Sequential Circuits Prophet 10

Shot is via this auction.

Sequential Circuits 'The Patch' for download

via Stephen Jones on AH:

"I asked Dave Smith and John Bowen about 'The Patch' and it seems that only 3 or 4 issues were published between 1981 and 1982. I have volume 02 issue 01 (February 1982). Its got some really great information, patches and advertisements. This issue has a cool picture of a plexiglas Pro-One too.

You can download it here.

Does anyone have the other issues of 'The Patch'? (I'll stop asking now)"

Update via the comments:
"Did anyone see the "Digital Interface for the Pro-One" article in there? That is like the holy grain for Pro-One DIYers. I don't think anyone has documented how to modify the Pro-One for this and here it is from the source."

Sequential Circuits Pro-One

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

Prophet VS Rack

Title link takes you to shots via this auction. via Rob

Details:
-8 voice polyphonic hybrid analogue/ digital synth, responds to velocity and aftertouch.
-4 oscillators per voice or 32 oscillators stacked in unison mode! Each oscillator has 127 different waveforms to choose from. Each of the 4 oscillators can select a different waveform and has independant tuning.
-The waveforms are based on high quality 12bit samples. They include all the standard analogue waveshapes sawtooth, square, triangle and sine plus 120+ other very interesting waveforms.
-User waveforms can also be created with the Vector joystick or via a midi sample dump.
-8 Resonant analogue filters based on CEM filter chips. Great sound!
-3x Envelope generators one for amplitude, filter and oscillator mix.
-Each envelope generator has 5 stages with 12 parameters. Each stage can be looped, backwards or forwards, infinitely or for a fixed number of times!
-The 'Oscillator Mix' envelope generator is where the oscillators are blended/ crossfaded over time, creating the movement between the oscillators (Vector synthesis)
-Each oscillator has its own parameter settings for each stage of the 'Oscillator Mix' envelope.
-Sounds can also be created without using the Vector capabilites, just using it like a conventional 4 oscillator analogue polysynth! 4 oscillators! > VCF > Amp/ Filter EG Chorus. Fat sounds!
-Modulation capabilities are also very well specified. As well as the Vector synthesis there are two LFOs and a comprehensive modulation matrix. Velocity, aftertouch, pitch-bend and modulation wheel can be used to control virtually any Prophet VS parameter!

Other features worth mentioning:
A nice arpeggiator.
-Stereo voice panning. Each voice can be panned anywhere in the stereo field.
-Unison mode, with detune! (Great for basslines)
-Random patch generator.
-Midi of course, with great specification.
-The Prophet VS has 100 preset memories. Patches can be split or layered too. Unit comes with my own custom programmed patch bank plus a CDROM with some other program banks which can be dumped via Sysex.

Sonically, the VS is unsurpassed for evolving synth string and pad sounds! Its also great for smooth brass sounds, unison basslines, effects, arpeggios, leadlines, anything...

Rare synth. Less than 400 VS racks were made worldwide, these rack versions are highly sought after."

The World's Biggest Trance Lead?

YouTube via suitandtieguy.

"In this video, I attempt to create the world's biggest trance lead using a Prophet-10 and the STG Soundlabs Radiophonic Accessory System under control of a x0xb0x. I'm not sure if i was successful, but it did sound pretty trancey. Other tools abused in this video include a CR-8000, Juno-6, Mackie mixer, Lexicon MPX-110, and Oktava MK-219 microphone. Modules available at stgsoundlabs.com"

Thelonious Moog

Dave M wrote in to let me know I haven't put up a post on Thelonious Moog. I did a quick search and sure enough, I haven't! Well, here it is. Title link takes you there. You will find a number of small but drool-worthy shots and the story behind the making of Thelonius Moog.

"The vintage analog synths used during this project are the key to these arrangements. Many of the stylings are a direct result or influenced by a particular synth sound or patch or rhythm. There are too many items to cover in depth, so I'll just touch on a few that were crucial to the sound of the disc.

A lot of the leads and most of the synth bass parts were done by the old standby Minimoog. A real no-brainer there. I would have to say the real "stars" were the RMI Keyboard Computer 1 (it gave its life for this recording – RIP, dear, sweet RMI, along with a Prophet Five that can actually be heard dying on Beshma Swing!), an Arp 2600, an EMS Synthi AKS, a pair of newly aquired Moog 900 series modulars, and a modular from a new analog synth company, Synthesizers.com. We also used a couple of extremely rare Buchla synths, the Music Easel, and a Series 100 modular. The goofy rhythms were supplied via an old Acetone beat box and something called a "drummer." I have to say that these pieces were the "stars," and we just played the melodies. The studio has many other traditional keyboards – piano/organs/clavinets and such – so we just threw the damn rulebook out that first night."

