Redpipes classic, french, caledonia, avalon, camelot Operating Manual

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05/18

electronic bagpipes

Operating manual

redpipe – a revolution in electronic piping

The redpipe is an electronic bagpipe with various sounds and fingerings. The redpipe family is modeled on original bagpipes from Scotland, France, Germany, Sweden and Spain. It is a bagpipe without tuning problems.

Connected to a standard amplifier the redpipe is a full instrument, which proved all its advantages on stage. Sound is produced by applying pressure to the bag under your arm, just like the original thing. Optimised sensors provide for authentic chanter fingering. The redpipe´s pneumatic sound system control provides for an unprecedented overall effect.

We did not manipulate these sounds in any way so you have the possibility to create your own sound with the help of a multi-effect guitar-pedal and add some chorus, reverb or other effects to your redpipe sound. So you will reach the perfect authentic sound you wish.

Microprocessor technology provides optimal simulation of the Great Highland Bagpipe and Scottish Smallpipe and various other European bagpipes.

And now, have fun with your redpipe Regards

1 Precautions 2 Getting started 3 Light-emitting diode (LED) 4 Start and stop the sound 5 Starting the redpipe with blowing function 6 Loudness and switching between the different instruments 7 Key – tuning – metronome 8 Basic tune - tuning system - drones tuning 9 Fingering mode – overblow

Fingering tables

10 Minimal - open 11 GHB - standard - half open 12 GHB extended overblow 13 Medieval Bagpipe - minor 14 shepherdpipe/french bagpipe (Bechonnet by Remy Dubois) 15 Gaita standard 16 Gaita extended 1 ½ Oktaven 17 Renaissance - Hümmelchen, Dudey and Recorder – chromat 18 Preset Memory 19 OpticalTouch chanter 21 reset to defaults - Factory settings 22 Modes - mixolydian/ionian 23 MIDI 25 Batteries 26 Technical data/ trouble shooting

Contents

Precautions

The redpipe chanter will give you years of reliable service if you follow the simple precautions below:

Safe-Keeping

Keep the instrument away from locations where it might be exposed to high temperatures (such as direct sunlight) or humidity. Also avoid locations which are subject to excessive dust accumulation vibrations, which can lead to mechanical damages. The bag is finest leatherwork. Like with clothes you have to be careful about fluids and dirt. Direct sunlight can have an impact on the colour of the bag.

Handle the redpipe with care Although the redpipe has been constructed to withstand the rigors of normal use for optimum sturdiness and reliability, avoid subjecting it to strong physical shocks (such as dropping or hitting it). Just handle the redpipe as you would handle a precision-made musical instrument.

SWITCH OFF THE CHANTER BEFORE PLUGGING OR UNPLUGGING CABLES

To prevent damage, always switch the Chanter off before plugging or unplugging cables or headphones.

DON’T OPEN THE CASE OR TRY TO REPAIR THE INSTRUMENT YOURSELF

The chanter contains no user-serviceable parts. Never open the case or tamper with the internal circuitry in any way, since doing so may result in damage to the instrument. Contact your dealer or the manufacturer for services.

redpipes will not be held responsible for any damage caused by handling or operation. Opening the case voids warranty.

Getting started Insert the batteries

The redpipe works with three 1,5 V alkaline (AA, Mignon, LR6, AM3, MN1500) batteries or rechargeable 1,2 V NiMH batteries. If the batteries are getting low the the red LED display starts to blink. The battery compartment is accessible by removing the lid. Just use a coin. The positive pole of the batteries has to be on top.

Before having an important gig –always change the batteries before!

Connecting headphones

Connect the headphones to the 3,5 mm phonesjack . It is possible to connect all standard headphones as used for example with portable disc players. Always use a stereo plug as mono plugs cause a short circuit which may damage the instrument.

Connecting PA

LINE OUT, this audio jack (6,3 mm) can be connected to the line in of an amplifier (line in of an amplifier, active speakers or a mixer). Use mono plugs, because stero plugs just use one channel. Some amplifiers generate glitches. In such a case use radio transmission, a DI Box, or ground the amplifier.

Customizing of the chanter position The chanter is adjustable. Hold it with your left hand and turn the chanter with your right hand. Please do this absolutely carefully, otherwise you risk to damage the chanter totally.

