iReal Pro and compatible Android devices

**matoi** · 04-29-2015, 03:59 PM

Hello!
I don't have experience with tablets yet, but would like to buy one with sole purpose of running iRP. Since budget is limited I thought of going with some small Android device. Are there any recommendations for minimum screen resolution with respect to using iRP comfortably? And does anyone have experience with running iRP on Lenovo tablets?
Thanks and all the best,
m

**sciurius** · 04-30-2015, 02:23 AM

I first ran iRealPro (or iRealBook, as it was called then) on an Archos 10.1 tablet. ARM v6 processor, 800MHz, 512MB memory. It ran fine.
I think it will be very hard to find a tablet that is less capable than that one, but make sure it is ARMv7 technology.
As for screen resolution, I mainly depends on the quality of your eyes. I currently use a Samsung Note 10.1 and although I can read music on a smaller screen, due to my old eyes I certainly wouldn't do this for live performances.

**pdxdjazz** · 04-30-2015, 07:59 AM

Re: screen size
I started with an iPod Touch (phone-sized) I used it in performance mounted on a mic stand about a foot from my face.
Next, I went to an iPad, easily readable from a music stand...but, for me, it's like carrying around a surfboard.
Now, I use a iPad mini. Most of the folks I play with have also selected 7-8" tablets. Seems to be about the right compromise between readability and portability.
The mini's chart display in portrait mode seems very similar in size to the full-sized iPad's chart size in landscape mode.

)BOB

**dflat** · 04-30-2015, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by matoi

... I thought of going with some small Android device. Are there any recommendations for minimum screen resolution with respect to using iRP comfortably?

As far as 7, 8, or 10 size tablets, it depends on how far away you are from it (what instrument you play etc.) If a pianist or play guitar seated you are reasonably near the tablet and a smaller size is ok, but if you are standing with a sax or bass on stage and move about a little (or a lot) a larger one is needed. If you know anyone running iReal Pro, print out a PDF or screenshot at a couple of sizes similar to the tablet screen dimensions and put it on your music stand as a basic test.
Resolution itself, pixel density etc. should be ok on all the recent devices. Check maximum brightness of the screen by going outside (if this is where you might use it sometimes, although all devices suffer to some extent.)

The proportions of tablets can differ and although the charts will show clearly on any, you might find you prefer a particular proportion better. iReal Pro will run in portrait or landscape on tablets, with the playlist or song index on the left so you might prefer this for quick access to the next song (obviously the chart is smaller in landscape.)

Also although you think you might only want the tablet for running iReal Pro, check with other friends what other apps they run. For instance, if occasionally you want to use PDF notation charts, then a 10 inch tablet is more suitable. (MobileSheets Pro is a dedicated music notation app for viewing PDFs (jpgs etc.) that many iReal Pro users use, running iReal Pro player in the background.)

Consider Nexus 7—the 2013 model has just been discontinued, but you might find it perfectly adequate and Lollipop (latest OS) has been rolling out for the Nexus range. (It connects to Chromecast if you ever need to display on a large screen (band practice, teaching, demonstrations, live gigs) and from our quick initial tests iReal Pro seems to work through it.)

Also older ones can be ok too (check eBay). The battery would have deteriorated in a used tablet. I presume they can be changed with servicing, but if it is USB charged, a small USB power battery pack can easily be used when this happens. If a mains adapter, then this is another factor as you will eventually have to use it with a power cable.

You might also be able to use it on an older phone if you want a smaller size than 7 inch, not necessarily running the device as a phone, but you will need to set up internet access to the Google Play store for purchase and licensing checks.

Currently iReal Pro runs on Android 4.0.3 and above (iReal Pro v6.1)

**DaleMac** · 06-07-2015, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by dflat

As far as 7, 8, or 10 size tablets, it depends on how far away you are from it (what instrument you play etc.) If a pianist or play guitar seated you are reasonably near the tablet and a smaller size is ok, but if you are standing with a sax or bass on stage and move about a little (or a lot) a larger one is needed....

Also, you may be sharing your device with someone else - maybe two horn players reading off the same screen or, as often in my case, the bass player might be looking over the pianist's shoulder. My first Android tablet had a 10.1-inch display, which was plenty big enough to see. But move a little to the left or right and it was unreadable. For high-quality viewing angles comparable to an iPad, be sure to get an IPS (In-Plane Switching) display.

**matoi** · 05-01-2015, 12:23 AM

Many thanks for kind replies. I bought a Lenovo Tab A7. I plan to use it only at home for practice, so 7" seemed just fine. iRP runs beautifully.
Regards,
m

**Robertkoa** · 01-17-2016, 03:40 PM

I am using Galaxy Alpha 850 M and Ireal works and sounds excellent all edit functions no bugs.
I was amazed when I quickly learned that I could input my own Chords !
The coolest most powerful amazing App I have seen...

February 11 -I am now using iRealPro Version 7.0 with the new Styles AND the new Recording Function by pressing
"Record" in the "Share" Menu - press 'share' on upper right to Access.

It works!
Will be reporting Results soon....