# Drum Notation by Beat Note — user reviews > 119 indexed App Store user reviews of Drum Notation by Beat Note by Kick Snare Hat Apps, LLC, rated 4.70/5 from 83 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-notation-by-beat-note/id1539132475/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drum-notation-by-beat-note/id1539132475.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 71 · 4★ 3 · 3★ 4 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 3 ## What do users think of Drum Notation by Beat Note? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Intuitive and easy to use - 🚀 Quick and efficient notation - 🎶 Great sound playback - 💡 Excellent for teaching and learning - ✍️ Simple to write exercises and ideas - 📲 Easy to share and export - 🥁 Made by drummers for drummers - ✨ Well-designed UI - 💬 Responsive developer support - 📚 Great for building a library of grooves - ⏱️ Saves time compared to desktop apps - 🎧 Useful as an in-ear click track - 🎯 Helps improve reading and playing skills - ✅ Versatile and customizable - 🌟 Constantly improving with updates **Cons** - 💰 Expensive subscription model - 💸 High annual cost - 🆓 Limited free version - 🚫 No one-time purchase option - 🤔 Subscription model makes little sense to some - 📉 Limited number of subscribers impacting development - ⚠️ Free trial issues (charged immediately) - 🪲 Occasional bugs and instability - ↔️ No sync between devices or web version - 📏 Some notation features are not standard - ⏳ Duplicating/creating lengthy sections is arduous - 📈 PDF export measure lines too thick/close **Commonly reported bugs** - Preview rarely matches notes on staff - Sometimes doesn't play any notes - Sounds not always appropriate for instrument voicing - Editing measures is inconvenient - Free trial charged immediately - iCloud data sync issues for subscription confirmation - Not stable in loopings, slow delay on first note - Measure lines on PDFs too thick and close **Most requested features** - 7/8 time signature support - Syncing between devices - Web version - Native Mac/Windows apps - Add text or notes to notations - Cowbell instrument - More drum samples and pitch control - Ability to work on spaces longer than a measure - Add 32nd notes - Duplicate multiple bars at once - Copy/paste large sections - Option to drag duplicated bars to the end - Add melody track - More instrument options - Ability to manage volumes of different instruments - Add quintuplets and sextuplets to a bar - Add repetition options for measures - Add text to music sheets - Improve loop stability and reduce delay - Allow monthly subscription option - More free beats/unlimited free version - Add sticking for grace notes - More advanced editing options for multiple bars - Improve PDF export readability - Add virtual drum kit for accessibility - AI-powered automatic notation - Auto-sync to track ## Newest reviews (14 of 119) ### 5/5 — Super application *2026-01-13* Parfait pour apprendre le solfège rythmique et noter rapidement des idées de breaks et de grooves et les partager sous forme de partition **Developer response:** Bonjour Mungo, Merci pour ce retour, et pour avoir décrit aussi précisément comment Beat Note s'intègre dans ta pratique : apprendre le solfège rythmique, noter rapidement des idées de breaks et de grooves, puis les partager sous forme de partition. C'est exactement le genre d'usage quotidien que j'avais en tête en concevant l'app. Merci encore de faire confiance à Beat Note pour ta pratique. – Derek Hi Mungo, Thank you for this, and for describing so specifically how Beat Note fits into your practice: learning rhythmic solfege, quickly notating breaks and grooves, then sharing them as sheet music. That's the kind of day-to-day use I designed it around. Thanks again for trusting Beat Note with your practice. – Derek ### 5/5 — Great app! *2026-01-08, version 5.0.4* No adds, easy to use, helped me learn a song I’ve wanted to know for ages! Though, only five free beats you can make, but incredibly useful! ### 5/5 — Huge help to a new drummer! *2026-01-04, version 5.0.4* As a new drummer (and an old one at that), I found this app fantastic. I use it for practice every day. Very intuitive to use, I can put down what is in my head, listen and adjust, then take it to the kit and try it out. I have also found I can notate a fill or beat quickly when just messing around, before I lose it. (Mind like a steel sieve.) For me keeping time has been a challenge. Practicing