Are you switching from paper sheet music to reading music from a tablet? But do you find it difficult to turn pages or scroll? Then you will need something like a Bluetooth page turner pedal. With it, you can keep your focus and hands on your instrument. Let’s dive into the best page-turning pedals!
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There are many reasons why you should start digitalising your sheet music. It’s so much easier. No more paper stacks, no more pages falling from your music stand. Also, there are many great score apps where you can download or open any score you like. Often for a monthly subscription.
If you need help with buying a tablet and want more info then check out these two articles. You will find the best tablets for sheet music and all the things you need to look out for. If you’re on a tight budget check out my article about the best budget sheet music tablets for under $600.
Top 3 Bluetooth Foot Pedal Page Turner
There are many different ones out there. Too many to choose actually. That’s why I have lined up a top 3 ranging from cheap to more advanced. Either of these three will be good. It’s simply a matter of what quality and functions you need.
The 5 Sheet Music Pedals In This Guide
- PageFlip Dragonfly is the most advanced page-turner on the list. It is great for musicians who need professional quality and control. Read More.
- AirTurn DUO 500 is the most versatile option. It has a rechargeable battery and the software integration is effortless. Read More.
- IK Multimedia iRig BlueTurn is durable and easy to use. Simplicity with a beautiful design. Read More.
- Donner Bluetooth Page Turner This no-thrills foot switch is great for anybody on a budget. Especially for musicians who don’t need it for gigging or concerts. Read More.
- STOMP Page Turner is for any musician who needs a pedal that a truck could drive over. Its durable build is perfect for any travelling performer. Read More.
There are important things that you need to watch out for before buying. That’s why I made a buying guide with all the practical things explained. So if you are not sure what you need to be looking for check this out first.
PageFlip Dragonfly
The silent hands-free pager turners from PageFlip are the most popular ones out there. There are several different types available ranging from relatively cheap to professional. The PageFlip Dragonfly is their most advanced product. I find it to be their most versatile and worth-your-money option. Any serious performing musician will benefit by using it.
The connectivity and universal support for most score apps are great. This makes it a great page turning pedal for iPad and Android. The hardware buttons for changing settings should be enough for most musicians. But if you want to change some functionality you can do this by installing their software on your Mac/computer. What I do find too bad is that it isn’t rechargeable and that it works on batteries. Also, I would have liked an app to be able to program the settings.
Pros
- Silent page turning
- Lights on all 4 pedals
- 2 primary and 2 secondary pedals
- Strong high-impact plastic
- Sleep mode
Cons
- Uses batteries (not included)
- No special app. Programming via Windows or Mac software
AirTurn DUO 500
The Airturn DUO BT-500 is a professional page turner foot pedal. It is probably the best competitor of the PageFlip products. I find it to be a very complete item. I love that you can change button functionality with the AirTurn app on your phone. This saves you from going back to your computer. Like other pedals the connectivity and compatibility are great. Dare I say one of the most versatile.
The build is sturdy like others. A smart detail is that you can detach the middle receiver part so that it functions like a handheld remote. Handy for anybody who needs to do presentations between concerts or music activities. The foot pedals are silent as they should be.
Pros
- Rechargeable
- The middle part can be detached
- 7 Operational modes
- App for changing button functions
- Midi compatibility
Cons
- Rubber pads on the back could be bigger
- No pedal lighting
- Setup can be complicated for some
IK Multimedia iRig BlueTurn
The IK Multimedia iRig BlueTurn is a no-nonsense machine. There can be no confusion about the button functions. And for the price, the construction of the case is excellent and durable. The blue rubber-like buttons are comfortable to press, noiseless and light up. Setting up should be a breeze with any operating system. If you don’t need a huge amount of functionality then this is the right fit for you. For many, it’s their favourite iPad page turner pedal for on the road.
The compact design is also a possible drawback. If you have larger feet for example, then the buttons can be too small and close together. Due to its lightweight, the pedal can move around when pressing the buttons. Also, a rechargeable battery would have been better. But all in all, this is a great choice!
Pros
- Super clear layout
- Compact and small
- Noiseless buttons
- Fast connectivity
Cons
- Uses batteries
- Can be too small and lightweight for some
Donner Wireless Page Turner
Donner is a well-known brand. They produce amps, cables and more. The Donner Wireless Page Turner fits perfectly in their line of products. It is great when you look at the price and what you get. Maybe it’s even the best one on this list for that reason.
The build quality is fine and there are enough modes for control for any kind of musician. Also, the compatibility with apps is good. There are some complaints about the pedal not staying connected sometimes. So this is something to watch out for. But for the rest, I cannot recommend this pedal enough.
Pros
- Rechargeable battery
- Long connection distance
- Great compatibility
- Enough different modes for control
- Silent
Cons
- Seldomely the connectivity can be unreliable
STOMP Page Turner
The Stomp music page turner from Coda Music Technologies has the most impressive build quality. During your gigs, you don’t have to be gentle with this pedal. The metal casing is built to last. It looks a lot like my other guitar pedals and that’s what I like about it. It blends right in.
When it comes to functionality it offers enough for most musicians. Anyway most of us only need the page switch/scroll options. The Stomp Bluetooth pedal is great, but I do find the price tag to be a bit much. However, a cool feature is that when you use the adapter it can charge your tablet.
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Metal construction
- Long range
- Separate adapter can be ordered
Cons
- Replacing batteries is a process
- Expensive
- The buttons are not silent
Best Bluetooth Page Turner Tablet Buying Guide
Just like buying any other music product, you need to know what to look for. In general, musicians are picky when it comes to buying new equipment. Which is a good thing.
Pedal design and build
When something looks nice from the outside it’s easy to make a mistake. Maybe the design looks great but the quality is horrible. Things that you need to consider are:
- The build quality and material of the casing
- Are the buttons silent?
- Is the pedal light enough, but not too light?
- Is the pedal portable?
Most sheet music page turner pedals are made from plastic. Which is not an issue for many. Unless you intend on giving it a hard time, plastic should be fine. What you want to avoid is a pedal that makes noise when you press the buttons. Especially during quiet performances or studio recordings. If it is noisy it would render it useless. Also, for many of us portability is a plus. But watch out that the pedal is not too light. It might slip and move when you switch pages.
Connectivity
All the pedals from this list have great connectivity. But some cheaper ones that are not on this list might not be that reliable. The last thing that you want is for your pedal to disconnect during a performance. Also, each pedal has a different connectivity range. The differences can be quite big from brand to brand. So be sure to watch for that.
Battery
I prefer a pedal that has a rechargeable battery inside. This way I will always feel secure and in control. And if the one that you want to buy works with batteries, then at least check if it has an adapter.
Compatibility
One of the most important things is compatibility with other apps. This seems like a no-brainer but not all page-turners support the same software. So be sure to check if your favourite music apps are on the list.
Functionality
The functionality is not that important to me personally. If it turns the pages and can scroll, then I am happy. But if you have a more complex and demanding setup then you need to look for something more advanced. Just keep in mind that some pedals require you to do the programming of buttons on your computer.
