Why MusicXML changes everything

PDFs are pictures

Most music apps are built around PDFs - pictures of musical pages. PDFs can't transpose, can't reflow to your screen, and don't know what the notes are. They're images.

MusicXML is music data

Musync is built on MusicXML, the universal music data format used by Sibelius, Finale, MuseScore, and Dorico. Because Musync understands every note, rest, and dynamic on the page, your scores can scroll with your playing, adapt to any screen, transpose in one tap, and follow you across phone, tablet, iOS, and Android.

That's what makes the differences below possible.

Paper vs. PDF vs. Musync

Portability

Paper
Physical copies only
PDF
Available on one device at a time
Musync(Interactive MusicXML)
Cloud-synced, multi-device

Playback

Paper
None
PDF
None
Musync(Interactive MusicXML)
Full audio playback + tempo control

Score Flow Speed

Paper
Page turns required
PDF
Manual only
Musync(Interactive MusicXML)
Tempo-aware auto-scrolling

Performance Mode

Paper
Page turns required
PDF
Tap or pedal required
Musync(Interactive MusicXML)
Auto-scroll + pedal adjustment

Annotations

Paper
Natural, but messy
PDF
Limited annotation tools
Musync(Interactive MusicXML)
Rich, layered, shareable

Score Navigation

Paper
Manual
PDF
Limited navigation tools
Musync(Interactive MusicXML)
Instantly jump to measures, sections, and rehearsal marks

Library Search

Paper
None
PDF
Yes
Musync(Interactive MusicXML)
Yes

Collaboration

Paper
Pass papers around
PDF
Requires file sharing tools
Musync(Interactive MusicXML)
Real-time sharing

Score Adaptability

Paper
Fixed
PDF
Fixed
Musync(Interactive MusicXML)
Resize and reflow music for your device

Ensemble Sync

Paper
None
PDF
Musician manages their own part separately
Musync(Interactive MusicXML)
Sync the conductor and every part automatically

Data & Insights

Paper
None
PDF
None
Musync(Interactive MusicXML)
Practice & performance insights

How do I move from paper and PDF to Musync?

Get Started For Free

Download Musync on your device. The Basic tier is free - no credit card or commitment required.