# ePipes - MIDI Bagpipes — Scottish Bagpipes Sound Module

> Authentic sounding Scottish bagpipes MIDI sound module for hardware controllers. (iPhone/iPad app by Michael Eskin.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/epipes-midi-bagpipes/id380888199 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Michael Eskin](https://appshunter.io/developer/342739369)
- Category: Music, Education
- Price: $4.99
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 10.0 · 76 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-07-13
- Data updated: 2026-09-03
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/epipes-midi-bagpipes/id380888199/reviews.md

## What is ePipes?

ePipes is a tunable, authentic sounding set of Scottish Highland, Border Pipes, and Smallpipes as a MIDI sound module that can be played using a hardware MIDI chanter like the Fagerström Technopipes.  

Both GHB and Chromatic style hardware MIDI chanters are supported.

The app also works with hardware MIDI keyboards and MIDI file player apps with appropriate settings of the lowest chanter note and MIDI channels.

The sounds are provided by ePipes.co.uk in Glasgow, Scotland, from extremely high-fidelity studio recordings of three very fine instruments.

Operating Instructions:

Touch the ePipes logo to switch the drones on and off.

Select the instrument style using the instrument selector. Available bagpipes styles are Highland, Border, and Smallpipes.

The pitch may be transposed in semitone increments using the Transpose slider.

Additionally, the Tuning slider may be used to fine-tune the drone +/- 50 cents in one-cent increments

Set the volume of the drones and chanter individually using the Drone and Chanter Volume sliders.

Use the Reverb Level to set the overall reverb level.

Use the Drone Channel slider to set the MIDI channel for the drones.

Use the Chanter Channel slider to set the MIDI channel for the chanter notes.

Use the Lowest Note slider to set the MIDI note for the bottom note of the chanter. 

Range of the lowest MIDI note slider is from 55 to 79.

MIDI default parameter values are based on the Fagerström Scottish Technopipes:

Chanter channel: 1

Lowest Note: 67 

Drone channel: 15

The drones will start upon receiving any MIDI Note-On event with the note number less than 80. A MIDI Note-Off event with the same note number that started the drones on the drone channel will stop the drones.

You may enable Chromatic to GHB scale mapping using the Chromatic Map control.

When the Chromatic Map is set to "Off", the app passes the notes directly through with no remapping for chanters that do the GHB fingering mapping in the device.

When the Chromatic Map is set to "GHB-G" or "GHB-A", the app will remap the incoming chromatic scale notes to the GHB scale so that GHB fingerings can be used on a Chromatic chanter.

"GHB-G" is for chromatic chanters where the bottom note is assumed to be the leading G tone.

"GHB-A" is for chromatic chanters where there is no leading tone and the bottom note is the A tone.

Once set, the MIDI parameters are saved when exiting the app.

The app may also be played from a MIDI file player app using CoreMIDI or a hardware MIDI keyboard attached to the device using a MIDI interface connected to the Lightning port. You may need to adjust the lowest note offset to best work with your setup or MIDI files.

All settings are saved when the app exits and restored the next time it is run.

## Key features

- Authentic Scottish bagpipe sounds
- Supports hardware MIDI chanters and keyboards
- Tunable instruments (Highland, Border, Smallpipes)
- Adjustable pitch and volume
- Drone and chanter volume control
- Reverb level adjustment
- Chromatic to GHB scale mapping

## Recent user reviews (10 of 12)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/epipes-midi-bagpipes/id380888199/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Works Well

*2025-02-16*

I tested my Technopipes chanter using the other ePipes drone app test facility then connected to the MIDI Bagpipes app and reconnected.  It worked straight off. Great value.
It’s made me look at the other ePipes software.

### 1/5 — So far no sound

*2023-01-28*

£4.95 no sound no instructions nothing. Just a control panel and the logo changes from red to green but nothing. Got a 3.5mm jack to Lightning cable and think I’ve wasted more money.

Latest: switched iPhone off and back on and got drones to work. Plugged my ePipes in and killed the drones when I played, or tried to. Several goes to no effect. 

I feel really ripped off which is stupid for £4.95 but the blurb said my exact ePipes were made for this app or visa versa. Nowhere does it say you need a special interface between iPhone and e-chanter in fact it say nothing about how to connect between the two.

