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iPod and iPad apps

I was checking out iPad and iPod apps for the bagpiper and was surprised by the number. I have the fagerstrom technopipes, so was hoping to control my iPod touch with the iRig midi interface. The technopipe sound is adequate for practice, but you certainly wouldn't want to amplify it.

epipes.co.uk produces Studio Piper. It's a software-based bagpipe that allows you to play and record Highland pipes, Uilleann pipes, Border pipes and Scottish Smallpipes through your PC or Mac. To use it it, you need an electric bagpipe (like the technopipe) with MIDI output, a computer to run the software and a MIDI to USB cable to connect the two. The website has audio samples that are pretty impressive. The Highland pipes sampled were McCallum drones with a McC2 chanter.

I can't seem to find another software program that allowed you to choose between four different sets of samples. I'll keep looking for that one.

The apps that seem most prevalent are from Michael Eskin in San Diego. His website is at www.tradlessons.comand features a wide, wide array of apps. He has Scottish and Swedish bagpipes, Uilleann bagpipes, anglo and English concertinas, etc. The sound samples he uses for the bagpipe apps are licensed to him by the epipes gang, so they sound pretty decent. Unfortunately, he is restricted to producing apps that use the device (iPad or iPod touch) for inputs. So no using a MIDI input device like the technopipes. There are some pretty neat apps in his catalog.

I emailed the epipe gang, and Keir Murdo replied to answer my questions. They plan to release a iOS Studio Piper "in time". I don't think I want to haul around a laptop in addition to my iPad on the road, so I'm going to wait for the release of the iOS version. If I had a smaller laptop, then I might be tempted to bring it to allow me to use the BMW software and Studio Piper. But my laptop is ancient and huge and has way too many "blue death" episodes.

#electric bagpipes #studio piper