WARBL Introduction

[@celticdistortion]

Hey Andrew, Kris here! This is an awesome demo video! I can't tell you how impressed i am with the Irish pipes sound. I've always wanted to learn the uilleann pipes and i love how this is a great way of doing it without terrorizing my neighbours!! But also love how this instrument can do anything from whistles, saxophone, and even guitars etc. It's super cool, great invention!

[@BigDuke6ixx]

This an amazing instrument. Very much a dream come true to other members of my household. I've just ordered one.

[@complicitytheory]

Wonderful demo. Just found out that my warbl has arrived, at home. Can't wait to get home to try it out!

[@mannatuu]

great idea . Am going to follow you from the UK and see how it develops .

[@TankH-z3z]

Great instrument!

[@kieronconcannon]

Great work!

[@warbl335]

Thanks!

[@derrik-bosse]

This sounds so GOOD

[@Setanta93]

Hi Andrew, my WARBL came today, would you recommend me some midi synth software for windows? Can't seem to find anything that resembles a tin whistle. I don't mind paying for software. Is there anything like the iOS Celtic Sounds app but for windows?

[@warbl335]

Hi Kyrusha Thanks for your purchase, and I hope WARBL works out well for you. For tin whistle sounds, I made a whistle SoundFont, which is a file format that many MIDI apps can read. Here's the link to the SoundFont: warbl.xyz/soundfonts/WARBL_whistle1.sf2 For playing SoundFonts on Windows, I have had good luck with Sforzando, which is free: www.plogue.com/products/sforzando.html I believe that the first time you open the SoundFont in Sforzando it converts it to a different format, and then it will open it again every time you open the app. SForzando also has reverb and some other effects that you can add, which are a nice addition. If you're looking for uilleann pipes sounds, Universal Piper is very good and is available for Windows, but you do have to pay for that one. Some people also use Kontact, which you do also have to purchase, and then also purchase whistle or bagpipe VST plugins for it. There are a number of tin whistle, uilleann pipe, etc. VSTs available for purchase, though I haven’t tried them personally. For flute sounds, SWAM flutes is very good. It is a plugin that you can use in audio programs like Cakewalk by BandLab, which I believe is free (you do have to pay for SWAM flutes, though. Hopefully that helps get you started, but please let me know if you have any further questions. Thanks again, -Andrew

[@fprintf]

This is really intriguing! I would love a longer version that matches a long bagpipe practice chanter, if that can be made? One of the issues with many MIDI chanters seems to be their expressed design to keep them compact, but it messes up the finger spacing.

[@warbl335]

Thanks! I’m actually working on a longer version now, which I hope to have availability later this year.

[@nombre2745]

Amazing

[@ugomorisset5913]

hello. Can we play half tone by closing only half of the hole ?

[@Thetravellinbones]

Fantastic instrument!. Where can I get one?

[@warbl335]

Thanks! I’m currently preparing to offer a new version for sale-it should be available on the WARBL website on or around May 7th: warbl.xyz

[@michaelmcglynn911]

I just ordered warble, sax player , I own a Roland AE10 midi, which uses sax fingerings with allot of sounds loaded on instrument, IPad app works great , but it lacks when it comes too emulating iPad apps such as thumb jam and Celtic sounds, it works but doesn’t get the full feel and essence of playing certain sounds, I think it has to do with the keys and breath sensor, there are many adjustments and enhancements ,but I optical key sensors and the adjustability of them and a breath sensor that’s tailored to Celtic instruments we make me very happy, I play whistle and various flutes, but really don’t have time to perfect everything so I really like good midi instruments, key and chromatic elements eliminated and so many instruments sounds, Ae10 is fantastic don’t get me wronG I highly recommend it, but it is expensive $830 for professional model and ae05 $494, WARBL is based price $250 and with other accessories bagpipe bag $10 and bell sensor for Uilleann pipes $25 you can’t go wrong, only thing needed would be a protective case for instrument and cables etc. look forward to receiving and giving a review

[@GaryR55]

When you mentioned the shortcomings with Thumbjam, were you talking about Warbl, or about the Roland AE10?

