Designs in synthetic drone reeds have made tremendous gains the past decade. I remember the initial ones....

Synthetic drone reeds are far more stable, permitting longer playing times. Perhaps the best overall feature is that they are low maintenance compared to cane. Cane drone reeds can make a clergyman swear - loudly.

But even the best synthetics aren't quite what cane is. To my ear, cane drone reeds are just plain 'warmer' and seem to accentuate & blend with the chanter just a little bit more.

I can hear the difference probably because I started with cane and had no choice but to learn how to live with it, until better synthetics arrived on the scene.

With the functional moisture control systems in pipebags, more pipers are returning to cane because condensation isn't the bear it was. Then again, now you gotta jiggle & adjust the moisture collector.

Slainte,
steve