StaffPad Review - Write Music on Your Tablet - On Microsoft Surface Pro 3

Staff Pad Review from LessonsOnTheWeb. Staff Pad is a music notation program from the Windows store for Windows 8.1 devices; mainly the Surface 3, and Surface Pro Tablets.
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Microsoft Surface 3 Tablet 64GB Intel Atom Processor - Windows 10
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Microsoft Surface 3 Tablet (10.8-Inch, 128 GB, Intel Atom, Windows 10)
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Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (128 GB, Intel Core i5, Windows 8.1) - Free Windows 10 Upgrade
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Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (256 GB, 8 GB RAM, Intel Core i5)
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What it does: This application allows you to write your own music with a stylus on the touch screen of your tablet. The program will convert your handwriting into beautiful easy to read printed notation. You can of course playback what you have written as well. A lot of other features found in desktop music notation software can also be found on StaffPad. You can write in dynamics, sharps, flats, articulation symbols, bar lines, and key signatures. You can write in a bunch of different instruments including drums, bass guitar, piano, flute and more. It is likely that new instruments will be added in updates. Speaking of updates, Staff Pad functions a bit better now than when I got it three or so months ago. The application also learns your handwriting over time and it will become easier to use in time, just make sure you choose the correct option in the popup window when StaffPad doesn't understand what you are trying to do.
Whether you are trying to write for just piano, big band, orchestra or small ensemble, StaffPad can do it all.
Staffpad is a wonderful teaching tool that I have been using in my private lessons over the last few months. It is so much easier to show my students on StaffPad than traditional pencil and paper. My younger students pay more attention to StaffPad than the flashcards I was using before. Students also love to write songs, save them, and play them back. It has added a lot to the piano lessons I give and will continue to use StaffPad for hopefully a long time to come. I also recommend StaffPad to composition students, hobbyists, and anyone is wants to write their own music.

[@andybyard1154]

Over 6 years late to the party but I'm so glad I found this, you've pushed the idea that SP is an ideal teaching tool and I'm finding a useful learning tool - I know what I want the melody to be in my head and transcribing it into SP and being able to see the notes and hear them at the same time is brilliant. I've found watching videos of people writing in SP is giving me clues on how to 'learn' all the little handwriting tricks as well as learning about writing music in general. A couple of people have mentioned the lack of updates but that no longer seems to be the case, and as for the price, hmm I paid £80 (I think) for SP on Windows last year but over XMas I noticed SP for iPad was on sale at just over £30 so I treated myself to that too as I don't watch much TV but my wife does so when I hear a tune or riff I like from something she is watching I grab the iPad and try and replicate it in SP. I actual prefer using SP on my surface (bigger screen plus I love the surface pen over the apple pencil) but the iPad is instant-on and usually close at hand (usually tucked down the side of the sofa). Anyhow, I'll be subscribing and look forward to watching more of your content.

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

Feel free to buy your Surface Tablet from my Amazon Affiliate store! It costs you nothing extra and will help me make more great videos. Thanks! astore.amazon.com/surfacelotw-20

[@And777_mgn]

It would be interesting, only I live in Brasil and I don't know how many fees and taxes I go to pay!

[@vahagnhayrapetyan1285]

I think you can upgrade, but its a little risky .... There are many great new things, but it slows down. May be its because my score is way too big . Sometimes its crushes , stops.... But overall its amazing . Great look , great new futures... Enjoing!!!

[@vahagnhayrapetyan1285]

I am working on windows 10. The staffpad works even better

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

+Vahagn Hayrapetyan Awesome. Is Windows 10 worth the upgrade?

[@jonathanparham]

Thanks for reviewing this! tough choice but there are a lot of options for composing. Wonder if Sibelius or Finale will try to incorporate it beyond XLM export.

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

+Jonathan Parham You are welcome! Staffpad is probably a better teaching tool than it is a composition tool, even though it is pretty good at composing as well. I like composing with Sibelius on my laptop better than Staffpad. I also wonder about the compatibility between the software. Sometimes the import for XLM into Sibelius looks a little wonky but it can be fixed in a couple of minutes.

[@jonathanparham]

Copy that

[@JacobA666]

I am considering to purchase the Staffpad. I just want to know if it has quarter tones (half flats and half sharps) for oriental music?

