FAQs

What’s included in the Sunday Keys App?

The Sunday Keys App is designed as an all-in-one solution for live worship keys.

You’ll find a growing number of Sounds and Patches available in the Patch Library and the Sound Library. You’ll utilize these to create Setlists for your performances.

The Sunday Keys App includes all the workflows Sunday Keys users will be familiar with and more, including the full Tonic Pad Player experience, easy creation of layered Patches, a suite of audio and MIDI effects and articulate control of sound design details including ADSR, filter modulation via mod wheel, and more.

Tap tempo, Play In and Hear In transposition, Audio, CPU, and MIDI settings, and full MIDI Learn functionality that supports both hardware and bluetooth MIDI connections round out the feature set.

What iPad will I need?

The Sunday Keys App can be installed on any iPad device running iOS14 or newer.

We’ve tested the App across a range of supported devices including the base iPad (as early as 6th generation), iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.

If your iPad can run iOS14 or newer, you can install the App.

Experience will vary from device to device with more powerful devices capable of better, faster, and more reliable performance.

The App has been programmed to accommodate all various iPad models and you’ll be able to adjust relevant settings within the App for your device including adjustable Audio buffer size, adjustable Patch loading settings, and graphics optimizations all focused on optimizing CPU usage.

iPads featuring USB-C or Lightning ports can all be used, just note that the hardware adaptors required will vary based on your iPad’s port-type. More information on connecting gear can be found below and is detailed in the Sunday Keys App User Manual.

What Gear will I need?

The gear connections required to use an iPad with the Sunday Keys App aren’t that different from the gear you’d need to run a Mac or Windows based keys rig. There are only a couple differences, outlined below.

You’ll need:

An iPad capable of running iOS 14 or newer

You can install the Sunday Keys App on the base iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. Experience and necessary CPU optimizations will vary based on your device’s processing power.

A USB-hub and a way to power to your iPad

For iPads with a USB-C port:

A USB-C hub capable of power delivery (and a power supply capable of delivering a minimum of 30W of power to that hub, if not built-in). Note that the charger that came with your iPad is not capable of delivering adequate power to your USB-C hub.

For iPads with a Lightning port:

An Apple Camera Connector Kit (or similar off-brand adaptor)

Your iPad power supply will connect directly to the Lightning port on the Camera Connector Kit, supplying power directly to your iPad.

A powered USB-A hub. This hub must be powered from a wall outlet and will connect to the USB-A port on the Camera Connector Kit.

A driverless, class-compliant audio interface to connect to your soundboard

You’ll connect your audio interface to your USB hub and use its Audio Outputs to connect to your soundboard or headphones.

Your audio interface must be class-compliant, meaning it does not require any special drivers or software to operate. Most interfaces from popular brands like Focusrite, iConnectivity, Behringer, M-Audio, Radial, etc are class-compliant and can be used.

If your iPad features a built-in headphone jack, you can alternatively use a headphone adaptor to run the audio out to your soundboard.

A driverless, class-compliant MIDI controller

You can connect any MIDI devices that don’t require special drivers or software to your USB hub and use them within the App. You can connect up to any two MIDI controllers at the same time and the App will recognize them. One controller will be designated as your “Primary Controller” in the App and will control the keyboard and (optionally) elements of the App’s main-screen like faders, buttons, and knobs. You can optionally connect an additional “Secondary Controller” and use it to control elements of the App’s main-screen like faders, buttons, and knobs.

You can connect your MIDI controller over a hardwired connection in a number of ways:

Via a USB cable connected directly to your USB hub. This will supply power to most MIDI controllers directly.

Via a MIDI cable connected to a driverless, class-compliant Audio Interface. This will require a separate power supply be used to power your MIDI controller.

Via a MIDI to USB adaptor cable, connected directly to your USB hub. This will require a separate power supply be used to power your MIDI controller.

You can also connect to wireless MIDI devices over Bluetooth, assuming that those devices are also driverless and class-compliant.

Touchscreen Control

You can control every element of the Sunday Keys App directly within the App itself by touch. This includes all faders, knobs, and buttons, the mod wheel and a toggle-able sustain button. The App also features an onscreen keyboard that can display 24 or 88 simultaneous keys and can be touched to directly trigger notes.

Can I use my existing Controller or Interface?

If your gear is driverless and class-compliant, then you should be able to use it with the Sunday Keys App.

Popular hardware from many manufacturers is class-compliant and should be plug-and-play. If you’re not sure if your hardware is class-compliant, consult the user manual for your hardware for more information.

For example, we know many worship keys players enjoy using the Korg nanoKontrol2. This device is class-compliant so it can be easily used within the Sunday Keys App.

Popular hardware MIDI controllers like the M-Audio Keystation and Hammer88 series, Arturia Keylab series, Studiologic SL series, and many more are all class-compliant.

Audio interfaces from popular brands like Focusrite, iConnectivity, Behringer, M-Audio, Radial, etc are class-compliant and can be used.

Again, if you’re not sure about your hardware check the user manual or manufacturer’s website to confirm.

Is an iPad actually powerful enough?

Short answer, for most iPads and users, absolutely yes!

Detailed answer:

Modern iPads available for sale today are all incredibly powerful, even the lower-cost models.

We’ve worked hard to develop the Sunday Keys App with reliable live performance and resourceful programming techniques from the ground up to deliver an experience that is optimized for as many potential devices as possible.

The Sunday Keys App can be installed on any iPad device running iOS14 or newer.

We’ve tested the App across a range of supported devices including the base iPad (as early as 6th generation), iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.

If your iPad can run iOS14 or newer, you can install and use the App.