with a basic beat with the click allows me to develop fills that work. I understand syncing between devices is coming, I look forward to that feature. For now, It’s easy to send (I just text myself) a beat from my iPad to my computer plugged into the mixer. Looking forward to new features, nice app! ### 4/5 — Simple et efficace *2025-11-24* L’app est vraiment très bien faite et correspond à mon besoin : noter des patterns lorsque j’ai un idée. Il est dommage que l’app soit aussi chère en abonnement et qu’il n’y ait pas la possibilité de l’acheter une fois pour toute. **Developer response:** Bonjour JDeuxJDeux, Merci pour ce retour et pour les 4 étoiles. La fatigue face aux abonnements est réelle, et je comprends que l'idée d'un achat unique soit plus simple. Beat Note est pensé avant tout pour les personnes qui l'utilisent chaque semaine, que ce soit pour l'enseignement, la pratique régulière ou la création de contenu : l'app est censée faire gagner du temps et devenir un vrai réflexe. Une partie de l'abonnement finance aussi le développement continu, en tant qu'équipe d'une seule personne, guidé par la roadmap et les échanges avec les batteurs qui utilisent l'app. Si votre usage reste occasionnel, il est tout à fait normal qu'un abonnement annuel ne soit pas le bon choix pour vous, et c'est une réponse honnête de ma part. Merci encore d'avoir pris le temps de partager votre expérience. – Derek Hi JDeuxJDeux, Thank you for this, and for the 4 stars. Subscription fatigue is real, and I understand that a one-time purchase feels simpler. Beat Note is built mainly for people who use it every week, whether for teaching, regular practice, or content creation: it's meant to save real time and become part of a routine. Part of that subscription also supports ongoing development as a one-person team, driven by the roadmap and conversations with drummers using the app. If your use stays occasional, it's completely fair that an annual subscription isn't the right fit for you, and that's an honest answer. Thanks again for giving it a real try and for being honest about your experience. – Derek ### 5/5 — Fun App with lots of Customization Options *2025-11-05, version 5.0* This app allows you to quickly create beats and save notation. The app is easy to use with several options to choose from no matter your style. ### 4/5 — Beste App für Drum-Notation (mit Verbesserungspotential) *2025-10-12* Beste App zum Notieren von Drum-Notationen. An einigen Stellen ist durch späteres Hinzufügen von bisher fehlenden Features noch Verbesserungspotential. Der/die Entwickler verbessern/erweitern die App aber stetig. Sehr coole Sache insgesamt. **Developer response:** Hallo, danke dir für die 4 Sterne und das ehrliche Feedback. Es freut mich sehr, dass du Beat Note als beste App für Drum-Notation siehst, und ich schätze die Ehrlichkeit zum Verbesserungspotenzial. Ich arbeite kontinuierlich an der App und ergänze fehlende Funktionen Stück für Stück. Wenn dir mal etwas Konkretes einfällt, kannst du es gerne auf der Beat Note Product Roadmap eintragen oder eine bestehende Anfrage upvoten. Danke nochmal für dein Vertrauen in Beat Note. – Derek Hi there, Thank you for the 4 stars and the honest feedback. I'm glad you see Beat Note as the best app for drum notation, and I appreciate the honesty about where there's still room to grow. I'm continuously working on the app and filling in missing features piece by piece. If something specific comes to mind, feel free to add it to the Beat Note Product Roadmap or upvote an existing request. Thanks again for trusting Beat Note. – Derek ### 5/5 — Great app *2025-10-11, version 4.7.1* Love it ### 3/5 — Overpriced for Its Limited Features *2025-09-07* The app, with its current set of features, should not be subscription-based, especially at such a high price. There is no synchronization between devices, no web version, and no native apps for Mac or Windows. At the moment, it’s just a beat editor for a single device. **Developer response:** Hi there, Thank you for the honest feedback. I hear you on both the price and the gaps: no sync between devices yet, no web version, no dedicated Windows app. Right now this is mainly a single-device beat editor, and that's a real limitation for some workflows. One quick note: Beat Note already runs on Apple Silicon Macs through the App Store, so macOS support does exist today even without a separate desktop build. Beat Note is built mainly for drummers and teachers who use