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My Traditional Irish and Scottish instrument apps now updated with Audiobus support
Hello Audiobus Forum!
My name is Michael Eskin and I've been a developer of traditional musical instrument apps since 2009.
I focus primarily on traditional Irish instruments that I play in real-life such as various forms of Irish and Scottish bagpipes and flutes, concertinas, and accordions. I also develop all of the accordion apps for Hohner. All of the apps are based around per-note samples of my own collection of instruments. I also develop CoreMIDI controllers based around the interaction models of these same instruments.
My full app catalog is at:
For years my apps have been standalone instruments and did not work with Audiobus or Garageband. I simply didn't know how to add this capability. A few weeks ago I was chatting with Jesse Chappell, the developer of ThumbJam, and he convinced me that I should really look into adding Audiobus and Inter-App Audio capabilities to my apps.
It was a challenge, but I was able to update many of my more popular iPad apps to now include Audiobus and Inter-App Audio, eight of which were released this morning:
Bagpipes Pro - Five sets of Irish, Scottish, and Swedish bagpipes, transposable and tunable.
https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/app/bagpipes-pro-scottish-irish/id475512001?mt=8
Uilleann (Portrait half-set version) - Traditional Irish bellows driven bagpipes - chanter and drones, multiple keys, tunable
https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/app/uilleann-traditional-irish/id367318547?mt=8
Uilleann (Landscape full-set version) - Traditional Irish bellows driven bagpipes, chanter, regulators, multiple keys, tunable
https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/app/uilleann-traditional-irish/id480235326?mt=8
Irish Flute Pro - Traditional wooden keyless flute (Single piece design) - Multiple keys, tunable
https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/app/irish-flute-pro-traditional/id1086430422?mt=8
Irish Flute Pro - Traditional wooden keyless flute (Split design) - Multiple keys, tunable
https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/app/irish-flute-pro-traditional/id1084172317?mt=8
Tin Whistle Pro - Traditional Irish Tin Whistle - Multiple keys, tunable
https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/app/tin-whistle-pro-traditional/id1086386802?mt=8
Trapezoid - Hammered Dulcimer - 15/14 using the same samples as the ThumbJam hammered dulcimer
https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/app/trapezoid-hammered-dulcimer/id1062108541?mt=8
Englitina - 48-button English Concertina
https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/app/englitina-english-concertina/id387316019?mt=8~~~~
I've also submitted updates to Apple of several of the flagship Hohner accordion iPad apps to include Audiobus and IAA integration, so stay tuned for more news in the next few days about those when they are available. These include the Hohner two and three-row Diatonic Accordions, Piano Accordion, and Chromatic Button Accordion apps.
A huge thanks to Jesse for his support and convincing me to go down this path.
I hope you will enjoy them I'm looking forward to seeing how people will use these apps now that they support Audiobus.
Cheers and thanks,
Michael
Comments
Hey! Very cool. I saw the Irish Flute video on Disccord and it sounds really great! I'm gonna pick an app or two of yers to get. I have no doubt that the implementation of AB and IAA will yield you more sales, for sure.
Also, I think it's great that you are able to reach out to Jesse of ThumbJam for some info and help.
Jesse has been awesome and been helping me with beta testing the new apps while I was integrating Audiobus. I've enthusiastically recommended ThumbJam as a sample-based MIDI synth for use with my CoreMIDI controller apps and over the years and have given him all of nearly my bagpipes, accordion, and concertina samples to turn into ThumbJam instruments. Going the other way, it's his dad's Hammered Dulcimer samples that are in my Trapezoid app.
@Siesuineer Thank you very much for making your apps compatible and welcome to the bus! I think we need a different set of links to the US store, the links you posted weren't working for me. Here is Michael's link to his bundle in the US store: AppCordions Bagpipes, Flutes, and Whistles Collection by Michael Eskin
https://appsto.re/us/qEk6ab.i
Hopefully those are the same as you mentioned.
