PRO ONE vs. PRO 12 analog vs. digital Prophet 5 - Harlem Nights

YouTube via harlemnightsmusic | September 29, 2010

Update via Crossmod in the comments: "This video should carry an Epileptic seizure warning." Good call.
"An analog vs a digital voice of the Sequential Prophet 5 (rev 3) synthesizer (1978):
- L channel = Sequential Pro One synth (1981)
- R channel = Creamware Pro 12 synth module (2006), in single voice mode

Mostly focusing on basic sonic quality, not features. Envelopes and filter levels were matched to eachother by ear (the number settings differ). It appeared to me that the Pro 12 has linear potmeters whereas in the Pro One the change rate increases when you turn the knobs. The Pro 12 was played with an EMU Xboard 61. No added fx or EQ. Both were recorded through the same mixer and soundcard.

There's quite a lack of proper Pro 12 demos on internet, hence I made this one for others deciding about it... A HQ mp3 of the test can be found at: www.harlemnightsmusic.com/PRO_ONE_VS_PRO­_12.mp3

To my ears, the Pro 12 held up surprisingly well in this test against a famous analog bass synth, on just a single voice. Main sonic differences were in the filter and pulse width range, and the Pro One has a slightly rawer 'alive' feel esp in pulse wave sounds. But for most sounds mixed in in a track this all may not matter that much. Also, the Pro 12's unison can make up for much of it, with its added controls for number of unison voices / polyphony and voice detuning.

Next time: more music!

Enjoy
Harlem Nights"