Decibel Score Player
Synchronised scrolling music score player for iPad.
Decibel ScorePlayer
An application for iPad
Network-synchronised scrolling of proportional colour music scores and audio playback on multiple iPads.
*Now working on Mac laptops (M1 processor onwards)*
**GooglePlayer version coming soon**
The Decibel ScorePlayer is an iPad application designed to coordinate the reading of scores featuring predominantly graphic notation in rehearsal and performance. It features scrolling and ‘tracking’ modes for reading, and can receive drawing commands for realtime score generation.
The App ships with five included scores, a big clock countdown function and instructions for use.
You can use the Decibel Score Creator desktop application to create the unique score files used in the app, that can include multiple parts, audio, and instructions.
Upload the file directly to the app on the iPad using AirDrop.
There is also a stand alone app that relates to the Decibel ScorePlayer, The Decibel Complete John Cage Variations ScorePlayer. This is also available on the App store
Fantastically straightforward and easy to use.
Brilliant and responsibly-used technology.
An important new release: a lot of changes under the hood to improve the general user experience. Most importantly though, it introduces the ability to write/annotate on scores: musicians can now make their own notes for rehearsal and performance purposes directly onto the score.
This latest point release fixes a regression in the “big clock” mode.
This release also sees some changes to the network protocol used between iPads, so for those connecting to the player via OSC (from a MaxMSP patch, for instance) you need to bump the protocol version used for the initial connection up to 16.
A new score has also been added: Cat Hope’s “Her Pockets Full of Inertia” for flute and playback, or flute and flute choir.
Cat Hope talking and demonstrating the Decibel ScorePlayer, including a performance of ‘MissFortune X’ (2012) by Decibel.
Cat Hope’s piece ‘The Lowest Drawer’ (2015): performance by Decibel synchronised with the score.
Here are a whole lot of iPads moving in a synchronised way!
Key Features
- Five scores created by composers in the Decibel new music ensemble included. Big Clock application also included.
- Easy upload via URL, AirDrop or QR codes, also via a webserver for advanced users.
- Ability to change speed of the piece.
- Adds the ability to automatically generate a full score from all of the individual parts in canvas mode.
- Easy to use slider to move to different parts of the piece for rehearsal purposes, including pause function while playing.
- View full score or individual parts on different iPads. Screen Mode enables the masking of controls for projection purposes.
- Embed audio into the score file, which can be played out of the iPads line level 3.5mm audio jack.
- Connect over the internet with anyone, anywhere. Uses the tablets own network capabilities for easy Wi Fi connection – hop on to any available network and synch multiple ipads. Easy network check to see who is on the WiFi network.
- Canvas mode, which allows drawing commands to be sent to the ScorePlayer via OSC.
- Modular structure enables easy updates, with recent updates to include more scores, upload facilities, shuffle function.
- Compositions can be grouped together, and a search function enables easy locations of scores by composer.
- Projection mode, that allows for the player controls to be hidden so that the audience can’t see them when scores are projected in performance.
- An instruction panel for each piece to assist decoding graphic notations, as well as easy to use instructions on uploading your own scores.
- A comprehensive user guide for the App itself.
Advanced Users
- You can trigger the score player from MaxMSP, and vice versa, with these instructions and our pre-made Max Patch or Python library that can connect as an external to the App.
- For projects where score updates are happening, it is possible to set up a web server as a staging point for ScorePlayer (dsz) files. Once a file is uploaded, a QR code is generated that allows you to quickly and easily download the score directly into the ScorePlayer. This enables you to use the server for version control, as the ScorePlayer can check to see if a newer version of the file has been uploaded.
If you are interested in setting this up, get in touch with us and we will give you a copy of the server files, and help with any set up as it requires a web server with php support.
Decibel ScorePlayer Privacy Policy
The Decibel ScorePlayer app does not collect any personal data, and no personal data is sent from the app at any time.