it every week for charts and lesson prep. Cross-device sync is already in the works. Part of the subscription also supports ongoing development as a one-person team, driven by the roadmap and conversations with drummers using the app. If your use is more occasional or you need full cross-platform support today, it's completely fair that Beat Note isn't the right fit for you yet. Thanks again for giving it a real try and for being honest about your experience. – Derek ### 5/5 — Hervorragende DrummerApp *2025-08-26* Sehr gute App, eine Anregung hätte ich da, gejammert auf hohem Niveau, schön wäre es noch Texte bzw. Notizen zu den Notationen einfügen zu können. LG von Thomas **Developer response:** Hallo Thomas, vielen Dank für die tolle Bewertung und das Lob, das freut mich riesig. Schön zu hören, dass dir Beat Note so gut gefällt. Die Möglichkeit, Texte oder Notizen zu den Notationen hinzuzufügen, ist bereits auf der Beat Note Product Roadmap. Wenn du magst, kannst du die Anfrage upvoten und dazuschreiben, wie du sie nutzen würdest. Du findest die Roadmap auf der Website oder in der App unter Einstellungen, oder du erreichst mich jederzeit über „Email Derek" in den Einstellungen. Danke nochmal für dein Lob und deine Idee. – Derek Hi Thomas, Thank you for the great review and the kind words, that means a lot. I'm glad Beat Note is working well for you. Being able to add text or notes to notations is already on the Beat Note Product Roadmap. If you'd like, feel free to upvote that request and add how you'd use it. You'll find the roadmap on the website or in the app under Settings, or you can always reach out via "Email Derek" in Settings. Thanks again for the kind words and the idea. – Derek ### 5/5 — Simply The Best App for Drum Notation *2025-05-20, version 4.3.1* This app is fantastic and is constantly getting better. An absolute gem for quick and intuitive drum notation. It is clearly bound to be the industry leader in drum notation in time to come. ### 5/5 — Helped me with my band *2025-05-18, version 4.3.1* This app is for drummers and made by drummers which is unique compared to others I researched. The thought that went into it shows. The ability to hear how a groove is ‘supposed’ to sound was game-changing and eye-opening. I can read music and drum notation just fine but the audio component here was a missing link for me. I use this app to write my own grooves per the song needs and per my ability (versus slavishly trying to replicate the pro drummer on are a recording..:). practicing w the app lets me methodically add complexity if I cleanly handle the simplified groove that I entered. I also use the beats as an in-ear click track (but it is my beats, not clicks) when rehearsing with the band. My bandmates have remarked how much steadier I sound. So many applications of this amazing app. One more: if you are the type that gets distracted by standard click-clicks of metronome (i do) this app is for you! My only beef is I wish the developer would make more youtubes and turn the blog into videos. ### 5/5 — Absolutely superb solution for quick and accurate notation *2025-05-17, version 4.3.1* Derek has built a piece of software that is easy to use and offers huge amounts of functionality. I have been looking for an app just like this since using a web based app that was good but very limited. Beat Note allows me to put together teaching material quickly and efficiently and I am excited to see how the app develops as I can see the roadmap is extensive and covers some absolutely game changing additions for the future. This is now my go to option for building content for my students. Well done Derek and thanks for such an elegant solution to what has historically been an overly complicated process! ### 5/5 — ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Long Overdue — and Absolutely Worth It *2025-05-17, version 4.3.1* Beat Note is exactly the kind of app drummers have needed for years. It simplifies the process of creating drum charts and worksheets in a way that’s intuitive and efficient—something traditional notation software has always struggled with, especially for drum set writing. With Finale sunsetting and Dorico still falling short in this area, Beat Note is stepping in at just the right time. Even better, the developers are clearly invested in improving the app. I sent in a few suggestions and got a thoughtful, detailed reply with links and explanations tailored to my questions. That kind of responsiveness is rare—and hugely appreciated. While it’s still growing and missing a few features, it's already a powerful tool and shows every sign of becoming the future of drum notation. Highly recommended. ### 5/5 — I’m a drum transcriber and I love it *2025-05-02, version 4.3.1* Definitely worth downloading. The free version works like a charm and the paid version is one the best investments you can make for your drumming. It makes music theory and notations intuitive. I love it!! