Finale Forum

I have fussed some with Sidecar (using an iPad as a second screen) but I've never been able to get it to work, possibly because my iPad is too old.

Has anyone found Sidecar useful with Finale?

::: Bill

I find a 2nd monitor useful for displaying the manuscripts I'm transcribing. Working on my laptop, I have used my iPad to show reference info, both as an independent screen and as a 2nd display using Duet, third-party software that does the same thing as Sidecar (but supports older hardware).

You can have more than one window of the same document open in Finale, showing a part in one and the score in another. That may be useful for some.

I have 3 monitors and always use at least two — don’t want to work any other way. Sidecar offers the possibility of being able to use pencil entry on a desktop or laptop Mac but only if the app supports it. It will surprise the heck out of me if it works but...

With external monitors so cheap, if you have no other need for an iPad, it makes no sense to get one. 24” monitors can be found new for less than $90. Adapters/cables may run as much as $16 or so. If you look on Craigslist, $25 for a good used 20” isn’t unusual.

The only thing you don’t have is battery power and interactive support — again, no idea if that works in Finale.

Sidecar only works on iPads that support the Apple Pencil. Here’s the list.
https://9to5mac.com/2019/10/07/macos-c ... d-sidecar/

I have an iPad Pro and my daughter has the Apple Pencil. If no one chimes in, I can make some time and try to see if that can work.

Thanks to both of you for the comments and suggestions.

::: Bill