JustDrones is set of tunable virtual Uilleann pipes drones in the standard keys of Bb, B, C, C#, D, as well the higher keys of E, F, G, and A for use with other instruments.
An optional additional just-tuned interval drone may be enabled a 3rd, 4th, or 5th scale tone above or a 5th or octave bass below the root.
The volume of the main drones and the interval drone may be controlled independently.
You may adjust the tuning of the main drones and the just-intonation based interval drone +/- 50 cents in one-cent increments using the fine-tuning slider control just below the drone puck.
Pitch selection, interval drone, fine tuning, and volume settings are saved when the app exits and restored the next time the app is run.
The interval drones are tuned using just intonation relative to the drone root pitch for perfect consonance.
JustDrones uses high-quality 44.1 KHz 16-bit seamlessly looped audio samples from my personal set of Uilleann pipes built by Kirk Lynch, not synthesized tones, so it sounds extremely realistic.
All drones are tuned using just intonation for perfect consonance.
Playing against drones is an excellent way to work on improving intonation. Tin whistle, wooden flute, and Irish fiddle players can all benefit from using the JustDrones as a practice aid.
Uilleann pipers, looking for an interesting alternative to standard D drones on a concert set? Set the main drone root to G and enable the 5th interval drone.(I learned this trick from Mikie Smyth).
To get even more usefulness out of JustDrones, try plugging your iPhone or iPod Touch into a set of external speakers. The drones sounds are from acoustic recordings without additional effects. Try connecting to external effects devices such as chorus or reverb boxes for even more interesting sounds.
Overview of JustDrones (earlier version, before tuning was added):
Fine tuning slider set to +18 cents
Fine tuning slider set to +18 cents
FAQ:
Q: I'm not hearing any sounds on my iPhone! Help!
A: Make sure your ringer switch isn't in the "mute" position.
Additional Resources:
To learn more about the Uilleann pipes, please visit the following sites:
Patrick D'Arcy's Uilleann Obsession Site
Chiff and Fipple Uilleann Pipes Message Board
Future Plans:
I am very interested in any suggestions for features or improvements to the apps for future updates, please drop me an email anytime with your ideas!
Other Apps by Michael Eskin:
ePipesDrones - Scottish bagpipes drones
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
Concertina - Anglo Concertinas in C/G, Bb/F, A/E, and G/D
Englitina - High Quality Treble/Baritone English Concertinas
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
Duettina - Two-sided Hayden-style Duet Concertina
Contact:
For more information, please contact Michael Eskin or visit the Tradlessons.com website:
