See it in action

Transcript

songdocker keeps a band's songs set lists and gig books in one place, and takes them to the stage as a PDF that needs no WiFi or cellular signal.

Here is the whole idea. Type a song in once, chords above the words, and songdocker turns it into a page your band reads on stage.

Start by pasting a song in, importing a PDF, or just typing in the lyrics and chords. It lays out properly, with no special syntax to learn, unless you prefer to use ChordPro directly.

If you like, link a recording to the song, whether it is a live video, a demo, or a rehearsal take. Just paste a URL and songdocker reads the track's length which is used to track the running time of your sets. Otherwise, an average song length is used. Sharing live recordings can be helpful for band members to practice with.

Fix a chart and it is fixed for everyone in the band. Change the key, set a capo, or switch to Nashville numbers. The charts follow the way you actually play: so a bass player gets the 'true key', while the guitarist might use a capo.

Do you play instruments with different numbers of strings? Write a {define} line into the song and songdocker draws that shape instead — four strings for a ukulele, three for a cigar box guitar, whatever you actually play.

If you're a songwriter, you can download your entire collection as one PDF — every song on its own page, alphabetical, with a contents page.

Not sure what a particular chord shape is called? Pick your tuning, place your fingering on the grid, and songdocker will show you the applicable names. Here it's a ukulele. Save a chord shape and it is offered to your whole band the next time that chord comes up.

Build the gig list by dragging songs into your sets. You can drag them around to reorder them as well. songdocker adds up the running time as you go so you can gauge your set lengths.

On stage, the PDF shows one song per page, in gig order. No apps or WiFi connection to worry about. Just download the PDF to your tablet or phone before you head out. You can choose to include chord diagrams, or just leave them off.

Or, print the gig for a three-ring binder. It includes a cover page, table of contents, and every chart, with optional separator pages between sets.

You also have a web site for the gig, if you would rather see it that way and you know the venue has a solid connection.

Tap a title in the contents and land straight on its page. Works nicely with blue-tooth paging pedals.

One plan covers the whole band. Thirty-nine dollars a year, up to ten people, each with their own login. Find it at songdocker dot com.