# Dusty Strings 16/15 Dulcimer — Authentic Hammered Dulcimer

> Virtual hammered dulcimer instrument for iOS devices. (iPhone/iPad app by Michael Eskin.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dusty-strings-1615-dulcimer/id1406578573 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Michael Eskin](https://appshunter.io/developer/342739369)
- Category: Music, Education
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 4.10/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 4 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 10.0 · 168 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2018-08-02
- Data updated: 2026-09-03
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dusty-strings-1615-dulcimer/id1406578573/reviews.md

## What is Dusty Strings 16/15 Dulcimer?

Experience playing the full, lush tones of a Dusty Strings hammered dulcimer right on your iPhone or iPad.   

Play on-screen or via MIDI from other apps or a MIDI keyboard.

The app provides the treble and bass bridges of the flagship D550 model for playing on screen and the full 3.75 octave chromatic range of the real instrument from G2 to E6 when played via MIDI.

The app has a 16/15 configuration with 16 string courses on the treble bridge and 15 courses on the bass bridge.

The D550 is one of the popular Chromatic Series models made by Dusty Strings, builders of hammered dulcimers in Seattle, WA since 1979.

To play, just touch the strings next to the black and white bridge markers. 

The Treble bridge (in the middle) has playable notes on either side, which are a fifth interval apart.

The Bass bridge (on the right) can be played to the left of the markers.

Toggle between a bright, clear ringing tone using hard hammers and a gentler, more piano tone using soft hammers by touching the image of the hammer in the upper left corner.

To get repeated note "drag roll" effects, drag quickly horizontally across the strings. The drag roll sensitivity can be set on the settings screen. The higher the sensitivity, the shorter distance you need to move your finger to get the effect.

Touch the "ABC" button to toggle the note name display on/off.

Touch the mixer icon to show the controls screen where you can adjust the balance and pan for the bass and treble bridges, enable or disable the drag rolls, as well as set the sensitivity for how far you need to drag to get the roll effect.

On the iPad version, the "Hammer Touches" setting chooses between no visible touches, visible touches, and visible touches + note label highlighting.

On the controls screen for the iPad version, you may use the "Soft Hammer Filter" control to choose between equalization of the soft hammer sounds for best sound through the iPad speaker or through headphones. The "iPad" setting optimizes the soft hammer equalization for playback through the iPad speaker. The "Headphones" setting optimizes the soft hammer sound equalization for headphones or for use when connected to an amplifier through the headphone jack. The "Headphones" setting allows the full fidelity of the lowest sound to pass through for best quality.  iPhone devices default to the "Headphones" setting.

From the controls screen you can also visit the Dusty Strings website to learn more about their amazing hand-crafted instruments.

Touch the "Shhh" icon to quiet all the strings.
 
Instructions for use as a CoreMIDI Sound Module:

The app may be used as a MIDI sound module for use with CoreMIDI-enabled MIDI file player apps or controlled from an external MIDI keyboard using a hardware MIDI interface.  

When played via MIDI the app has the full 3.75 octave chromatic range of the real D550 from G2 to E6.

Select the MIDI channel on the controls page.

When used via MIDI, the app responds to MIDI note-on (with velocity), note-off, and volume change messages on the selected MIDI channel.

The right treble bridge volume and panning is used for all MIDI sounds and will respond to MIDI volume messages.

To use with a MIDI file player app, such as “Sweet MIDI Player”, first launch the Dusty Strings 16/15” app, then your MIDI file player app. In MIDI file player settings you will find this app listed as “Dusty Strings 16/15” in their list of available CoreMIDI sound modules. 

On the controls screen, be sure to set the MIDI channel of this app to match the output MIDI channel of the MIDI player track you wish to play.

iPad users - For the full D550 instrument playable on-screen, including the "SuperBass" bridge, please check out my standard "Dusty Strings" iPad app on the iPad App Store.