[@ArtAntiDe]

(old question, but) No, Staffpad has no quarter notes for oriental music. You can add text or a handwritten "b²" with the markup function, but this will not play back a quarter note. It only helps if you want to digitize your pile of paper sheet music into pdfs for example...

[@canyoubelievethis220]

You make this seem like a breeze, for sure. Wished you gave lessons on everything. People would learn quicker, including me. LOL! Saw this several months ago and didn't really pay much attention it since I just spent $800.00 on a Samsung Tablet 12.2. Oh, it has a stylus, but not Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. Have sent David an email asking him what new tablets are going to support this? I am hoping (and praying) that the new Apple IPAD (the one that looks like it's on steroids) is going to support it because I am buying on Black Friday, for sure. I am only at 2:28 on your video, and can't wait to see the rest of it. Thanks a 1,000,000 for sharing this. Awesome, for sure!

[@dasarkas]

Can you add voice as an instrument? Is it possible to add lyrics, too?

[@adriennemcla]

How is the software for writing abstract music? Things that involve the lack of bar lines or different keys/time signatures for different instruments. I find that if the software allows that to happen, the settings are difficult to navigate

[@vahagnhayrapetyan1285]

Today i had some slow downs with windows 10 hope they ll fix that soon

[@BazColne]

Thanks for your trouble. Enjoyed it.

[@estella1964]

I'm having problems with Staffpad. What can I do instead of continuing using Staffpad? I have a Surface book. Well, what software do you recommend me to use because Staffpad is slow and takes time to transfer my handwriting notes in to music notation. Thats the only problem. I would like to use another software better than paying a monthly subscription that is cheap but with many inconveniences. I'll appreciate your advice. Have a very blessed day!

[@lui3018]

Can you conect your midi keyboard to record midi files on staffpad?

[@karenistalking5774]

I've been holding out for Surface Book 15" instead of Surface Pro 4 which is 13.5". I am a composer and do you think the 15" tablet is better choice than the 13.5"? I compose mainly for the piano, things like a sonata.

[@diegoestebanbetancoulloa723]

Thanks for the video, was very important to me, to see what can do the staffpad. One more thing, can you print the score?...

[@The8BitPianist]

Sure you can, but the layout is barely editable.

[@aldoarechar]

Thank you for this, great video! Can you open the "Full Orchestra" template and have decent non-laggy playback? I am thinking about getting a Surface, but I do need full orchestral playback. Thanks!

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

+Aldo Aréchar So far I have had at least five instruments without a problem but will give the full orchestra a try tomorrow.

[@aldoarechar]

+LessonsOnTheWeb Thanks!! keep the great videos coming!

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

+Aldo Aréchar I just did a test with a full orchestra. There were a few demo scores that came with Staffpad. I did a test of Three Little Words by David Hearn for orchestra. It worked great! I was also able to zoom in and out during playback with no lag. The only thing that is kind of annoying is that the screen sometimes doesn't move fast enough to keep up with the playback line when zoomed far in. Hopefully this will be fixed in an update. Keep in mind that I have a Surface Pro 3 with the i5 core so I can only confirm the performance for that device (and assuming that faster versions will perform at least as well). The regular Surface 3 isn't quite as fast as Surface Pro 3. I have heard that StaffPad works well for Surface 3 as well, but I can't confirm 100% for that device.

[@aldoarechar]

+LessonsOnTheWeb Thank you so much for this information. I am now definitely buying a device! Thanks for your time!

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

+Aldo Aréchar You are quite welcome! If you want, you can use the links in the description to buy the device. This will help me and not cost anything extra on your part. Of course you don't have to if you don't want.

[@andyweis5194]

Can you write for drum set? And does it allow you to use different note heads like X or diamond shape?

[@And777_mgn]

Which the RAM do you recommend for staff pad works better? Thanks and congrats for the great work and sharing ~

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

+E. Mangano I have a Surface Pro 3 with 4GB of RAM and it works great with Staffpad!

[@BelluominiRiccardo]

Great video! I'm a drummer and I was wondering if I can use StaffPad to write down drum transcriptions?

[@PhilLin]

You can write music with multiple instruments. You can write with the following Percussion Insturments: Timpani, Drum Kit, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Tubular Bells, Tambourine, Piatti, Gong, Tam-Tam, Tom Toms, Snare Drum, Marimba, Gran Casa, Glockenspiel, Cymbals, Crotales, Claves, Claps, Bongos, Triangle, Mark Tree, Bell Tree, Sleigh Bells, and Music Box. Shortened: Probably yes.

