AirPipes now available on the iTunes App Store
AirPipes now available on the iTunes App Store
AirPipes is a WiFi-based wireless MIDI Bagpipes control surface for the iPad.
The chanter fingerings are based on those used for the Irish Uilleann or Scottish Highland bagpipes and will also be immediately familiar to Irish pennywhistle and flute players.
AirPipes supports two independent wireless MIDI channels, emulating the operation of the drones and chanter of a half set of Uilleann pipes.
AirPipes doesn't produce any sound on its own, it is designed for controlling hardware or software VST-style MIDI synthesizers via a WiFi connection to a Windows or Mac OS X based computer.
Multiple iPads can run AirPipes on the same wireless network, each sending messages on its own set of MIDI channels to the hardware or software synthesizer.
AirPipes is the perfect wireless controller to use with PC or Mac-based virtual MIDI synthesizers like "Studio Piper" from ePipes.co.uk:
Demonstration video (Uilleann chanter mode)
Demonstration video (Highland chanter mode)
Main Screen:
Select between Uilleann and Highland chanter fingerings using the selector below the drone puck.
To play the chanter, place your fingers over the holes on the two halves of the chanter. The left side represents the "top" hand, the right side is the "bottom" hand.
Touch the green bar on the left side with your left little finger to play the notes one octave higher. (Uilleann chanter mode only)
Touch the blue bar at the bottom left center with your left thumb to play the second octave "Back-D" selectable on either a press or release. (Uilleann chanter mode only)
Touch the red bar at the bottom right center with your right thumb to stop the chanter sound for staccato techniques. (Uilleann chanter mode only)
Touch the purple bar on the lower right with your right little finger to bend the pitch or play finger vibrato. (Uilleann chanter mode only)
Rotate the iPad to Portrait orientation to see the fingering chart for the current chanter mode. Rotate back to Landscape orientation to play.
On the fingering chart, you may touch the blue Back-D bar image to toggle between whether the bar on the main screen plays the second-octave D note on a touch (default) or release (matches real Uilleann pipes chanter). (Uilleann chanter mode only)
Also on the fingering chart, you may toggle between "Loose" and "Strict" closed chanter modes by touching the red bar. "Loose" closed chanter mode (default) stops the sound whenever the red bar is pressed on the main screen. "Strict" mode only stops the sound when the red bar is pressed and all the holes are covered and matches the real Uilleann chanter. This mode is used for staccato piping techniques. When in "Strict" mode sample attacks are faster when single holes are uncovered. (Uilleann chanter mode only)
For students of the Uilleann pipes, AirPipes supports nearly all of the alternate fingerings for most notes and can be used as a real practice chanter for the instrument. All 128 possible fingerings have been mapped as closely as possible to match the real instrument.
You may select the MIDI channel, attack velocity and volume for the chanter and drones independently using the sliders at the top of the screen.
The entire range may be transposed up or down up to one octaves (zero transpose is "C") in semitone increments using the chanter and drone transpose sliders.
All MIDI settings are saved when AirPipes quits and restored the next time it is run.
Touch the '!' icon at the lower left to quiet any "stuck" notes if they occur.
AirPipes requires two pieces of software to do its job. The first is the AirPipes app itself, running on your iPad.
The other is a small free open-source DSWiFiMIDI server application that you run on your PC or Mac before launching AirPipes.
The server application receives the MIDI messages from AirPipes via WiFi, and sends them along to either an external MIDI interface or a loopback MIDI driver to talk to software synthesizers running on the same computer.
Please read the instructions below for information on downloading and installing the open-source DSMIDIWiFi server application for your system.
For the most reliable performance with the lowest possible latency, I highly recommend that you connect the PC or Mac to the wireless access point that will be used by the iPad via a wired ethernet cable rather than use wireless for both the computer and the iPad. The computer and wireless gateway that the iPad is connected to must be on the same network.
To get the full benefit from AirPipes, you should be familiar with the use of MIDI control surfaces, hardware and/or software VST synthesizers.
If you have any concern about the compatibility of AirPipes with your own MIDI setup, I recommend first testing with one of these free DSMIDIWiFi-based apps available on the iTunes App Store before purchasing AirPipes:
You may play along with tunes in your iPad's music library by starting a track using the iPad iTunes app, then launching AirPipes.
Chanter image based on my Kirk Lynch concert pitch chanter. Drone puck image courtesy of Mike DeSmidt.
Main screen (drones off). When all fingers are off the screen, the chanter is silenced:
Touch the green bar on the left side with the left little finger to play the second octave: (Uilleann chanter mode only)
Image shows playing a second octave A:
Playing a second octave D (Back-D) by touching the blue bar with left thumb: (Uilleann chanter mode only)
Closing the chanter by touching the red bar with the right thumb: (Uilleann chanter mode only)
Image shows playing a staccato F#:
Touch the purple bar with the right little finger for pitch bends and finger vibrato: (Uilleann chanter mode only)
Rotate the iPad to portrait orientation to see the fingering chart: (Uilleann mode)
Toggle the back-D between playing on touch (default) or release by touching the blue bar.