[@michaelmcglynn911]

Warble gave me problems, thumb jam works with AE10, sorry for confusion

[@worldhopper1]

I have always wanted to play but have a lung condition that prohibits me from getting started - could this be an option for me to play finally

[@warbl335]

Thanks for the interest, Chris. Yes, I have heard from a number of people with conditions like COPD who are using WARBL for that reason. If you use the closed mouthpiece you don’t have to breath in it, rather you can just put pressure on the mouthpiece from the air in your mouth. Or you can use a button to play and not use your mouth at all.

[@worldhopper1]

WARBL looks fantastic - I will have to get one and give it a try, thank you

[@warbl335]

@@worldhopper1 Thanks Chris! I hope it works out well for you.

[@GaryR55]

Hope you're well, in these Covid times we're in, Chris.

[@JP-ne1ki]

How about going from the indoors to outside in the sun? Are the optical sensors couping with that?

[@warbl335]

The device measured and cancels out the ambient light every time it reads each sensor (1000 times per second), so the the sensors actually work well outdoors. It does use a little more power if it's in direct sun, because the sensors draw more current when they are exposed to brighter infrared light.

[@lukedogwalker]

Can you download and run the configuration tool offline, without an internet connection? There are places I might use this that don't have WiFi.

[@amowry]

Yes, with a bit of a workaround-- as long as you don't "force-close" the WARBL app on iOS after opening it when you have internet, it should be available offline after you lose internet. If you're on Chrome (Windows, Mac, etc.), you should be able to use the "Save page as..." command to save a copy of the page that will work offline. I may also soon have a standalone app for WIndows and Mac that will always work offline.

[@HCCarey]

Fantastic

[@folkorchestraukuleleoxford6374]

I'm very tempted by this, but I have a question. I've watched dozens of videos about the Warbl, but not one tells me how to put the sound through an actual PA system. I assume (?) that I need another lead that goes from the iPad or android phone into the PA system, but many phones have just one USB input (used for the Warbl) and a headphone jack. So how can I use the Warbl for a live show through a PA system? I'm sorry if this is an ignorant question - there's probably a simple solution!

[@camelCased]

Yes, you have to connect the device (a phone or a computer - whatever is actually producing the sound) with an audio cable from the headphone jack. What's worse - some modern phones don't have headphone jack because they want you to buy their expensive Bluetooth devices. While you can send audio to Bluetooth, the latency from WARBL will be very noticeable and it will be confusing to play and out of sync with any other background music. Otherwise, WARBL is the best customizable USB MIDI EWI device that exists. Roland's and Akai's EWIs are not that customizable. But they have built-in synthesizers. The quality varies, so you are better off using a quality software synth anyway, and thus no reason to overpay for Akai or Roland EWI - better to invest in WARBL and good soft synths that support expression controls.

[@THEARTOFWINDSYNTH]

good job! ;)

[@chrismills2012]

is the Irish pipe sound samples of a real set? It sounds very realistic

[@amowry]

Yes, the sounds are from the Celtic Sounds MIDI Module app by Michael Eskin, which does use samples from a real set.

[@qwertyuiop123-q7f]

This is so cool, I want to get this so i don't annoy my housemates at 10 pm, are you going to release a low d or Irish flute version?

[@amowry]

Thanks! The sound just depends on what MIDI app you are using (the WARBL is MIDI controller and doesn't produce any sound on its own). For example, the Celtic Sounds iOS app has flute sounds and you can tune the whistle sound down to the low D range. If you're asking about the physical size of the WARBL, it has currently has the approximate hole spacing of a high D whistle, and I don't have immediate plans to make a longer version because I'm a one-person operation and making one (versatile) version helps me streamline production a bit.

[@artantme]

nice!

[@lindabennett8315]

App won’t recognize my worbl

[@lindabennett8315]

My worbl won’t connect to the app

[@tkjankowski8470]

I’ve only seen people running the WARBL into PC, iOS, and Android devices, can it be used to control hardware?

[@amowry]

Yes, absolutely, it's a class-compliant USB MIDI device, so it should work with any hardware MIDI host that has a USB input.

[@tkjankowski8470]

@@amowry thank you. I now know what I want for Christmas

[@benoitbidochon6701]

We had Technopipes, now we have an other toy. Funny, but as a bagpipe player I would not use this for serrious training. Just a toy with a lot of bellls and whistles You have a lot sounds and you can emulate many instruments, thanks to MIDI, but the important think for training is more to have the same sensation as with a genuine chanter. I have a doubt..

[@fabioamicosante1069]

Hi! I bought warbl, it's fantastic! Are there any iPad App for Low whistle sound? Thanks!

[@warbl335]

Thanks Fabio. I’m glad you like it! I believe that ThumbJam has low whistle sounds (if they’re not installed with the app you can download them for free). Also, you can lower the pitch of the whistle in the Celtic Sounds app as much as one octave, but it does sound quite like a real low whistle.

[@fabioamicosante1069]

@@warbl335 thank you so much!

[@derekcorcoran5129]

This is awesome!! Is it possible to play with an android device?

[@warbl335]

Thanks! Yes, it is possible to use Android, though the options for apps are much more limited. Most people use the FluidSynth app. Here's a video of someone using FluidSynth on Android: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3eqpKV-iJuraKc

[@imsaint007]

if I connect to my I Mac computer , will work with GarageBand. as a midi ?

[@warbl335]

Sergio Santos Yes, it should work just fine with GarageBand.

[@imsaint007]

why do I need a $50.00 Camera kit to connect to my computer , the Warbl do not have a USB connection ? What else do I need to buy to play it ?

[@warbl335]

Sorry Sergio, I just saw this comment. WARBL is indeed USB MIDI and plugs into a computer with no adapter needed. The camera kit is only needed for iOS devices, which don't have a USB input.

[@GaryR55]

@@warbl335 True, but, once you have the USB adapter (and make sure it's one Apple makes, with a power connector as well as the USB port), you can use ANY sounds from any iOS apps. As far as the price goes, what's the big deal? I'm living on my Social Security and I bought one.

[@GaryR55]

@@warbl335 oops, sorry. I was addressing my previous comment to Sergio, of course.

[@elbowpipe]

It looks as though the sound is coming from the iPad in this demo? Could I bluetooth a speaker to the iPad and get more volume? (Say in a pub session, and assuming I wouldn't be kicked out). Also, can you switch from UP to highland pipe settings at a touch of a button? It's great anyway for 'silent' practice so for that reason I'm considering it.

[@warbl335]

Hi Duncan, thanks for the interest. In the demo I have the iPad plugged into a set of computer speakers, and that’s generally a good option. Unfortunately, Bluetooth speakers have added latency and thus are too slow to use with an instrument that you’re playing in real time. However, many portable speakers also have an “aux” input, where you can plug a 3.5 mm cable in directly, and that’s a great option for amplification. Yes, you can switch from uilleann to highland settings with the touch of a button. You can configure up to three different instruments, and set up a button to switch between the three.

[@JP-ne1ki]

I think you need to add a small battery so that we can play unplugged, and add BT. Great job though!!

[@warbl335]

Thank you for the suggestion-- I have given this a lot of thought and it may happen at some point, but Bluetooth MIDI has some limitations, in particular added latency of around 10-20 mS. For some styles of music it's not noticeable, but for fast bagpipe tunes I don't think it's acceptable.

[@GaryR55]

@@warbl335 Yep, and there is also the security issue with Bluetooth. When I have Bluetooth enabled on my iPad, I find a laptop and someone's Samsung phone trying to (or already are?) pair with my iPad. According to an article in Ars Technica two years ago, "blusnarfing" has become a very real security issue, as it allows anyone with the right software to capture and read every keystroke from a Bluetooth-enabled keyboard. Even without a Bluetooth keyboard connected, I am wondering if the iPad's data is still vulnerable.

[@camelCased]

@@warbl335 I have had great success with using nRF24 modules for wireless communication between devices. Typical latency seems to be below 1ms - about 0.5ms for sending, and another 0.5ms for receiving an ACK. So, if you can integrate an nRF24 into WARBL and create a USB dongle with a nRF24, you can easily achieve low latency communication. Of course, the drawback is the additional device for the USB dongle, but maybe it's worth it?

[@LapahnYT]

So I can put this into my PC via USB and put on my headphones and then play with a midi controller software?

[@warbl335]

That’s correct. With PCs there can sometimes be noticeable latency (as opposed to iOS where there’s very little), but using good quality software and playing with the setup can usually get the latency to a manageable level.

[@LapahnYT]

@@warbl335 Is the latency due to not having a solution for it yet or is it normal to have latency for instruments like this one? Also, how do future upgrades work? Would I need to buy the upgraded wind controller (flute) or will there be some kind of software updates?

[@amowry]

@@LapahnYT The latency isn't caused by WARBL, it's just a function of how well a particular PC handles MIDI and audio in general. I think most PCs are fine if they're set up well (and a lot of people use PCs for MIDI), it's just hard to generalize and guarantee that there won't be a small amount of latency. I'll be providing software updates, which are always free and open-source. You install a small app on a PC or Mac that uploads the software update to WARBL. My idea/hope is that the hardware should be long-lived because you can always upgrade it, and most of the control is provided through the Configuration Page, which I update at the same time as the software.

[@xiscozapatero1914]

Hello, as a whistler I am very interested in this instrument.. my concern is... where does the saliva go/risk of moisture penetration into the electronics ?

[@warbl335]

Hi Xisco, thanks for the interest. There's a small moisture trap in the end of the instrument that is completely isolated from the electronics. Also very little or no air passes through the mouthpiece (depending on which mouthpiece option you use), so not much moisture ever enters the instrument.

[@bartdagelet7106]

250 dollars? That's way 2 expensive 60 would be a fair price up the production lower the costs !

[@warbl335]

Thank you for the input. I think you'll find that the price is actually quite competitive with other MIDI wind controllers and similar devices like electronic bagpipe chanters. If I had them manufactured overseas I could certainly sell them for less, but my preference is to build them myself so I retain complete control over the process. They each have about $50 in parts and several hours labor (not to mention thousands of hours of software and hardware development).

[@bartdagelet7106]

@@warbl335 i get you're point but people who are amateurs who just want 2 practice there playing. Without driving everybody crazy cause there making mistakes. You're making your market very small. I would not mind a badly made thing that's just simple en efficient for what I want. Maby a second version with one option and just a Jack so you can quietly practice. This would be good option for the amateurs. And pro's who do performances would want the pro version. Or when you honed you're art and want 2 get the best experience. Just saying 300 is a lot if you're just getting started.

[@bartdagelet7106]

There is nothing on the market for people who want 2 start whistling without being a bother 2 other people. This is for people who already know how 2 whistle.

[@warbl335]

@@bartdagelet7106 Yes, I understand your concern entirely, and I agree that $250 is not an insignificant amount of money. I'm not willing to lower the build quality, but I may see if there's anything I can do to reduce the price a bit in the future.

[@GaryR55]

@@warbl335 Indeed, it is quite inexpensive, for what you offer. I live on Social Security and I'm going to buy one. It may take me a couple of months to save the money for it, but, so what? ;)

[@Kjhd9987hy]

Can this do 3 octaves?

[@cjadams7434]

Someone i saw came up with custom fingering and said they were able to… but also you can overblow and then use one of the other midi cc’s for tilt roll or nod or the buttons to go up or down octaves in momentary mode. - love that warbl 2 adds BT le and other nice quality of life changes! well done!

[@nombre2745]

Amazing