Redpipes classic User manual

05/18
electronic bagpipes
®
Operating manual

© copyright redpipes Rolf Jost 08/2018
all rights reserved
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
2Getting started
3Light-emitting diode (LED)
4Start and stop the sound
5Starting the redpipe with blowing function
6Loudness and switching between the different instruments
7Key –tuning –metronome
8Basic tune -tuning system -drones tuning
9Fingering mode –overblow
Fingering tables
10 Minimal -open
11 GHB -standard-half open
12 GHB extendedoverblow
13 Medieval Bagpipe -minor
14 shepherdpipe/french bagpipe (Bechonnet by Remy Dubois)
15 Gaita standard
16 Gaita extended1 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

1
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.

2
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.

3
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!

4
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.

5
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.

6
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

7
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.

8
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-majorA-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 -

9
Fingering mode
The redpipe chanter offers 8choices of fingering.
Press when switching on the redpipe following button
1. +GHB standard GHB half open and vibrato
2. -Gaita Gallega standard1 oktave overblow
3. DRONES GHB extendedchromatic, 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 extended1 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 a1/2octave more highly play
Bending/ Glissando
By pressing the bag you can raise the tone up to one note

10
Minimal fingering
open
closed
open
Holes
C-major &
/ =
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
QQ
Q
b c d e f a b c
low low high high
Q
g
mixolydian a
a
left handright hand
II

11
GHB standard fingering
half open
closed
open
vibrato
Holes
left handright hand
GHB
a=466 Hz
Scottish
mixolydian
denomination
heard
ionian I
& =
G B C D E F GG
low High Sharp
Q
Q
BbQ
QQQ
G C C d f fg
aI
C
natural
F
natural
A
high
IdIg
I
IQQQ
IQQQ
Aa
a
Bb
A
bb

12
GHB extended fingering
closed
open
vibrato
open or
overblow
holes
& =
GB C
Q
Linke Hand
rechte Hand
I
gB D IF gIa b
QQQQQ
I
Q
ICIDID E FI
IIII
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Bb
=
c
I
dIf
I
cIdId e
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
b
b
b
I
Q
b
Q
(G)

13
left hand
Right hand
A-minor &
=
Q
Q
G A H c d f fis g
Q
e
mixolydian g
GIIa
Q
QQQQQQ
I
hc
Q
IQ
Medieval bagpipe fingering
closed
open
vibrato
Holes

14
Shepherdpipe/french bagpipe Bechonnet-fingering by Remy Dubois only french modell
closed
open
Holes
left hand
Right hand
&
GI
e f fis b ba
Q
b
QQQQQQQ
g c
b
& =
Q
QQ
Q
F G A B Bcis DdisC
bQQQQ
I
I
b
Q
cis cis
Q
IQ
I

15
left hand
right hand
Gaita-fingering
closed
open
& =
BC E E F
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
A
D F GAc
B
QQQQ
Q
bb
bI
Q
IbbBb
C

16
Left hand
Right hand
Gaita-extended fingering
1 1/2 oktave overblow closed
open
& =
BCE E F
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
A
CFGc
B
QQQQQ
Q
bb
bI
Q
Ib
B
QQQ
IDb
I
Q
Q
Q
IbQ
I
C
not relevantly
df
eg
b
cIfI
e
c
Q
GI

17
left hand
right hand
Renaissance fingering
chromatic
closed
open
Holes
& =
C D E F G
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Ic
Q
FIGIA Bbb cId
QQQQ
I
Q
IIII
C
e f If g
QQQQ
I