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — 20$ !! *2026-01-26, version 5.0.4* App sends me to other website , very limited.. I expected more for the money ### 1/5 — Not a Complete Disaster *2025-11-08, version 5.0* First: If someone wants to input and learn a 1 or 2 measure pattern, it’s OK. From there, however, it’s downhill for those who’ve taken drum lessons for years or have learned to read ‘standard’ drum notation / charts from music publishers like Hal Leonard or Alfred Music: 1. Hands should be (by default) stems up and feet should be (by default) stems down. 2. In 4/4 time, four eighth notes should be - especially hi-hats - barred together. 3. The measure lines on the PDFs are too thick and far too close - leading to difficulty reading! 4. Duplicating or creating lengthy sections is an arduous task - at best! Having to input again and again with each new piece is outrageous! This probably explains why the ‘Discover’ lessons are so short. 5. A 4.8 rating and this is version 5.0? Yeah, no. These oversights shouldn’t have existed in version 1.0! ### 1/5 — Achtung: 7-Tage Probeabo gibt es nicht *2025-10-18* Habe ein bisschen die App ausprobiert. Finde sie eigentlich prima. Aber: Um mehrere Takte zu erstellen, wollte ich zunächst die 7-Tage Probeversion testen. Nach Klicken wurde sofort der Jahresbeitrag fällig - nix mit Probeversion. Ganz schön dreist. **Developer response:** Hallo, vielen Dank, dass du dir die Zeit genommen hast, Beat Note auszuprobieren und dein Feedback zu teilen. Meine Entschuldigung, das ist tatsächlich mein Fehler: in diesem Zeitraum war versehentlich das falsche Abo ohne Probezeit hinterlegt, und du bist genau darauf gestoßen. Das war ein Fehler auf meiner Seite. Bitte melde dich über „Email Derek" im Einstellungen-Tab der App, damit ich das für dich persönlich in Ordnung bringen kann. Danke, dass du dich gemeldet hast, und noch einmal meine Entschuldigung für den holprigen Start. – Derek Hi there, Thank you for taking the time to try Beat Note and share this. My apologies, this one is actually on me: for a period, the wrong subscription was mistakenly configured without the free trial attached, and you ran right into it. This was a mistake on my end. Please reach out through "Email Derek" in the app's Settings tab so I can make this right for you directly. Thanks for letting me know, and my apologies again for the rough start. – Derek ### 1/5 — A *2025-10-15, version 4.7.1* A ### 1/5 — Good, but expensive *2025-04-22* Good app, but very expensive **Developer response:** Большое спасибо за то, что попробовали Beat Note и отметили качество приложения! За последние несколько лет я вложил много времени и сил в то, чтобы интерфейс был простым и интуитивно понятным, но при этом позволял использовать мощные функции, поэтому ваша оценка для меня действительно много значит! Именно поэтому особенно обидно видеть оценку в одну звезду, если единственное, что вам не понравилось — это цена. Такие оценки могут нанести серьезный ущерб, особенно для небольшого независимого разработчика, как я, особенно когда функциональность приложения, судя по всему, соответствует вашим ожиданиям. Если подписка не вписывается в ваш бюджет, я искренне хотел бы узнать больше о вашем способе использования Beat Note. Ваши отзывы помогают формировать будущее Beat Note и делают его лучше для всех. Я создаю Beat Note не просто как инструмент, а как часть растущего сообщества барабанщиков, педагогов и контент-креаторов, которые расширяют границы возможностей нотной записи для музыкального образования. Ознакомиться с планами развития можно в разделе “Настройки” внутри приложения на странице “Дорожная карта”. Если вам интересно, почему мы выбрали модель подписки, вы найдете подробные объяснения в разделе FAQ — также в приложении или на нашем сайте. Поделиться своими мыслями очень просто: достаточно нажать “Email Derek” в разделе “Настройки”! Я читаю и отвечаю на каждое сообщение и действительно хочу узнать, как именно вы хотите использовать