Toggle the closed chanter mode between "Loose" (default) and "Strict" by touching the red bar.
Rotate the iPad to portrait orientation to see the fingering chart: (Highland mode)
Installing the LoopBe1 MIDI Loopback Driver
To communicate with your Windows MIDI applications such as software synthesizers or sequencers, the DSMIDIWiFi Server needs a MIDI Loopback driver to send the data through to your application. If you have a hardware MIDI interface, and only want to directly control external MIDI synthesizers with AirPipes, the loopback driver is not required and you can skip down to the section below on installing the DSMIDIWiFi server.
For non-commercial use, there is a free MIDI loopback driver called "LoopBe1" available from nerds.de (click on the image for more information):
The download page for LoopBe1 on nerds.de is at:
The LoopBe1 installer is available for download at the bottom of that page. Click the link that says "Download setuploopbe1.exe"
Save the file to your hard drive and then run "setuploopbe1.exe" to install the loopback driver.
Download and Install the DSMIDIWiFi Server:
1. Please download the DSMI server installer for Windows from the DSMI Project Page on Google Code (click the image):
The file to download is labeled "dsmidiwifi-v1.01.zip - DSMI server for Windows"
2. Save the file "dsmidiwifi-v1.01.zip" to your hard drive.
3. Open the .zip archive by double-clicking on the downloaded file.
4. Copy all the files in the .zip archive to your desktop or another folder. This includes the DSMIDIWiFi.exe application and several supporting .dll files.
Running the DSMIDIWifi Server and Connecting via MIDI to your Music Programs:
1. Running the server is very easy, simply double-click the DSMIDIWiFi.exe application in the destination folder where you previously copied the unzipped files.
2. Select the MIDI Loopback driver as the MIDI output in the DSMIDI Server.
3. In your Windows MIDI application, select the loopback driver as your MIDI input.
4. Make sure your iPhone/iTouch is connected over WiFi and you should now be able to send MIDI data to your desktop applications.
Running the DSMIDIWifi Server and Connecting via MIDI to Hardware Synthesizers:
1. If you have a hardware MIDI interface on your computer connected to external hardware MIDI sythesizers, you may play them directly from your iPad. No additional loopback driver is required.
2. In the DSMIDIWiFi.exe Server application, select your hardware MIDI interface output port that is connected to the hardware synthesizers.
3. Please check that the hardware synthesizer is set to receive on the MIDI channel AirPipes is transmitting on (Chanter on channel 1, drones on channel 2 by default).
Download and Install the DSMIDIWiFi Server:
1. Please download the DSMI server installer for Mac OS X from the DSMI Project Page on Google Code (click the image):
The file to download is labeled "dsmidiwifi-v1.02.dmg - DSMI Server for OSX"
2. Open the .dmg file by double clicking on the downloaded file.
3. Locate the DSMIDIWifi Server program file and copy it to your Applications folder
Running the DSMIDIWifi Server and Connecting via MIDI to your Music Programs:
1. Running the server is very easy, just double-click the DSMIDIWifi program in your Applications folder to start.
2. When the server is running, your MIDI capable applications will show a MIDI in port called "DSMIDIWifi-out". Choose this as your MIDI input.
3. Make sure your iPhone/iTouch is connected over WiFi and you should now be able to send MIDI data to your desktop applications.
Running the DSMIDIWifi Server and Connecting via MIDI to Hardware Synthesizers:
1. If you have a hardware MIDI interface on your computer connected to external hardware MIDI sythesizers, you may play them directly from your iPad.
2. In the DSMIDIWiFi Server application, select your hardware MIDI interface output port that is connected to the hardware synthesizers.
3. Please check that the hardware synthesizer is set to receive on the MIDI channel AirPipes is transmitting on (Chanter on channel 1, drones on channel 2 by default).
FAQ:
Q: I seem to be stuck at the fingering chart and can't get to the playing screen!
A: Check that the orientation lock switch on your iPad (just above the volume controls on the side) is in the off position, then rotate the iPad to landscape orientation to play.
Q: I seem to be stuck at the fingering chart and can't get to the playing screen!
A: Check that the orientation lock switch on your iPad (just above the volume controls on the side) is in the off position, then rotate the iPad to landscape orientation to play.
Q: I'm not hearing any different notes while in Highland mode! Help!
A: On the real Scottish pipes, you have to keep your left thumb covering the back chanter hole for all notes except the highest one.
On the app, the back chanter hole is provided by the gray bar (lights up green) at the bottom of the screen under your left thumb.
If you aren't hearing any different notes, make sure your left thumb is on the bar.
Q: How should I get started playing?
A: To get started playing, first select Highland mode using the selector below the drone puck image.
Next touch the bar at the bottom left center with your left thumb, and touch the left side chanter starting with the tips of your left index, middle, and ring fingers.
