Symphony Pro - Music Notation

Name: Symphony Pro - Music Notation
Price: 14.99 USD
Rating: 3.8 (453 reviews)
Author: Xenon Labs, LLC

Compose by handwriting or tap

$14.99 · In‑App Purchases · Designed for iPad

453 Ratings
Ages

4+
Years
Category

Music
Developer

Xenon Labs, LLC
Language

EN
English
Size

382.8
MB

Symphony Pro 6 is a complete and intuitive app for writing music notation on iPad. It allows you to compose music for just about any size ensemble, from piano, symphonies, band, lead sheets, chord charts, guitar tabs, and more. Starting Version 5, Symphony Pro now offers handwriting recognition as the only in-app purchase: Perfect with Apple Pencil, and works great with touch or capacitive stylus GETTING STARTED SP provides all of the key options to begin your work. Import a score via MusicXML, MXL, MIDI, or SP file from your computer, or from apps like Dropbox, Mail, iCloud Drive, or Safari. You can base your project on a template, or start a blank score and add additional parts later. EDITING To add notes, choose Pencil mode, and tap anywhere on a bar to begin editing right away. You can quickly specify note properties before or after placing notes. By switching to Select mode with one touch, you can also transpose, erase, cut, and paste multiple notes/tracks. With an on-screen instrument, a QWERTY keyboard, or Core MIDI compatible keyboard, you can quickly enter notes & chords in step entry mode. Record a part in real-time with on-screen instruments to transcribe into notation. Versions 4 & 5 take greater advantage of the iPad touchscreen. With shortcuts and contextual menus to edit note & bar properties, many of the commonly used editing commands are right at your fingertips. SP supports a wide range of notational elements for your composition. Including dynamics & articulations, time & key signature changes, clef changes, pedals, and repeat conventions. Edit chord symbols, lyrics, and annotations using the iPad’s standard keyboard. EXPORT & SHARE When you’re finished, print out your score with AirPrint, or export it as a PDF, MusicXML, AAC, MIDI, or Symphony file. Share files via email or directly to another computer or iPad via Dropbox/iCloud Drive. KEY FEATURES • Introducing Handwriting Recognition for Apple Pencil & touch • Starting Version 5, Handwriting is the only In-App Purchase to enable the complete app • Now download SP on your iPhone • 24+ professionally recorded and sound-designed acoustic instruments, free out of the box Earlier features offered free, to existing & new owners • 114 built-in instruments for playback, and auditioning the notes you entered • Create in standard music notation or tablature • Edit with an on-screen piano, QWERTY keyboard, or a MIDI input device • Dozens of shortcuts & gestures to edit & navigate • Reduce your score size, range, or combination of parts for viewing & editing* • Print directly to AirPrint • Up to 48 instruments, 100 staves, 4 voices/layers per score • Record a part in real-time with clicks at the beat with optional emphasis • Backup & sync your scores with iCloud* • Import MusicXML, MIDI, MXL, or Symphony files • Export as a PDF, MusicXML, MIDI, AAC, or Symphony file • Large selection of articulations & dynamics • Multi-measure rests, including automatic rests • Grace notes • Customizable noteheads & note colors • Chord symbol, lyric, and annotation tools • Edit the properties of multiple notes and rests simultaneously by multi-note select • Copy/Paste function supports partial & multi-bar/staff select • Unlimited undo/redo • Customizable stem directions & note beaming • Transposing & concert pitch score option • Change tempo or clef anywhere in score or bar • Stream audio or share your screen wirelessly with AirPlay • Advanced document management • Create your own custom project template or use a built-in one • Customizable part groupings for SATB and instrument families • Customizable chord symbol, lyric, and annotation font • Loop playback feature • Auto-save support * Previously paid, but now free upgrade in Version 5 For More information, please visit: • http://www.symphonypro.net • http://forums.symphonypro.net • Facebook page at www.facebook.com/symphonyapp • Learn about the iPhone-only app: bit.ly/symphonyiphone

Ratings & Reviews

3.8

out of 5

453 Ratings

Impressive, but serious flaws
07/10/2018

Spe42
It is a very impressive package, considering all the features that are built into the app. Was somewhat disappointed when, immediately after purchasing, I navigated to the in-app user manual, clicked on "submit feature request", and the app immediately crashed. When I then went to submit a crash report—the app crashed again. Notwithstanding, I am very impressed with the sheer volume of keystroke shortcuts to use the features—and since I am using an ipad keyboard case, this works well for my needs. However, as other reviewers have noted, the note input method is an incredible nuisance. Compared to what else is available on the ipad, and what reviewers are generally saying about them, Symphony Pro seems to my way of thinking yet the most reliable. All the music notation apps seem to have very compromising errors in their functionality, and not much in the way of signs of improvement (judging by what reviewers are saying, that is). Considering what's available, this is of very good quality.