Power ON

Use the slide switch to switch on the redpipe. The green indicator LED lights up for 2 seconds and then starts blinking continuously. If the redpipe has not been operated for a longer period there is a humming sound indicating the activation of the pressure sensors. Then the redpipe is ready for playing. If the redpipe is switched on but not in use it will move to a power-saving mode after approximately 2 hours. To restart the instrument switch it off and on again. IMPORTANT: Even in the power-saving mode the redpipe consumes a little power. To lengthen the lifetime of the batteries, use the slide switch to power off the chanter after using it.

green indicator (LED)

The upper green LED shows the operating status of redpipe. The following information is displayed:

Display green LED Function

off the redpipe is switched off or in power-save mode

one flash per second the redpipe is ready for playing

continuous light

(short interruption shows activity)

The chanter is active

The green LED blinks with the beat of the Metronome Metronome

Shut-off control elements

Block control buttons (to avoid unintentional change of settings)

ON - press the SOUND, MET and + and then switch on the redpipe OFF - press the SOUND, MET and - and then switch on the redpipe

Change used batteries before a new public appearance!

Start and stop the sound

Press the bag and the redpipe starts playing. The drones start first and the green LED lights up. Press the bag stronger and the chanter starts to play. The green LED flickers a bit. How much pressure you have to apply can be tuned by yourself. Press the bag. If you feel comfortable with the level of pressure, press KEY for three seconds. The green LED will light up for a second and the redpipe is tuned. To store this setting, reduce the the pressure until there is no more sound. The setting will be kept if you change batteries.

Continuous Playing Mode:

If you do not want to press the bag permanently while playing you can switch on the continuous playing mode.

To activate this mode press DRONES and KEY simultaneously while switching on the redpipe. For starting the redpipe put the right hand on the chanter and press the bag until the drones come up. To add the chanter put the left hand on the chanter. Press once again and the sound stops. To stop the continuous playing mode press DRONES and MET simultaneously while switching on your redpipe.

Starting the redpipe with blowing function

First switch on the redpipe and take the bag under your arm. Fill the bag with air for about two-thirds. Then – just like with the acoustic bagpipe you start the drones by pressing the bag. If you press a little more the chanter will also start to play. By still more pressure on the bag one can pull 1 tone upward (bending)

Adjusting the pressure level

Press the bag with the redpipe switched on until you get the desired pressure for playing comfortably. Then press the KEY-button for 4 seconds – the LED expires shortly. After that the new setting is stored and will remain even after the changing of batteries. It has only to be renewed after a factory setup.

Air-Management

The air-pressure is measured by sensors that decide when the drones and the chanter start. The amount of air, that is dissipated while playing is regulated by a valve and can be adjusted to personal needs.

avalon, merlin, gallega, epona, camelot

Push the bass-drone together or pull them apart to open or close the air-exit.

caledonia

Open or close the valve at the bass-drone.

classic air/Goose

Adjust the valve at the blowpipe

The bag is made of a functional synthetic textile that lets the water vapor through (similar to some outdoor or sports clothing. Due to fact that with a redpipe you only need a fractional amount of air the bag needs no maintenance.

Volume (+ -)

The volume should be adjusted for the headphone or the built - in loudspeaker (option) with the buttons + or -. When the headphone is connected, the built-in speaker switches off. The volume settings do not affect the line out output.

Avoid using headphones at very high volume levels.

Volume of the drones

To adjust the drone volume, hold down the DRONES key and then adjust with the + and - keys. The drone volume can be adjusted separately for the different instrument sounds. Drones can be shut down by setting the volume on a minimum.

Switching between different instruments

The instrument to be activated can be chosen over the SOUND button. The green LED starts blinking.

1. blink GHB

2. blinks Medieval Bagpipe (shepherd pipe)

3. blinks Gaita

4. blinks Smallpipe/Huemmelchen

Drones additional

The drones can be adjusted for each instrument separately. Press the DRONES button together with the SOUND button. The green LED blinks.

1. blink : dronestuning basic note and octav

2. blinks : dronestuning basic note and quint

3. blinks : dronestuning basic note and quart

Changing the key (KEY)

The key can be adjusted by semitones with the + and - keys while holding the KEY button. Holding the KEY button and pressing the + and - key at the same time resets the pitch to the default pitch. The keys are stored individually for the different instruments. The key is retained if the KEY button is held while changing the instrument (SOUND).

Pitch (TUNE)

The redpipe factory setup for the standard pitch is 440 Hz.. If necessary, due to playing together with other instruments The redpipe can be tuned easily with the + and - keys while holding both the KEY and DRONES keys. Drones can be tuned by pressing + and – while holding the DRONES and the MET keys.

The tuning is global and independent of the selected instrument.

