Tag Archives: cheer competition music

Music Playback at Cheer Competitions: Apps, Best Practices, and the Case for MP3 Players

Music Playback at Cheer Competitions Apps Best Practices and the Case for MP3 Players

By Steve Pawlyk

Published November 16, 2023

At competitions coaches face the critical task of ensuring flawless music playback during competitions. With routines heavily reliant on music for cues and timing, the right technology and preparation can make all the difference. Today, let’s explore some apps that can make this a smooth process

Top Music Apps for Seamless Playback

In the bustling environment of cheer competitions, reliable music playback is non-negotiable. For coaches wielding iOS and Android devices, the quest for the perfect music app ends with options that guarantee smooth offline playback.

reliable music players cheer
  • Musify: A versatile app available on both platforms, Musify is a godsend for those without an extensive personal music collection. Its offline capabilities ensure that cheer routines are never at the mercy of spotty internet connections.
  • Pulsar Music Player: This app shines across Android, iOS, and Chrome, boasting a user-friendly interface and reliable offline playback that make it a top pick for coaches on-the-go.
  • GoneMAD Music Player: Exclusive to Android, GoneMAD is celebrated for its customizable nature and audio enhancements, making it ideal for those seeking a personalized music experience.
  • AIMP: Known for supporting a multitude of audio formats, AIMP is an Android favorite for coaches who require flexibility and no-fuss access to their curated playlists.
  • Poweramp Music Player: With its high-level customization and powerful audio features, Poweramp for Android ensures that every beat of your cheer mix is heard loud and clear.

Switching to iOS, the selection is just as impressive:

  • VOX – MP3 & FLAC Music Player: VOX stands out with its support for high-resolution audio, ensuring that every cheer routine is accompanied by crystal-clear sound.
  • Cs Music Player: Tapping into the Apple Music ecosystem, Cs Music Player offers a minimalist and efficient way to manage and play your already-amassed collection, both from local storage and the iCloud Music Library.

These apps are more than just tools; they’re the backstage heroes ensuring every jump, stunt, and tumble is performed in perfect harmony with the music.

cheer competition music cheap
Licensed Cheer Music for Competition Cheer Music

Best Practices for Device Handoff

A smooth handoff of your device to the sound engineer is critical. Here are some refined practices to ensure your team’s performance sounds as good as it looks:

  • Pre-Event Preparation: Rigorous preparation is key. Besides disabling notifications and downloading music, consider a rehearsal run to ensure tracks play in the correct order. Equip your device with a durable case for protection and an ample battery pack to guard against power drain.
  • Connectivity: In addition to disabling Wi-Fi and data, consider placing the device in airplane mode with Bluetooth disabled to prevent any wireless interruptions. Ensure that all music files are properly tagged and organized for easy navigation.
  • Sound Quality: If possible, try to conduct a sound check with the engineering team to test levels. Having a high-quality DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) adapter can further enhance the sound fidelity.
  • Security: Beyond locking the device to a single app, ensure that the screen timeout is extended or disabled to prevent the device from locking during performance. Use features like Guided Access on iOS or Screen Pinning on Android to lock the device into the music app, preventing accidental swipes or taps.
iOS music apps cheer

Following these practices will minimize technical glitches and secure a performance that is as flawless technically as it is athletically.

Advantages of Using an MP3 Player

While smartphones have become the Swiss Army knife of technology, MP3 players still hold their ground, especially in scenarios demanding uninterrupted audio play, such as cheer competitions.

cheer competition music
  • Dedicated Use: MP3 players offer a single-use focus that smartphones can’t match. They are designed for one thing and one thing only: playing music. This specialization means there’s no risk of a surprise call or text popping up and disrupting a critical moment in a performance.
  • Battery Longevity: Unlike smartphones, which juggle countless tasks and apps, MP3 players are battery misers. They are built to last much longer on a single charge, ensuring that the device won’t die just as the team hits the mat.
  • User-Friendly Interfaces: The simplicity of MP3 players is their hidden strength. In the high-stakes environment of a cheer competition, the last thing a coach needs is to fumble through complex menus. MP3 players usually offer straightforward navigation that can be a lifesaver under pressure.
  • Universal Connectivity: The humble 3.5mm jack is nearly universal in MP3 players, which means virtually any sound system can interface with them without a hitch. This can be a boon in venues where the sound engineer’s setup might not be compatible with the various connectors of the latest smartphones.

In essence, an MP3 player is a coach’s reliable ally, ensuring that the music will play on cue, as planned, without any of the modern-day technological hiccups that can accompany a smartphone.

While mobile devices offer convenience, the distinct advantages of MP3 players make them a worthy consideration for any cheer coach looking to ensure a seamless performance. By using the right apps and following best practices for device handoff, coaches can minimize technical disruptions and keep the focus on the athletes’ performance.

Steve Pawlyk Signature Full

Need Competition Music Blue

IPP's Premade Mixes are USA Cheer Compliant and customizable!  Add Sound FX, swap songs, & more!  Add your Team Name to the mix for only $10! 

