GigScroll User Guide

Your Complete Guide to Performing with Confidence

Table of Contents

1. Getting Started

Welcome

GigScroll is a professional lyrics teleprompter designed for live performers. It displays your song lyrics on your iPad screen with smooth auto-scrolling, customizable fonts, and stage-ready themes. Whether you perform in small venues or on large stages, GigScroll helps you keep your place in every song.

First Launch

When you open GigScroll for the first time, a 7-page tutorial will appear. The tutorial covers these topics:

  1. Welcome to GigScroll — An introduction to the app
  2. Find Your Lyrics — How to search online or add songs manually
  3. Build Setlists — How to organize songs for your performances
  4. Perform with Confidence — How auto-scrolling works and how to control the pace
  5. Record Your Performances — How to capture video while you perform
  6. Customize Your Font — How to change font size for all songs or new songs only
  7. Choose Your Theme — How to select a theme for stage visibility

You can move through the tutorial by tapping Next on each page. On the final page, tap Get Started to enter the app. You may also tap Skip at any time to go directly to the main screen.

If you want to view the tutorial again later, go to Settings and tap Show Tutorial Again.

Sample Songs

On first launch, GigScroll includes 8 sample songs that are pre-loaded into your song library. These songs cover a variety of genres — pop, country, rock, R&B, folk, and indie — so you can immediately explore how the app displays and scrolls lyrics. You can delete any or all of the sample songs at any time.

The Main Interface

The bottom of the screen contains three tabs. These tabs provide access to every part of the app.

Songs

Your complete song library. Browse all saved songs, search by title or artist, and add new songs. Tap any song to view or edit its lyrics.

Setlists

Organized collections of songs for your performances. Create a setlist for each gig, arrange the song order, and move through songs during a live show.

Settings

Configure themes, fonts, video recording, data management, foot pedal support, and more. This is also where you can view the tutorial again.

Getting Started Quickly

Start by opening the Songs tab and exploring the 8 sample songs. Tap a song, then tap the play button to see how auto-scrolling works. Once you are comfortable, add 5 to 10 of your most-performed songs. This will give you a useful library right away.

2. Managing Your Songs

GigScroll stores all of your songs in a local library on your iPad. You can add songs by searching online or by entering lyrics yourself.

2.1 Adding Songs — Online Search

  1. Open the Songs tab.
  2. Tap the + button in the top-right corner.
  3. Enter a song title or artist name. As you type, autocomplete suggestions appear below the search bar.

Instant Lyrics Indicator

Some suggestions display a bolt icon next to the title. This icon means that lyrics are available for immediate download. Songs without the bolt icon may still have lyrics, but retrieval may take longer.

  1. Tap a suggestion. GigScroll searches multiple lyrics databases automatically. If the first source does not have the lyrics, GigScroll tries the next source without any action from you.
  2. When lyrics are found, review them and tap Save.

Duplicate Detection

If a song with the same title and artist already exists in your library, GigScroll will notify you and will not create a duplicate.

2.2 Adding Songs — Manual Entry

  1. Tap the + button in the top-right corner.
  2. Enter the song title. This field is required.
  3. Enter the artist name. This field is optional.
  4. Type or paste your lyrics into the editor.
  5. Tap Save. All changes save automatically after creation.

2.3 Editing Songs

Tap any song in your library to open the song editor. The editor contains the following controls:

Toolbar (top of screen):

Title and Artist — Tap the song title below the toolbar to edit the title and artist name.

Lyrics Area — The large text area below the title displays the song lyrics. Tap anywhere in the text to begin editing. All changes save automatically as you type.

2.4 Searching Your Library

A search bar is located at the top of the Songs tab. Type a song title or artist name to filter your library. Results update as you type.

If no songs in your local library match your search, GigScroll automatically searches online for matching songs. Online results appear in a separate section below the search bar.

2.5 Formatting Tips

Well-formatted lyrics are easier to read during a performance. Follow these guidelines:

2.6 Deleting Songs

To delete a song from your library:

  1. In the Songs tab, swipe left on the song you want to remove.
  2. Tap Delete.

Permanent Action

Deleting a song removes it from all setlists that contain it. This action cannot be undone unless you have a backup. To protect your library, consider exporting your data regularly.

