Last week, BandHelper users were invited to answer a one-question survey:
"If you could change one thing to make BandHelper better, what would it be?" I'm still analyzing the responses and deciding how to prioritize the requests, but here are the basic results:
Features that already exist: 35%!This is good news because it means BandHelper already provides most of the functionality people are looking for. But it's also bad news because it means some of that functionality is hard to find. Here are some of the features that people commonly weren't aware of:
- Main menu shortcuts (https://www.bandhelper.com/tutorials/app_shortcuts.html#menu) to navigate quickly to a set list
- Smart Lists (https://www.bandhelper.com/tutorials/building_smart_lists.html) and the Quick Add button (https://www.bandhelper.com/tutorials/app_shortcuts.html#quick_add) for viewing songs that aren't in the current set list
- Inserting images (https://www.bandhelper.com/tutorials/adding_lyrics.html#entering) into the Lyrics field
- Personal lyrics (https://www.bandhelper.com/tutorials/synchronizing_devices.html), notes or annotations
- Recording controls (https://www.bandhelper.com/tutorials/advanced_audio.html#looping) to slow down or loop a recording
- Scalable layouts (https://www.bandhelper.com/tutorials/changing_layouts.html#sharing) to share layouts across devices
- Projects (https://www.bandhelper.com/tutorials/projects.html) to manage multiple bands in one account
- Syncing events (https://www.bandhelper.com/tutorials/sharing_your_calendar.html) to third-party calendars
New features: 32%Some of the most commonly requested new features have been on my wish list for a while, but their popularity is making me take a closer look at the feasibility of implementing them:
- Adding annotations to the Lyrics field
- Adding an auto-scroll alternative based on setting timestamps for lines of lyrics
- Reworking the Quick Add button as a larger, more search-oriented function
- Adding a way to edit the set list song order from the set list view
Usability improvements: 15%Usability concerns mainly focused on flattening the navigational structure in the apps (especially the path to view, edit or share a set list) and making layouts easier to edit (especially selecting and dragging layout items on smaller screens). Other requests were to simplify the edit pages, make edit fields easier to access when the on-screen keyboard is showing, and conform more to the design patterns of each platform.
Graphic design updates: 2%Some users were interested in a refreshed or more modern looking user interface. These requests rarely specified the mobile apps or the website, but I'm guessing most were referring to the website since the app design has been refreshed a few times already.
Business considerations: 1%A few users asked for changes to pricing, device support or the tech support process.
Specific bugs: 4%Some users took the opportunity to report specific bugs they have seen. In most cases, I referred those to the help desk so we can collect troubleshooting info.
Nothing!: 8%Although the survey was optional, a surprising number of users responded just to say that they like everything as it is and don't see anything that needs improvement. That's nice!
I'm sure you'll be hearing more about some of these requests in the coming months. Thanks to all who participated.
Inserting images into the Lyrics field
Thank you.
I was wondering why, Inserting Image was always greyed out. IE Insert an Image as a Document.
However, I use MacOS, and PNG is not supported
I found this Link (https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-change-default-screenshot-format-mac/) that may help
Thanks, Arlo, for your dedication to excellence.
Ah, I thought of something that would be really useful when editing a song.
Be able to add a song to a set list right from the song editor. Perhaps a pull down like when adding a song to a set, you can choose a set list from which to select. Like that, but adding to, rather than selecting from. Even if it was just added to the end of the last set would be good. I suppose being able to choose the set name to add it to would be useful as well, but that would be a stretch goal. :)
The place I see this being really useful is when adding a song for the first time, it would be nice to be able to add to one or more sets, like practice lists, for example.
Quote from: JLHerrmann on February 15, 2025, 08:44:24 AMBe able to add a song to a set list right from the song editor.
That's on my wish list and I'll add a vote for you.
I've made the request for be able to queue a song. Does that fall under the umbrella of being able to reorder songs from the set list view?
I had totally missed the fact you can open settings from the toolbar at the top. Oops and thank you Arlo for responding with that hint personally, suggesting maybe I had an old app (nope just me being oblivious). Going to be taking the app out very soon and will be using that to more quickly re-connect to my AirTurn AirDirect pedal (BT500 range) as I've noticed that it seems you have to reconnect manually unlike "Bluetooth keyboard" style page turners like my original AirTurn pedal, something Arlo said he was going to check. Thanks Arlo for this great app.
In our German discussion board there are some questions regarding importing songs in ChordPro format. On the website there is only the option for bulk import, maybe zip a single file and import it, what's more effort.
Also the question for importing ChrodPro files directly from other apps, e.g. Ultimate Guitar Pro.
Today's app version 2025-03-14 includes several changes to simplify the app navigation, inspired by the survey results:
- An All Songs button at the top of the Repertoire menu, and at the top of the title shortcuts within the set list view, makes it easier for new users to start viewing songs. This basically works like the Active Songs smart list, so if you have that in your shortcuts, you could remove it.
- Settings > General > Interface Level > Simplified encloses most of the menu items under "More" buttons, hides some less-used fields on the song and event edit pages, and hides all layouts except those marked as favorites or added by the current user. You can turn on the Simplified setting for your bandmates from the Admin > Users page of the website.
- "More" buttons (three dots icon) on the main menu shortcuts let you jump directly to the edit and share options for an item.
- An Edit button (pencil icon) in the top toolbar of the set list view lets you edit a set list's songs without leaving the set list view. The existing Edit Song and Edit Layout functions are combined into this button.
- The Quick Add and Quick MIDI buttons in the set list view are combined into a single Search button.
- Some of the Settings pages are reorganized and grouped more clearly.
Quote from: JLHerrmann on February 15, 2025, 08:44:24 AMBe able to add a song to a set list right from the song editor.
In the new app version 2025-03-21 released today, the song edit page has an Add To Set List button, near the bottom of the page. Similarly, the MIDI preset edit page has an Add To Song button.
This version also adds one of the most requested new features: you can now write annotations onto the Lyrics field. This is shown in step 11 on this page:
https://www.bandhelper.com/tutorials/adding_lyrics.html
Love these updates Arlo! Keep 'em coming!
I released more usability updates today, for the website:
- The left sidebar with filters on list pages and Save/Cancel buttons on edit pages now uses sticky scrolling, so those items don't scroll out of view when scrolling the main content.
- The Save/Cancel buttons in popup windows are now in a top toolbar, like in the mobile apps.
- Some tutorials have a "TL;DR" box at the top, summarizing the info in one or two sentences.
Also, I recorded this video showing some of the commonly requested features that already exist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL6vQYg1WQo