MidiALF is an 8 step DIY friendly MIDI/CV sequencer with 40×2 LCD, 8+2 clickable rotary encoders, 8 LED switches and 8 tactile switches.
Latest firmware: midialf_234
Features
8 steps in 4 sub-sequences which could be linked as two 16 step sub-sequences or one 32 step sequence.
Each sequence contains 10 tracks:
- note/mute
- velocity/skip
- gate/legato
- CC1/send
- CC2/send
Sequence direction: forward, backward, pendulum, random.
Nonlinear sequence progression modes (same as in MIDIBox SEQ v4):
- forward, backward, replay
- interval, repeat, skip
Conditional triggers for Note, CC1/2 and note re-trigger and may other step parameters, similar to the ones in Elektron’s RYTM and Digitakt. No more static sequences, spice it up periodically, randomly or manually by pressing the SHIFT key!
Note, Velocity, CC1/2 randomization. Note value can be randomized according to a selected scale which can be different for each step of the sequence. Try mixing different scales in the same sequence, endless joy!
Note re-triggering, 2-16 per step, velocity and pitch modulated, chromatic or restricted to a selected scale. Also can be conditionally triggered. Now you can ratchet just like TD.
Song mode: up to eight steps, each specifies the sequence to play, how many times and at what transposition.
Sequence and step randomization using 167 music scales (thanks to MIDIbox.org).
Real-time and step recording modes: records notes, velocity, legato and CC1/CC2 values.
Two assignable CC LFOs with the period of up to 2 bars and sync to start, sequence and step in addition to free running.
Internal storage for 64 programs each containing 4 sequences with setup parameters and 16 character name.
Sysex send/receive of sequence, program or all programs.
Remote control with CC.
Super stable internal clock based on Mutable Instruments MIDIpal technology, 25-250 BPM.
Optional CV extension board: adds 4 x CV an 4 x Gate outputs.
Firmware upgradable by SysEx.
Midi only variant is powered by external 7.5 – 9V DC power supply, center pin positive, minimum 300mA. MidiALF/CV variant needs 16VAC AC power supply.
DIY Resources
Schematics: alfsch#1 alfsch#2 alfsch#3
Source code: midialf2_src
PCB and MCU
You can purchase MidiALF main board directly from me for US$35.00 and pre-programmed ATmega644p MCU for US$15.00. The CV extension board is US$30. The prices do not include shipping from California, USA. PayPal payments only.
Case
[to be announced]
Acknowledgements
MidiALF is built around technology developed by Mutable Instruments: most of its hardware components can be found in various MI’s projects (mostly Shruthi-1 and Ambika), while software implementation uses quite a lot of code from MIDIpal. Not to mention the breakthrough Avril programming framework that brought modern C++ programming (read: productivity and sanity) to Atmel MCU world. Without this MidiALF project would not be possible, so thank you, Olivier, for sharing your talent with all of us!
I’d also like to thank Thorsten Klose of MIDIbox.org for his kind permission to use music scale definitions and non-linear sequencer progression modes found in MIDIbox SEQ v4.
MidiALF v2 Conditions are fully modeled after famous Elektron’s Trig Conditions. Whoever invented them at Elektron is a genius. This invention made the whole concept of sequencing a lot more interesting musically. Thank you, Elektron!
MidiSizer 
Looks really good. Any plans for PCB or a kit?
There will be a PCB run in a few weeks, however there are no plans for a kit at this point. Please leave a comment here specifying how many pcbs you need and if you’d like the CV extension board.
Awesome work. Purple soldermask w/gold is totally pimp too.
I’d be in for 2 PCBs, perhaps more in the future…
Fresh Pants (from MI forums)
Production boards will not be purple/gold, they will be fabbed at the same facility as MI boards, so the choice is green/red/white/black. I’m leaning towards white.
Uhh, add 2 CV boards for me as well.
Huh, you were the only one who didn’t mention CV extension board here!
Will you provide some BOM at Mouser and/or Reichelt ? Thanks !
Partial Mouser BOM is available in project materials, and I plan on improving it. I doubt there would be Reichelt BOM from me as I have absolutely no experience with them. Hopefully some European user will come up with one.
