25 Best A/V Apps and Workhorses

AirAV

Ranysoft

$5.99 (iOS)

Rate 4+ on iTunes

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch

This UPn/DLNA media player easily manages documents and local files on multiple servers with just a few finger swipes. Users can utilize WiFi signals to transfer files from one server to another, and set up sequential play of files for extended viewings or A/V needs.

* Supports a wide range of video, audio formats

* Offers subtitling function

* Can handle multiple media servers

* Dozens of languages in menu interface

AV Tools

Dan Sullivan

$3.19 (Android)

$2.99 (iOS)

$2.99 (Blackberry)

Rated 4+ (iOS)

Available on Android, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Google Chrome

This versatile app gives you a variety of tools at your fingertips that will ensure smooth setup, execution, and strike of your next A/V production. Developed by Dan Sullivan, AV Tools gives you five functional categories that eliminate the need for excess tools in your gear bag.

With conversion calculators for things like voltage, video aspect ratio, and DAW disk space, you can easily figure out the most complex calculations you’re faced with. Need to know how far away your screen is from your projector? AV Tools features a distance calculator for that. Need to know how many stops down that dichroic gel will add to your lights? You guessed it, AV Tools can help you answer that, too.

Powerful, easy to navigate, and full of several features that will replace several items in your tool box, AV Tools is a must have for any A/V tech who needs to run an efficient operation.

* Multiple conversion calculators

* Adjustable tone generator

* Bookmarking feature for favorite app functions

* DMX Address - Dip Switch

* Pin-outs for common A/V connectors

BeamCalc

Eric Cornwell & West Side Systems, LLC

$14.99 (iOS)

Rated 4+ (iOS), 3.5 Stars

Requirements - iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, iOS 3.1 or later.

Not all A/V techs are math wizards. Thankfully, BeamCalc, designed by Eric Cornwell and West Side Systems, is there to help us with the difficult lighting geometry and photometric calculations we’re faced with while on location. The app’s software allows users to place and direct three light sources on a grid, which in turn offers ideal postitioning and other factors.

* Evaluate, compare lighting characteristics like elevation angle, beam and field pool width, illumination, shadow length

* Choose from more than 150 different lighting fixtures

* Convert work into multiple units

Cube Time & Expense Tracker

bitrzr, LDA

$9.99 (iOS)

Free Version available on Android

Rated 4+ (iOS)

Requirements - iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, iOS 3.0 or later.

If you’re an A/V tech for hire, you know how valuable your time is. Cube Time & Expense Tracker Pro helps you manage your time, your money, and your expenses. Monitor project income and gross profit, while creating efficient reports and charts in PDF format.

* Add pictures of receipts, eliminating need for keeping paper copies

* Customizable cost and tax rates, based on project parameters

* Tags function allows for searchable information

* Sync to Cloud servers, backing up and delivering peace of mind that data is safe

Dollar Clock

Brian Dunagan

Free (iOS)

Rated 4+ (iOS)

Requirements - iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, iOS 3.0 or later.

Ever wonder just how much money you’ve wasted waiting for a project to start (or finish)? The Dollar Clock, designed by Brian Dunagan, is simply a fun way to put a dollar value on your time. And, let’s be honest, any time you can put a ticking meter over an image of Darth Vader and Storm Troopers…you’ve got a pretty cool app. This is purely fun, simple, and a good way to spend your wasted time.

* Tabulate just how much money your company is wasting during those never ending “brainstorming” sessions

* Connect a VGA dongle and project your meter onto a wall

* Get a good chuckle with the revolving motivational quotes

iRDP AV

Yongxu Jin

$2.99 (iOS)

Rated 4+

Requirements - iPhone, iPod (3rd, 4th generation), iPad, iOS 4.3 or later.

Away from the office and need to access a file you left behind? iRDP AV, developed by Yongxu Jin, offers remote desktop access for both Windows PC and Mac, with both RDP and VNC compability. Additionally, users can both play and record audio remotely, while giving your iPad the look and feel of a PC (RDP only).

* Configure screen size to your preferences

* Virtual full PC keyboard

* Access your webcam remotely on an iPad2 or iPhone 4 (need install iRDP V Cam driver)

* Reduces network load from media file playback

iTestGenPRO

Dynamark Media Inc.

$3.99 (iOS), Free version available

Rated 4+

Requirements - iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, iOS 4.3 or later.

Let’s face it, pattern generators are expensive, require delicate handling, and often require more hassle than they’re worth. By simply attaching a video out dongle (HD 15 VGA or JDMI) to your phone or tablet, send up to five different video test patterns and four audio test tones to your A/V equipment. With supported resolutions of up to 1280x720, iTestGenPRO will save you time and resources during the setup stage of your next production.

* Eliminates need for laptops, test generators to diagnose cable, connectivity, amplifier, switching problems

* Allows for connectivity verification, calibration and color matching.

