Differences between StaffPad and Symphony Pro

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[@downpatmusic]

Thank you for your comparison. Very helpful. The built sounds with Staff Pad sound usable considering I have all of my sample libraries on my DAWs in my studio so I would be only using Staff Pad for notation. I actually play in my orchestral parts and not enter them in with a mouse or pen, playing them in is so fast and accurate it gives me the ultimate realism of subtleties in expression, minus the fact that sounds are samples. The clean look of staff pad seems to be appreciated. I don't mind the accuracy in handwriting requirement. Presonus Notion is another contender in this space but requires either a monthly subscription or a $150 more expensive price tag over Staff Pad. Staff Pad looking like a good value in this market place.

[@scoringbits]

Staffpad sounds lovely and writes very well. The more I use it the more I love it

[@TranceCore3]

I bought an ipad, wasn't convinced I'd enjoy it until I saw this

[@scoringbits]

Glad to hear it helped you

[@25mileswest86]

Nice video - thanks. Have never used either of these but am curious and doing research; had promo mailshots for new Dorico and Sibelius on iPad come floating into my InBox recently... The third party StaffPad strings you played back sounded really inspiring to work with..! Didn't see the pedalling in the StaffPad piece you'd been working on, come across in the XML into SymphonyPro playback..? Also, closer tempo matching would have helped SymphonyPro playback. You adjusted down to 51bpm, but that was still too slow and laboured, compared to StaffPad, yet it didn't bother you... struck me a little odd, thats all. Apologies if I missed it, but I didn't pick up if this was Symphony Pro 5 or 6... If 6, notice any improvements (in handwriting/playback) over 5..? Will be looking at more of your videos.!

[@scoringbits]

Thank you for your message @25miles West I do believe the tempo being incorrect may not be fair entire but stand by the sounds being dry and midi sounding in comparison. Pedals did not port over which was a shame music xml needs to go some ways still. I’m hoping for an online xml standard like text has for playback perhaps default browser reading of xml without the need of plugins and default browser samples? I do believe this is the most up to date symphony pro I have it on auto update so should be true to the date I launched the video it seems from my first viewing that Dorico and Sibelius won’t have handwriting Thank you for your follow glad to share the passion for new music notation software

[@25mileswest86]

@@scoringbits Ok, yes - agreed about the fundamental sounds of SymphonyPro... was just observing and giving some thoughts... MusicXML still is a bit like the wild west isn't it..! And you're right - there's no handwriting in Dorico and Sibelius. And there won't be, as far as I can tell.

[@scoringbits]

@@25mileswest86 interesting seems somehow the browser community should be as interested in xml as they are in formulas etc. dorico and Sibelius in my opinion are missing the boat with the ability they would have to handwrite and compose on the piano with the iPad and then edit on the computer with the standard experience of either on desktop. Which I assume is how some composers already use Staffpad to then go to Sibelius or dorico

[@nerd-zu5lg]

Thank you for your review. It helps me a lot. But I have a question.. Do we need Ipad pro to run Staffpad smoothly? I’m considering to buy my first Ipad and I can’t decide btw Ipad air 256Gb and Ipad pro 11 inch 128 Gb. 🙏🏻 I don’t want to spend extra if it won’t make any much difference. Most of my work will be string quartets, piano pieces and choirs.

[@scoringbits]

I would buy the best iPad possible look for screen size for ease of use when working on large scores. Especially for performance. The 12.9” feels like letter paper. Also power. You want the most power possible. They are about to update the app to support audio tracks and transcribing. Which will require more power. So future proof your purchase. Hope this helps. Evan

[@scoringbits]

Good luck with your compositions

[@nerd-zu5lg]

@@scoringbits Thank you so much.🙏🏻☺️☺️. This helps me a lot.

[@scoringbits]

@@nerd-zu5lg glad I could help

[@JulioHerrlein]

DEar Friend, Please, what is the pen you are using in this video ? Thank you !

[@scoringbits]

Apple Pencil first gen

[@JulioHerrlein]

@scoringbits Thanks 🙏

[@richardkellman9930]

Great and useful video comparison! Have you done a comparison of StaffPad with Notion (which I am considering), or do you plan to do one? Also, can I connect StaffPad to my Yamaha DGX660 keyboard, play and see the score immediately (as I can do in Notion)? Thanks! Richard

[@scoringbits]

Thanks Richard I don’t currently own notion I’ve heard it’s a little inferior for writing ✍️ but StaffPad doesn’t work for keyboard input but will soon

[@richardkellman9930]

@@scoringbits Many thanks Sir!

