Engraving Software vs. Music Playing Software

A computer can do two things for pipers.

It can store and write out music.  This is, in the software business, called "engraving"  and is done for simple monophonic instruments, like bagpipes, up through full orchestral arrangements.  Unfortunately, the embellishments used for piping are "non-standard" to the rest of the world, so much of the generic music software doesn't do well "engraving" our music.

A computer can also make sound using "sound cards" and speakers.  The most capable software in this regard is usually based on MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) hardware/software. Again, the software can be capable of a single voice or an entire orchestral arrangement.  However, once you get past the fact that the machine makes sound, the timing of our embellishments is also "non-standard" to the rest of the world, so much of the generic music software isn't really good at making bagpipe "music".

Bagpipe specific software often tries to do both.  Usually, the engraving part is acceptable, but the sound generating part is usually weak.

Copyright S.K. MacLeod 1996-2016