3. Building Setlists

A setlist is an ordered collection of songs prepared for a specific performance. Setlists allow you to move through your songs in sequence without searching your library during a live show.

3.1 Creating a Setlist

  1. Open the Setlists tab.
  2. Tap the + button.
  3. Enter a name for the setlist.
  4. Tap Create.

The setlist name appears as a bold, centered title at the top of the screen. To rename the setlist later, tap the title and enter a new name.

3.2 Adding Songs to a Setlist

  1. Open the setlist you want to edit.
  2. Tap the + button in the top-right corner.
  3. A list of songs from your library appears. Songs that are already in the setlist are excluded from this list.
  4. Tap a song to add it.

A confirmation message appears briefly to confirm the song was added.

3.3 Reordering Songs

  1. Open the setlist.
  2. Tap Edit in the top-left corner.
  3. Drag songs up or down using the handle on the right side of each row.
  4. Tap Done when you are satisfied with the order.

3.4 Removing Songs from a Setlist

  1. Swipe left on any song in the setlist.
  2. Tap Delete.

This removes the song from the setlist only. The song remains in your library and in any other setlists where it appears.

3.5 Deleting a Setlist

  1. Open the Setlists tab.
  2. Swipe left on the setlist you want to delete.
  3. Tap Delete.

All songs in the deleted setlist remain in your library. No song data is lost.

3.6 Sharing a Setlist

  1. Open the setlist you want to share.
  2. Tap the Share button (the square icon with an upward arrow).
  3. Choose a sharing method: AirDrop, Messages, Email, Files, or any other available option.

GigScroll creates a .gigscroll file that contains the setlist and all of its songs. The recipient can open this file in GigScroll to import the complete setlist into their library.

Sharing with Band Members

Use the Share feature to send your setlist to other performers before a show. Each recipient receives the full setlist with all song lyrics included. No additional setup is required on their device.

3.7 Playing a Setlist

  1. Open the setlist.
  2. Tap the green Play Setlist button at the bottom of the screen.

GigScroll enters Performance Mode and begins with the first song in the setlist. You can advance to the next song in order as you perform.

If the setlist contains no songs, an alert appears and Performance Mode does not start. Add at least one song before playing.

Setlist Organization Ideas

You can create as many setlists as you need. Here are common ways to organize them:

  • Venue-specific — Create a setlist for each venue you perform at regularly.
  • Genre-based — Group songs by genre, such as "Country Set" or "Jazz Standards."
  • Event-based — Prepare setlists for specific occasions, such as weddings, corporate events, or open mic nights.
  • Seasonal — Build setlists for holidays or seasonal performances.
  • Practice — Assemble songs you are currently learning or rehearsing.

4. Performance Mode

Performance Mode displays your lyrics on screen and scrolls them automatically at your chosen speed. This section explains how to start a performance, use the controls, and navigate between songs.

4.1 Starting a Performance

There are two ways to enter Performance Mode:

4.2 Screen Layout

The Performance Mode screen has three areas:

4.3 Control Panel

The control panel contains the following buttons:

Button Description
− Decrease scroll speed by one step.
Play / Pause Start or pause auto-scrolling. This is a large button with a yellow accent when using the Stage theme.
+ Increase scroll speed by one step.
Previous Song Go to the previous song. Hidden if you are not in a setlist or if you are on the first song.
Next Song Go to the next song. Hidden if you are not in a setlist or if you are on the last song.
Speed Displays the current speed (for example, "1.2x") with a downward chevron. Tap to open the speed jog wheel.

4.4 Speed Jog Wheel

Precise Speed Control

The speed jog wheel provides fine-grained control over scroll speed. It opens as a sheet on iPhone or as a popover on iPad. Drag vertically in portrait orientation or horizontally in landscape orientation to adjust speed. The speed range is 0.2x to 3.0x. The device provides haptic feedback at 0.05x and 0.1x intervals so you can feel each change. A stronger warning haptic plays when you reach the minimum or maximum limit.

4.5 Auto-Scrolling

When you tap Play, the lyrics scroll from bottom to top at the selected speed. Use the + and − buttons for quick adjustments. Open the speed jog wheel for precise control.

4.6 Manual Scrolling

Swipe up or down on the lyrics area to scroll manually. Auto-scrolling pauses automatically while you are scrolling by hand. When you stop swiping, you can tap Play to resume auto-scrolling.

4.7 Auto-Hide Controls

If you have enabled Auto-Hide Controls During Playback in Settings, the control panel hides automatically after approximately 3 seconds of playback. This gives you a full-screen view of your lyrics. Tap anywhere on the screen to show the controls temporarily.

4.8 Navigating Songs in a Setlist

When performing a full setlist, use the Next Song and Previous Song buttons to move between songs. The position indicator in the header shows your current position (for example, "2/5").

4.9 Exiting Performance Mode

Tap the Back button or the Done button in the top corner of the screen to leave Performance Mode and return to the previous screen.

Test Your Settings Before the Show

Run through at least one song in Performance Mode before your live performance. Adjust scroll speed until it matches your singing pace. If you perform under bright stage lights, enable the Stage theme in Settings for high-contrast visibility.

Battery Management

Performance Mode keeps the screen awake at full brightness for the entire duration of your set. This uses significant battery power. Charge your iPad fully before each performance. For long sets (90 minutes or more), connect your device to a power source.

5. Video Recording

GigScroll includes a built-in video recording feature. You can record video of your performances while the teleprompter scrolls your lyrics. This feature is disabled by default. You must enable it in Settings before you can use it.

5.1 Enabling Video Recording

To enable video recording:

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Find the Video Recording section.
  3. Turn on the Enable Video Recording toggle.

When you enable video recording for the first time, GigScroll checks your device capabilities. If your device has an older processor, a performance warning will appear. You can still use video recording on these devices, but quality options will be limited.

GigScroll will request the following permissions:

You must grant all three permissions for video recording to work. If you deny any permission, you can change this later in the iPad Settings app under Privacy & Security.

5.2 Video Recording Settings

All video recording settings are located in Settings → Video Recording.

Default Camera Choose between Front or Rear camera.

Default Quality The available quality options depend on your device hardware:

Device Maximum Quality
Newest iPads (A14 and newer, M-series) 4K at 60fps
Mid-range iPads (A12, A13) 4K at 24fps
Older iPads (A10, A11) 1080p at 30fps
Oldest supported iPads (A9) 720p at 30fps

The app selects an appropriate default quality for your device. You can change it to any option available for your hardware.

Default Flash Choose Off, On, or Auto. The default setting is Off.

Audio Input This setting lists all available audio sources on your device. Sources may include:

Select the audio source you want to use for recording.

5.3 Camera Preview

When video recording is enabled, a camera button appears in the top-right corner of the Performance screen.

Tap the camera button to open the camera preview. The preview has two states:

To switch between states, use the minimize button in the top bar (when maximized) or tap the thumbnail (when minimized). To close the preview entirely, tap the close button in the top bar.

5.4 Maximized Preview Controls

When the camera preview is maximized, the following controls are available:

Top Bar

Lens Selector On devices with multiple rear camera lenses, a frosted glass control appears showing available zoom options (for example: 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x). The exact options depend on your device camera hardware. This control does not appear on single-lens devices or when using the front camera.

Bottom Bar

5.5 Recording

Tap the red record button to start recording. While recording is active:

Tap the record button again to stop recording. The video is saved automatically to your Photos library.

5.6 Tap to Focus

While the camera preview is open, tap anywhere on the preview image to set the focus point. A crosshair indicator appears at the location you tapped. The camera adjusts focus to that point.

5.7 Recording Status Indicator

When recording is active and the camera preview is minimized or closed, a red dot appears next to the camera button on the main Performance screen. This confirms that recording is still in progress even when the full preview is not visible.

5.8 Safety Features

GigScroll monitors your device during recording to prevent data loss.

