vPipes Uilleann User manual

User Manual
Document version 1.00
20/03/2011
The vPipes Project, S.C.

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Contents
1. About this Manual .........................................................................................................................1
1.1. Software versions covered by this manual .......................................................................................1
2. Safeguards.....................................................................................................................................2
3. System Components ......................................................................................................................3
3.1. Box content .......................................................................................................................................3
3.2. Choosing an external audio amplifier ...............................................................................................3
3.3. Connecting the system......................................................................................................................3
3.4. Diagram .............................................................................................................................................5
4. Battery .........................................................................................................................................6
4.1. Battery indicators..............................................................................................................................6
4.2. Charging Time and Duration .............................................................................................................6
4.3. Tips to saving battery power.............................................................................................................6
4.4. Increasing the life of your Li-Ion battery...........................................................................................6
5. Navigation .....................................................................................................................................7
5.1. Basic navigation concepts .................................................................................................................7
5.2. Play Mode vs. Setup Mode................................................................................................................7
Entering PLAY MODE from SETUP MODE ............................................................................................7
Entering SETUP MODE from PLAY MODE ............................................................................................7
5.3. Use of Play Mode Quick Menu..........................................................................................................7
6. Tone-Hole Sensors Calibration.......................................................................................................9
6.1. When should I calibrate? ..................................................................................................................9
6.2. How to calibrate ................................................................................................................................9
6.3. Tightness and Proximity adjustments ...............................................................................................9
Tightness..............................................................................................................................................9
Proximity............................................................................................................................................10
6.4. Popping strap? ................................................................................................................................10
6.5. Monitoring the sensor response on the LDC screen .......................................................................10
7. Pressure Adjustment of the Bag Simulator ..................................................................................11
7.1. Setting the low end pressure ..........................................................................................................11
7.2. Setting the upper end pressure ......................................................................................................11
7.3. Playing without the bag simulator ..................................................................................................12
8. vPipes –Uilleann Basic Tips .........................................................................................................13

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8.1. Placement of the bag simulator ......................................................................................................13
8.2. Octave change.................................................................................................................................13
8.3. Information on how to finger a vibrato ..........................................................................................14
8.4. Sharp or flats ...................................................................................................................................14
8.5. Switching the drones on and off .....................................................................................................14
9. Metronome .................................................................................................................................15
9.1. Switching the metronome on and off .............................................................................................15
9.2. Metronome relative volume adjustment........................................................................................15
9.3. How to choose the time signature ..................................................................................................15
9.4. Metronome tempo .........................................................................................................................15
10. Other Adjustments ......................................................................................................................16
10.1. Adjusting the LCD light time .........................................................................................................16
10.2. Reseting the vPipes to factory settings ........................................................................................16
11. Sound Settings.............................................................................................................................17
11.1. Presets..........................................................................................................................................17
Sound Settings vs. Rest of Settings ....................................................................................................17
Loading a preset ................................................................................................................................17
Preset Titles .......................................................................................................................................17
Loading a preset ................................................................................................................................18
Factory Presets ..................................................................................................................................18
11.2. Master Volume.............................................................................................................................18
11.3. Transpose .....................................................................................................................................19
11.4. Sound Number .............................................................................................................................19
11.5. Temperament...............................................................................................................................20
11.6. Fine Tuning ...................................................................................................................................20
11.7. Piping Mode .................................................................................................................................20
Uilleann Emu......................................................................................................................................20
General Midi ......................................................................................................................................20
General Midi Out ...............................................................................................................................21
11.8. Emu Options .................................................................................................................................21
Drones Config ....................................................................................................................................21
Drone 1 Key ...................................................................................................................................21
Drone 2 Key ...................................................................................................................................21
Drone 3 Key ...................................................................................................................................21
Drone 1 Volume ............................................................................................................................21
Drone 1 Volume ............................................................................................................................21
Drone 1 Volume ............................................................................................................................22
Drift ...............................................................................................................................................22
11.9. GM Options ..................................................................................................................................22

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Base Note...........................................................................................................................................22
Sound Bank ........................................................................................................................................22
Drones Note #....................................................................................................................................23
Drones Volume ..................................................................................................................................23
Popping Volume ................................................................................................................................23
11.10. Effects ........................................................................................................................................23
Reverb................................................................................................................................................23
Level ..............................................................................................................................................23
Type...............................................................................................................................................24
Chorus................................................................................................................................................24
Level ..............................................................................................................................................24
Type...............................................................................................................................................24
Spatial ................................................................................................................................................24
Master Level ..................................................................................................................................24
Delay..............................................................................................................................................24
11.11. Equalizer ....................................................................................................................................25
On / Off ..............................................................................................................................................25
Low Band (Bass).................................................................................................................................25
Med-Low Band...................................................................................................................................25
Med-High Band ..................................................................................................................................25
High (Treble) ......................................................................................................................................25
11.12. Stereo Settings...........................................................................................................................25
Mono / Stereo ...................................................................................................................................26
Chanter Pan .......................................................................................................................................26
Drones Pan.........................................................................................................................................26
Metronome Pan.................................................................................................................................26
12. Troubleshooting ..........................................................................................................................27
The instrument does not turn on ......................................................................................................27
Some sensors appear to be closed or partially closed on the screen even though no fingers are
covering them....................................................................................................................................27
I can not close holes ..........................................................................................................................27
No sound is heard ..............................................................................................................................27
I can hear a lot of noise when I connect the vPipes-Uilleann to an external amplifier .....................27
13. Service information .....................................................................................................................28
APPENDIX A Fingering Chart ...............................................................................................................29
APPENDIX B Menu map......................................................................................................................30
APPENDIX C List of instruments in the preloaded GM and MT-32 sound banks..................................32
APPENDIX D Midi Note Numbers........................................................................................................36
APPENDIX E Factory Sound Presets ....................................................................................................37
1. D fx ............................................................................................................................................37
2. C fx ............................................................................................................................................37