Drones fine tuning

Press DRONES and MET buttons and fine tune by pressing + or –

The sensitivity of the chanter sensors

(Only for sensors with gold contacts - for OpticalTouch chanter See page 19 and 20) The reaction rate of the sensors can be tuned. Touch the upper three sensors without touching the thumb hole sensor Press any button from + to SOUND Pressing the + button results in the lowest reaction rate, pressing the SOUND button in the highest. Pressing any other button generates reaction times in between. The factory set up is represented by pressing the DRONES button. Very dry fingers in combination with high reaction rates my lead to problems. To avoid these reduce the reaction rate by pressing the respective buttons.

The metronome (MET)

The built-in metronome is started by pressing the MET button twice. After pressing the button the first time, the metronome waits for two seconds for a second press. If the MET button is pressed during this time, the metronome clicks on, using this time interval. To stop the metronome, simply press the MET button once. If the metronome is stopped, press and hold the MET button for three seconds to restart the metronome with the same speed as used last time.

Basic tune

The basic pitch is switched in combination with the fingering table

GHB basic pitch B (b flat) sheppertpipe/french pipe basic pitch G Gaita basic pitch C Hümmelchen and Dudey basic pitch C Medieval pipe basic pitch A minor

Tuning System

equally tempered scale - press ‘key and +` and then switch on the Redpipe Modern pianos are tuned on an equally tempered scale. just scale press ‘key and –‘ and then switch on the Redpipe. This tuning system is typical for bourdon music.

Standard guitar tuner are normally not capable of checking a just scaled tuned Instrument.

Drones tuning relative to the keynote

Drones tones can be retuned to specific tones of the scale of each instrument to make different keys in major/minor available. Switch on the redpipe

Press the KEY and DRONES buttons and Tune the drones by pressing the SOUND button

The fingering table refers to the basic pitch of the implemented fingerings.

Green LED Gaita Medieval French/Bechonnet Renaissance

blinks 1x standard C- major A-minor G- major C- major blinks 2x F- major D- major C- major F- major blinks 3x D- minor H- minor A- minor D- minor blinks 4x - G- maj F- minor -

Fingering mode

The redpipe chanter offers 8 choices of fingering.

Press when switching on the redpipe following button

1. + GHB standard GHB half open and vibrato

2. - Gaita Gallega standard 1 oktave overblow

3. DRONES GHB extended chromatic, extended pitch range, vibrato, overblowing

4. KEY Medieval Pipes minor

5. MET Bechonnet only french model with additional thumb hole, chromatic

6. SOUND Renaissance Huemmelchen, Dudey or recorder –

7. SOUND and MET open open, no vibrato

8. SOUND and KEY Gaita extended 1 ½ Oktaven overblow

Factory setup is GHB STANDARD.

Overblow

The fingering tables of the pages 15-20 allow overblowing. Open the upper thumb hole in such a way can one up to a 1/2 octave more highly play

Bending/ Glissando

By pressing the bag you can raise the tone up to one note

Minimal fingering

open

closed

open

Holes

C-major

&/=

b c d e f a b c

low

low high high

mixolydian

left handright hand

GHB standard fingering

half open

closed

open

vibrato

Holes

left handright hand

GHB a=466 Hz

Scottish mixolydian

denomination

heard

ionian

G B C

D E F

low

High

Sharp

G C C

d f

g a

natural

high

GHB extended fingering

closed

open

vibrato

open or overblow

holes

B C

Linke Hand

rechte Hand

gB D

F gIa b

DID E

dId e

(G)

left hand

Right hand

A-minor

G A H c d f fis g

mixolydian

Medieval bagpipe fingering

closed

open

vibrato

Holes

Shepherdpipe/french bagpipe Bechonnet-fingering by Remy Dubois only french modell

closed

open

Holes

left hand

Right hand

e f fis b ba

g c

F G A B B cis D disC

cis cis

left hand

right hand

Gaita-fingering

closed

open

C E E F

D F

Left hand

Right hand

Gaita-extended fingering

1 1/2 oktave overblow

closed

open

E E F

not relevantly

left hand

right hand

Renaissance fingering

chromatic

closed

open

Holes

C D E F G

GIA Bbb cId

e f

f g

Preset memory (optional)

You can adjust nearly every parameter that the redpipe offers with the preset storage which is optional for each redpipe model.

Thus you are able to access your settings during a concert by using the ten-channel turn-switch. Your settings will impact either only the channel you have chosen or globally every channel (see list below).

Programming oft the presets

Turn the switch to the desired channel. Adjust your settings while playing the pipe. When you stop to press the bag and the sound stops your new settings are stored on the chosen channel. When you start to play again these settings are active. Now you can adjust the next preset channel. When you change the settings of a programmed channel again the old settings get overwritten.