Storage Monitoring

Battery Monitoring

Automatic Stop Conditions Recording stops automatically and the video is saved if any of the following occur:

Test Your Setup During Soundcheck

Before your performance, open the camera preview and start a short test recording during soundcheck. Verify that the correct camera, audio source, and quality settings are selected. Delete the test video afterward.

Free Tier Recording Limit

The free version of GigScroll includes a limit of 20 video recordings. After you reach this limit, you must upgrade to GigScroll Pro to continue recording. Recordings already saved to your Photos library are not affected.

6. Foot Pedal Controls

Overview

GigScroll supports Bluetooth foot pedals and Bluetooth keyboards for hands-free control during performances. You can map physical buttons on your device to teleprompter actions such as scrolling, changing speed, and navigating between songs.

6.1 Setup

Follow these steps to connect and enable a foot pedal or Bluetooth keyboard:

  1. Open your iPad's Settings app and go to Bluetooth.
  2. Turn on your foot pedal or Bluetooth keyboard and place it in pairing mode.
  3. Select the device from the list of available Bluetooth devices to complete pairing.
  4. Open GigScroll and go to Settings → Foot Pedal.
  5. Turn on the Enable Foot Pedal Controls toggle.
  6. Default key mappings are pre-configured and ready to use.

6.2 Available Actions

Mappable Actions

GigScroll provides five actions that you can assign to foot pedal buttons or keyboard keys:

  • Play / Pause — Start or stop auto-scrolling.
  • Speed Up — Increase the scroll speed by 0.1x.
  • Speed Down — Decrease the scroll speed by 0.1x.
  • Next Song — Advance to the next song in the current setlist.
  • Previous Song — Go back to the previous song in the current setlist.

6.3 Default Key Mappings

The table below shows the default key assigned to each action:

Action Default Key
Play / Pause Space
Speed Up Down Arrow
Speed Down Up Arrow
Next Song Right Arrow
Previous Song Left Arrow

6.4 Remapping Keys

You can change any key assignment to match your foot pedal or preferred keyboard layout.

  1. Open GigScroll and go to Settings → Foot Pedal.
  2. Confirm that the Enable Foot Pedal Controls toggle is turned on.
  3. Tap the action you want to remap.
  4. The selected row highlights and displays the message "Press a pedal button...".
  5. Press the desired button on your foot pedal or Bluetooth keyboard.
  6. The new key is assigned immediately. The row updates to show the new mapping.

If the key you pressed was already assigned to a different action, GigScroll automatically removes it from the old action. A brief notification appears to inform you of the change.

6.5 Reset to Defaults

To restore all key assignments to their original values, tap Reset to Defaults at the bottom of the Foot Pedal settings screen.

6.6 Behavior Notes

Test Before Your Performance

Always test your foot pedal mappings before a live performance. Open a song in Performance Mode and verify that each button triggers the correct action. Remember that any Bluetooth keyboard works with this feature — a dedicated foot pedal is not required. If you also use a Bluetooth keyboard for typing in other parts of the app, turn off the toggle when you are not performing.

Bluetooth Keyboard Conflict

When foot pedal controls are enabled, all mapped keys are intercepted by GigScroll in Performance Mode. This means those keys will not function normally for typing or other input. If you use a Bluetooth keyboard for purposes other than foot pedal control, disable the toggle when you are not performing.

7. Customization

GigScroll provides several customization options to match your performance environment and personal preferences. You can adjust the visual theme, font, font size, and scroll speed.

7.1 Themes

GigScroll includes four color themes. Each theme changes the background color, text color, and accent colors throughout the app.

Available Themes

Light — Black text on a white background. Suitable for practice sessions and well-lit venues.

Dark — White text on a black background. Reduces eye strain in dim venues.

Stage (High Contrast) — Bright yellow text on a black background with gold accents. Designed for maximum visibility under bright stage lights.

Cream (Warm) — Dark brown text on a cream background with coffee brown accents. A warm, vintage-inspired appearance.

To change the theme, navigate to Settings → Theme and tap your preferred theme. The new theme is applied immediately.

7.2 Fonts

GigScroll offers five font options:

To change the default font, navigate to Settings → Default Font and select your preferred option.

