Industry Tributes to Dave Smith

Some tributes from those in the indsutry. If there are others, feel free to leave them in the comments section below and I will add them to this post. I wanted to start with this one via @BirdKids from a post here on MATRIXSYNTH back in 2006, the year I actaully started this version of the site. It was the top pic from that post and I thought it fitting to start with it as it features a hidden message from Dave Smith.

via @BirdKids

"'May Peace prevail on Earth' Image via @matrixsynth matrixsynth.com/2006/09/on-ins… That's a Sequential Drumtraks (1984) How cool is that!?!? Thank you for everything Dave Smith and @sequentialLLC — your legacy, not just the machines, but the music and people it inspired, endless!"

via @WeAreNovation

"We're extremely sad to share that industry legend, Dave Smith, founder of fellow Focusrite family members Sequential, has died. We're heartbroken, but Dave was with his family, and doing what he loved best. To share your thoughts and memories, please visit http://sequential.com"

via @RolandGlobal

We are deeply saddened to learn that Dave Smith of Sequential has passed away. As a true synthesizer pioneer, he was very much admired and respected by Roland and others. We offer our condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and fans worldwide.

via @WeAreElektron

"We are terribly saddened to hear the news of Dave Smith’s passing. He has been such a pioneering giant of our industry, and his creativity and innovation will forever be part of the story of electronic music. Our thoughts are with his family & the entire @sequentialLLC team. RIP"

Note all three above used the image released by Sequential also featured in my post here. I grouped them together for that reason.

via @moogmusicinc

"Thank you, Dave, for all that you have given to our shared community. The world wouldn't sound the same without you."

via @SoulsbySynths

"RIP Dave Smith, thanks for the pioneering synths (including my Pro One which I love!), MIDI & so much more."

and via @tiptopaudio

"Rest In Peace Dave Smith. You brought so much happiness to this world, the sounds of your instruments touched the souls of so many of us. @sequentialLLC"

And via Roger Linn Design

"On May 31, 2022, Dave Smith, my dear friend of many years, passed away. His legacy of excellent synthesizers will last well beyond his years, as well as the positive influence on music that his instruments have had.

I first met Dave in the late 1970s at a trade show in Anaheim, California. He was showing his new Prophet 5 synthesizer, which I believe was the first polyphonic, programmable analog synth. I marveled at his creation, as did everyone else in attendance. Dave was full of energy and ambition, and well understood the new technology of microcomputers and software programming that was starting to change the world. He decided to use this new technology to change musical instruments. Of course the Prophet 5 went on to become a huge success, used on countless hit recordings in the 1980s.

Unlike me, Dave was an avid athelete, cyclist and triathlete. He actually participated in the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon in his younger years, an astoundingly difficult physical endeavor. He even enlisted me in some of his strenuous hikes, including Mount Whitney, the back side of Yosemite's Half Dome, and Mount Shasta. I named our climb up Mount Whitney 'Iron Man and the nerd'. :)

Our friendship continued over the years, and in 2011 I had the pleasure of collaborating with him on the Tempest analog drum machine. It was fun working with Dave and I learned a lot from him. He had a deep understanding of analog synthesis circuitry and the many design choices that are necessary in order to insure that the final instrument meets the demands of golden ears. He was also good at pushing me a little to bring out my best.

Sadly, the healthiest of atheletes are no match for the roll of the genetic dice, and Dave developed some medical problems in his later years that no doubt contributed to his being taken from us earlier than many. I feel privileged to have known and to have enjoyed a friendship with this extraordinary and creative individual. I miss my dear friend.

Roger"

Update: there's a brief mention of Dave Smith's Hawaii Ironman Triathlon in this article on the development of the Prophet VS (also captured here). He was there during development.

Update2: KORG pays tribute:

via @KorgUSA

"Korg USA wishes to pay respects to the family, friends, and legions of fans of Dave Smith. We've lost a true pioneer and wonderful human being. From the roots of MIDI to Sequential, Dave leaves behind a legacy of innovations that have forever changed the way we create music."