# Staff Sketch Pad 2 > Digital music notation and composition app for tablets. (iPhone/iPad app by Pinpoint Solutions, Inc..) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staff-sketch-pad-2/id1502467511 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Pinpoint Solutions, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/293686929) - Category: Music, Music, Education - Price: $4.99 - Rating: 4.52/5 from 130 App Store ratings · 12 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 13.0 · 18 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2020-03-27 - Data updated: 2026-07-05 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staff-sketch-pad-2/id1502467511/reviews.md ## What is Staff Sketch Pad 2? Throw that old pad of staff paper away! Write your own music directly on your iPad using your Apple Pencil, finger, or other stylus. Optimized for Apple Pencil. * Organize your compositions using folders * Choose from common staff system templates, plain staff paper, or import your own * Display your iPad in virtual meetings to show off your work or as a teaching aid * Quickly share/print/e-mail your music as a PDF file or directly with other users * Copy/paste feature allows you to easily repeat notes & sections * Uses the Apple Drawing Palette for pen, pencil, eraser, lasso, pen size, smart select, color choice, ruler, and any other features Apple introduces. * Clipboard to save your favorite notation, or use our symbol library to copy/paste ## Key features - Digital staff paper - Apple Pencil optimization - Folder organization - Customizable templates - PDF export and sharing - Copy/paste functionality - Symbol library ## Recent user reviews (10 of 12) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staff-sketch-pad-2/id1502467511/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Bugs *2025-10-12, version 2.5.4* I can’t create folders because the app just crashes. I constantly have to close out the app and reopen it because it won’t switch between write and erase on double tap of the apple pencil and some times when choosing a different color for ink it just keeps using the same color I had it on previously even though the app shows a different color being selected. ### 3/5 — Needs some work, but a good start. *2024-07-11* I’m a comoser, I travel a lot and don’t like having to lug a computer around so I can use finale/sibelius. So in theory a no-nonsense music-friendly app like this makes sense. Things I have liked so far:the copy/duplicate option using lasso, and the fact that this app doesn’t try to turn everything you write into professional looking typeface that can be rendered as xtml or midi etc. I also like the templates and the library setup. Things I don’t like: undo function needs to be better and more easy to access, and using the lasso and copy every time you want something off the clipboard is tedious, surely one click should be all I need ? Also, some other types of noteheads, including a stemless notehead would be nice, to be honest no one needs the stems anyway if they aren’t customisable, so just ditch them. Some quarter tone accidentals would be nice too I suppose, yes, I know I can make my own clipboard, but improving the built in one would be nice…. A library of woodwind/brass fingering fonts woul be good, or just a blank one that can be customised. Anyway, a good start Chaps, I’m looking forward to trying to use it on holiday soon…., ### 5/5 — This app actually is life changing *2024-04-17, version 2.5.4* This is the best music notation app for people who love to hand write. I’ve had issues with my files being deleted off of my iPad but this app makes sure they’re not deleted. You can export straight to PDF and email it to yourself. The copy, paste, and moveable text feature is so handy and time saving. This app is perfect! ### 2/5 — Ugh *2024-01-29, version 2.5.4* This has been working well for my needs as a music ed student, but I’ve noticed I’m not able to name my file folders for some reason. Not sure if this is a bug or I’m just too dumb to figure it out, but I would really like this feature so I can organize between dictation practice, assignments, notes etc. I can name each individual piece, just not the folders. I would also absolutely love a layout option with half staves and half normal writing lines (left and right side) like a descant for theory note taking!! Recently I also experienced a bug where somehow all of my writing was slid over going off the page and disappearing when I re opened the app, basically deleting all of my notes. This was actually super inconvenient since I had to get the notes back from a friend and write them all over again, which is why I took off a star. Super weird. Edit; this happened again with a mini composition assignment and actually screwed me over so bad. It’s like it gets stuck in landscape mode while in portrait, but stays that way regardless of orientation, making it impossible to access