You can save any channel against unintended changes by using the shut-off function: shut-off on is activated by switching on the redpipe and holding the Sound, Met and “+" button simultaneously. You deactivate the shut-off-function by switching on the redpipe and pressing Sound, Met and “–“

All settings oft the list below can be adjusted.

front

back

slide switch

LED

hole button

Adjustments of the OpticalTouch Chanter

These instructions refers only to the OpticalTouch Chanter (not to the electronics in the bag of the redpipe)

The chanter is delivered with a factory set-up. This set-up is working fine and you can start to play immediately.

It is not necessary to calibrate the redpipe each time you play. It is recommended to recalibrate if you haven’t used the redpipes for a while or when you change environment. Overall, if you feel that any one of the sensors is behaving erratically, then recalibrate.

Some players like to adapt the chanter to their special wishes and this is quite simple as we will show you now:

A. Calibrating the sensors to your fingers

This setting is used to determine the distance between the fingers and the tonehole so that the sensor system detects a tonehole as closed.

1. Turn on the redpipe

2. Take the match (picture) and press it in the small hole above the LED indicator

on the front of the Chanter

3. Push the match until the LED flashes up continuously.

4. Take away the match – the control light flashes slowly.

5. Put your fingers and your thumb within 3 seconds on the chanter holes as if you want to play. It is important that the holes are closed completely – otherwise the calibration will fail.

6. Hold your fingers in that position until the LED flashes several times. Now the sensors have been adjusted to the physical conditions of your fingers (i.e. character of your skin) and the actual environment.

For more playing comfort you can now adjust the general sensitivity for the optical sensors inside the chanter.

B. Sensitivity of the chanter

This function allows you to change the point where the sensors consider the hole closed and open Briefly press the match into the hole above the control light The red LED flashes 1-5 times. 1 time is near, 5 times is further away from the tonehole

We prefer level 2

Factory set-up for the chanter

If you wish to return to the setup as it was when the redpipe was delivered to you – this is how it goes:

1. push the match into the hole above the LED. After five seconds first - the LED indicator light is lit

continuously

2. hold the match pressed - until after about 15 seconds the LED start to flash up.

Now your chanter is calibrated again with the Factoy set-up.

Do you want your future to your own settings, proceed as described in A.

If the calibration button is pressed too long (about 30 seconds) your own and the factory calibration will be erased, the LED on the chanter will flash quickly and also the switching on of the Redpipe. The chanter does not work anymore and needs to be recalibrated A. If you are then satisfied with the calibration, press the factory settings again. Now your current calibration is taken over as factory setting.

Cleaning the sensor window

Dilute dishwashing liquid 1: 4 with water and clean the sensors from time to time with a soft cloth or a Q-tip.

Videoclip calibrating chanter

english: https://vimeo.com/215353113 french: https://vimeo.com/215353981

Reset to defaults

To reset to default values for

Drones:

1. Press and hold DRONES

2. Press + and - to reset the drone volume and activate the octave drones.

Key:

1. Press and hold KEY

2. Press + and - to reset the key to the standard setup.

Tuning:

1. Press both DRONES and KEY

2. Press + and - to reset the tuning to default of a 440 Hz.

Reset to factory settings:

(Applies only to the electronic sound in the bag, the Optical Touch chanter see page 19)

1. Switch off the slide switch and wait at least 2 seconds

2. Press and hold + and - button

3. Switch on the slide switch

Modi (mixolydian (GHB)/ Ionian)

By pressing the drones and the – button a switch between myxolydiyn and ionian is available. (reduced seventh and sharp-G)

The settings are valid for all fingering tables

The Mixolydian mode is a musical mode or diatonic scale. It has the same series of tones and semitones as the major scale, except the fifth (dominant) note is taken as the tonic or starting (beginning) pitch of the scale. It may also be considered a major scale with the leading tone moved down by a semitone.Incidentally, the order of Mixolydian tones and semitones is identical to the Dominant 7th scale. In other words, the C Mixolydian mode and the C

Dominant 7th scale are identical.

The Ionian mode is a musical mode of diatonic scale. It was part of the music theory of ancient Greece, and was based around the relative natural scale in C (that is, the same as playing all the 'white notes' of a piano from C to C).

The G in the Myxolydian mode (High-G and Low_G) is normally one full tone below the basic tone A (reduced seventh)

Turn off the redpipe. Press minus and drones. Hold the buttons and turn on the redpipe. The scale switches from mixolydian to ionian. with repetition of the procedure, the scale switches back.

The MIDI OUT

MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. No sound is transmitted through the MIDI interface, only data. Sound is generated by the connected MIDI tone equipment. You may play the chanter with any sound the conneced equipment is capable of producing.