SLAM artwork
Full_Out_130 mp3 image
1 minute cheer mix
WAKE UP THE FIRE
SLAM artwork
WAKE UP THE FIRE
Full_Out_130 mp3 image
1 minute cheer mix

MAJORS 2022 Competition Results

By Annemarie Arthurs

Published January 20, 2022

“Oooooooooo HONEY! That was the TEA, MAJORS you just gave it to ME!!!”

Nothing like starting off our first MAJOR All-Star Competition blog of 2022 with my favorite voiceover throwback! Shout out to Top Gun

Safe to say Friday night was one for the books! I think all all-star cheerleaders can agree that when an event like this is happening and streamed on Varsity TV…. we all know exactly when to tune in, grab the popcorn, and a cozy blanket! I for one can say that I scheduled my entire day to be ready to go at 7:05pm!!

From X-Small – Large Coed…. these teams took the mat and left it all out there! With all the obstacles that gyms have faced this season in this everlasting pandemic we are living in…. it was amazing to see such success, amazing choreography, true talent, and NO MASKS all happening LIVE! 

Okay, now let’s get to the part we all really care about!

Starting off strong with the L6 Senior-XSmall & XSmall Coed divisions…these teams were a FORCE! I remember when first hearing about these new division a while back I thought to myself “how can such few athletes be expected to do so much” but this division has proven to be the strongest!! I got goosebumps watching SC Cheer!! Those ladies sure know how to entertain!

Moving onto Medium Senior & Medium Senior Coed, the “OG” Generals never disappoint! This team has made a name for themselves in the cheerleading world and continues to keep Woodlands Elite at the top! 


Finally, the Large Senior and Large Senior Coed division. Safe to say I’ve been watching these divisions religiously since 2007 and it gets better and better every year! Orange, Panthers, and Senior Elite, Cheetahs and Steel sure know how to make you stop everything you are doing and not take your eyes off the screen!

Shout out to all these choreographers and coaches that can bring these amazing routines to life! 

Now for the results!! 

L6 Senior Coed-XSmall

1

Twist & Shout Tulsa-Diamonds

93.81671

2

CJA All Stars-Team Gunz

93.06671

3

Gymtyme Illinois-Fever

93.06671

L6 Senior Coed-Small

1

Brandon All Stars-Senior Black

94.33331

2

ACE Cheer Company-Warriors

92.08331

L6 Senior Coed-Medium

1

Woodlands Elite OR-Black Ops

93.23331

2

Prodigy All Stars-MIDNIGHT

93.03331

3

The California All Stars-Black Ops

90.18331

L6 Senior Coed-Large

1

The Stingray All Stars-Steel (COED GRAND CHAMPS)

97.53331

2

Cheer Athletics-Cheetahs

93.81671

L6 Senior-XSMALL

1

SC Cheer-Fearless

90.86671

2

Cheer Central Suns-Lady Suns

90.20001

3

The California All Stars Mesa-Vixens

89.90001

4

Twist & Shout Edmond-Obsession

87.46671

L6 Senior-Small

1

Cheer Extreme Raleigh-SSX

92.91671

2

The California All Stars San Marcos-Lady Bullets

90.05001

3

Rain Athletics-Aqua

89.60001

L6 Senior-Medium

1

Woodlands Elite OR-Generals

92.93331

2

The Stingray All Stars-Peach

90.16671

L6 Senior-Large

1

Cheer Athletics-Panthers (ALL GIRL GRAND CHAMPS)

94.10001

2

Cheer Extreme-Senior Elite

91.75001

3

The Stingray All Stars-Orange

91.25001

I don’t know about you…but bring on NCA Nationals!!! 

These teams will be coming in hot!!

Best Cheer Music Producers for Competition Mixes

best cheer music studios for competition mixes

best cheer music producers for competition mixes

By Steve Pawlyk

Published September 26, 2018

Its a question coaches face every season: What are the best cheer music producers for competition mixes?

A lot has changed in the world of cheer in just a few short years. Perhaps no area of cheer has changed as much as the process of purchasing music.  The last 3 years has brought as many new rules as new producers.

There are a few factors to consider when choosing the best cheer music producers for competition mixes.

BUDGET

Determining your budget is a crucial first step.  Teams with larger budgets may want to explore the custom mix option, while those on a tighter budget (gyms with multiple teams, for instance) may find premade mixes to be a better fit.

CUSTOM or PREMADE

Custom mixes are just that; exclusive mixes made from scratch to your request and/or count sheet.

premade mixes are already built, and therefore more affordable.

PERSONALIZATION

Custom Mixes come complete with personal voiceovers and routine-timed fx.  However, premade mixes are also often customizable via voiceover/fx/edit add-ons

LICENSING

This is usually less of an option these days as most competitions require licensing. However, some producers still provide licensing, optionally, for an additional fee.  Alternatively, other sites (like IPP Music), provide licensing free with all purchases, custom or premade

The following is a list of the industry’s best cheer music producers for competition mixes

USA CHEER PREFERRED MUSIC PROVIDERS

USA Cheer provides their own list of approved vendors on their Preferred Music Providers page

VISIT USA CHEER
Cheer News:  Usa Cheer Announces U.s. Junior National Coed Team

Steve Pawlyk Signature Full

SHARE YOUR CART