Developer Response
Thanks for sharing feedback earlier this year. We've been revisiting past feedback, and we have been improving the app in the ways you've been clarifying for us. Although we're glad that SP has suited you well for the most part, your complaint about difficulties with note input raises concerns as it reflects the application's fundamentals. Any clarification on how these aspects were problematic for you (in terms of specific usability issues or in general terms) would be greatly appreciated, as an email to team@symphonypro.net.In return for just a moment of your time, we'd be glad to provide an early access link to our upcoming update (version 6.0, which is scheduled for general availability later this year). If interested, simply include a reference (or reminder) to this response to your review.
Impressive, but serious flaws
07/10/2018

Spe42

It is a very impressive package, considering all the features that are built into the app. Was somewhat disappointed when, immediately after purchasing, I navigated to the in-app user manual, clicked on "submit feature request", and the app immediately crashed. When I then went to submit a crash report—the app crashed again. Notwithstanding, I am very impressed with the sheer volume of keystroke shortcuts to use the features—and since I am using an ipad keyboard case, this works well for my needs. However, as other reviewers have noted, the note input method is an incredible nuisance. Compared to what else is available on the ipad, and what reviewers are generally saying about them, Symphony Pro seems to my way of thinking yet the most reliable. All the music notation apps seem to have very compromising errors in their functionality, and not much in the way of signs of improvement (judging by what reviewers are saying, that is). Considering what's available, this is of very good quality.
Developer Response 08/01/2019
Thanks for sharing feedback earlier this year. We've been revisiting past feedback, and we have been improving the app in the ways you've been clarifying for us. Although we're glad that SP has suited you well for the most part, your complaint about difficulties with note input raises concerns as it reflects the application's fundamentals. Any clarification on how these aspects were problematic for you (in terms of specific usability issues or in general terms) would be greatly appreciated, as an email to team@symphonypro.net.In return for just a moment of your time, we'd be glad to provide an early access link to our upcoming update (version 6.0, which is scheduled for general availability later this year). If interested, simply include a reference (or reminder) to this response to your review.
Amazing! It’s all fixed and improved!
01/01/2021

All nicknames taken42103
So, before this long overdue update, a lot of my projects were glitchy— unreliably glitchy. I’d have all sorts of weird problems with no workarounds. HOWEVER, with this new update, I have gone through my old projects, and there are absolutely no glitches! That alone merits five stars from me, but there’s more.It’s all seamless now. PDF export is perfected. There’s tons of customization options and features. I haven’t even had time to look into all the workflow improvements and Core MIDI implementations. I did a MIDI export on one of the example projects to test, and it cranked out a long, detailed six-track MIDI file with tempo and velocity variation with no problems at all. Of course, there are tons of things I haven’t tried, but I haven’t seen ANY bugs so far. None! Not on iPhone, not on iPad. It’s perfect, as far as I can tell.With this update, I believe Symphony Pro has solidified itself as the greatest scoring app on iOS. The only IAP is for handwriting recognition, which works as awesomely as everything else, by the way. Xenon Labs just gave me a last-minute Christmas gift, and I feel giddy.

Developer Response
Delighted to hear! We hope v6 has continued to run smoothly. Updates will be made more frequently than before, especially to fix the types of issues you described in v5, and we're always listening to everyone's suggestions about how to improve the experience further. So don't hesitate to email us or post on our forums if you have questions or feedback to share!
Amazing! It’s all fixed and improved!
01/01/2021

All nicknames taken42103

So, before this long overdue update, a lot of my projects were glitchy— unreliably glitchy. I’d have all sorts of weird problems with no workarounds. HOWEVER, with this new update, I have gone through my old projects, and there are absolutely no glitches! That alone merits five stars from me, but there’s more.It’s all seamless now. PDF export is perfected. There’s tons of customization options and features. I haven’t even had time to look into all the workflow improvements and Core MIDI implementations. I did a MIDI export on one of the example projects to test, and it cranked out a long, detailed six-track MIDI file with tempo and velocity variation with no problems at all. Of course, there are tons of things I haven’t tried, but I haven’t seen ANY bugs so far. None! Not on iPhone, not on iPad. It’s perfect, as far as I can tell.With this update, I believe Symphony Pro has solidified itself as the greatest scoring app on iOS. The only IAP is for handwriting recognition, which works as awesomely as everything else, by the way. Xenon Labs just gave me a last-minute Christmas gift, and I feel giddy.
Developer Response 01/30/2021
Delighted to hear! We hope v6 has continued to run smoothly. Updates will be made more frequently than before, especially to fix the types of issues you described in v5, and we're always listening to everyone's suggestions about how to improve the experience further. So don't hesitate to email us or post on our forums if you have questions or feedback to share!
It’s getting there...
11/13/2017

