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For DAW-led shows

PagePilot Conductor

When the backing track follows the DAW, your score can follow it too.

PagePilot Conductor sends the song number and playback position from your music-production software (DAW) to Viewer. Each player keeps their own score and prepared turn timings, including when rehearsal starts halfway through the song.

See the Viewer page

For an existing DAW-led setup

This page explains the Viewer side. DAW compatibility and how to obtain Conductor are not yet documented here.

Choose what will lead the rehearsal

If the DAW already plays backing tracks and controls song changes, Conductor connects that position to the scores. If you want a tablet to lead instead, use Sync Together; it does not require a computer or DAW. For one person using Viewer’s recording or metronome, automatic page turns may be all you need.

Conductor sends song number and elapsed time, not score files, page numbers, or turn settings. Prepare each Viewer’s own part and automatic turns before connecting. A pianist can keep a piano part, a guitarist a chord chart, and a vocalist lyrics.

1

The DAW is the clock

The song plays on a Mac or PC. Conductor reads the current song number and playback position from the DAW side.

2

Conductor broadcasts to every Viewer

Nearby iPad and Android tablets receive the same show timeline, so every Viewer follows the same playback position.

3

Each Viewer turns its own score

The score files can differ. Each Viewer uses the page-turn timings saved for that score, while staying aligned with the DAW.

Mac / PC DAW now 0:47 Conductor in the DAW PagePilot Conductor Song #3 0:47.000 BLE / LAN Viewer A 42 sec 0:47 Viewer B 58 sec 0:47 Viewer C 76 sec 0:47
Conductor does not send the score files themselves. It sends song number and playback position. Each Viewer uses its own score and page-turn data to follow the same DAW timeline.

Check the two ends before planning the show

You need Conductor running on the DAW side and Viewer on each player’s device. Tablets are recommended; smartphones are also supported. This page does not establish supported DAW versions, operating systems, or a Conductor download route. Confirm the DAW-side requirements through the information supplied with Conductor before choosing this setup.

On the Viewer side, prepare the setlist, each player’s score, and the automatic turns. Match song numbers to the DAW’s songs; a number that selects the wrong song is a preparation problem even when the connection works.

Test one mapped song

  1. Open the prepared setlist in Viewer and use Connect to Conductor to connect. Choose BLE or LAN to match the method supported by that Conductor.
  2. Open Conductor Setlist to check that the DAW song number points to the intended Viewer song. This screen checks the matches; change a song’s number in Item Settings if needed.
  3. Play one song from the DAW. Check that the intended score opens and that one prepared page turn happens at the required point.
  4. Stop and start partway through the song from the DAW. Check that Viewer follows the new position and displays the page your part needs.

After that trial, check all mapped songs and jumps used in the show. A page-turn setting prepared to a different recording still needs checking against the DAW’s actual playback.

Viewer’s Conductor preparation guide

The connection needs to fit the venue

Viewer offers BLE and LAN; the Conductor you use determines which methods are available. BLE depends on distance and radio conditions. LAN requires the same network, direct communication between devices, and local-network access permission. Guest Wi-Fi that isolates clients does not work.

Keep Viewer visible during the performance. Following pauses in the background and resyncs on return. When a received song number has no match, automatic following pauses and the current page remains visible.

If following stops or selects the wrong song

  • Conductor is not found: use Conductor connection to check the selected method, permissions, and network or distance.
  • The wrong song opens: check duplicate and missing numbers in Conductor setlist mapping. Fix song numbers before continuing sync.
  • Position has drifted: resync from connection status.
  • The score follows but audio disappears: use Mixer Settings to separate output trouble from an audio interruption on this following device.

If your show does not already use a DAW, begin with one song in Viewer or two tablets together before adding this connection.