## Key features

- Authentic hammered dulcimer sound
- On-screen playing interface
- MIDI input support
- Full chromatic range (G2-E6)
- Adjustable hammer types (hard/soft)
- Drag roll effect with sensitivity settings
- Note name display toggle

## Recent user reviews (4 of 4)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dusty-strings-1615-dulcimer/id1406578573/reviews.md

### 3/5 — せっかく買ったが

*2025-09-16*

第10世代のiPadには対応していないのか、もともとの仕様なのか、ダルシマーの右半分しか演奏出来ず……
初心者なので楽器を触る前にとこちらのアプリを試してみたのですが、何も分からず購入してしまったのを後悔しています。

### 1/5 — Terrible!

*2022-11-27*

It’s not a good size. It doesn’t fit the screen and doesn’t rotate. It also sounds like it desperately needs tuning. I can’t get past that part to want it to be enjoyable with the limited area and I play it. 

I’d like a refund please. I can’t find anywhere to request a refund or contact support.

### 4/5 — Love it but it keeps turning the sound off mysteriously

*2022-09-25*

I’m not sure why this keeps happening but I’ve had to uninstall the app and reinstall it twice and I’ve only had it for one day.  Otherwise I am loving it.  It’s actually pulling me to play my tunes on the app rather than on my actual hammered dulcimer for the novelty of it right now.  If only I can just figure out what’s causing the loss of sound I’ll be completely happy.

### 5/5 — great app

*2018-07-16*

Best money I have spent in a long time.  fun to try picking out tunes by ear, we’ll worth the money. I can use it with ear buds and practice tunes during the wee hours of the morning.

**Developer response:** The numbers next to the note names are the octave number for the note. The standard is that middle C on the piano is C3, one octave above that is C4, one octave below that is C2. The format I'm using is very standard for labeling notes and very helpful since there are multiple copies of the same note on a hammered dulcimer. For example the note A4 occurs in three different places, once on each bridge. The numbers help people find the notes, it would be confusing to remove them.

## Frequently asked questions about Dusty Strings 16/15 Dulcimer

### What is Dusty Strings 16/15 Dulcimer?

Dusty Strings 16/15 Dulcimer is a mobile application that recreates the sound and playing experience of a real hammered dulcimer. It allows users to play on-screen or via MIDI, offering a full chromatic range.

### How much does Dusty Strings 16/15 Dulcimer cost?

Dusty Strings 16/15 Dulcimer is a paid app, available for $4.99. This one-time purchase grants access to all its features.

### What devices is Dusty Strings 16/15 Dulcimer compatible with?

The app is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices. It is designed to provide an authentic musical experience across these Apple platforms.

### Can I use Dusty Strings 16/15 Dulcimer with a MIDI keyboard?

Yes, the app supports MIDI input, allowing you to control it from other apps or an external MIDI keyboard. When played via MIDI, it offers the full 3.75 octave chromatic range from G2 to E6.

### Does Dusty Strings 16/15 Dulcimer have ads?

No, Dusty Strings 16/15 Dulcimer does not contain advertisements. As a paid application, it offers an uninterrupted musical experience.

### What is the age rating for Dusty Strings 16/15 Dulcimer?

Dusty Strings 16/15 Dulcimer has an age rating of 4+. This indicates it is suitable for users of all ages, with no mature content.

### How often is Dusty Strings 16/15 Dulcimer updated?

The app was last updated on August 2, 2018, with version 1.0.4. Further updates would depend on developer plans for new features or compatibility improvements.

### What is the 'drag roll' effect in Dusty Strings 16/15 Dulcimer?

The 'drag roll' effect simulates rapid horizontal movement across the strings for repeated note sounds. Its sensitivity can be adjusted in the settings screen to control the distance needed for the effect.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.0.4 — 2018-08-02

This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included.

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All apps by Michael Eskin: https://appshunter.io/developer/342739369

## Related topics

[dulcimer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/dulcimer)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-03.*