notes all slid off the page and no longer on the staff. Can’t risk the glitch happening again so I will be switching apps. ): ### 4/5 — Pretty good! *2024-01-25* This has been working well for my needs as a music ed student, but I’ve noticed I’m not able to name my file folders for some reason. Not sure if this is a bug or I’m just too dumb to figure it out, but I would really like this feature so I can organize between dictation practice, assignments, notes etc. I can name each individual piece, just not the folders. I would also absolutely love a layout option with half staves and half normal writing lines (left and right side) like a descant for theory note taking!! Recently I also experienced a bug where somehow all of my writing was slid over going off the page and disappearing when I re opened the app, basically deleting all of my notes. This was actually super inconvenient since I had to get the notes back from a friend and write them all over again, which is why I took off a star. Super weird. ### 5/5 — Beauty in simplicity *2023-11-28, version 2.5.4* What I love so much about this app is its simplicity! While apps that can read handwritten scores are improving rapidly, I don’t always want to be distracted by handwriting recognition stumbles when I am in composition mode—I need to be agile and quick when I sketch out music early on… I want to “stay in the zone” and scribble, unfettered by tool ribbons and macros. Your app gave me what I was looking for: a straightforward digital pencil and manuscript paper notebook with unlimited pages and use of my own templates, all with no additional “overhead”… I can then email PDFs of my ~1 to 15 line sketches straight to my orchestrator from the app. No more paper or scanning needed, no eraser shavings falling into the piano! 😄 Nothing else nails this role so utterly well. Staff Sketch Pad 2 is for composing, not engraving, just the way I like it! ### 3/5 — Fix pdf please *2021-04-11, version 2.5.4* Since the update, my export as pdf button is no longer there, the square with the arrow on it. If i go to the 3 dots its tnere, but it only exports as its own file and turning it into a pdf is no longer an option. This used to be so easy for my music classes and now its become a hassle to screenshot it and convert it into pdf, please fix ### 2/5 — Not worth $5 *2021-04-02, version 2.5.3* Everything this app does can be done by taking a screenshot of a piece of manuscript paper and editing it in the photos app on your iPad. ### 3/5 — Decent for a low end app, but... *2020-09-28, version 2.0.1* Minimum line weight is way too heavy. I feel like I’m using a heavy Sharpie. ### 5/5 — Rockin' great! Everything works! *2020-09-18, version 2.0.1* The use of Apple's drawing tools greatly improves this wonderful app. As one of the original beta testers, I can state that all of the problems are gone. Everything is super smooth. It is now a high level musical sketch pad! Highly recommended! ## Frequently asked questions about Staff Sketch Pad 2 ### What does Staff Sketch Pad 2 do? Staff Sketch Pad 2 allows you to write and compose music directly on your tablet using a stylus, finger, or Apple Pencil. It provides a digital alternative to traditional staff paper, enabling you to organize, edit, and share your musical creations. ### What are the key features of this music writing app? Key features include digital staff paper, optimization for Apple Pencil, folder organization for compositions, the ability to choose from common staff system templates or import your own, and easy sharing/printing of music as PDFs. It also offers copy/paste functionality and a symbol library. ### How much does Staff Sketch Pad 2 cost? Based on the provided information, this app is a paid application. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or advertisements, suggesting a one-time purchase model. ### What devices is Staff Sketch Pad 2 compatible with? The app is optimized for iPad and specifically mentions using the Apple Pencil, indicating compatibility with Apple's tablet devices. It leverages features from the Apple Drawing Palette. ### How can I use Staff Sketch Pad 2 for teaching or collaboration? You can display your iPad with your compositions in virtual meetings to showcase your work or use it as a teaching aid. The ability to quickly share your music as a PDF or directly with other users also facilitates collaboration and educational purposes. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.5.4 — 2021-04-08 Added clipboard functionality, and a symbol library. ### 2.5.3 — 2021-02-20 Added introduction help for first time users ### 2.5.2 — 2021-02-11 Added trashcan folder & "empty trash" functionality. ### 2.5.1 — 2021-02-07 A bug fix to ensure the folder being deleted is the one chosen. ### 2.0.4 — 2021-02-01 Fixing crash when adding a new folder would not be visible on the screen. --- *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 2026-07-05.*