Setting up a digital music reading system will vary according to the type of musician you are. Will you be primarily stationary in a fixed location, such as a church organist? Will you be mobile, working in a variety of settings, like a violinist? Or will you be semi-mobile, where your instrument(s) are in fixed locations, requiring you to only bring your music, much like a collaborative pianist/accompanist?

We'll start by discussing some general hardware and software requirements, then branch out into specific accessories for different types of musicians.

Computers

The first component is the computer itself. For stationary musicians, a desktop computer might make the best choice, while mobile and semi-mobile musicians should consider laptops or Tablet PC's. For stationary musicians using desktop computers, you can take advantage of larger screen options to make viewing your music easier. For laptop users, you will need to weigh your options between smaller screen sizes and overall weight. For instance, larger 17 inch laptop screens will add some heft over 15 or 12 inch models, yet offer a better 2-page viewing option over their smaller counterparts.

Tablet PCs are another category of computer altogether. Introduced by Microsoft back in 2002, Tablet PC's run a variation of Windows XP for older machines, or Vista for current models. What makes these types of computer unique is twofold: 1. The Tablet PC is able to flip the screen around so that the keyboard is either partially or completely stowed away. Some models do away with the keyboard entirely. Music can be viewed either in landscape or portrait modes easily with Tablet PC's. 2. Tablet PC's come with digital pens and feature seamless ink capabilities and excellent handwriting recognition. Some models also feature dual pen and touch features, allowing you to interact with the screen with both the digital pen and your finger.

Music Reading Programs

There are a wide variety of programs that can be used for reading digital music. The simplest options for reading lead sheets or chord charts are word processing programs such as Microsoft Word or Open Office's equivalent, Writer. For musicians who need to read traditional notation, most digital music scores are available as PDF documents. PDF readers such as Adobe's Reader or Primo PDF are some possible options, but if you are limited to reading scores in landscape mode (the typical viewing formats for standard laptops) on a small screen, you may not find these programs adequate. If you need to work with your scores by adding annotations that simulate pencil on paper, then you should consider either PDF Annotator (only for Windows computers), or MusicReader, which can import PDF files (and works with both Mac and PC's). MusicReader is rather unique its feature set, with an effective half-page viewing option for landscape screens, multiple page turning options, playlist creation, and a host of musical tools (metronome, tuner, audio recorder/player) built right into the user interface.

Page Turners

If you are an active performer, you will want to take advantage of page turning accessories that allow you to perform without having to turn pages with your hands the "old fashioned" way. The most common page turning devices come in the form of pedals that are either programmable or pre-programmed with set keystrokes. An example of a programmable pedal is the X-keys pedal by P.I. Engineering:

Bili, Inc. makes a USB-wired dual-pedal device called Footime which is preprogrammed to provide keystroke commands to advance digital pages forwards and backwards:

The AirTurn AT-104 is a wireless transmitter that connects to a variety of foot pedals and momentary switches, and is another example of a pre-programmed page turning device:

While the AirTurn's pedals are normally operated with feet, here's a unique example of an organist who uses his AirTurn with a single Roland DP-2 as a page turning hand switch:

Accessories

Digital Pens

If you want to be able to annotate music scores on your computer with digital ink, but are reluctant to invest in a Tablet PC, you can use a relatively low cost alternative, the Wacom Bamboo Graphics Tablet:

The Bamboo attaches to your computer via a USB cable, and is compatible with both Mac and PC computers. The pen works with a passive magnetic technology, doesn't require any batteries, and provides pressure-sensitive ink strokes for programs that can recognize that capability (PDF Annotator and MusicReader feature pressure-sensitive ink annotations).

Scanners

If you want to convert your paper scores into digital formats, you will need to use a scanner. While many flatbed scanners have a reputation for being somewhat slow to operate, an excellent option is the Plustek Opticbook 3600 Plus Book Scanner.

The Opticbook 3600 Plus was designed specifically for scanning books as opposed to graphics-intense photographs or art. The scanning surface glass comes right up to the edge to minimize the binder shadow from books. Scanning speeds are approximately twice as fast as standard flatbeds. Black and white music notation comes out particularly well in a variety of image formats that can be easily converted to PDF files.

Laptop Stands

If you are a "mobile" instrumentalist (violin, flute, guitar, etc.) and plan to use a standard laptop as a music reader, there are some interesting stand options available. We're actually in the process of evaluating a number of laptop stands and will report our findings soon, but here's a brief overview:

1. The Bili Laptop Stand
	The Bili Laptop Stand is the one of the smallest and lightest we've seen, similar in size and weight to a typical wire music stand. The top table can be removed and folded in thirds, with a rubber strap to help secure the laptop and prevent it from slipping off.
2. Laptop Tripods
	Laptop Tripods are much sturdier than the Bili Laptop Stands, and are available in 3 different sizes. The tradeoff with the sturdier design is increased weight and bulk. The table doesn't come with a strap, but a rubber anti-slip mat is included and seems reasonably effective at keeping the laptop secured. Then again, one would hope that there would never be a reason for the Laptop Tripod to be anything but perfectly parallel with a stable floor!
3. The InsTand
	After extensive testing, we've found the insTand laptop tripods to be the best overall option for musicians.  Combining the portability of standard music stands with sturdy build and innovative design features, the insTand laptop tripods are available in three sizes: the CR1 for seated musicians the CR3 for both standing and sitting positions the heavy duty CR5 chrome model. One of the most interesting features of the insTand's table top is the embedded anti-slip material which is surprisingly effective at keeping a laptop glued on at relatively steep angles. In our next articles, we'll take a look at some specific case studies to see how various musicians have assembled music reading systems to accommodate their particular musical needs.