Lead sheet tool for iPad

[erik_nie]

I developed a tool that I want to share in this community.

 

The key functionality is:

 

• Displays all sheets from an iCloud folder in one page (scaled to make button as big as possible)
• Display lead sheets from a text file or a image and display that as big as possible on the screen
• When a Backing track is present in that folder with the same name, it can be started from the UI
• Multiple program changes can be sent when selecting a song

 

This means that everything can be prepared inside the iCloud folders from any PC, MAC or tablet.
The App will read the folders and subfolders and makes it very quick to start displaying without any scrolling

Once the sheet is displayed you can easy go back to the matrix view or go to the next sheet (if you have multiple pages).
 

 

 

 

Video:

 

 

 

I needed this app because we have setlists, but also deviate from it. The traditional Sheet applications are not so quick, because you will need scrolling and.or menu diving to find the songs. Also setting up Program changes and audio files are not so easily added. Also making backup is sometimes a manual action that might be forgotten.
I know that existing app have more advanced functionality, but just did not fit my workflow.
Perhaps it also fits your way of working,  
 

I am not certain if it is permissible to discuss this topic here. The application is based on the same functionality that I have been using for several years in various environments to display chords on a tablet for the songs we perform. Initially, I developed the app in Android, MacOS, Python, and Pythonista. Recently, I created the native iPhone and iPad app. Though it took some time for me to become familiar with Xcode, I discovered that an app will only work for a week unless it is released in the store.  So I signed up and decided to enhance its stability and functionality and release it as my first app.
I decided to make it a one time buy option for a low amount money, that might give me some reward in the yearly fee and time spent to develop and maintain this app. 

 

For more information, please visit https://qsheets.eriknie.synology.me 
or the App Store at https://apps.apple.com/nl/app/qsheets/id6446899882

[JamPro]

Thank you for sharing.  I am impressed with your idea, the implementation of your idea, and your willingness to make it available.  Keep up the good work.

[erik_nie]

Thanks for the many people that downloaded the app. I would like to receive feedback and request for new features.
I hope it was useful for the users, I had multiple gigs with it and it proved to be 100% stable and quick on my iPad mini 5.
 

[b3plyr]

The deal breaker for me, if I were to consider this app, is the need to be logged into iCloud. I cannot count on an internet connection when I am playing.

 

However, and impressive effort and looks promising for many. Keep up the good work!

[erik_nie]

Thanks for your remark! Apparently this is not clear from the description of the app

No need for an internet connection. That is the power of this app:
If you connect at home or at a location with internet connection, QSheets will synchonize and you can work offline during a gig.

Typically: iCloud will download files below 1MB automatically, bigger files stay in the cloud until they are opened.
This was a problem with an earlier version of the app that I made in Pythonista. I had to go to the apple files app and tick all bigger files to have them available offline.

 

QSheets will download the bigger files automatically and leave them on the device, so during live performance there is no need to have an internet connection!
The way this works is:

If you have an internet connection and you open QSheets and go through the folders that you need on a gig, it will scan the files and detect if the file is only in the cloud. QSheets will download those files to the device. So just make sure that after you make modifications to you QSheets folder on iCloud you briefly connect the iPad to internet.

If there are only .txt and .jpg files, they are most likely smaller then 1MB so they will automatically be downloaded by the iCloud synchronization. Bigger .mp3 files might not, so open QSheets and go to the location where new .mp3 files are located and they will be downloaded once you open the folder.

I use an iPad mini for my gigs with QSheets and no internet connection, works great! 

 

Small video that shows that the first time the data is downloaded, second time it is already there:

  

 

 

I'll update the description so this is clear for other users.



 

[b3plyr]

1 hour ago, erik_nie said:

Thanks for your remark! Apparently this is not clear from the description of the app

No need for an internet connection. That is the power of this app:
If you connect at home or at a location with internet connection, QSheets will synchonize and you can work offline during a gig.

Typically: iCloud will download files below 1MB automatically, bigger files stay in the cloud until they are opened.
This was a problem with an earlier version of the app that I made in Pythonista. I had to go to the apple files app and tick all bigger files to have them available offline.

 

QSheets will download the bigger files automatically and leave them on the device, so during live performance there is no need to have an internet connection!
The way this works is:

If you have an internet connection and you open QSheets and go through the folders that you need on a gig, it will scan the files and detect if the file is only in the cloud. QSheets will download those files to the device. So just make sure that after you make modifications to you QSheets folder on iCloud you briefly connect the iPad to internet.