Michael's apps come the closest to providing a playing experience like the actual instruments themselves, especially for the fingered wind variety. If you have some existing skills, or just want to learn some of those techniques without owning the real thing, these are the way to go.
The sound quality of the samples are also great! He has graciously provided versions of several of his instruments for free download in ThumbJam over the years, so you may have heard some of them before.
Also, I need to take a lesson from him when it comes to making timely demo videos! You can definitely check everything out ahead of time on his website.
Woah, you have some nice bundle pricing for your apps. So. I will be getting more than a few.
Man you got a lotta apps! So, there are midi versions and bundles of your apps? The instrument versions don't do midi? The midi versions obviously do midi, but don't have AB or IAA?
Also, what is the biggest differences between D55o Chromatic Hammered Dulcimer-Dusty Strings Edition and the Trapezoid Hammered? The Trapezoid has AB and IAA?
What does the half set v.s. full set mean?
Sorry for all the questions, jsut trying to wrap my head around all your app goodness
.
This Fantastic stuff indeed. Maybe I'm asking a lot, but any chance of a Hohner Blues Harmonica, or a Special 20 harmonica app too?
DL - ing now. Can't wait to play around with these things and see what happens. Maybe it's time to do some Folk Metal!!!
High5denied,
Trapezoid is the first of my Hammered Dulcimer apps with IAA and Audiobus support. Going to wait a bit before adding the features to the D550 as it's a bit of a memory hog and I don't know how well it will work when backgrounded.
A full set of Uilleann pipes has the chanter that you play the melody on, the drones, which play constant sounds, and these three additional keyed pipes called regulators that you play chords on with the side of your right hand. A half set is the same but minus the regulators. Needless to say, it's a pretty specialized pair of apps. :-)
Or Captain Pugwash theme tune on a Acid Techno track
Hi Michael! That's fantastic news. As an Irish expat these last 24 years, nothing makes me misty-eyed faster than the yearning beauty of the uileann pipes. I bought the app a longtime ago but stopped because I couldn't get it in the bus. True, Thumbjam do a great job on this sound, but yours is a lot purer. Well done again - ooh I think I might pick up your Tin whistle one too..
If the links above aren't working, try searching for me by name "Michael Eskin" on the iTunes App Store, you'll find them all... Also searching for bagpipes, Uilleann, whistle, concertina, or flute should work as well. I'm not sure how to provide universal links that work for all regions.
Sorry, I only write apps for instruments I play. I figure that's the only way I can actually know if they are any good. I'm surprised there isn't already a good harmonica app.
Blimey! I've just looked at your app on the AppStore. You've made a lot of musical instruments. Bravo to you sir.
Thanks, studs1966!
Thank you michael for your reply.
Regarding the question about my MIDI controller apps at:
http://AppCordions.com/midi
None of them make sound, they are purely controllers for playing other CoreMIDI synth apps like ThumbJam, or you can connect a hardware MIDI interface like the iRig MIDI and use them to control your external hardware MIDI synth modules or play VSTs running on Windows or Mac multitrack production apps.
I have similar questions to @High5denied
I would love to play a propper bagpipe synth, but I'd want to use my favorite virtual controllers.
Hows MIDI in and IAA on that?
None of my apps can be controlled via MIDI. There is a pretty decent bagpipes MIDI synth app called "Universal Piper" from another developer if you are looking for that sort of thing. My Scottish bagpipes samples are from ePipes.co.uk and I have a contractual agreement with them not to allow their samples to be played via MIDI since it would compete with their desktop "Studio Piper" program. Pretty much all of my other bagpipes, concertina, and accordion samples are available in ThumbJam as free instruments if you want to play them via MIDI, even using my own CoreMIDI controller apps.
Awesome straight response. Thanks!
I got the bundle. $10.00. It's feeling almost criminal on my part. I can tell, just by trying out Uilleann....That, like you said.....These must rival the instruments. Or play like they play. I didn't come up with anything useful for myself with the couple minutes of playing. But........I need more time to figure these apps out. Cuz you sure made them sound good! lol......