Beat Note, чтобы мы могли продолжать совершенствовать приложение вместе. Еще раз спасибо, что дали Beat Note шанс! Буду рад получить ваш отзыв и надеюсь, что вы станете частью формирования его будущего. С уважением, Derek Thanks so much for trying out Beat Note and for recognizing the quality of the app! Over the past several years, I have invested a lot of time and energy into making sure the interface is simple and intuitive, while still allowing for powerful functionality, so your acknowledgment really means a lot! That is why it is especially disheartening to see a one-star review when the only issue you have raised is pricing. Ratings like this can be incredibly damaging, especially for a small indie developer like myself, particularly when it sounds like the app’s functionality is meeting your needs. If the subscription does not fit your budget, I would genuinely appreciate hearing more about your use case. Your feedback helps shape the future of Beat Note and makes it better for everyone. I am building Beat Note not just as a tool, but as part of a growing community of drummers, educators, and content creators who are pushing the boundaries of what drum notation can do for music education. You can see what is coming next on the product roadmap, available right in the app under Settings. If you are curious why we chose a subscription model, you will find a detailed explanation in the FAQ, also in the app or on our website. Sharing your thoughts is super easy: just tap “Email Derek” in the Settings tab! I read and respond to every message, and I truly want to hear how you are hoping to use Beat Note so we can keep improving it together. Thanks again for giving it a try! I look forward to hearing from you and hope you will be part of shaping what comes next. Best, Derek ### 1/5 — I selected the 14-day trial version, but you charged me for the entire year! Please refund my money. *2025-01-26, version 4.1.8* I selected the 14-day trial version, but you charged me for the entire year! Please refund my money. I have canceled the subscription. ### 1/5 — Can’t do a triplet without pay… ok *2024-06-08* … **Developer response:** UPDATE October 4, 2024: Hello Marcos! Please update to the latest version of Beat Note as I've added the ability for you to try the PRO version of the app using a free trial. This way you can try out all features in the PRO version for a limited time and ensure the app is a good fit for your needs. Please remember that Beat Note is still evolving and your feedback is critical to the evolution of the app. Thanks again for giving Beat Note a try! My door is always open to your feedback. Best, Derek UPDATE June 28, 2024 - Hello Marcos! I just wanted to remind you that I have a coupon code for you to try out the full version of Beat Note: Drum Notation. Please get in touch with me so I can share this with you. You can quickly email me right from the app under Settings > Email Derek. Thank you! Looking forward to connecting! Original Response June 9, 2024 - Hi Marcos,  Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback. I always appreciate reading reviews, especially one-star reviews, as they help me understand where improvements are needed. I’d like to clarify that 8th note triplets are indeed available in the free version of Beat Note. It’s the 16th note triplets and higher subdivisions that are part of the premium features. Instead of leaving a one-star review, I would have appreciated if you had contacted me directly. Since it takes several days for me to be notified of a review due to Apple’s approval process, I’ve made it easy to contact me directly under the Settings tab via “Email Derek.” This way, I can address your concerns promptly and effectively. I’d be happy to offer you a free trial to explore all the features of Beat Note. Your feedback is crucial in helping me improve the app, and I’d love to hear more about your needs. Please contact me so we can discuss further. Looking forward to hearing from you! Best regards, Derek ### 1/5 — Just awful *2023-06-11, version 2.6.2* Tons of bugs.. preview rarely matches the notes on the staff, sometimes doesn’t play any notes at all. sounds are not always appropriate for the instrument voicing.. why does the floor tom sound like a sidestick? Editing measures is just about the most inconvenient way I could imagine doing it. Imagine editing a measure one by one completely isolated from the rest of a song. If you want to hear a measure