If there are only .txt and .jpg files, they are most likely smaller then 1MB so they will automatically be downloaded by the iCloud synchronization. Bigger .mp3 files might not, so open QSheets and go to the location where new .mp3 files are located and they will be downloaded once you open the folder.

I use an iPad mini for my gigs with QSheets and no internet connection, works great! 

 

Small video that shows that the first time the data is downloaded, second time it is already there:

  

 

 

I'll update the description so this is clear for other users.



 

Thanks for clarifying. This makes a huge difference. Keep up your great efforts. Not sure yet if I will use the app, but I will buy it and give it a try!

[AnotherScott]

I was thinking it might be nice if you could drag the boxes into different order, instead of only showing alphabetically. But actually, if I understand the app correctly, it might be easy for the user to do this just by renaming the files with a numeric prefix. So for example, if for whatever reason you wanted your "River High" to be the first song on the screen, you could rename it "1. River High" and re-sync, and it would appear in the first slot, yes?

[b3plyr]

23 minutes ago, AnotherScott said:

I was thinking it might be nice if you could drag the boxes into different order, instead of only showing alphabetically. But actually, if I understand the app correctly, it might be easy for the user to do this just by renaming the files with a numeric prefix. So for example, if for whatever reason you wanted your "River High" to be the first song on the screen, you could rename it "1. River High" and re-sync, and it would appear in the first slot, yes?

I like the drag idea, too.

[erik_nie]

3 hours ago, b3plyr said:

I like the drag idea, too.

I understand it, this way you can use it for making setlist.

The main idea is however that you can pick quickly, I assume that most people will have around 50 - 60 songs that are mostly active. Selecting a song is very quick this way.
At least I have it setup that the main list contains 50 songs (with 5 columns, that is 5x10 rows). Easy to find the correct song. Then I include an "old" folder with all other stuff that is rarely played.
We have a printed setlist and our singer adapts during the gigs to reach the end-time or to correct for the type of audience.
Also he call for different songs during a set.

The problem with dragging in QSheets is that I need to store this order somewhere. I want to prepare from my desktop on iCloud instead of the tiny screen of my iPad mini.
I don't have an easy solution for this, but I will think about it.

I fully understand that others have a more strict setlist. You can do this by adding a number before the song. Not optimal, but it works. I would recommend using double digits: 01, 02 ... 10, 11 to avoid problems with the 10 transition.

[AnotherScott]

Adding PDFs to the recognizable file formats would be useful.

[stoken6]

1 hour ago, AnotherScott said:

Adding PDFs to the recognizable file formats would be useful.

Was thinking the same thing. Great work so far Erik.

 

Cheers, Mike.

[erik_nie]

I just had a quick check if PDF is possible. It can be done, will try it out how difficult it is. 
Is full screen only good enough with the option to scroll left/right and return to matrix in the middle?
I want to avoid scrolling and zooming.

Once the edge of the PDF is reached, it will go to the next (or previous)
Please let me know what sounds logical.

[erik_nie]

Great news! Now includes viewing of PDF files!

The highly anticipated release of QSheets version 1.10 is now available, offering exciting features and improvements. Responding to popular demand, this new version expands the file viewing capabilities of QSheets beyond just .txt and .jpg files, now enabling users to effortlessly view PDF files as well. This addition comes as a direct response to the numerous requests we received from our valued users, highlighting our commitment to enhancing the user experience and meeting their evolving needs.

With the inclusion of PDF file support, QSheets becomes an even more versatile tool for managing and reviewing a wide range of documents to show Leadsheets. Whether this is done with .txt, .jpg or PDF files, QSheets has got you covered. Seamlessly transition between file types, all within the same intuitive interface, allowing for a smoother and more efficient workflow.

We have worked diligently to improve the overall stability, responsiveness, and speed of the application, ensuring a seamless and efficient user experience.

To access all these exciting new features, simply update your QSheets installation to version 1.10. We are confident that this update will significantly enhance your productivity and enable you to work with a broader range of file types effortlessly.

At QSheets, we greatly value the feedback and suggestions of our users, as they play an integral role in shaping the evolution of our product. We remain committed to delivering an exceptional user experience and will continue to listen and incorporate user feedback into future updates.