Just because it's on an iPad doesn't negate the need to learn to play the instrument, and the Uilleann pipes app is essentially identical to the real instrument in many ways, at least as best as I could do on a flat piece of glass. :-)
I've been playing the Uilleann pipes in real life for 15 years and only recently have felt like I'm actually approaching proficiency. The apps are a great way to get the experience of the instrument but can't replace traditional one-on-one teaching. The Tin Whistle Pro app is much more accessible I think and the skills transfer to the flute and pipes apps.
Check out my demo videos on the two Uilleann apps websites, they show a bit more how they are played:
http://www.tradlessons.com/Uilleann.html
and
http://www.tradlessons.com/Uilleann2.html
Are you also responsible for the Uileann keys app - and is that going on the bus?
Yes, that's one of mine. I certainly could! Do you have the iPad or iPhone version? I wasn't considering bringing any of the iPhone versions over. I wish I could do real flutes and pipes on iPhone, but the multitouch is limited to 5 touches on the phones. I need at least 7 to do flutes and whistles and as many as 9 or 10 for pipes. So, the keyboards are the next best thing.
Oh, iPad only. It's not an iPhone app, I reckon. The thing is that I'd love that even more. It's the SOUND of the uileann pipes that does it for me: I've found it really hard to 'get a tune going' on the chanters system (though I'm delighted when I do!)
I think that some people on here might really love the sound of the pipes, but find the mastery of them hard. A keyboard could solve that.
However, what it wouldn't solve is the beauty of the 'half note' which is so much a part of the uileann pipes' charm. On TJ, this can almost be achieved by tilting the iPad and it's sweet when you judge it right, even though you get some funny looks in the tube.
Forgive my ignorance here, but would a pitch bend wheel be possible?
Anyway, thanks for the reply. You've earned yourself a loyal customer!
Certainly something to consider for the future! You have some pitch bend and vibrato capability in the UilleannKeys app already by sliding your finger up and down on the keys. Looking at the app, it would be pretty easy to add pitch bend bars to the right and left sides of the top area. Let me see what I can do...
Cheers!
Ok, on my lunch break I had a go with all of them in the bundle. The Flute, BagPipe and I forget the names ATM.
I got some beautiful sounds/music. Except for the Bagpipe stuff. Couldn't figure out how to do anymore than one note? lol...... Need more practice.
Hi Vorgon! I've taken your suggestion and added Audiobus and IAA to UilleannKeys for iPad as well as pitch bend areas on the side of the screen.
Here's a screenshot of the new version showing the pitch bend areas on the right and left:
Just submitted it to Apple, should be available as a free update around Mar 10. Will be version 5.0.
High5denied, they work just like real chanters. For the Scottish "Bagpipes Pro" app, you have to keep your thumb on that top Thumb button or it will only play the highest note, then you can put your fingers down on the rest of the chanter. There are lots of Highland pipes fingering charts online, here's one you can use:
http://www.bagpipeworld.co.uk/bagpipe/fingering/highland_fingering_chart.gif
In general, you can get started playing most of the flute and pipes apps by following the following procedure:
Bagpipes Pro and Uilleann (Portrait version):
To play the chanter, touch the bar at the top left with your left thumb. This bar is the hole normally on the back of a real chanter and must be covered for the lower notes to play.
Next, touch the top three holes of the chanter starting with the tips of your left index, middle, and ring fingers.
Finally, touch the bottom four holes of the chanter with the tips of your right index, middle, ring, and little fingers.
Irish Flute Pro and Tin Whistle Pro
Next, touch the top three holes of the instrument starting with the tips of your left index, middle, and ring fingers.
Finally, touch the bottom three holes of the instrumentwith the tips of your right index, middle, and ring fingers.
Cheers,
Michael
Nice! No Bandoneon MIDI, but guess I can fake its articulations with one of the acordeon or concertina MIDI controllers. Sort of.
@Seisiuneer Thanks! That helps, a lot!