Next touch the right side of the chanter with the tips of your right index, middle, ring, and little fingers.
The tips of the fingers must be used, not the flats. This is a limitation of the iPad multi-touch input system.
Once you are comfortable playing the easy fingerings for the notes on the chanter, use the help screen (rotate the iPad to portrait orientation) to assist you in learning the proper Highland bagpipe chanter fingerings. These fingerings are used when properly executing all the Scottish piping ornaments.
Q: Are the fingerings in Highland mode the same as a real Scottish Highlands bagpipes chanter?
A: Yes, including the F and C natural cross-fingerings.
Q: Are the fingerings in Uilleann mode the same as a real Uilleann bagpipes chanter?
A: Almost exactly. Since the real instrument uses increased bag pressure to jump the octave, I've had to come up with a simple way to accomplish the same thing on the touch screen:
While the fingering chart shows the most simple fingerings, most alternate fingerings will do what you expect.
In AirPipes, touch the highlighted bar on the left side to indicate an octave jump.
Back-D is played by touching the highlighted bar at the left bottom center with the left thumb. On the fingering chart, you may touch the blue bar to toggle between whether the Back-D bar on the main screen plays the second-octave D note on a touch or release.
Also on the fingering chart, you may toggle between "Loose" and "Strict" closed chanter modes by touching the red bar with the right thumb. "Loose" closed chanter mode stops the sound whenever the red bar is pressed on the main screen. "Strict" mode only stops the sound when the red bar is pressed and all the holes are covered. This mode is used for staccato piping techniques. When in "Strict" mode sample attacks are faster when single holes are uncovered.
Q: What's the most reliable way to play to avoid any random notes or false triggering?
A: The iPad touch screen is most reliable and accurate with small touch areas rather than large surfaces in contact with the screen.
Since the Bagpipes apps really push the limits of the multi-touch capabilities of the device, it is best to use the tips of the fingers wherever possible rather than squashing the flats of the fingers down on the screen.
Q: Can I play along with music on my iPad?
A: Yes, you can play along with tunes in your iPad's music library by starting a track using the iPad iTunes app, then launching Uilleann. While the music is playing you can double click the home button to bring up the iTunes controls.
Q: Where can I learn more about how to play the instrument?
A: Patrick D'Arcy's website is the definitive starting point for all things having to do with the Uilleann pipes:
Patrick D'Arcy's Uilleann Obsession
For Highland pipes, I recommend visiting the following sites:
Pipe Major William Robertson has an extensive set of free online Highland bagpipes lessons.
Calvert County Fire & EMS Pipes and Drums in Maryland has many tunes written out on their site.
City of Winchester Pipes and Drums in Virginia has a very nice collection of tunes in standard notation as .bmp images.
The Fort Collins Pipe Band has many tunes online, also some solo marching drum recordings.
There is a wealth of information online at Bob Dunsire Bagpipe Forums.
Future Plans:
I am very interested in any suggestions for features or improvements to AirPipess for future updates, please drop me an email anytime with your ideas!
Other Apps by Michael Eskin:
Bagpipes, Border Pipes, and Small Pipes - Scottish Bagpipes for the iPad
ePipesKeys - Scottish Highlands Bagpipes Keyboard for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad
BorderPipesKeys - Scottish Border Pipes Keyboard for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad
SmallPipesKeys - Scottish Smallpipes Keyboard for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad
ConcertinaXL - 30-Button C/G Anglo Concertina for the iPad
Concertina - Anglo Concertinas in C/G, Bb/F, A/E, and G/D.
Englitina - High Quality Treble/Baritone English Concertinas
Uilleann - Uilleann pipes chanter and drones for the iPad
JustDrones - Three Uilleann pipes drones in the keys of Bb, B, C, C#, D, E, F, G, and A, with additional interval drone.
3QuarterSet - Three Uilleann pipes drones and two regulators in the keys of D, C#, C, B, and Bb, designed for live play
4QuarterSet - Full set of three Uilleann pipes drones and three regulators in the keys of D, C#, C, and B
Uillitina - Uilleann Pipes as an English Concertina
PipeKeys - Uilleann pipes 3/4 sets in D, C, and B as a standard piano keyboard
ButtonBox - 3 Reed Bank Irish Button Accordion using English concertina fingerings
BoxKeys - 3 Reed Bank Irish Piano Accordion
Haydentina - Hayden-style Duet Concertina
Canntina - MacCann-style Duet Concertina
MIDIKeys - Wireless MIDI Keyboard Controller
MidiAnglo - Wireless Anglo Concertina MIDI Controller
Miditina - Wireless English Concertina MIDI Controller
3QSWiFi - Uilleann pipe drones + two regulators wireless MIDI Controller
4QSWiFi - Uilleann pipe drones + three regulators wireless MIDI Controller
AirPipes - Wireless Bagpipes MIDI Controller
Duettina - Two-sided Hayden-style Duet Concertina
For more information, please contact Michael Eskin or visit the Tradlessons.com website:
