Celtic Sounds MIDI Module vs SWAM Violin
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Celtic Sounds MIDI Module
This app is a CoreMIDI sound module that provides authentic sounds of seven traditional Irish and Scottish instruments. It can be used with MIDI file players, other MIDI controller apps, or directly with a MIDI keyboard. Adjust transposition, volume, reverb, and MIDI pitch bend for a personalized experience.
- Seven traditional Irish/Scottish instruments
- Fully transposable MIDI sound module
- CoreMIDI and Audiobus 2/3 compatible
- Adjustable transposition and reverb
- Responds to MIDI velocity and pitch bend
- Detailed MIDI note range information
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Celtic Sounds is a fully transposable MIDI sound module with seven traditional Irish and Scottish musical instruments: High-D Tin Whistle Wooden Flute Uilleann Pipes Chanter, Drones, and Baritone/Tenor Regulator Pairs Anglo Concertina Button Accordion Great Highland Bagpipes Chanter and Drones Scottish Smallpipes Chanter and Drones Every note on the instruments have been individually to provide a very authentic sound. The app is a CoreMIDI Sound Module for use with CoreMIDI file players and other CoreMIDI controller apps. You may also play the sounds using a MIDI keyboard or other MIDI controller attached to the device using a MIDI interface connected to the Lightning port. The app also works as an Audiobus 2 source module and is compatible with Audiobus 3. Inter-App Audio support is provided by Audiobus. Using the controls, set your instrument, transposition, volume, reverb style, reverb level, MIDI channel, and MIDI pitch bend values. Use the "Transpose Semitones" slider to shift the entire instrument up or down up to one octave in semitone increments. This setting shifts the pitch of the sound but does not change the MIDI note numbers the app responds to. Touch the number to the right of the "Transpose Semitones" slider to reset the transposition to zero semitones. Choose your reverb style and level from four options: Room, Hall1, Hall2, or Church If you have a MIDI "stuck note" touch the "Shhh" button at the top right to stop all sounds. The app responds to both MIDI note-on velocity and pitch bend messages on the selected MIDI channel. Set the maximum pitch bend response using the "Pitch Bend Semitones". Default is two semitones. The MIDI note ranges of the instruments are: High-D Tin Whistle - D3 (62) - D5 (86) Wooden Flute - D3 (62) - D5 (86) Anglo Concertina - C2 (48) - A5 (93) Button Accordion - G2 (53) - E5 (88) Highland Pipes - A3 (68) - Bb4 (82) Smallpipes - A3 (68) - Bb4 (82) When playing the Uilleann Pipes instrument, the following special MIDI notes, starting on C1 (36) are used for the drone and regulator sounds: Single regulator notes: C1 (36) - Bass regulator G C#1 (37) - Bass regulator A D1 (38) - Bass regulator B D#1 (39) - Bass regulator C E1 (40) - Baritone regulator D F1 (41) - Baritone regulator F# F#1 (42) - Baritone regulator G G1 (43) - Baritone regulator A G#1 (44) - Tenor regulator F# A1 (45) - Tenor regulator G A#1 (46) - Tenor regulator A B1 (47) - Tenor regulator B C2 (48) - Tenor regulator C Drones: D2 (50) - Lynch Drones D#2(51) - Crowley Drones Regulator pairs: E2 (52) - D/F# Baritone/Tenor Regulator Pair F2 (53) - D/G Baritone/Tenor Regulator Pair F#2 (54) - F#/A Baritone/Tenor Regulator Pair G2 (55) - G/B Baritone/Tenor Regulator Pair G#2 (56) - G/C Baritone/Tenor Regulator Pair A2 (57) - A/C Baritone/Tenor Regulator Pair Uilleann Pipes drones key triggers (D2 and D#2) are "latching" . The drones start on the first press of the trigger key, stop on the second. The Uilleann Pipes chanter notes start at D3 (62) and go to D5 (86) When playing the Great Highland Bagpipes and Smallpipes instruments, the drones, are triggered on receipt of D#2 (51) and are latching. The drones start on the first press of the trigger key, stop on the second. When playing the bagpipes instruments, any pitch bend messages received only effect the chanter notes, not the drones or regulators. The bagpipes instruments are setup for the default WARBL GHB controller note mapping for notes and drone switch. MIDI Transpose Control for use with MIDI Chanters and other MIDI controllers: Use the "MIDI Transpose Semitones" slider to shift the incoming MIDI note messages up or down up to one octave in semitone increments. This is useful for MIDI chanters or other controllers that have a fixed message range. Touch the number to the right of the "MIDI Transpose Semitones" slider to reset the MIDI transposition to zero semitones.
