The story
Dear Pianobook Community,
The Uilleann Pipes are not quite as well known as the Great Highland Pipes (and not nearly as loud), but they have a beautifully melancholic sound that has captivated me for years. Unfortunately Uilleann Pipes are so uncommon that most people have to contact the pipe-makers directly, and then wait three to eight months for their pipes to be built. That is the situation I have currently found myself in.
Fortunately it is much easier to find a “Practice Set” which consists of the chanter, bellows, and bag but none of the drones or regulators (smaller drones activated by palm keys). I decided to take my practice set and utilize the magic of sampling to create the closest I can come to a full set.
PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO PLAY THIS LIKE A PIANO!
Typically Uilleann Pipes come in one of three keys: D, C, or B. I have set the drone notes on D1, C1, and B0 accordingly. Next are the regulators which I have mapped from G1 to G#2. And lastly the chanter (which would normally have just under a two octave range) I have extended down to B2 and my playing abilities limited me from going higher than A4 consistently (so I’ve stretched it to C5).
This was as much an exercise in sampling as it was in learning new Kontakt skills. There are three keyswitches (C0 for Sustain, D0 for Staccato, and E0 for a velocity-based combination of the two). I have also recorded two different mic positions, two round robins for each long note and five for each short. And there’s a reverb knob just for fun!
I hope you enjoy playing this instrument as much as I do!
Sincerely,
Kelan Rooney
P.S. – My reed doesn’t seem to like the “top D” (D4) on my chanter. You’ll see what I mean when you try it out!
Reviews for Uilleann Pipes
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- Character
- Playability
- Inspiration
- GUI
Leave a review to let others know what you thought of the instrument!
Joy in melody
I always have so much fun playing melodies on this library. It sounds really good and feels better than just about any other bagpipe-esque related thing I've had the chance to try. It is definitely more "bespoke" than professional, but that is no hindrance to the utility and joy this instrument brings, I've used this already in many projects. Thank you Kelan for delivering such a treat!
Best backpipes one can find for free
I have been trying to get a good backpipe library for so long, but they are very rare. Im happy with the sound and this is extremely usable for example backpipe pads and similar needs.
Hauntingly evocative of the Highlands
One of those samples that makes you want to immediately write something around it, which I did, having never thought this would be an instrument that would inspire me. Wonderfully playable especially in terms of being able to create the ornaments that are the key to making it sound authentic. Terrific in a pared-back musical setting, but also glorious as the top line riding out over a huge orchestral bed. Love it.
Pretty darn cool!
This is a really great sample pack, and I'd pick it over some of the professionally produced bagpipe sounds I've purchased in the past. It's well recorded not an easy thing to do with pipes, I've discovered, and it's evident that a ton of work and care went into creating the Kontakt instruments. The key switching works great, and the instrument is really playable. Really well done!
Nicely sampled instrument!!
Very nice sampled library! I love the sound of this instrument. Unfortunately it is missing some notes Error A, but other than that I love the texture of this instrument!
