Sequential FOURM vs Prophet 5

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Is the Sequential FOURM effectively a "Prophet 4"? In this deep-dive comparison, I put Sequential’s compact powerhouse up against the legendary Prophet 5 to see how closely it recreates that iconic vintage DNA.

While the FORUM shares a strikingly intuitive Prophet-style interface—complete with dual oscillators, a resonant low-pass filter, and a dedicated polymod section—it also brings modern innovations to the table that the original Prophet simply can’t match.

We’ll explore the sonic character of the FORUM’s SSI chips, which act as modern recreations of the warm, fuzzy SSM chips found in the original Prophet 5 Rev 1 and Rev 2. By recreating classic factory patches side-by-side, we reveal the subtle differences in envelope behavior and modulation flexibility between these two analog beasts.

🎹 What’s Covered:
• The "Prophet 4" Factor: Comparing the interface, layout, and "familiar" feel of both synths.
• SSI vs. SSM vs. Curtis: Breaking down the filter and oscillator chips that define their warmth and grit.
• Modern Upgrades: Exploring the FORUM’s Poly Aftertouch, built-in arpeggiator, and digital clock sync.
• The Feedback Circuit: A demo of the FORUM's unique feedback loop that adds "MiniMoog-style" grit and prevents bass loss at high resonance—something the Prophet 5 famously struggles with.
• Patch Recreation: A side-by-side listening test of 8 classic patches to hear the real-world sonic differences.

🔗 Stay Connected:
• Exclusive Patches & Samples: Join the community on Patreon for the custom banks used in this video!
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⏱️ Timestamps:
• 00:00 – Intro: Single Voice vs. Polyphonic Power
• 00:46 – Interface & Layout Comparison
• 01:23 – The Tech Specs: SSI Chips & Analog VCAs
• 03:08 – Side-by-Side Patch Recreations
• 04:05 – Analyzing Envelope & Drop-off Differences
• 04:40 – PolyMod of the pulse width
• 07:54 – Modulation & Polymod Limitations
• 11:37 – Beyond the Prophet: Feedback & Resonance
• 13:50 – Poly Aftertouch Demo
• 14:20 – Build Quality & Final Verdict