GorF, the DIY Step Sequencer: Video Demo
Forget NAMM — one of a handful of hardware I’m most excited about in 2009 is all DIY, the 8-step GorF step sequencer. (I’m hoping for follow-ups like a Forg or Grof. Kermit (Muppet) fans know what I’m talking about.)
With four sequences with parameters, steps with pitch, gate, and Control Change, sequencing controls, legato mode, and the planned ability to both send and receive clock, this is one useful-looking device. And from the video above, it looks like it’s progressing really nicely.
In fact, if you think about it, it’s kind of puzzling that there isn’t a simple, cheap, commercial device that does this. As a kit, though, people could hack in features others might not imagine, it could be combined with other DIY and open source synth and music projects, and it makes a great kit and learning tool — meaning it’s more fun, anyway. And if you want a pink case, you can do that, too, but you can decide whether you want it more salmon or fuchsia.
Paul, do keep us posted!
Via musatkl / nostromo.
14 Comments
Leave a CommentBooks & Backpack
Great!
January 21, 2009 @ 7:39 pm
flunky
Gorf was a great game too, if a little schizophrenic.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorf
January 21, 2009 @ 8:09 pm
flunky
oh and here’s a contemporary a DIY sequencer..
http://www.possecrewensemble.com/as606/
January 21, 2009 @ 8:14 pm
Paul Maddox
Thanks for your kind words, I built this as a test tool for my bench for testing synths I’m building, I’m still amazed by the response it’s receiving.
FWIW, it already sends and receives midi clock, the remaining features to be added are update of firmware via midi sysex and support for the serial EEPROM giving potentially more than 200 storable sequences.
I’ve rejigged the PCB shown in this video to fix a mistake I made during it’s design and I’ll be getting a couple of those made to check it before ordering a pile to sell.
And yes, I’m an 80’s child and all my new “gadgets” will be named after arcade games, Defender, Tempest, etc :-)
Keep up the great work on this blog!
Paul
January 22, 2009 @ 1:43 am
lematt
wow ! let’s make the same but 32 steps !!!
January 22, 2009 @ 7:50 am
Genjutsushi
Great sequencer!
Commercial alternatives could be
http://www.thomann.de/gb/mfb_sequencer_step64.htm
MFB make some cool stuff… none in a pink case tho
January 22, 2009 @ 9:48 am
D. Wallin
I would love something like this for my Virus – would probably buy it in a second.
January 22, 2009 @ 3:44 pm
Jasonn
I hope this comes to pass, I’d love to have one, though 16 steps would be nice, classic 303 patterns could be made then
January 23, 2009 @ 2:47 pm
A-Trak : Fat-free since 1982! » Blog Archive » Really tiny (naked) step sequencer
[...] via Create Digital [...]
January 23, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
marekbuk
Excellant job – well done! – an inspiration to all of us out here in DIY land. Keep up the good work and good luck in finalising the pcb
January 24, 2009 @ 7:06 am
GORF!!!!! - The DP Blog
[...] Acoostix on Feb.16, 2009, under ComputerProtoMusic Featured on CreatDigitalMusic less then a month ago – the GORF is now hitting its final stages of produciton, and word on the [...]
February 16, 2009 @ 1:01 pm
Create Digital Music » DIY Music Update: Step Sequencer, Magic MIDI Box, Hackable Mobile Sound
[...] GorF step sequencer appeared in a video demo a few weeks ago. But if you were intrigued by the YouTube rendition of GorF, the time to get your own is nearing. [...]
February 17, 2009 @ 5:50 pm
HC GreenCard
I’ll buy one right away.`
February 17, 2009 @ 11:13 pm
Dan says.. « Med430’s Blog
[...] many of the different parameters that can/should be controllable for each step of a step sequencer: http://createdigitalmusic.com/2009/01/21/gorf-the-diy-step-sequencer-video-demo/ (I don’t necessarily like the old school display and cramped layout [...]
February 27, 2009 @ 5:21 am
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