[@scoringbits]

@@richardkellman9930 you might want to check the sneak preview from staffpad they posted on their blog about the upcoming release with the next iOS launch. Thank you for watching and commenting

[@richardkellman9930]

@@scoringbits That is a hot tip! it would seal the deal for me!

[@scoringbits]

@@richardkellman9930 www.staffpad.net/springing-forward

[@RokSivante]

Curious if either of these have been updated since, you’ve used them, and the updates have solved any of the drawbacks of either…?

[@scoringbits]

Symphony pro on iPhone I believe is a new development and I’m all for it. As for the staffpad app I believe without being 100% sure. That the handwriting recognition feels better may just be me become tidier in my writing

[@marcsmith3739]

Can you do just basic chord charts on staffpad?

[@scoringbits]

Yes I believe so however formatting is a little more tricky

[@gurumajuindonesia]

does staffpad support cross-staff beaming such as intermezzo op 119 (brahms)

[@EvanJRoberts]

do you mean beaming across bars? this should work fine

[@scoringbits]

Hi Maju, Do you mean across clefs?

[@gurumajuindonesia]

@@scoringbits yess .. if you look at Brahms piece intermezzo op 119, even Dorico could not do that yet :(

[@scoringbits]

I tried it this morning and unfortunately it doesn’t seem to tie between staves

[@VerkholatSerafima]

In 2025, I can say that this program can do very little. The notation lacks a huge number of much-needed features... images for extended techniques are not available. this program doesn't even open xml - it just shows an error when trying to import. This is the most wasted purchase. The layout of the score and parts is impossible. I can't split the text into pages and form page flips. The function of writing multipart addition is not available. It's all very strange. I'm really looking for a decent replacement for the ipad. If I'm wrong, please tell me!

[@scoringbits]

I agree if you are a serious arranger or score preparer I don’t believe it’s for you. It is more for playing around with the idea of composing. Lack of part views or vertical format and general formatting really let it down at least on my older 2022 iPad. Sibelius and Dorico might be your bet there. Apple are very good with refunds if you didn’t purchase long ago.

[@DonnyDonnMendoza]

ooft if only I had an iPad i'd be getting staffpad. unfortunately I'm on an android device so can't use staffpad. any alternatives out there that are at least close?

[@julianmanjarres1998]

Nope. I sold my Android for this app despite hating apple

[@scoringbits]

Unfortunately most app makers have focused only on iPhone iPad

[@mohammadkhodadadi2543]

Hi I have staffpad and I bought Berlin strings and I want to buy brass and wood and percussion What do you suggest for me? Mo from Iran

[@scoringbits]

I’m afraid I don’t write much brass so can’t help here. I’ve written to staffpad asking to try their libraries. I hope someone who has more experience with brass can help in the meanwhile.

[@clement2780]

is symphony on windows?

[@scoringbits]

I don’t believe from what I’ve seen on the website it looks like an iPad os only app

[@glennroberts1852]

Seems like Symphony has not been updated in quite a while- almost feels like they abandoned it. Cost? Yeah- Staffpad is really expensive. I can’t justify the cost for it.

[@pukypuky640]

Is this a 11 Inch iPad?

[@scoringbits]

Hi there it’s the 12.9” screen

[@PeterGarofaloJazz]

As an alternative to inputting notes via handwriting, is it possible to connect to a midi controller? For either of these apps

[@scoringbits]

Coming soon

[@clement2780]

also purchase vs subscription

[@scoringbits]

It’s a purchase rather than subscription. It is only on iPad

[@clement2780]

so only available on apple@@scoringbits

[@LuiDeca]

the handwriting recognition in staffpad is so bad it absolutely ruins it for me. it's mind-boggling that there are so many staffpad fanboys defending a 90 dollar app that can't even tell what you are writing 3/4 of the time. just because it sounds good doesn't mean it's good.

[@scoringbits]

Agreed it takes getting used to be is very good once you have it worked out

[@rodgermingaye]

It would be very helpful if you could speak more clearly and not mumble

[@julianmanjarres1998]

Shut up

[@scoringbits]

That’s been an issue since I was young thanks for your patience

[@LeftyPencil]

Eh, clear to me, and auto-generated captions can keep up

[@yllen1816]

StaffPad: 89.99€

[@scoringbits]

True StaffPad is a little more expensive. I’d like to add that I think competition is healthy and I wish Symphony Pro the best. I do like the vertical layout a lot that’s a big plus.