A Mouser BOM would be VERY nice and helpful 🙂
Hey, I made a Reichelt cart:
https://secure.reichelt.de/index.html?;ACTION=20;LA=5010;AWKID=743642;PROVID=2084
some notes:
– The tact switches or a working substitute are not available at Reichelt
– The power switch or a working substitute is not available at Reichelt
– I changed the 18pF caps to 33pF because of the crystal available
– The knobs are different: http://www.reichelt.de/Drehimpulsgeber/KNOPF-13-164E/3//index.html?ACTION=3&GROUPID=3714&ARTICLE=73962&SHOW=1&START=0&OFFSET=500&
– LEDs are red, change to your liking
– The LED spacers are 5mm instead of 7.62mm (maybe you don’t need them at all?)
– The LCD is very expensive, it may be better to get one from ebay…
– I suggest you get at least 10 of all the resistors, because that reduces the price from 0,103 EUR to 0,033 EUR
– You can save ~0,5 EUR by cutting the headers from a longer string yourself
I’m buying white on blue 40×2 LCD’s from ebay user ‘egochina8848’, they are very good quality and drain much less current than Newhaven 40×2
This looks promising for sure. I’d like 2PCBs and 2CV expansions when it’s time to tally.
I would be interested in two sets of boards with CV extension. I look forward to it 🙂
1 PCB and 1 CV extension board for me please.
Cheers
Paul (loderbast at MI Forum)
I’d be in for (2) PCBs. Looks awesome.
Purple and gold is totally pimp too.
one PCB and one CV Extension please.
cheers
Paul (loderbast at MI Forum)
Hey, I like the idea of White PCB’s. Put me on the list for 2 PCB’s with CV Option if possible. Thanks for doing this!
1 PCB w/ CV extension, maybe a second set depending on price.
dageilscht (rosch) takes 2 pcbs too when you make them! looking forward to it!
of course with cv extension
Hi kvitekp,
I’d like to register my interest in one set of pcbs please (sequencer and cv)
Cheers,
dasnut
Great! 1 PCB w/ CV extension
2 PCB’s with CV extension would be great!
I’d like one PCB with CV extension.
I think we could go for combined Sthlm shipping again 🙂 Unless customs will hate on us…
I don’t know about you, but I can tell you they loooove me. At least my money.
Heh, well I guess a few PCBs would pass anyway.
another for one PCB and one CV Extension please!
One PCB plus CV board here Thanks
Put me on the list for 2 pcbs and 2 CV extension boards, please.
Thanks!
looks good – I want one!
Please count me in for 2 pcbs and 2 CV boards. Thanks.
Hello, Please count me in for 1 pcb and one CV board.
Thanks!!
I’m in for 1 pcb and 1 CV board for sure. But depending on price, I’ll get another 1 of each.
Awesome work!
Kyle (from MI forum)
One PCB + CV board would be nice. Any idea of prices yet?
Not sure about the pricing yet, but it should not be too bad.
Yo! I’d like 2 PCBs + CV too 🙂
One question about loading sequences: Is the new sequence loaded instantly, or does the seq wait until the currently running one is finished? Would make sense for live situations I think.
Oh and I would love black PCBs 🙂
The current firmware switches and loads sequences instantly. Are you suggesting that switching/loading sequence when it wraps around may be useful during live performance?
Yes, exactly.
OK, i can probably implement this option as one of the sequence parameters. Although definition of the sequence “end” is not exactly obvious for random and non linear progression modes.
Cool 🙂 But you are right, for non-linear modes or if you put in a lot of skips I might be a little strange….
lol, nice typo 🙂 *it might be a little strange.
filp, the pcbs are here, however the email address I have for you bounces. Please contact me if you’re still interested.
It would be great to have the ability to quantize switching patterns to 1/16 1/8 1/4 note and 1, 2, or 4 bars. A bit like ableton quantizing in clip view.
Agreed, thank you for the suggestion!
