The PadMu is a specialized sheet music reader designed for musicians. It comes in a single version and a double version so you can choose to have one or two 13.3-inch E Ink screens.
It works in conjunction with the PadMu Controller app for Android, which can be used to control the device remotely and open and close files.
At its core, the PadMu is a rebranded Onyx Boox Max so it shares the same exact hardware.
But the problem is it’s the older Max Carta version without the upgraded hardware and newer Android software.
Aside from the onboard PadMu app, I don’t see what the difference is, and the regular Onyx Boox Max Carta is much cheaper now with the Max2 out, currently $549 at Amazon and €549 at Amazon IT.
But the PadMu adds the possibility to use two screens, which isn’t normally an option with the Onyx Boox Max.
The PadMu is shipping now and is currently selling for €719 for the single version and €1428 for the double version from the PadMu website.
The PadMU and the GVIDO appear to be the only double page life-size sheet music display devices available now (April 2018) and there is not a big price difference. The choice between the two might depend upon library features (assuming that they both read PDF files).
The competing GVIDO is controlled by a special pen (not a finger) and it is not backlit. It would be nice to know how PadMU compares on those two features.
It’s the same story with this. It doesn’t have a frontlight and it has a stylus. I don’t know why they’re using old hardware, though. The newer Boox Max2 has much better hardware and newer software.
At my age my eyesight can only get worse to I want a life-sized electronic music display device and I am unwilling to forfeit the ability to see two pages of sheet music at the same time. Therefore I want dual screens as provided by PadMu and Gvido, even though they are very expensive. I hesitate to buy before learning about the software.
1. Can one use Mobile Sheets for finding a bookmark (e.g. Baritone sax) with a selected PDF file?L
2. Do PDF files have to be loaded into a proprietary database and if so, how can bookmarks be passed on to the database (e.g. Baritone sax)?
3. Are multiple libraries permitted?
4. Can it handle a library of 3000 files?
5. How long does it take to find s selected file in a library of 3000 files?
Are there better or cheaper dual-screen music display devices expected to hit the market in 2019?
Sorry but I’ve never used either do I can’t answer your questions.
(kris…again)
Transfer to PadMu is by PC Folder to PadMu folder, internal memory (it has wifi), google drive, or drop box.
LCD screens were out for me -my eyesight is bad after 15 min of gaming on cell. (ruled out anything that wasn’t an Eink screen – I can play for hours)
PadMu3 page turning is controlled by finger swipe or bluetooth pedal. (or phone app)
PadMu3 is not backlit… from what I read it is not feasible for a 12inch screen.
As far as memory, I have over 1600 songs and have 50Gs left.
I also thought I could not live without seeing two pages at once. However after adding a bluetooth pedal, I now believe I can.
New version of Padmu2 enables finger controlling :
https://www.padformusician.com/en/news/15-basic-functions-in-padmu-apps
regards;
I have a padmu 3. It has over 50G of useable memory. Each page I scan is about 100k. The App that comes with it allows multiple folders, tags, and is searchable. There is.no set way of naming PDFs. Bookmarks in my PDFs do not transfer into Padmus library, but new ones can be added. Searching is remarkably quick.
mobile sheets ( or most any Android app) can be used instead of Padmus app.
As far as I can tell each 12inch E-ink screen will run about $800…no matter who sells it.
I didn’t like Gvideos memory or proprietary naming convention.
I ended up spending on a 1 screen Padmu ( can be updated to 2later)
I’m a pianist, I think of buying Boox Max2 after reading this article
Go Max 3…. More memory and updated Android
Hi Kris, thank you for the input! Like you said, mobile sheets ( or most any Android app) can be used instead of Padmus app. I’m going to download Scribd, Muscore, to edit music and use google drive to Read PDF sheet music!
I didn’t have an Eink pad at all…the PadMu was almost the same price as a Boox Max 3. Since my main purpose was coverting my physical library to digital I went with a Padmu.
Kris, after reading your comment, I decide to go for Max3 and pass Max2.
You purchase PadMu3 and you mentioned that your main purpose is converting physical library to digital. Does PadMu 3 software support this scan function directly? PadMu system turn pages faster than Max3 PDF Apps like muscore? Really appreciate your input!
Which site did you purchase your device, I’m about to go for it!
Hi Kris, I just purchased Padmu Boox Max3 after reading your view!
I like this device a lot with Padmu library, however I use Musescore a lot for its large selection, I’m trying to use Musescore App on this device, however it doesn’t allow me sign in with facebook, there are always errors. I tryed to sign up with Google, and even subscribed pro version, but it still doesn’t show any content.
Does E ink device always have difficulties running apps? What should I do to fix it?
Thank you for sugguestion!
I haven’t tried many apps on my Padmu so don’t know how many act up.
I use Musescore on my PC, convert files to B&W, then transfer the files to Padmu
Maybe trying the Musescore App in Boox mode, instead of the Padmu mode – if you haven’t done that.
Or just going to the web page instead of using apps.
(just saw your question)
It is still not clear to me what the differences are between the Onyx and Padmu. What does the Padmu software add? Is it just their own file management or is there more? My main aim is to scan and upload all my pdf instruction books and sheet music I have collected through the years. Can anyone explain to me the Padmu extra? Thank you.