[@vahagnhayrapetyan1285]

You can go ahead and upgrade it to Windows 10 and have much more fun !!!

[@BenniArt]

Great review - do you, by any chance, have an idea of what specs the tablet should have to handle the app without problems? I own an Asus VivoTab Note 8 with a Wacom digitizer and an "Intel® Atom™ Z3740 Quad Core-Processor," with 2 GB of RAM. Or does it need a good rig to run it without problems. Thanks in advance! :)

[@NeldonFarias]

COMO FACO PRA ESCREVER CIFRA NO STAF PAD

[@jazzdrummerworld]

Can i also write Drum Scores?

[@alecpearsonmusic]

Hey, thanks for the awesome review! I am thinking of investing into buying one of these but I have one concern. I am wondering how well the program handles multiple voices on one staff. I am a guitarist and often have to write 2 or 3 voices on one staff. Does any one have any feedback on this?

[@SBGuitarStudio]

+Alec Pearson Hi Alec- I'm also a guitarist and can vouch that Staffpad handles 4 voices per staff just like Finale. I really like Staffpad, I've had it for about 4 months now. It makes notation feel like a much more musical experience!

[@alecpearsonmusic]

SBGuitarStudio Hi thanks for the feedback! I ended up purchasing it around Christmas time (present to myself). It is quite a fun program. Not sure if it is a full on replacement for Finale or Sibelius (yet) but definitely a great way to write down ideas and also great for teaching. I can see this program getting more popular in the future for sure

[@SBGuitarStudio]

+Alec Pearson it is definitely not a full replacement. I don't love Finale, but I have used it for years and am pretty good at it. that being said, I miss all the page layout features- not getting to adjust the size of staves, or the number of staves per page, you say nothing of making sure page turns work. but, Staffpad success in being a satisfying, powerful and normally fast way of getting music into the computer.

[@alecpearsonmusic]

Yea. the layout options are also the thing I find most lacking. But,also I wonder if having to much of that stuff would make if feel cluttered and heavy. I am hoping to experiment with writing in staffpad then exporting it to Sibelius for layout and fine tuning. Haven't had enough time to really see how efficient that is though

[@SBGuitarStudio]

+Alec Pearson I have done lots of little projects in Staffpad and exported to Finale, and it's very good. Finale seems to place dynamics above the staff when they were below the staff in Staffpad, so they have to be fiddled with, but all the notes, accidentals, slurs, key and time signatures have been rock solid. I was afraid it would be like importing a midi file, as those are often a mess! Good luck!

[@azragurbette]

Would 64GB be ok with music production? With 4GB ram

[@_sandrorodrigues_]

Hey! Really nice review. I've got this app on my Surface, but I need to export my music scores to PDF and I can't find how to do it. Is it possible?

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

It is possible, however for some reason they have it hidden in the print menu. Go to print and when you select your printer select "print to PDF".

[@TheSavageBountyHunter]

awesome

[@Guyerbassist]

Does this only work on Microsoft surface? I have an Acer 2in1 laptop and am looking for something like this

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

I think so long as it has a pen it should work. I have an HP spectre and it works great with that.

[@giovannisanguineti3955]

hi. I find this video very interesting because i own staff pad from several months and just at the beginnig of your video you say something really important to me: to export on finale the files. good! then I'd love to know a couple of things that may heppend to you: do you find the volume so low? the, how you write the "name" on the chords like finale does...i usually write them above the lines or after printing. thanx Giovanni

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

+Giovanni Sanguineti Do you mean low volume when exporting to finale or just in Staffpad? I will check on the chord names tomorrow. I am note entirely sure about the chord names. You could use the lyrics tool to assign them I think, I will have to check them tomorrow. I usually just write them in pen, but that doesn't come through the export.

[@giovannisanguineti3955]

Hi, yes on staffpad the volume is always very low also with the 100% vol on the tablet. I add a little speaker to listen well enough. then about the chords I add them with the lyrics tool but some times when you print it they change theire position so I print the charts and then I add the chords but, for ex, on finale you have the tool and when you play it the software read and play the changes. thnax. Gio

[@plusmin09]

I've had this for a couple days now and am still in the interactive lessons. It can't seem to recognize what I'm actually writing! The pen puts writing on to the tablet but it does not convert them to notes most of the time. Did it take you a while to get used to or is this a technical issue?