Hello. Is it possible to define a new loop when the sequence is playing ? It’s a very usefull fonction in the Manikin Schrittmacher. Exemple : when a sequence is looping from step 1 to 8. Define a new loop while the sequence is playing : press step 3 (nothing happens yet) press step 6: now the new loop is 4 steps from step 3 to 6.
Is this possible ? Thank you.
MidiALF does not have loop start/end, instead each step can be “skipped”. So to limit the sequence to steps 2 to 6, you will “skip” steps 1,2,7 and 8. This can be done while the sequence is running.
I would be interested in 2 PCB with CV extension boards. Looks like a very nice project!
Any word on availability date yet?
I hope to send main pcb to the fab in a couple of weeks, the CV extension pcb is supposed to be ordered within a week after they are back. So we’re looking at a month from now for the main board and 2 months for the cv board.
2+2 please
One main board for me please
Can I still put my hand up for one or two of these pcb’s?
Sure! Do you need the CV extension board?
Yeah, I’ll probably grab one.
Really depends on pricing to be honest. though.
Hi Peter!
Very nice. I see your design as improvement of the Gorf as I prefer encoder instead of pots and a bigger display.
Please count me in for 1x PCB / 1x CV board.
Ciao
Peter
any news on the release date?
I got totally swamped at work recently, still hope to be ready for the run next month. The MIDI board and firmware is ready, what’s holding it is a CV board i’m sill working on.
Looks very interesting! What do I have to do if I want one or two PCB-sets too?
Do you want MIDI only or CV extension board too ?
I don´t think I need the CV extension board. I am looking for a midi sequencer only. CV would be unexpected future use for me.
Sure. I’ve added you to the list for 2 MidiALF boards.
Programmed MCUs for me too please!
Please put me down for one sequencer and one CV board! From MI forum as well 🙂
Oh, also: are you planning to sell preprogrammed MCUs with the PCBs?
Yes
I might be Interested in a PCB with CV extension board. Are there any plans for a eurorack faceplate with relocated jacks? Could you email me with price details? I appreciate your effort.
There are no plans for eurorack faceplate at this point. however there will be a compatible power connector on CV board and extension connector for euro style jack board.
Put me down for a sequencer PCB and a CV PCB! Thanks.
I am also looking forward for a kit version if there will be no kit then PCB
No plans for the kit at this point, just a PCB and optional pre-programmed MCU. Do you need CV extension or just a MIDI board?
Midiboard for now
will there be enclosure for it ?
Yes, but not from me.
Fcd72 ?
Maybe 😉
Please add me for PCB+MCU list then. Can CV extension be ordered later ?
Sure.
Are there enclosure files drawn up yet?
Not yet. The main PCB will be on the way to fcd72 really soon now, hopefully he’s take care of this.
Any progress so far ? How will you be informing us about they are ready to order ? Thanks
The fab informed me that pcbs where shipped on Apr 26, so I’m guessing they would be here sometime next week.
I’ll contact everyone on the list by email. The first round is for main pcb and optional MCU only. CV board will come later.
The boards are here!
Great – I left a message asking for one main pcb back in january. Looking forward to starting the build.
Gabby
Awesome!! I can’t wait.
wow great! i would love 1 too… or 2 if there are enough for everyone.. 🙂
I’m prepared to do another run if first one will not be enough 😉
Any idea on a price with the MCU? And, just to make a nuisance of myself, any consideration for a song mode, something like “play sequence A 4 times, play sequence B twice, play sequence C twice…”?
The pricing will be announced in a few days. I don’t expect it to be much different from MI pricing model.
Yes, song mode is on the roadmap.
Good news, really! As stated above I’d like to have the PCBs + MCUs.
Where are you (shipping) from?
Santa Clara, California
I left my earlier comments via twitter so you might not have my email address.
I leave this one with my email to avoid missing the email notification.
I am up for Midi PCB/MCU then CV extension.
Thanks in advance
Sure
I initially asked for two set +cv. Add to that the MCU’s. thanks 🙂
Sure
I’d like to have 1 set.
Sorry,
what I meant was,
I’ d like 2 have 1 complete set (incl.cv ext.),
please.