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Songs

Songs · Keep your band's repertoire in one place – keys, tempo, durations, chords, charts, recordings – and import or export it as a CSV file.

What it's for

The song library is the list of everything your band plays. Each song has its details (number, key, tempo, duration, genres, tags), lyrics with chords, files such as charts and recordings, and links to reference videos. Setlists are built from these songs, and Pulse counts how often and when each song was played.

When to use it

  • You start with Pulse and want to bring in your whole repertoire at once.
  • The band learns a new song and everyone needs the key, the chart and a recording.
  • You want the chords on screen during a gig, transposed if needed.
  • A song is no longer played, but you want to keep it.

How to

Add or edit a song

  1. Open Songs and select Add song. To change an existing song, open it and select Edit.
  2. Enter the Title. Song number is filled with the next free number – change it or leave it empty.
  3. Type the Key (for example Bb or F#m) or pick it from the list next to the field.
  4. Enter Duration as minutes:seconds (3:45) and Tempo (BPM) if you know them.
  5. Optionally fill Composer, Arranger and Notes, and use Add genre / Add tag – choose an existing one or type a new name to create it.
  6. Select Save.

Result: The song opens. Its key, tempo and duration are shown in the list, in setlists and in stage mode.

Add lyrics and chords

  1. Open the song and go to the Chords tab.
  2. Select Add chords (or Edit chords). A simple template is filled in.
  3. Write the lyrics and put each chord in square brackets right before the syllable, for example [Am]lyrics. Mark parts with {start_of_chorus} … {end_of_chorus} or {start_of_verse} … {end_of_verse}.
  4. Check the Preview and select Save.
  5. While reading, use − / + to transpose by a semitone and the letter buttons to change the text size.

Result: The chords show on the song page and in stage mode. The transposition and text size are remembered on your device only – the saved song stays in its original key.

Add files and reference links

  1. Open the song. In Files, select Choose files or drop the files onto the box. PDF, images and audio up to 25 MB each are accepted.
  2. To rename a file, change its Type (Charts, Lyrics, Recordings, Other) or give it to one instrument, select the pencil next to it and use Part for instrument.
  3. Select a file's name to view it, play it, Download it or Open in new tab.
  4. In Links, select Edit and add recordings or videos (YouTube, Spotify or any web page). YouTube videos can be played right on the page with Play here.

Import songs from a CSV file

You need: A CSV file (for example saved from Excel or Google Sheets) whose first row contains the column names.

  1. Open Songs and select Import.
  2. Under 1. Choose a file, select your CSV file.
  3. Under 2. Map columns, check which Pulse field each of your columns goes to. Common names (also Czech ones like "Název") are recognised automatically. One column must be mapped to Title; set columns you don't need to Don't import.
  4. Under 3. Preview, check every row. Rows marked as errors (for example a duration not written as m:ss) are not imported – fix them in the file and choose it again.
  5. If some rows match songs you already have (same song number or title), choose Skip them or Update the existing songs.
  6. Select Import … songs.

Result: The new songs are in the library. When updating, only the columns that are in your file are changed – other details of the song stay as they were.

Export the song list

  1. Open Songs.
  2. Select the ⋯ (More) button and choose Export CSV.

Result: A CSV file with all songs, including archived ones, is downloaded. It opens in Excel and uses the same columns as the import, so you can edit it and import it back.

Archive or delete a song

  1. Open the song.
  2. Select Archive to hide it from the song list and from the song library in the setlist editor. It stays in existing setlists. Unarchive brings it back.
  3. To see archived songs in the list, turn on Show archived.
  4. Select Delete only if the song should disappear completely – it is also removed from all setlists and its files are deleted.

Permissions and limits

  • Everyone with the View songs permission can see songs, chords, files and links (all default roles: Band Admin, Band Manager, Band Member, Dep / Guest and Road Crew).
  • Adding songs needs Add songs; editing, chords, files, links, archiving and deleting need Edit songs; the CSV import needs Import songs. By default only Band Admin and Band Manager have these.
  • Anyone who can see songs can export the CSV.
  • Each song number can be used only once in the band. Files can be up to 25 MB each.

Examples

Moving from a spreadsheet

Save your sheet as CSV with columns such as Number, Title, Key, Duration and Genres, then use Import. Check the preview, import, and add chords and charts to the songs you play most.

A guest singer needs a lower key

On the Chords tab, transpose down with − until the key fits. Only your own screen changes – each player can transpose on their own device, and the song keeps its key for everyone else.

Separate parts for the horns

Upload one PDF per part and set Part for instrument on each file, so the trumpet player finds the trumpet part straight away.

Common mistakes

  • Deleting a song you just don't play any more. Archive it instead – the play history and existing setlists stay complete.
  • Writing the duration as "3.45" or "3m45". Use minutes:seconds, for example 3:45.
  • Choosing Update the existing songs in the import when the file has mistakes – the existing songs are changed. Check the preview first.
  • Expecting transposition to change the song for everyone. It only changes your own view; change the Key in Edit to change the song's key.

Troubleshooting

"Song number … is already used by another song."
Every song number can be used only once. Choose another number (the suggested one is free), or leave the field empty.
A file is refused when uploading.
Only PDF, images and audio (for example MP3, M4A, WAV) up to 25 MB are accepted. Save Word documents as PDF and shorten or compress big recordings.
Some rows in the import are marked as errors.
The message says what is wrong: an unclear key, a duration not in m:ss, a tempo outside 1–400 or a number or title that appears twice in the file. Fix those rows in the file and choose it again.
I don't see Add song or Import.
Your role doesn't include Add songs or Import songs. Ask your band admin – see Roles & permissions.
A song shows 0 plays although we played it.
Plays are counted from past gigs that have a setlist containing the song. Make sure the gig has the right setlist – see Setlists.