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3. A fx ............................................................................................................................................37
4. D plain .......................................................................................................................................37
5. C plain .......................................................................................................................................37
6. Live 2 ch. ...................................................................................................................................37
7. GM accord.................................................................................................................................37
8. GM harpsi..................................................................................................................................37

vPipes-Uilleann User Manual Page 1
1. About this Manual
This manual is intended for owners of the vPipes-Uilleann.
To fully understand all the chapters in this manual, it is important that the reader understands
how Uilleann pipes work and at least understands the basic characteristics and ornamentation
of the traditional acoustic instrument. This manual is not, in any case, a tutorial for learning to
play the Uilleann Pipes.
You can download the latest version of this manual at:
http://www.vpipes.com/downloads/vpipes_uilleann_user_manual_en.pdf
There is also a Quick Start Guide with instructions to allow you to Plug&Play right from the
box. The Quick Start Guide is included in the original package and can also be downloaded at:
http://www.vpipes.com/downloads/vpipes_uilleann_quick_start_guide_en.pdf
1.1. Software versions covered by this manual
vPipes –Uilleann software versions 01.XX

Page 2 vPipes-Uilleann User Manual
2. Safeguards
Although the vPipes-Uilleann is robust please treat with care and observe the following
guidelines to avoid damage:
a) Handle this precision instrument with care
b) Do not attempt to open any of the casings and voiding the guarantee
c) Keep dry and avoid excessive moisture at all times
d) Do not expose to extremes of temperature, dust or humidity
e) Do not expose the Li-Ion battery to direct sunlight
f) Do not drop or knock or submit the vPipes to heavy vibrations
g) Do not use any cleaning/abrasive products or solvents
h) Do not twist, pull or strain the cable
i) Keep away from strong magnetic or electrical fields
j) Only to be used for its intended purpose

vPipes-Uilleann User Manual Page 3
3. System Components
3.1. Box content
The box in which the vPipes-Uilleann is sent contains 4 elements:
a) Main unit (large rectangular box with the connection panel underneath)
b) Chanter Unit
c) Power adaptor (personalised according to country being sent to)
d) Quick Start Guide
Ensure that these four elements are in the box when it is received.
3.2. Choosing an external audio amplifier
The vPipes-Uilleann does not contain any sound amplification system and you will need one
to be able to listen to the vPipes.
You can use any external amplifier connecting it to the AUDIO OUT jack of the main unit. You
can use straightforward earbuds, headphones or the equipment used in a concert scenario
by a 'supergroup'. The signal is provided by the 6.35mm jack and 3.5mm mini-jack. Both jacks
can be used simultaneously.
The vPipes default audio signal is stereo. This is useful when wanting to balance the chanter
and drone sound, or to use independent channels for either one or send to a mixing table
separately. Some of the sound effects included, such as Reverb and Spatial, make use of the
stereo capability of the instrument.
!If you wish to connect a MONO amplifier, such as a guitar or similar amplifier, you
will need to activate the left/mono mode under Settings, to avoid having distortion
noise on the signal (see chapter 11.12).
3.3. Connecting the system
To put the vPipes together you need only connect the round female connector at the end of
the cable of the main unit to the round male connector on the rear of the chanter unit. The
connector has only 1 position for insertion. Carefully align the notch before inserting. Please
ensure that the chanter cable is not twisted or put under undue strain when playing.
!The screw-ring of the female connector on the main unit cable should tighten
smoothly onto the male chanter connector. If the tightening is not smooth, disconnect
and reconnect the sockets ensuring a tight and snug fit. The connectors only require
approximately 3 whole turns without applying too much force to be correctly
connected.
The vPipes-Uilleann battery is pre-charged. If you wish to charge it further it can be
connected to the mains (DC IN socket) found on the main unit.

Page 4 vPipes-Uilleann User Manual
Connect the external amplifying system of your choice and depress the ON/OFF button to the
very bottom. It may be necessary to use the little finger to do so. If correctly depressed, a
blue coloured light-ring should light up around the ON/OFF button and the LCD screen on the
chanter unit will light up showing the model and software version.
Read the rest of this manual to understand the basics of beginning to play and the different
configuration options available.