Xenon Labs has updated Symphony Pro, its iOS music notation software, adding handwriting recognition, PDF vector support and more.

Here’s what’s new in Symphony Pro version 5:

Handwriting Recognition:

• Symphony Pro now recognizes your handwriting and turns it into formatted notation as you edit (In-App purchase).
• Perfect with Apple Pencil, and works great with touch or capacitive stylus

Selected features & improvements:

• SCORE LAYOUT & PART MANAGEMENT
• View & edit with infinite vertical scrolling, which is now default. To enable, go under Score Menu > Score View Mode
• Split Screen Mode window support to bring open another app window alongside SP
• Staff Side panel can now be found in any of the three View Modes
• Show context shortcuts to add new instrument, edit or delete an existing part, or select an entire part
• Export Menu now features an ‘All Parts’ option under Export Options to export each individual instrument as a separate printout
• Part names/labels are customizable in font/color under Score > Display Settings > Part Labels

Import/Export:

• Better MusicXML interoperability with Dorico, Sibelius™, MuseScore, and Finale™
• Vector-based document export to PDF & AirPrint
• Customizable document margins under Display Settings > Page Sizes
• Numerous import & export enhancements & bug fixes to PDF, MIDI, MusicXML formats

Playback:

• Professionally sound-designed instruments for 36 of the orchestral, wind, and percussion/unpitched percussion libraries
• Bluetooth MIDI devices can now be connected with the app by unde Playback Options > MIDI / Recording Options > MIDI Connections > Bluetooth Setup
• Tap any location on score to reposition playhead in real-time
• When starting playback mid-score, preceding score dynamics & tempo changes (i.e. crescendi, metronome marks) are now pre-simulated, meaning the performance is always consistent no matter where you begin playback

Universal App – As of the official launch of SP5, both existing & new customers who’ve purchased Symphony Pro are able to download this app for free on their iPhone

Editing Features:

Symphony Pro now allows you to define how beams are grouped by default by specifying a custom meter. First open the Measure Dialog, the navigate to Time/Key > Configure Meter

Use the On-Screen Piano to enter Percussion notes from Drum Staff via new Heads-Up Display

Tablature:

• Notation to Tab support when copying & pasting: See the full release notes for details
• Supports customizable numbers of strings
• Favorited Score Symbols allows you to include expressions of your choice under the new Favorites category for quicker access to commonly used articulations, dynamics, expressions, and text element
• Customizable text for Rehearsal/Section Marks: first select the symbol, then tap ‘Edit Section Text

Pricing and Availability

Symphony Pro is available now for US $14.99, with handwriting recognition available as a $9.99 In-App purchase.