The DIN plug meets the MIDI standards and may be connected to any MIDI equipment (also personal computers which are equipped with a MIDI interface).

A single MIDI interface is capable of transmitting 16 MIDI channels. The redpipe uses channel 1 for the chanter data, and channels 2 to 4 for the Drones.

MIDI-Channel

Note Number

1 chanter (see fingering-charts) 2 58 (Tenor Drones) 3 46 (Bass Drone) 4 53 (Baritone Drone)

To prevent missing Note-Off signals, always stop the sound before switching off the slide switch.

e-pippes on press SOUND and - and then switch on the redpipe e-pippes off press SOUND and + and then switch on the redpipe

Volume (MIDI)

There is no volume control when MIDI output is connected. Volume must be adjusted using the volume control of the connected equipment. The drone volume is the same as used for the PHONES output.

Switching between the Well-Tempered and just Scale

The scale of the bagpipe chanter does not use the modern “well-tempered” scale mostly used for today’s musical instruments. The chanter uses a just scale to fit every note perfectly to the drones. MIDI equipment is generally unable to produce a justscale on its own. The chanter, however, is able to generate the just scale by sending pitch bend data to the connected equipment. To work correctly, the pitch bend range of the connected equipment must be set to two semitones. Since this is the default value of most MIDI equipment, it is rarely necessary to make any adjustments. It is sometimes better to play the well-tempered scale, especially when playing together with other instruments. The Chanter only sends pitch bend data when the sound is switched to Highland Pipe. Switching to Smallpipe stops sending pitch bend data and returns to the standard tempered scale.

Maintenance

After intensive playing it is advisable to take off the blowpipe and the bass-drone to let them dry. Redpipes with a Synthetic Bag need no further maintenance.

Disposal of used batteries

You, as the end user, are legally obliged (Battery Ordinance) to return all flat batteries and rechargeable batteries. Disposal in the household waste is prohibited.

Batteries/rechargeable batteries containing hazardous substances are marked by the symbols alongside. These symbols also indicate that it is prohibited to dispose of these batteries in the household waste.

You can return flat batteries/rechargeable batteries free of charge to the collection points in your community, at our branches or anywhere else where batteries/rechargeable batteries are sold.

Disposal of the device

If the device has reached the end of its operational life, please dispose of it in accordance with the applicable statutory regulations.

Technical Data

Power supply 3x AA Mignon alkaline or rechargeable NiMh batteries Batteries lifetime approx. 20 h. using alkaline batteries (depending on the connected

equipment). With built-in speakers depending on volume about 2 hours Ouput LINE OUT non balanced jack 6,3 mm nominallevel +4 dBu Headphone non balanced jack 3,5 mm MIDI Out Weight 1,3kg

Trouble Shooting

Problem

Possible Cause

Solution

· No sound over headphone

connection or Line out, no LED display or non-stop LED display

No batteries or empty batteries Insert new batteries Adjustment for volume is too low Increase the volume Not enough pressure in the bag Applying more pressure Headphones defective or not connected properly

Check headphones and contacts

The internal microprocessor is in an undefined state

Switch off the slide switch, wait for at least 10 seconds and power on again

Others Contact your dealer or the

manufacturer

· No sound from the connected

MIDI device

No batteries or empty batteries See above, also check if the

Chanter works with earphones

Cables not connected properly Check cables

The connected MIDI devices are not adjusted to receive on MIDI channel 1 or volume too low

Check adjustment at the MIDI device, check corresponding

owners manual The internal microprocessor is in an undefined state

See above

· Sensors respond delayed or not

at all

Dry skin Use hand cream to increase the

circuit capacity of the hand

· Wrong addressing of the

sensors at stage.

Ground potential is missing at the amplifier

Some amplifiers generate

glitches. In such a case use

radio transmission, a DI Box, or

ground the amplifier.

· Sensors seem to ‘hang’, i.e.

after take the finger away nothing happens

The chanter is moist or dirty Dry or clean the sensor area

carefully. If necessary use a bit

soap and water. (clean the

sensor area all around)

· Adjustments are lost after

switching off

The sound was not stopped before switching off

Always stop the sound before

switching of the slide switch

This Product complies with the requirements of the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC, and carries the CE marking accordingly.

redpipes

electronic bagpipes

Rolf Jost

Untere Muehle 2

71706 Markgroeningen

Germany

Phone.: +49 (0) 7145 90 00 47

info@redpipes.eu

www.redpipes.eu

Redpipes classic, french, caledonia, avalon, camelot Operating Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual