: -lyrics spacing should be given priority over note spacing on print at the individual parts -note stamp tool (just preset some lasso quarter/eighths/etc.) when you tap a button -hand recognition still needs work. Coming from original w8 StaffPad, there used to be an option to identify which piece is not recognized in the measure and allow for corrections with a “did you mean?” Prompt. This worked a lot better than the report function. (I’m sure there is not a lot of useful info coming from these reported bars and just creates white noise for the developers)

StaffPad is a marvelous app for exploring and composing music. I have been composing in Logic Pro on my Mac for a few years, and it is a wonderful tool. I wanted something for my iPad, and I wanted something that used music notation instead of MIDI piano roll. I discovered StaffPad and it has changed my life! It only took me a couple days to get the hang of writing in a way that the handwriting recognition understood. I love seeing the full score in music notation to check harmony and counterpoint among the parts. For me, this is a much better way to compose than using a DAW. It is a great way to practice and improve your dictation skills! I have purchased a few of the sample libraries and I am able to achieve great results. When you count the cost of the sample libraries, this app is kind of expensive, but it is worth it. I love music and this app is a great way to a fun and fulfilling musical journey.

Software crashes frequently. Entering notation is frustratingly hit and miss and isn’t geared for left-handed users. If it worked it would be brilliant. As is, a total waste of $$. If you are left handed, don’t waste your time. I gave it two stars because I love the idea, and it has potential, but for me it was an expensive mistake.

I love StaffPad’s ambitious goal to give composers incredibly powerful tools and playback features, especially with the new Muse Sounds library. The developers have made exceptional design choices with the apps simplicity and getting straight to composing. But the handwriting system and recognition seriously handicaps speed and efficiency. I often find myself just going back to using a mouse and keyboard on my desktop to work instead. It’s really disappointing because StaffPad has so much potential to be truly great. I really want to use StaffPad more, especially to be free from having to be stuck at the desktop to compose. Can StaffPad reach its full potential? I’ll be keeping a very close eye and hope to see the day I will replace my desktop composer with StaffPad as my daily driver.