Getting Started

Firstly you need to prepare your lyrics. It's easiest to do this on your computer, but you can work fine with just your iPad.  Create your formated lyrics in Word, Pages, or any other app that can export Doc, Docx, Pages, PDF, RTF or txt format (you can also just use jpg images). Then you need to transfer them to your device using either iTunes (PC) or the Finder (Mac). If the files are already on your computer then see the thrid video: working with files.

Making Setlists

Once you’ve got the feel for working with individual songs, its time to go back to the “all songs” list, and hit the “lists” button in the top left. This is where you can organise your songs into lists. We call them setlists, but you can use them for any purpose - songs you need to rehearse for next week, songs for a particular project, songs you can play on guitar...

First you need to make a setlist by pressing the top right “edit” button. Then press the green “+” button to make a setlist. You can rename an existing list by pressing on its name, or delete a list completely by pressing the red “-” button (this has no effect on the songs themselves in the master list - it just tears up the setlist). When you’re finished made the lists you want press “done”.

Tap on a setlist to select it. It’ll be empty at first, so select “edit” from the top right menu. Press the green “+” next to “add Songs...” and you’ll be presented with your “all songs” list. Just scroll through tapping any songs you want to add (don’t worry about the order), and when you’re done press the top left button to go back.

Use the right hand “bars” to reorder your list, and if you need to add gaps. When you’re happy with your list just press “done”. Now you can select a song from your list to view it, then just swipe right or left to move through your setlist.

Working With Files

If you want to work entirely on your iPad, or just need to update a lyric when you're on the go, there are lots of ways of moving lyrics in and out of MLB on your iPad. No Computer needed...

The Fancy Features

Syncing Multiple iPads

If you’ve got several band members (or support crew) running the app your song selections should be automatically synchronised using Bluetooth, It’s important to note that the lyrics themselves (and any in song scrolling) isn’t synchronised, so every band member gets their own lyrics as they’ve prepared them, but the band leader can select a song, and its displayed on everyones device.

Using Bluetooth Pedals

If you're working with documents longer than one page, then you'll need to either scroll or turn pages. If your hands are busy elsewhere then bluetooth page turning pedals are great. We've tested most of them and they all work more or less out of the box - just make sure they're set to generate cursor keys (mode 2 on airturns).

However there's a lot of configuration you can do in the app to get your pedals set up just they way you want, so watch the video to find out more.

Using Midi

You can use mid program changes to select songs in the App, or use the app to control external devices. The app can also receive Midi CC's to turn pages and scroll, so it can be controlled by midi pedals, or even from a midi file synced to your backing track.