# MIDIRegs - Uilleann Regulators — MIDI Control Surface

> Uilleann bagpipes MIDI control surface for hardware and software synthesizers. (iPhone/iPad app by Michael Eskin.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midiregs-uilleann-regulators/id362236214 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Michael Eskin](https://appshunter.io/developer/342739369)
- Category: Music, Education
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 3.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16 · 9 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-03-18
- Data updated: 2026-06-05
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midiregs-uilleann-regulators/id362236214/reviews.md

## What is MIDIRegs?

MIDIRegs is a Uilleann bagpipes Drones/Regulators CoreMIDI-compliant MIDI control surface for the iPhone.

MIDIRegs doesn't produce any sound on its own, it is for playing hardware or software VST-style MIDI synthesizers via CoreMIDI hardware interfaces connected to the dock connector or virtual MIDI instruments such as IK Multimedia SampleTank or Sonosaurus ThumbJam running on your device.

MIDIRegs is modeled on the drones and three regulators (Tenor, Baritone, and Bass) found on a full set of Uilleann pipes. 

MIDIRegs makes it possible to have drones and regulators that sound like any instrument patch available on a CoreMIDI virtual synth running on the device. 

You may also use the app to play sounds on a hardware MIDI synthesizer connected via a CoreMIDI interface attached to the dock connector of your device. 

Since the drones and regulators messages may be sent on two different MIDI channels, each can play a different synthesizer patch.

Touch the regulator play mode icon just below the drone switch to toggle between regulator auto-chord play and single play modes.

Touch the MIDI icon for the settings page.

Choose between "Omni" sending MIDI data to all CoreMIDI apps or "Virtual Port" sending to a named CoreMIDI virtual output port. When the "Virtual Port option is selected, MIDIRegs will show up as an input option labeled "MIDIRegs" in apps that support virtual ports like Sonosaurus ThumbJam and MIDIBridge. "Omni" mode is selected by default.

Set the overall transposition for the entire instrument using the Transpose (Semitones) slider. Any transposition from between -12 to +12 semitones can be selected. Default is zero, corresponding to a concert D set.

Set the MIDI transmit channel for the drones and regulators using the Drones Channel and Regulators Channel sliders. Any channel from 1-16 may be selected. Default is channel 1 for the drones and channel 2 for the regulators. Multiple devices can simultaneously talk to the MIDI synth, just make sure each device is on its own set of MIDI channels.

Note-on events are sent with a fixed velocity. Set the velocity using the Drones Velocity and Regulators Velocity sliders. Any value from 0-127 may be selected. Default value is 100.

If you ever have "stuck" notes, you may touch the "!" icon on the main screen to send a MIDI "All Notes Off" message and stop the sounds.

All settings are saved when exiting MIDIRegs and restored the next time it is run. 

Here's the settings changes required for two popular synth apps:

IK Multimedia SampleTank:

- In Settings (touch the gear icon), enable "Background Audio"

Sonosaurus ThumbJam:

- In "Prefs", under "MIDI Control", in "MIDI General Options" enable "Use CoreMIDI" and "Active in Background"

Other CoreMIDI compatible synth apps will have similar settings.

## Key features

- Uilleann bagpipes drone and regulator simulation
- CoreMIDI compliant MIDI control surface
- Control of hardware or software synthesizers
- Customizable MIDI channels and velocity
- Auto-chord and single play modes
- Global transposition settings

## Recent user reviews (3 of 3)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midiregs-uilleann-regulators/id362236214/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Won't produce sound!

*2016-08-09, version 3.0*

I really admire Michael Eskin's apps but this one won't work.

### 5/5 — Help

*2016-02-23, version 3.0*

I just loved this app until it stopped working 
So sad please update for ipad

### 1/5 — Shocking

*2013-01-10*

Not great at all

## Frequently asked questions about MIDIRegs

### Does MIDIRegs produce its own sound?

No, MIDIRegs does not produce sound on its own. It functions as a MIDI control surface to trigger sounds from external hardware or software synthesizers via CoreMIDI.

### What kind of instruments can MIDIRegs control?

MIDIRegs can control any CoreMIDI-compliant virtual MIDI instruments on your device, such as IK Multimedia SampleTank or Sonosaurus ThumbJam, or external hardware MIDI synthesizers.

### How does MIDIRegs simulate Uilleann bagpipes?

It is modeled on the drones and three regulators (Tenor, Baritone, and Bass) found on a full set of Uilleann pipes, allowing users to assign any instrument patch available on a CoreMIDI synth.

### Can I use MIDIRegs with other MIDI apps?

Yes, MIDIRegs can send MIDI data to all CoreMIDI apps using 'Omni' mode, or to a specific app like Sonosaurus ThumbJam when 'Virtual Port' is selected, appearing as an input option labeled 'MIDIRegs'.

### What is the price of MIDIRegs?

MIDIRegs is a paid application, priced at $4.99. This is a one-time purchase with no additional in-app purchases or subscriptions.

### How often is MIDIRegs updated?

The latest version, 3.5, was released on 2025-07-06. While specific update frequency isn't detailed, the app has seen regular updates to maintain compatibility and functionality.

### What devices does MIDIRegs support?

MIDIRegs is supported on iPhone and iPod devices. It is rated for ages 4 and up.

### Does MIDIRegs have ads?

No, MIDIRegs does not contain advertisements. As a paid application, it offers an ad-free experience for users.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.5 — 2025-07-06

Bug fixes

### 3.2 — 2022-04-24

Bug fixes and updates for newer versions of iOS.

### 3.1 — 2019-03-08

Bug fixes and performance improvements

### 3.0 — 2016-02-17

Updated for iPhone 5/6 and iOS 8/9

Added support for CoreMIDI virtual MIDI ports.

### 2.1 — 2012-11-19

New icons

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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

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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 2026-06-05.*