### 5/5 — Great App, one request

*2016-07-25*

This app is great to use during chanter practice sessions! It creates awareness of tone at an early stage of learning the bagpipes.
One development request, it would be great if the drones still played while using other apps, for example: when I use my metronome app the drones stop.

### 1/5 — Pish

*2013-12-14*

A bad electronic sound that made me regret buying this 2 seconds after I heard it. Save your money.

### 5/5 — Does exactly what it says!

*2013-01-03*

I would like to see other key combinations for the smallpipes selection however, because I own scots smallpipes in two keys (A and D) as well as the ability to turn on and off the drones in any combination (I often enjoy playing my smallpipes with only the low drone sounding.)

### 5/5 — Does exactly what it says

*2012-08-10*

Does one thing and does it well. It's no substitute for a well-balanced set of GHB drones, but then it's not meant to be. As an adjunct to the practice chanter it's excellent, especially at the price. Well worth a dollar.

### 5/5 — Great app!

*2012-02-05*

This app does exactly what it says.  Plays great sounding bagpipe drones with a high quality sound.  I have actually used often in a piece of music where I needed the bagpipe drone sounding along with some music played on an oboe.  And because it was highly tunable to the cent it was an absolutely perfect fit.  Thanks so much!!

### 5/5 — Does what it's supposed to.

*2011-07-22*

My bagpipe instructor suggested this app to practice with. The choice of pipes was nice, as my chanter sounded better with the border pipe drones. As well, the tuning function allowed me to tune to either of the reeds I practice with. Worth the dollar.

### 1/5 — Schrott

*2010-12-05*

Man kann nur Drones hören und diese regeln. Kann ich mit nem stimmgerät besser. Zu teuer

### 5/5 — Nice app for practice+

*2010-11-02*

I like this app for playing along with my pc. It works great. You can easily adjust the tuning and volume of the 3 different drones sets. Having the drones play helps me blow the chanter in tune.   Thanks for the great app!

## Frequently asked questions about ePipes

### What bagpipe styles does ePipes offer?

ePipes offers three authentic bagpipe styles: Highland, Border, and Smallpipes. These are derived from high-fidelity studio recordings of fine instruments.

### Can I use ePipes with different MIDI hardware?

Yes, ePipes supports both GHB and Chromatic style hardware MIDI chanters, as well as hardware MIDI keyboards. You may need to adjust settings for optimal compatibility.

### How do I control the tuning and pitch in ePipes?

You can transpose the pitch in semitone increments using the Transpose slider. The Tuning slider allows for fine-tuning of the drones +/- 50 cents.

### Does ePipes have ads?

No, ePipes is a paid application and does not contain advertisements.

### What is the price of ePipes?

ePipes is available for a one-time purchase of $4.99.

### What devices is ePipes compatible with?

ePipes is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices.

### How often is ePipes updated?

The latest version, 4.5.1, was released on November 27, 2018. Updates provide ongoing support and improvements.

### Can ePipes remap notes for different fingering styles?

Yes, ePipes features Chromatic to GHB scale mapping. You can choose 'GHB-G' or 'GHB-A' settings to use GHB fingerings on a Chromatic chanter.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.5.1 — 2018-11-27

Added support for landscape orientation on iPad.

### 4.4 — 2018-07-27

Performance improvements and bug fixes.

### 4.3 — 2018-07-23

Faster response time and sound quality improvements.

### 4.2 — 2018-07-09

Name changed to "ePipes - MIDI Bagpipes"

Minor update with bug fixes and performance improvements.

### 4.1 — 2018-06-30

ePipes is now a Universal iPhone/iPad app.

Added iPhone X support.

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## More apps by Michael Eskin

- [Concertina - Anglo Concertina](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/concertina-anglo-concertina/id343270484)
- [Regulators for Uilleann Pipes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/regulators-for-uilleann-pipes/id348529289)
- [JustDrones - Tunable Just Intonation Drones](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/justdrones-tunable-just-intonation-drones/id348861427)
- [Englitina - English Concertina](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/englitina-english-concertina/id349451473)
- [Uilleann - Pocket Irish Pipes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uilleann-pocket-irish-pipes/id353684178)
- [Canntina - MacCann Concertina](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canntina-maccann-concertina/id360579654)

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

## Related topics

[epipal](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/epipal) · [sonic bagpipes](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sonic-bagpipes)

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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.*