Notion App Reviews

I have used this app with some frequency for about a year. It crashed on me once or twice when I first got it, but not since then, and lets face it, all apps crash occasionally. I use it with my Yamaha electric keyboard, and I love that they are compatible. Great app.

Truly outstanding notation app! Im constantly using this app to prepare pieces for production work with Cubase. Would give it 5 stars if the developers would bring he handwriting feature to the iPhone family.

I own lots of music apps and only now writing my first review just because some said StaffPad on Windows is better. I also own StaffPad running on my Surface Pro 3. I was so frustrated with its handwriting recognition that Ive already given it up. Notion handwriting recognition is much better even though it recognizes a smaller set of score elements than that of StaffPad but those are what I use the most. I can supplement it and easily fix my mistakes by going back to the tool pallet where I cant on StaffPad. I love this feature so much that I gave Notion five stars. I am thinking of purchasing Notion desk top version even though Ive already own Sibelius and Finale.

I gave this app a five rating in the past but now that I use the handwriting feature, I gave it a 4 since its still evolving; that said: I didnt get past 10 measures w/o the handwriting feature and now its conceivable to do 50+ measures. So its definitely a productivity boost.

The handwriting area is so small, and I cant even zoom out. I wish it was bigger or at least let you use split view. I cant see what Im writing most of the time. Also, using the Apple Pencil, no matter how neat I write it it doesnt recognize my notes most of the times. It sometimes jumps to the next measure when I clearly have more beats left. The app in general is okay, but I was really looking forward to writing my music out.

It is super hard to navigate the app

8/3 Update to Handwriting features: After using the Handwriting part of this app a lot more over the last couple days Ive found it to be very useful! The accuracy has improved,maybe because I have improved at using it or that its learning (similar to Notateme app, but better) my writing style. Also Ive found that it actually notates quicker (to a limit) the faster I write(?)! I know that sounds strange, but I find it to be true. And although I still believe it needs a larger writing area with on screen palm rejection added; I have found a comfortable way to rest my writing hand on the ipad so not to hit the tool bar at the bottom and even close the app sometimes. Nothing like it out there for iOS. 5 stars. Go for it!! 7/31 Overall a very good app! good sounds,good interface, iCloud, Dropbox...however you might want to wait on handwriting with Apple Pencil OR other stylus ( no, you dont have to have a Apple Pencil)part to come out of its beta. Yes, I said beta even though its not but at a $7.99 price its not even close to prime time, otherwise it works okay, you just have be patient when first learning to understand its capabilities and sensitive ways...but regardless Ive found in most cases it just easier to do without. I have one request from developers to work on a larger area for handwriting and an option to move tool pallet out of the way (top or side). I would recommend this app to a friend.

I was relatively happy with Notion until I attempted to compose using multiple voices for piano - then it becomes cumbersome and inefficient. Ive also experienced consistent and frustrating crashes using certain instruments and was told by PreSonus that hopefully that would be addressed with a future update. Yes, one certainly hopes for functional usability! For very simple music notation, its great, but Notion definitely has limitations.

For classical guitar players this is a very good program. However, this app still needs further development. + The pros: easy to use, intuitive and the playback sound is nice. + The cons: it still needs work for guitar articulation. You cant make adjustments to the positioning of articulations. There needs to be a way to indicate bar chord markings. It doesnt allow mordant markings. Lets just have a 0 for the open-string symbol instead of the 0 inside of the circle, and make the string symbols font a little smaller. Im sure these issue will be addressed in the future. That said, I still like the app and I do recommend it. I find it especially useful for improving my reading and writing skills and for figuring out timing.

As a college student this app is nice. I can transcribe pieces and transpose them to my instrument. I can also put together failry decent arrangements. The handwriting is a little buggy buit Ive learned not to get too fancy, and its really not a problem. Although I cant for the life of me get grace notes to cooperate with me. Still a very handy and useful app just make sure you have the room for it so it doesnt crash that often.

This app is excellent for working on-the-go. It opens midi files from any desktop notation or DAW app. I love the portability of my iPad and am glad this app allows me to teach composition and theory, or create instrumental exercises right during the lesson, without having to lug my laptop everywhere I go. The finished product looks clean and elegant on its own, and you can always transfer it to your desktop app via MIDI for finishing-touch engraving.

This app is great for composers for instrumental music. However, it is not singer friendly. I got this planning to use it in creating lead sheets to be printed. However, there is no way to independently increase lyrics font size. At the moment, lyrics size increase is dependent on notation. So at the moment, its use for singers in the praise team, choir, or congregation is rather nil.

Its not working on IOS 10 ..... i feel like i lose my money :/

I cant speak to Notions performance with iOS 9 and earlier versions, but attempting to select notes and other elements by any method - even just trying to choose the Select icon - will crash the app if youre running iOS 10. Not just occasionally - every time. So you either need to get it right the first time on your iPad, or edit in the Windows or Mac versions of Notion. It runs in Windows 10 and Mac OS X 10.1, but all other bets are off. Presonus is aware of the problem in iOS 10, but is uncertain about when itll be fixed. Until then, *dont buy it* if youve already updated to iOS 10.

For the iPad, Notion is incredibly intuitive and creates very professional looking scores! Would highly recommend!

When this app works, its amazing! However, nearly every time I work on a score, I encounter an ever growing list of bugs. At last check, the app hasnt been updated in over 9 months. For a paid app, Id expect far more frequent updates. Unfortunately there arent many good alternatives, though. Be prepared to be frustrated on a regular basis.

Is crash always. Make me up sad.

This app used to be fantastic. Ever since IOS 10 this app constantly crashes. When highlighting anything the app freezes and then crashes, EVERY TIME! Do not waste your money on this app until the issues it has are resolved.

Initially found this app promising for use on an iPad. Unfortunately, the more Ive used it the more I have encountered problems. A serious update is needed. Too many glitchy problems make it infuriating to use. Its okay for hobbiests to tinker around with, but serious composers should stick to their pro apps! Price seems fair until you discover the upgrades arent such a bargain. Just wish it was better!

I have used this app for a very long time. Ive composed three full-scale musicals with the app, and multiple small projects, including background music for a new film. But this app has been turning south for quite some time. With the new iOS 10 upgrade, Notion is constantly crashing, is incapable of playback when Im trying to multitask (I.e. If Im trying to transpose a song from YouTube), and dont get me started on how desperately this app needs an updated filing system. The app is almost archaic in some of its capabilities, and I know its silly to expect so much from an iPad app, but it hasnt been updated since December 2015. Please, devs. Its been almost a year since the last update, and I am begging you, as a once-proud patron of Notion, please bring us an update. Even just minor bug fixes. I used to love this app, but its become more and more frustrating to use as the world keeps moving forwards, and this app stays stuck in time and space.