SWAM Violin
This virtual instrument uses physical modeling to generate realistic string performances in real-time, responding dynamically to your playing style. It offers advanced spatial control with a room simulator and can be used standalone or as an AUv3 plugin. Designed for expressive control and inclusivity, it's suitable for various musical styles and users.
- Physical modeling sound generation
- Real-time expressive control
- Room Simulator 'Ambiente'
- Standalone and AUv3 plugin support
- Intuitive, inclusive interface
- Customizable sound and micro-tuning
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SWAM Violin for iOS: Unmatched Realism and Expressive Power in Your Hands Experience the cutting-edge Physical Modeling technology of SWAM Violin for iOS, now featuring the revolutionary Room Simulator "Ambiente"! Unlike sampled libraries, this virtual instrument doesn’t play pre-recorded sounds but generates authentic string performances in real-time, responding dynamically to your every nuance, just like a real violinist. These instruments are NOT sample libraries. Unlike sampling, which uses recordings to replicate the sound of an instrument, physical modeling doesn’t generate a sound as such but creates the conditions for the system to create it according to an external input (like someone playing on a keyboard). This means every note is unique, and the instrument responds dynamically to your playing style. With SWAM Violin, you can unleash your creativity across any musical style—from classical to modern, film scoring to microtonal music. Whether you're performing live or producing music on the go, SWAM Violin is your ultimate companion. New Features and Key Benefits: Room Simulator "Ambiente": Take advantage of advanced spatial control with the built-in Room Simulator "Ambiente," which allows you to position the instrument in a realistic acoustic space, interact dynamically with other SWAM instruments in the same virtual room, and create truly immersive performances. Additionally, the legacy Reverb, EQ, and Compressor effects are available for fine-tuning your sound. Standalone and AUv3 Plugin: Perform in real time or integrate SWAM Violin seamlessly into your mobile production workflow. Intuitive, Inclusive Interface: Designed for everyone, including blind and visually impaired users. Expressive Control: Play with unmatched expressivity using the exclusive virtual bowing surface, MPE controllers, keyboards, breath controllers, or other MIDI devices. Top Features at a Glance: Access a library of presets, create your own, or import presets from the desktop version. Customize every detail of your sound, including timbre, vibrato, and dynamics. Micro-tune the instrument with the Pitch Manager, supporting devices like MAQAM for advanced tuning systems. Add built-in effects like EQ, and Compressor. Play with different violin bodies to explore unique tonal variations. Use AUv3 to integrate with your mobile DAW (Logic, Cubasis, AUM) or apps like Camelot PRO for live performances. Who is SWAM Violin for iOS Designed For? Wind Controller Players: Looking for a mobile setup to perform live without needing a computer while still achieving an incredible sound. Keyboard Players: Frustrated by the limited expressive capabilities of normal sample-based plugins? SWAM Violin unlocks the full range of expression. Music Producers: Need a mobile setup to produce music from anywhere without carrying around expensive gear? SWAM Violin is the solution. Musicians Seeking Expressivity: Looking for a virtual instrument that allows you to express the full range of your musicality easily on your iPhone or iPad. IMPORTANT To fully harness the expressive power of SWAM Violin, a controller capable of continuous expression (such as a breath controller, expression pedal, MPE device, or wind controller) is required. Just like a bow is essential for a real violinist, SWAM Violin needs expressive input for maximum realism. With SWAM Violin for iOS, you have the freedom to create lifelike string performances on your iPhone or iPad. Redefine your music with unparalleled realism and expressive depth—anytime, anywhere.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Celtic Sounds MIDI Module at $9.99 against SWAM Violin's $29.99. Celtic Sounds MIDI Module also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 5 weeks) and chart position (#192 vs unranked). SWAM Violin's advantage is review sentiment (75% vs 50%). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Celtic Sounds MIDI Module costs $9.99 and SWAM Violin $29.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for Celtic Sounds MIDI Module against 4.1 for SWAM Violin. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 14 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of Celtic Sounds MIDI Module's written reviews are positive against 75% of SWAM Violin's.
Celtic Sounds MIDI Module ships an update every 5 days, SWAM Violin every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.
| Parameter | Celtic Sounds MIDI Module | SWAM Violin |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 — better | $29.99 |
| Rating | 4.1 (9 ratings) | 4.1 (14 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 9 | 14 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #192 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 173 MB | 103 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Michael Eskin | Audio Modeling |
Customer experience
Celtic Sounds MIDI Module
SWAM Violin
In-app purchases
Celtic Sounds MIDI Module
No in-app purchases
SWAM Violin
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Celtic Sounds MIDI Module free?
Is SWAM Violin free?
Which has better reviews, Celtic Sounds MIDI Module or SWAM Violin?
Do Celtic Sounds MIDI Module or SWAM Violin have ads?
Which is updated more often, Celtic Sounds MIDI Module or SWAM Violin?
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