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

+Plusmin It took awhile for me to figure out the little quirks with how Staffpad recognizes the handwriting... but it also takes awhile for Staffpad to recognize your style of handwriting. Anytime your handwriting doesn't register, make sure to tap on the handwriting with your finger and a menu will pop up. Make sure to select what you meant from the menu and Staffpad will usually remember what you meant.

[@giovannisanguineti3955]

Hi guys, do somebody knows if and which one of the midi keyboards is good with tablet + stuffpad? any suggestion or other solution to use SP with keybords? thanx Giovanni

[@PhilLin]

I'm sorry but StaffPad does not support MIDI Keyboards because it is meant to be used as an all pen writing music composition system.

[@canyoubelievethis220]

Does anyone know if you can download music already written and edit it in/on StaffPad? That would be totally awesome as I love to freelance on hymns at church.

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

If the music is in xml format. I don't think it can import anything else. Maybe midi? I will have to check.

[@canyoubelievethis220]

Wonderful. I doubt much music is in an xml format, but it's worth a try. Just wished someone would download reviews of the new version of StaffPad. I have had this for several months and still haven't figured it out, with all the icons not ever mentioned on these earlier videos. So sad ... such a wonderful app, but no instructions whatsoever. Thanks so much for answering me. So much appreciated.

[@OnlyDreamerful]

Hello! Can I write the letters of the chords like A, B, Gm, C7 on Staffpad?

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

+OnlyDreamerful The answer is Yes you can!

[@OnlyDreamerful]

+LessonsOnTheWeb Thanks!! Which IntelCore is better for Staffpad 5 or 7?

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

+OnlyDreamerful I have 5 and it works great.

[@OnlyDreamerful]

Thank you so much !

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

You are very welcome!

[@danielchandra9981]

where i can buy this? im indonesian.. please give info 😁

[@PhilLin]

You can purchase this through Windows 10 Store.

[@nadeshligthart592]

Is it compatible with drums?

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

+Nadesh Ligthart You can put in drum notation. It works fairly well although lacks the ability to choose between different drum kits like pop, rock, etc. but it does a good job when you just need to put down a rhythm line to play along with the other instruments.

[@ThePacokanada2812]

How can i put chords?

[@PhilLin]

Just draw multiple lines for each note on one note.

[@ixd7ev254]

Will this work off line?

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

Yes, it does work offline!

[@ixd7ev254]

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. I would like to hire you to give me lessons if at all possible. I have all sorts of old-fashioned classic training, (A.R.C.T.et al) but would like to enter notation through one of my keyboards and haven't been able to make it work. I have Roland stage pianos, and a Juno synth which is probably the easiest for entering notation, because the others have only midi, and Juno has midi and USB both. I bought the surface pro 4 because noteworthy composer will only work on windows ( I LOVE noteworthy mostly because I actually know how to use it AND without a mouse so I would rather not learn anything new unless it is extremely beneficial et cetera). (mice don't slide up and down the piano gracefully) I later bought Sibelius, struggled, and then read about how it is harder to enter than Noteworthy. (Who are these people who learn 4 different systems?) I make arrangements for live performances and I wanted to be able to read FROM the tablet for performances if it is dependable. Don't know how to hook up stuff and the best way (foot pedal?) to control moving the screen pages. I appreciate your manner of teaching. Thank you, for giving me hope!

[@milenatos]

It is cheaper than the other similar apps but it's not worth even 2$. It is full of bugs and apparently they stopped updating it, there is no any customer support neither. This app is apparently dead for some time now and should be removed from the microsoft store, people are just wasting money on it.

[@LessonsOnTheWeb]

I agree! They were updating for awhile and fixing a lot of problems but then stopped and bugs still remain. I think they may not be good business people. I offered to promote them when they first started but didn't seem interested. How could they mess up such a good concept?! It is 75% there too. If they could get someone to fix it, it would be amazing.

[@ChillEvan]

if u got 70 dollars for you man

[@OpeyemiAdelusi]

Discount Kylo Ren

[@fibiasimion5280]

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