PDF Scores on Apple iPad

[compos24 0]

Apple's iPad

I am seriously considering purchasing an iPad. My main encouragement is to be able to have any of my 1000's of PDF scores, and read, study or just enjoy them anywhere.

Has anyone who has purchased an iPad used it for this function, yet? I have a wide collection of scores in a variety of sizes, ranging from 500KB - 750MB per file. Also, as with any creative medium, some pieces are more complex than others, and involve a more dense orchestration, in my case. This puts a lot of black on the page, for those avid fans out there who don't read music.

Personally, I plan on purchasing the 64 GB WiFi + 3G iPad. I know that I'll need all the space that I can get. Plus, my collection won't fit on the other available sizes.

So, some questions for those who can answer. However, everyone is free to chime in and give their thoughts. I will note that I don't want this to be a forum for Apple or iPad "bashing". You are more than entitled to your opinions. Please share them, by all means, on the designated topics. I want people seeking answers to be able to refer to this topic without having to sort through a pool of personal objections. It's just good business. Thank you.

• Does the iPad function efficiently and properly when opening and displaying large PDF's?

• Due to the screen size limitations, does it allow for ease of readability? Can you actually see anything you're trying to follow?

• Pixelation seems to be a common problem that I'm hearing about. However, I don't know if the files or images themselves were very small to begin with. When the time comes that I want or need to zoom in on a score that has a scanned page size of 11x17", for example - will pixelation be an issue?

Please feel free post any questions that you feel are pertinent to issue.

I just discovered this video. The part does look clean, but it is not very "busy". Any one have any information on reading orchestral scores, for example?

[filmmusic 3,269]

Don't you get dizzy, or feeling strange in your eyes when you're studying a score on a screen?

well, i do...

[BLUMENKOHL 1,110]

compos24,

While I don't read use the iPad specifically for sheet music, there are apps out there outside of the PDF reader for the purposes you are discussing.

Here are a couple of articles on such things:

http://techinmusiced.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/quick-ipad-app-showdown-music-reader-vs-forscore/

http://www.musicnotes.com/ipad/

Don't you get dizzy, or feeling strange in your eyes when you're studying a score on a screen?

That's not normal, I'd get that looked at by a doctor.

[ETMusic 1]

• Does the iPad function efficiently and properly when opening and displaying large PDF's?

• Due to the screen size limitations, does it allow for ease of readability? Can you actually see anything you're trying to follow?

• Pixelation seems to be a common problem that I'm hearing about. However, I don't know if the files or images themselves were very small to begin with. When the time comes that I want or need to zoom in on a score that has a scanned page size of 11x17", for example - will pixelation be an issue?

I know two people who have iPads and everything EXCEPT iPhone apps have looked fantastic on it. However, I think you're going to run into the problem of screen real estate. For example, the staff paper that Herb Spencer used was about 11x21 (inches) and most pdfs have been scanned and scaled down to 11x17 (or smaller). I think it might be tough to follow dense orchestra scores on such a small screen that is scaling down the images, but I prefer using a 24 inch monitor in portrait orientation for following 11x17 scores and proofreading on a screen.

The pixelation should only be an issue if the original file isn't scanned and saved at a high enough resolution, but I'm haven't seen how the iPad handles large PDFs (it might not like opening up 300 pages of 11x17 scores).

While I admit that the iPad would be a cool and portable way to study scores, I still prefer to print those 11x17 pdfs onto Legal size paper and study it that way (which allows me to make markings and file the scores away for later...burns though the ink cartridges though).

[compos24 0]

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to take the opportunity to let you all know that I'm loving my new

IPad and viewing scores is a breeze. I highly recommend it.

Please, feel free to ask me any questions that you may have. I'd be happy to answer them.

Best,

Compos24

[Datameister 2,586]

That's good to know! I'm afraid I can't justify the expense of buying one at the moment, but that sure makes it more tempting!

[BLUMENKOHL 1,110]

It's already paid for itself for me... because I can do 85% of what I do at home on it, and it's simply a better experience for those 85% of things I need to do. The other 15% (Programming/Animating/3D rendering/Video) is what I still need a full on Mac Pro for.

Sent from my iPad. :cool:

[Trent B 354]

I for one can't justify seeing myself spending $500 on a giant iPod Touch, other than just to have it. To me it's a bit of a waste of money..especially if you all ready have an iPod Touch.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,110]

By that token why spend money on IMAX when all it is is a giant TV.

[Trent B 354]

I don't see movies on iMax screen.

[compos24 0]

Well... It shield be known that I have not purchased an iPod Touch, or an iPhone. I have an iPod Classic, because of it's larger capacities. If the "touch" systems receive systems with larg capacities... Then I'll consider one for purchase.

I agree with you, Blumenkohl.

[Trent B 354]

They've made a 64GB iPod Touch...that's plenty for my needs. The 120GB Classic was an over kill for me so that's why I switched back to the iPod Touch. I was waiting for Apple to release a 64GB version before I bought another one.