* Send patterns like color bars, grayscale, convergence, and grid patterns to your equipment

K4D

Konex AV Inc.

$299.99 (iOS)

Rated 4+

Compatable with iPad. Requires iOS 5.0 or later.

If your facility features multiple screens and viewing environments with DIRECTV service, the K4D app, from Konex AV Inc., allows you to seemlessly and effortlessly control each receiver. Using an iPad, the intuitive user interface allows you to access monitors according to rooms, and reduces the risk of losing remotes.

* Runs off WiFi signal, no 3G/4G data network needed

* Cost-effective solution to managing multiple DIRECTV environments

* Easy to navigate user interface

Lens Calculator Pro

Barock Produktion AB

$1.99 (iOS)

Rated 4+ (iOS)

Requirements - iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, iOS 3.1.2 or later.

If you’ve got a challenging projector setup in your future, knowing which lens you’ll need to deliver the best picture is important. The designers at Barock Produktion AB have developed a proven app - Lens Calculator Pro - that measures the distance from projector to screen and recommends the best lens for the job.

This simple app measures in metric dimensions, so knowing the translation rate between feet and meters will be come in handy.

* Estimates lens distances, recommends best lens for setting

* Calculates screen size needed for the job

* Minimalistic menu, functionality

* Comes in a “Lite” version

LiveToolkit

Andreas Zeh

$9.99 (iOS)

Rated 4+ (iOS)

Requirements - iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, iOS 4.3 or later.

When time isn’t on your side, and the show much go on, LiveToolkit helps A/V techs calculate proper equipment setup locations and calibrations with a few simple menu options. Calculate relevant calculations right on your mobile device, and save time by knowing exactly where your gear needs to go for optimal sound and lighting conditions.

* Determine delay times for PA systems

* Save speaker, amp settings for future calculations

* Set functions like DMX-address and DIP-Switch with minimal calculation

* Switch between feet and meters

* Calculate voltage drop based on cable length, profile

MxNM LE

Jameson Proctor

$4.99 (iOS)

Rated 4+, 4 Stars

Requirements - iPad, iOS 3.2 or later.

Tablets are great for a lot of things, especially when it comes to replacing high-priced, big footprint production equipment. The MxNM LE app, designed by Jameson Proctor, allows users to replace a traditional audio mixer with a tablet-based MIDI touchscreen control surface. With a total of 144 buttons, pads and sliders to play with, it works syncronously with your laptop to perform and produce music, mix audio or switch between sources.

* Allows for WiFi integration

* Send MIDI control change messages to multiple channels

* Works with many popular music software programs

Neets Control

Neets A/S

Free (iOS)

Free (Android)

Rated 4+ (iOS)

Requirements - iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, iOS 4.3 or later.

If your A/V system includes Neets technology with a graphical interface, this app gives you precise control over your Neets components. Working syncronously with this installed system, Neets Control allows users to regulate focal ranges, WiFi network settings, and personalized touches like dimming duration.

* Security features allow users to lock system when not in use

* Wirelessly configure system settings using app

* Compatable with company’s Project Editor software

Pixel Perfect

UploadStudio Ltd.

$2.99 (iOS)

Rated 5 Stars on iTunes

Requirements - iPhone, iPod Touch (3rd, 4th generations), iPad. i), 5.0 or later.

If you’re project requires delivering specs on LED screens, Pixel Perfect is an ideal solution to trouble shooting difficult calculations. This app features more than 100 different screens from the leading manufacturers. Menu options allow users to input dimensions, resulting in measurements like overall physical dimensions, total pixels, aspect ratio, and more.

* Display specific dimensions of screens

* Ideal for measuring LED walls for concerts, corporate events

* Manipulate orientation - horizontal or vertical - for your calculations

* Determine maximum wattage, draw per tile

Pointer

Karmeye

Free (iOS)

Rated 4+, 4 Stars

Requirements - iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, iOS 4.0 or later.

Ever wanted to feel like a broadcaster with a telestrater? This app, designed by Karmeye, allows users to interact and highlight presentations and documents with the simple swipe of a finger on their on phone’s or tablet’s screen. Isolate key data, or circle specific items you want to reinforce during your meeting, Pointer allows users to interact with the their presentations, without the jittery, floating red dots typically associated with laser pointers.

This app does require the installation of apps like Dropbox or Google Docs (both around $1 on iTunes and Google Play), but the variety of documents users can utilize in pointer are seemingly endless.

* All user controls are hidden from audience

* Supports wireless connection via AirPlay (and mirroring enabling)

* File types range from PDFs, JPGs, PPTs, Word, Excel, Keynote, Pages and Numbers documents

Present It

Brandon Bell

$0.99 (iOS)

Rated 4+ (iOS)

Requirements - iPhone, iPod touch (3rd, 4th generation), iPad, iOS 5.0 or later.

