A Limited Comparison of Bagpipe Software

(NOTE: These are my opinions!)

After some consideration of the available programs, I've concluded that there is, as of yet, no "complete" software solution.

I should stress that, because of issues discussed previously, I looked at only three programs in depth. I have extensive experience with Bagpipe Music Writer Gold/Bagpipe Music Player/Reader. However, my evaluation will be continuing and I'll be investigating the capabilities of the ABC shareware solution(s).

My wish list, which will undoubtedly grow as each goal is achieved, is represented below.

Issue:	Bagpipe Music Writer Gold or Bagpipe Player	PiobMaster	Electric Pipes
Easily installed on Windows computer	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ability to blend with practice chanter	Uses any midi instrument - this works adequately	Sampled pipe sound only	can sample a student's practice chanter or any other sound. Comes with GHB and Smallpipe samples
Ability to adjust pitch to match a practice chanter from the soundcard	A or B-flat, nothing in between (Can be adjusted in-between using motherboard speaker.)	Not obvious, but may be able to replace .wav files used to make sound.	Can sample a student's practice chanter - Defaults not adjustable
Pitch intervals (intonation) match accepted norms for bagpipe	No, but close	Yes	Yes, by sampling
Internal timings within an embellishment/adjustable	Some are acceptable, others not. Significant improvements can be made with code modifications	Nicely done, not adjustable	Nicely done, not adjustable
Embellishment placement timing (downbeat within embellishment)	Somewhat adjustable, but all types of embellishments are incorrectly forced to fit the same rules.	Nicely done, not adjustable	All embellishments take time from note following. Not adjustable. (Equivalent to Bagpipe Music Player Setting A=100.)
Can control gracenote timing	Yes, not affected by tempo	Yes, a function of tempo only. Limited range. (Taurluaths seem unaffected.)	Yes. Can be adjusted both independently and as a function of tempo.
Can control tempo	Yes. Broad range, but requires stopping playback and changing numerical bpm settings.	Yes. Limited range by slider bar with no bpm. Requires stopping playback	Yes. Broad range available by combination of manually setting BPM in data file and a +/-50% slider adjusted range during playback. BPM on slider.
Overall Music Flow	Somewhat stilted, with uneven timing between heavily embellished and lightly embellished bars. Can be improved by sacrificing embellishment placement.	Fixed, but solid.	Very nice with adjustable emphasis on beats and pointing.
Can play dead slow tunes with very open embellishments suitable for learners	Yes, after changing modifications, but timing may be stilted. When gracing timing is too long, melody note are lost.	May not be enough range to really slow the tune for learners. Embellishments not wide open.	Without adjusting the BPM in the data file, there may not be enough range using the slider to really slow the tune for learners. When gracing timing is too long, the gracings are lost.
Can loop through a troublesome passage	Yes	No (Whole Tune Only)	Yes
Can easily convert same tune at tempo for accomplished pipers	Yes, after modifications to gracenote lengths	Yes	Yes
Broad range of embellishments	Yes	Yes (no heavy throw)	Yes
Can set up band medley	Yes	Not obvious	Yes
Starting E/matches tune tempo	Selectable/Not by default, but settable in milliseconds, not beats. Auto-E can be deselected and then written into score to match tempo.	Selectable/No, fixed duration. Could be scored in.	Would need to be scored, but then would match tempo.
Has Metronome Click	No	No	No (may be available in next version as a drum stick tap)
Can write/play harmonies	No/No	No	Yes/Yes. Harmonies are handled as ABC voices.
Can cut/paste into word processor for tutorial work	Yes/ Whole music screen is copied	Yes/ Whole tune is inserted via OLE	Yes
Output Other Files?	Midi (The file will play, but may not be compatible with music processors), Wave	Wave	Wave, ABC
Can Convert from other Sources	BMW, BWW(others with File Convert)	BMW	ABC, BMW, BWW, BGP
Drum Scores	No	Separate, but Related Program	No (Next Version?)
File Format/Editor	BMW text/Any (e.g., notepad or program)	binary/program only	ABC like text/Any. EPM files are used for harmonies, contain additional formating information, and are binary in nature.

Suggested Improvements