7.3 Font Size

Font size in GigScroll ranges from 24pt to 72pt.

Global Default

To set the default font size for new songs, navigate to Settings → Default Font Size. Select a size in 4pt increments. After you confirm the change, a dialog will ask whether you want to update all existing songs to the new size or apply the change only to future songs.

Per-Song Font Size

To adjust the font size for a single song, open the song in the editor and tap the font size button. This button displays the current size with a chevron. Tapping it opens the Font Size Jog Wheel.

Recommended Font Sizes

24–32pt: Close reading, practice sessions, or smaller iPad screens.

32–44pt: Standard performance use, with the iPad at arm's length.

44–56pt: Large iPad Pro screens or standing performances.

56–72pt: Maximum visibility for bright stages or viewing from a distance.

7.4 Default Scroll Speed

To set the default scroll speed for new songs, navigate to Settings → Default Scroll Speed. This opens the speed jog wheel. The available range is 0.2x to 3.0x. This setting applies only to new songs. Existing songs keep their individually saved speed.

7.5 Per-Song Scroll Speed

During Performance Mode, you can adjust the scroll speed for the current song using the + and − buttons or by opening the speed jog wheel. The adjusted speed is saved to the song automatically and will be used the next time you perform that song.

8. Data Management

GigScroll allows you to export, import, and share your songs and setlists. This section explains how to back up your library, transfer data between devices, and share setlists with other performers.

8.1 Export All Songs and Setlists

To create a full backup of your GigScroll library:

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Under Data Management, tap Export All Songs & Setlists.
  3. Choose a destination for the file. You may save it to the Files app, send it via AirDrop, attach it to an email, or upload it to a cloud storage service.

GigScroll creates a file named GigScroll-Backup-YYYY-MM-DD.gigscroll, where YYYY-MM-DD is the current date.

What Gets Exported

The export file includes:

  • All songs — title, artist, lyrics, font settings, and scroll speeds
  • All setlists — including the order of songs within each setlist
  • Your settings — theme, default font, and default font size

The file uses JSON format with a .gigscroll extension.

8.2 Import from File

To import songs and setlists from a backup or shared file:

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Under Data Management, tap Import from File.
  3. Select a .gigscroll or .json file from your device.

A preview screen appears. It shows the number of songs and setlists in the file, and how many duplicates were detected. A duplicate is a song that matches an existing song in your library by both title and artist.

Import Strategies

Before you tap Import, choose one of three import strategies:

Free Tier Limit

Free tier users have a limit of 20 songs. If the import would cause your library to exceed this limit, a warning appears. You may choose to upgrade to Pro or cancel the import.

8.3 Sharing Individual Setlists

You can share a single setlist with another person:

  1. Open the setlist you want to share.
  2. Tap the Share button (the square icon with an upward arrow).
  3. Choose a sharing method — AirDrop, email, Messages, or any other available option.

GigScroll creates a file named Setlist-{Name}-YYYY-MM-DD.gigscroll, where {Name} is the name of the setlist. The file includes the setlist and all songs contained within it. The recipient can open the file in GigScroll to import the setlist and its songs automatically.

8.4 Opening .gigscroll Files

When you receive a .gigscroll file — via AirDrop, email, the Files app, or any other method — tap the file to open it in GigScroll. The app automatically navigates to the Settings tab and begins the import process. The preview screen appears so you can review the contents and choose an import strategy before proceeding.

8.5 Restore Purchases

If you reinstall GigScroll or switch to a new device, you can restore your Pro upgrade:

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Tap Restore Purchases.
  3. Sign in with the same Apple ID that was used for the original purchase.

Your Pro features are restored immediately.

Backup Best Practices

Follow these guidelines to protect your library:

  • Export weekly while you are actively adding songs to your library.
  • Save backups to cloud storage such as iCloud Drive or Google Drive. This protects your data if your device is lost or damaged.
  • Create a backup before major performances. This ensures you can recover quickly if something goes wrong.
  • Export before iOS updates or device changes. System updates can occasionally cause unexpected issues.
  • Share setlists with bandmates so that every member of your group has the same song data and setlist order.