played back in context with the surrounding measures you have to exit out and listen to the whole song. It’s great if you don’t need the playback functionality and just need to mark up some sheet music- but at that point why not just use pen and paper and skip the subscription fee? This software has a long way to go. ### 2/5 — Great program *2026-04-26, version 5.1.3* This program is great for drum notation, but $60 a year indefinitely for a subscription is kind of crazy. I know you need to make money on this app but the subscription model makes zero sense. Not sure if I can justify the cost ### 2/5 — Not subscription worthy *2025-11-17, version 5.0* Great app but the best features are locked behind a monthly subscription. It would be worth a one time purchase, but not monthly payments. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Beyond Useful *2026-08-09, version 5.6.1* I’ve been using this app for about a year and a half and it has far exceeded expectations. My band and I have written a full length album and being able to brainstorm different notes within patterns and actively listen on the sample kit has been crucial. Not to mention being able to then export the track and send to my band mates to write while listening along. The only downside now is that I write better than I can play hahah. Luckily, it doubles as a practice tool and being able to slow them down and loop makes the process even easier ### 5/5 — It’s great! *2026-07-20, version 5.6* You can make your own beats and download other beats created by your friends or teacher idk. It’s good for practicing to learn drums and practicing for your band or smthn idk ### 5/5 — Not just for teachers *2026-06-10, version 5.3.3* I program different exercises I’ve gathered from buying various artist’s lesson packs and use it as something to play along to. Makes it more fun than just playing with a metronome alone! ### 5/5 — BEAT NOTE IS PERFECT! *2026-05-29, version 5.3.1* This app is absolutely quick and intuitive. My history of using old school drum machines make this a breeze. Input is so quick and easy to export. Adding stickings is also super simple. I use this gif video content, book writing, ideas and quick student lessons. Really well done! ### 5/5 — Mr O *2026-05-27, version 5.3.1* Fantastic drum notation app! Does it all with style. Props to the developers ### 5/5 — Perfect apart from…. *2026-05-23, version 5.3* Perfect way to quickly knock out an idea or lesson. Perfect apart from no 7/8 time signature 😔….although, it’s in the pipeline. ### 5/5 — A Must Have Tool for Teachers and All Drummers! *2026-05-08, version 5.2* As a teacher, I just started using beat note as my main metronome tool during lessons with students. I’ve been building out a library of exercises, which are so easy to create and organize, and send the links to my students for home practice. This tool helps myself and students become better drummers. And the customer support is next level awesome!!! ### 5/5 — Great app! *2026-03-25, version 5.0.5* I almost passed by this booth at the PAS show but they happened to be giving a demo. I stopped and was sold long before the demo was over. I signed up and immediately started using it to write exercises for students and ideas for myself. I have just about every notation app out there but none has the ease and speed for writing drum parts that this has. Bravo to Derek and the team. ### 5/5 — Finally *2026-02-15, version 5.0.4* Been waiting a long time for an app like this. Makes it super easy to build a library of grooves and fills, transcribe songs, etc. Clearly built by a drummer. ### 5/5 — Great concept, needs more users and support for feature refinement *2026-01-30, version 5.0.4* I use this app to help teach drums. It’s excellent, for quickly notating concepts, exercises, and song parts. On its own, I’d probably score this app lower than 5 stars. However, this is a work in progress, so while it’s not perfect, and the developer has limited resources for improving the app and adding features and functionality (due to its limited number of subscribers); I believe in this app, as a foundation for something truly great. That being said, it’s still a very good tool, the developer is responsive, engaged/communicative, and eager to improve its functionality. I’ll continue to support it, and am looking forward to the improvements and additional features the developer is working towards. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*