Experience will vary from device to device with more powerful devices capable of better, faster, and more reliable performance.

Users with less powerful devices may find that they need to optimize settings and/or the size of their setlists to get the best performance.

For example, a user on a 6th generation base iPad may need to utilize a higher audio buffer size, reduce the number of pre-loaded Patches, or include fewer Patches in a single Setlist than someone on an M1 iPad Pro.

If your device is struggling to keep up with the performance demands of the App you may notice audio crackles, slower/sluggish Patch changes, or choppier visuals. These are all indications that you should consider making adjustments to the App’s settings and/or reduce the size or complexity of your programmed Setlists to improve performance.

We are confident that all devices capable of running iOS 14 or newer will be able to dial-in a reliable Sunday Keys experience.

Will this run on my Mac or iPhone?

The Sunday Keys App is currently only available for iPad devices.

How often will the App be updated?

At times there may be updated versions of the App available as often as every day. Other times there may be potentially much longer gaps between releases.

We recommend fully testing updated builds of the App in a non-performance context before using it on stage, to make sure you understand its performance and possible limitations.

We’ll also regularly be adding Sounds, Patches, and Presets to the Sunday Keys Library that is available within the App.

The Sunday Keys library will not automatically be updated when you download the App. You’ll be able to access updates to the sound library within the App by opening the Menu and selecting “Check for Downloads”. Select “Update” when you see an update available there to receive the latest version of the Sunday Keys sound library.

We’ll be working over time to expand the available content to match what’s available in those other Sunday Keys formats.

In essence, more Sounds will be coming regularly for the long-term! Once the full Sunday Keys library is available the Sunday Keys App will match the existing ‘new sounds every month’ cadence currently available to everyone with an active Sunday Keys license.

Can I install the App on multiple iPads?

Our existing End User License Agreement applies to the use of the Sunday Keys App.In essence, yes you can install the App on multiple devices if you will be the sole user across those devices.

If multiple users will access the App, the license only covers a single device.

What if I don’t renew my Sunday Keys license?

A Sunday Keys license that has been allowed to expire will continue to be able to access the App and receive updates to the App itself, but will no longer receive updates to the Sunday Keys Sound Library.

How does this compare to existing SK formats?

The Sunday Keys App incorporates everything we’ve learned over the last six + years of programming Sunday Keys in other formats to deliver an experience specifically tailored to the worship keys player.

The Sunday Keys App shares the same focus as the existing Sunday Keys formats: delivering a user-friendly worship keys rig with incredible Sounds, fast and efficient workflows, and reliable live performance on stage.

We believe the Sunday Keys App will stand alongside and complement Sunday Keys’ other existing formats over time. One of the greatest strengths of the App will be its emphasis on simplicity and a feature set conceived for live worship keys from the ground up.

All of the familiar features Sunday Keys users count on are present in the App including an incredible sound library (with more sounds regularly added), easy Patch creation, fast and intuitive workflows, the Tonic Pad Player, simple transposition, tap tempo, seamless transitions from Patch to Patch, and much more.

Users who enjoy using Sunday Keys in one if its existing formats may very well be content to continue utilizing that format while others may find the App even better suited to their needs and desired outcomes.

Can I transfer my existing Sunday Keys Patches?

We know many Sunday Keys users have go-to Sounds and Patches they’ve found or designed in Sunday Keys for MainStage or Live.

While you can’t directly transfer those Patches, you’ll have all the tools you need to recreate them yourself in the App as the Sound Library is expanded over time.

The initial Sound Library is smaller in size, so users may not find all of their favorite Sounds or Patches from day one, but rest assured we’ll be working hard to bring all your favorites to the App.

Why should I use the App instead of Sunday Keys in other formats?

The team at Sunday Sounds has a years long roadmap of new features and functionality for the Sunday Keys App, planned to deliver regular improvements to workflows, quality of life features, and all new ways to inspire and perform.

The good news is, you’ll have access to all formats of Sunday Keys with an active Sunday Keys license, so you don’t have to choose unless you want to!

Will there be song specific patches and expansion sound libraries for the App?

Yes! With the release of version 1.4 of the Sunday Keys App, we have launched support for select Song Specific Patches in the Sunday Keys App, a feature we know you've been waiting for!

Over twenty popular Song Patches are now available in the App, with more on the way. Check out the current list here.

Much like Sunday Keys, purchasing a Song Specific Patch grants you access to all formats of the SSP Product. If you've previously made a purchase of a SSP, you will automatically have access to the SSP. For information on installing SSPS, check out Updating the App and Sound Library.

Is Sunday Keys for MainStage or Live going away?

There are no plans to retire the MainStage or Ableton Live formats of Sunday Keys.

We are presenting the Sunday Keys App as a new, third option for all Sunday Keys users to have available to them.

Those who enjoy their experience in the MainStage or Ableton Live formats will continue to be supported by our team and will continue to receive an update to the Sunday Keys Sound Library every month, just as we’ve been delivering up to this point.

If in the future we foresee any changes that will have an impact on Sunday Keys in any format, whether it be MainStage, Live or the App, we will endeavor to provide notice of any such changes to all users far in advance.

Can I run SK and my charts/tracks App on the same iPad?

While it may be possible to operate the Sunday Keys App at the same time as other popular apps focused on live worship music, we cannot specifically confirm that multitasking will work.

Your experience when multitasking is likely to be influenced by a number of factors, including the specific Apps involved, your iPad’s capabilities, and the specifics of your use case and hardware.

We always recommend stress-testing any possible combination of software in a non-performance context before taking it to the stage.