9. Pro Features

GigScroll offers a free tier with core functionality. For users who need more capacity, GigScroll Pro removes all limits with a single purchase.

9.1 Free Tier vs. Pro

The free tier of GigScroll includes full access to all features, with the following limits:

A banner appears at the top of the Songs and Setlists tabs displaying your remaining count (for example, "X of 20 free songs remaining").

When you upgrade to Pro, all limits are removed.

9.2 GigScroll Pro Benefits

GigScroll Pro

  • Unlimited Songs — Build a library of any size with no restrictions.
  • Unlimited Video Recordings — Record as many performances as you need.
  • Unlimited Setlists — Create as many setlists as you want for different shows and rehearsals.
  • Unlimited Imports — Import any number of songs from backup files.
  • Support Development — Your purchase helps fund new features and improvements.
  • One-Time Purchase — Pay once. There is no subscription and no recurring charge.

9.3 Upgrading to Pro

To upgrade from the free tier to GigScroll Pro:

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Tap Upgrade to Pro at the top of the screen.
  3. The paywall screen appears with feature details and the price (fetched directly from the App Store).
  4. Tap Unlock Pro to begin the purchase.
  5. Complete the purchase using Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.

The upgrade takes effect immediately. No restart is required.

9.4 Pro Status Indicator

After you upgrade, the Settings tab confirms your Pro status:

Pro • Unlimited songs ✓

The upgrade banner on the Songs and Setlists tabs disappears. All limits are removed.

9.5 Restore Purchases

If you previously purchased GigScroll Pro and need to restore it on a new device, or after reinstalling the app:

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Tap Restore Purchases.
  3. The app contacts the App Store to verify your purchase.
  4. Once verified, Pro status is restored automatically.

You do not need to pay again. The restore process uses the same Apple ID that was used for the original purchase.

10. Tips and Tricks

This section provides practical advice to help you get the most from GigScroll.

For Live Performance

Building Your Library

Organizing Your Content

Maximizing Readability

Speed Optimization

The correct scroll speed depends on the tempo and density of the lyrics:

Song Type Recommended Speed
Ballads approximately 0.5x to 1.0x
Medium tempo songs approximately 1.0x to 1.5x
Fast songs approximately 1.5x to 2.5x
Spoken word or rap often 2.0x to 3.0x

After you find the correct speed for a song, save it. GigScroll remembers the saved speed for each song.

Create a Practice Setlist

Before each performance, create a short practice setlist with two or three songs. Use it to test your scroll speeds, confirm your theme choice, and verify readability at your expected distance from the screen. This takes only a few minutes and helps you avoid surprises during the actual performance.

11. Troubleshooting

This section lists common problems and their solutions. If your issue is not listed here, contact support using the information at the end of this section.

11.1 Lyrics Not Found

Problem: You search for a song, but no lyrics appear in the results.

Solutions:

11.2 Import Not Working

Problem: You attempt to import a file, but GigScroll does not recognize it or the import fails.

Solutions:

11.3 Scrolling Too Fast or Too Slow

Problem: The scroll speed does not match the tempo of the song during performance.

Solutions:

11.4 Text Difficult to Read on Stage

Problem: The lyrics are hard to read during a live performance.

Solutions:

11.5 Video Recording Issues

Problem: Video recording does not start, does not appear as an option, or produces incomplete recordings.

Solutions:

11.6 Foot Pedal Not Responding

Problem: Your Bluetooth foot pedal is connected, but GigScroll does not respond to pedal presses.

Solutions:

11.7 App Crashes or Freezes

Problem: GigScroll closes unexpectedly or stops responding to input.

Solutions:

Performance Backup

As a precaution, export your setlist before every performance and keep a copy in the Files app. If the app encounters an issue during a show, you can reimport your setlist quickly.

11.8 Battery Draining Quickly

Problem: The iPad battery drains faster than expected during use.

Solutions:

Battery Planning

A fully charged iPad typically lasts 3–4 hours in Performance Mode at full brightness. If your performance is longer, plan to charge the iPad during a break.

11.9 Contact Support

If the solutions above do not resolve your issue, contact the GigScroll support team.