Lo-Jay
As of writing this review, I would say that Symphony Pro is still one of the leading tablet notation apps, competing with Notion and, if you like handwriting apps (I don’t) NotateMe. That said, it still pales in comparison to some of the fundamental features of the desktop name-brand softwares. One thing Symphony Pro attempts to do right is its plethora of QWERTY keyboard shortcuts. Definitely a step in the right direction, but still lacking in the most important area - initial note entry. I recognize that tablets are built around the idea of touch notation and handwriting, but a huge game-changer would be adding support for proper QWERTY note entry wherein you type the letter name of the pitch you want and then use shortcuts to tweak the octave and accidentals. This is a central feature that any power user of Sibelius or Finale is used to. If such a feature were integrated, my rating for Symphony Pro would easily be 4 or 5 stars, as no mobile app currently entices me to rely on it for notation. While SP has an impressive range of detailed features, it would offer the most ‘bang’ for its ‘buck’ if it were to improve the way I enter my notes when using a keyboard with my iPad.

Developer Response
Thanks for your feedback -- we're strongly considering entering via typing note letter. If you have any other suggestions to QWERTY support, please email us to team@symphonypro.net.
It’s getting there...
11/13/2017

Lo-Jay

As of writing this review, I would say that Symphony Pro is still one of the leading tablet notation apps, competing with Notion and, if you like handwriting apps (I don’t) NotateMe. That said, it still pales in comparison to some of the fundamental features of the desktop name-brand softwares. One thing Symphony Pro attempts to do right is its plethora of QWERTY keyboard shortcuts. Definitely a step in the right direction, but still lacking in the most important area - initial note entry. I recognize that tablets are built around the idea of touch notation and handwriting, but a huge game-changer would be adding support for proper QWERTY note entry wherein you type the letter name of the pitch you want and then use shortcuts to tweak the octave and accidentals. This is a central feature that any power user of Sibelius or Finale is used to. If such a feature were integrated, my rating for Symphony Pro would easily be 4 or 5 stars, as no mobile app currently entices me to rely on it for notation. While SP has an impressive range of detailed features, it would offer the most ‘bang’ for its ‘buck’ if it were to improve the way I enter my notes when using a keyboard with my iPad.
Developer Response 01/05/2018
Thanks for your feedback -- we're strongly considering entering via typing note letter. If you have any other suggestions to QWERTY support, please email us to team@symphonypro.net.
Needs improvement for MacOS version, but generally love this program
09/22/2021

nonparrishable
I am a professional harpist and arrange much of my own music for gigs, performances, and for my students. I did a lot of research into music writing programs that would work best for my needs. I have been using the app on my iPad for a few months now and love it. I checked recently again to see if there was a version for the computer and was happily surprised! There are a few issues with the Mac version I have noticed so far: - The biggest issue is every time I select a note or range of notes, I get the menu for the note popping up. I have changed the keyboard shortcut for these to an obscure key so that it wouldn't happen, but I keep having this issue. I can't get the menu to go away. I am aiming to be able to type directly in and create scores efficiently, and this makes that hard if not impossible. They are also hard to click away from. - Menu colors - the menu colors: (Open score, etc) when they are on the dark blue background, the text is also a darker blue so the text isn't legibleThese are my observations so far. I will continue using the program and exploring this new platform! I will also be continuing to use it on my iPad for sure. Happy to give more feedback as improvements are made. So excited this is available on the computer now!
Needs improvement for MacOS version, but generally love this program
09/22/2021

nonparrishable

I am a professional harpist and arrange much of my own music for gigs, performances, and for my students. I did a lot of research into music writing programs that would work best for my needs. I have been using the app on my iPad for a few months now and love it. I checked recently again to see if there was a version for the computer and was happily surprised! There are a few issues with the Mac version I have noticed so far: - The biggest issue is every time I select a note or range of notes, I get the menu for the note popping up. I have changed the keyboard shortcut for these to an obscure key so that it wouldn't happen, but I keep having this issue. I can't get the menu to go away. I am aiming to be able to type directly in and create scores efficiently, and this makes that hard if not impossible. They are also hard to click away from. - Menu colors - the menu colors: (Open score, etc) when they are on the dark blue background, the text is also a darker blue so the text isn't legibleThese are my observations so far. I will continue using the program and exploring this new platform! I will also be continuing to use it on my iPad for sure. Happy to give more feedback as improvements are made. So excited this is available on the computer now!

- Fixes issue in iOS/iPadOS 26 where editing menu items next to a Note Selection or Region Selection area did not respond to user actions - Other iPadOS 26 updates - General reliability improvements across the app