Leave the laptop at the office next time you need to present in front of an audience. Your A/V tech can simply load your PowerPoint documents onto a tablet, fire up the Present It app, designed by Brandon Bell, and let the presentation do the rest. With interactive controls like transitions and presenter/audience screens, you can stay on track as your move towards the big finale.

* Connect via HDMI or VGA dongle, or wirelessly with AirPlay

* One time, initial rendering of files allow for smooth presentations

* Multiple transitions available, with more coming soon

Robe Product Reference

Robe UK Ltd

Free (iOS)

Rated 4+ (iOS)

Requirements - iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, iOS 4.0 or later.

If your stage or auditorium features Robe products, this app will offer product speccs, key data, user manuals and other features. Troubleshoot problems and learn about the nuances of each product, as well as get answers to your questions through the Help feature.

* Vital product data available on or offline at your fingertips

* Product manuals available to download

* Peruse product categories

* Configure app to serve you better

SignalScope Pro

Faber Acoustical, LLC

$74.99 (iOS)

Rating 4+ (iOS), 4 Stars

Requirements - iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, iOS 4.0 or later.

Real-time system analysis is the difference between seemless setup and stressful scrambling. Faber Acoustical has delivered an amazing app, SignalScope Pro, that provides an amazing range of tools all in one. Capture data from your system using audio inputs, as well as accelerometer readings; export that data using a variety of plaforms for review and best practice purposes at a later time.

* Audio input sampled at 48 kHz or 44.1 kHz, while accelerometer data is sampled at 100 Hz

* High-resolution display images can be shared through built-in photo album

* Octave-band analyzer, with variable frequency weighting options

* Stereo, tone signal generator for system testing

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StageHand

Exposure101

Free (Pro version for $1.00)

Rating 4.8 on Google Play

Requirements - Android 2.1 and up

Lighting can make or break a production, so having the right tools that increase efficiency and effectiveness are crucial in making sure the show goes on. When you need a grab bag of tools that offer both functionality and reference materials, look no further than StageHand, from Exposure101.

With a collection of conversion tools that handle color calculations, ping outs, and wattage converters, this app quickly become one of your best helpers in the lighting room.

* Perfect for multiple lighting situations

* Continually adding additional lighting swatches

* Pin outs reference materials

* Highly rated free app, Pro version available

SpeakerTest

Dustin Baerg & Dynamark Media, Inc.

$1.99 (iOS)

Rating 4+ (iOS)

Requirements - iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, iOS 4.0 later.

If you need to run a quick and easy speaker system check, SpeakerTest from Dynmark Media and designer Dustin Baerg, is your solution. Download this app, select your tone of choice, connect an audio cable into the headphone jack and play the test tone. The app allows you to check system performance, as well as left and right isolated signals.

Many speaker diagnostic apps overcomplicate the testing platform; that said, Dynamark allows novices and seasoned sound pros alike to plug and play their systems at optimal levels in little to no time at all.

* Various audio check signals to test system

* Allows for direct output of left, right or stereo signals

* Configures systems in homes, offices, vehicles, or commercial settings

Super Planner - Event Planning

Heathcote Media Group, LLC

$9.99 (Android)

$9.99 (iOS)

Rating 4+ (iOS)

Requirements - Android 2.0; iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, iOS 3.0 or later.

If you feel like you’ve got superhuman powers when it comes to keeping your schedule together, you’ve likely got the Super Planner - Event Planning app tucked under your tights. Keep track of production cues like staging diagrams, powerpoint documents, and seating calculations to ensure a great experience for everyone involved.

* Multiple planning calculators to monitor costs

* Reminders and checklists to ensure productions execute without a hitch

* Determine optimal projector placement with advanced calculators

TouchOSC

R.J. Fischer

Free (Android)

$4.99 (iOS)

Rating 4+ (iOS); 4 Stars

Requirements - Android 1.3 or later; iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, iOS 3.1.3 or later.

Want to impress your A/V understudies? Breakout the TouchOSC app on your phone or tablet and let this beautifully designed work its aural magic. This modular OSC and MIDI control surface software allows for remote delivery of audio messaging over a WiFi connection, while the interface offers touch control of functions like faders, rotary controls, and toggle buttons.

* Software controls designed to interact with more than 18 audio programs

* Remotely monitor a multitude of touch controls

* Deliver Accelerometer data to system

* Customizable layouts

VideoLoop Player

B1VISUALEFFECTS Co., Ltd.

$2.99 (iOS)

Requirements - Compatable with iPad, iOS 4.0 or later.

The iPad can do a lot of things, but one thing it doesn’t do is repeat videos on a loop like you’d want while showing videos at a tradeshow or event. The VideoLoop Player app from B1VISUALEFFECTS solves that minor inconvenience. Easily align video and photo files to play on rotation, without needing to press play every few minutes.

* Features random play function

* Import play lists for videos, photos

* Play various video formats, including those only supported by iPad