Skinny Puppy's Prophet 5 signed by Cevin Key

I was checking out PLAN B on MySpace. No, not the modular synth company, Plan b, but Alex Productions music project. I was looking at the gear pics and noticed the Prophet 5 was signed. I asked Alex and he replied with the following:

"That and the minimoog belonged to Skinny Puppy. The Prophet, was Dwaynes, and the mini was Cevins. Cevin signed the P5. They are a huge influence for me, so it really was amazing to have that done. :)"

In the shot:
Sequential Circuits Prophet-5
Oberheim Matrix-6
Korg Prophecy

Sequential Circuits Prophet 10

Title link takes you to more shots and interesting bits of info including bodhisattva, butteryfly and gnome silkscreens on the PCBs.

via Stephen

Suzanne Ciani on 3-2-1 Contact

YouTube via magneticring. Sent my way via gerald.

Remember this post? Looks like someone finally put it up on YouTube.

Oberheim OB-X, Sequential Circuits Prophet 5, Buchla

Note: the original YouTube vid has the title as "Suzanna Ciani on 3-2-1 Contact" I usually do not change titles others create, but in this case it was leading to some confusion in the comments so I went ahead and corrected it in the title of this post. The video on YouTube still has Suzanna as of this note as I have no control over that.

Sequential Circuits Pro One

Title link takes you to shots via this auction, including a shot of the schematics and manual.

Prophet Flexi Discs

Two via Stephen Jones:

One
Two

Each link will take you to more images and mp3s of recordings of the Prophet 5 and Prophet 10 by John Bowen.
Prophet 5 demo sheet

Sequential Circuits Prophet 5

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

Note the Wine County cassette with tape dump of patches. Wine Country was formed by ex Sequential Circuits employees after Sequential went under. They are still in business.

via Loscha.

Sequential Circuits Prophet 5

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

via Johan

Wine Country Certificate of Restoration - Prophet 2000

Title link takes you to more shots via this auction.

Wine Country Productions are ex Sequential Circuits. They repair and sell Sequential Circuit Synths.

Sequential Circuits Prophet VS Synth

Sequential Circuits Prophet VS Synth (part1)
YouTube via retrosound72

Sequential Circuits Prophet VS Synth (part2)
YouTube via retrosound72

Sent my way via Mr. Array.

"The great SCI Prophet VS by RetroSound."

Doctor Who - Corners 1987

YouTube via Tardisrules. Via Suit and Tie Guy on AH.
Also be sure to see this post for another rendition.
Doktor Who
Radiophonic Workshop

Sequential Circuits Prophet VS with Flourescent Display

Remember the Sequential Circuits Studio 440 with Vacuum Florescent Display? Here's another by Mark. Title link takes you to more shots.

"Here's my Prophet VS keyboard, which I have just retrofitted with a
vacuum fluorescent display by Noritake. Because the VFD is thicker
than the stock LCD by almost 3/8", the lengths of all the standoffs
between the front panel, the front panel PCB, and the switch PCBs
have to be increased. The pots and LED display have to be stood off
as well. Other important details: a blue filter for the VFD, a
neutral density filter for the alpha numeric LED display, double
stick tape to secure the filters, extra long pins to connect the
switch PCBs at their new mounting height. The most time consuming
part was selecting and ordering all these parts, installation was
done in a couple of evenings.

I'm not generally a fan of putting blue LEDs in old synths, but the
Prophet VS did come from the factory with a blue backlit LCD, and has
blue front panel graphics, so what the heck. The trick to installing
blue LEDs is choosing the right resistor value. If you just do the
math and install the recommended value, they can be almost blindingly
bright. Right now they are at a very comfortable brightness, though
I may change the resistors one more time to match the LED brightness
a little more closely to the VFD.

I hope you like it!"

Indeed. Wow!

How To Install New Bushings on the Pro One

Title link takes you there.

Sequential Circuits Studio 440 with Vacuum Fluorescent Display

via Mark:

"This is one of my two Sequential Studio 440s, one of my favorite instruments in my studio. Like a lot of older instruments, the backlit LCDs in both of my 440s went dark long ago, and there's nothing sadder than trying to navigate a menu in a dark room with no backlight. Recently I found that a company called Noritake that sells VFDs that are almost drop-in replacements for some LCDs. I say almost drop-in because the mounting depth is a little deeper. In the case of the 440, I had to trim down the existing studs and install longer standoffs for mounting. Mounting these into an instrument with more depth restriction might not be possible. These vacuum fluorescent displays are just beautiful. There's something about having a bright, crisp display that makes the instrument seem much easier to use, it's like the brain assimilates the information effortlessly when the text is so clear and bright. I decided to retrofit both of my 440s and they worked out great."

Matrix6 - my first synth. : ) Title link takes you to a couple more shots. Thanks Mark!

Sequential Circuits Model 800 Sequencer

Click here for shots via this auction.

Details: "SEQUENTIAL CIRCUITS MODEL 800 ANALOG SEQUENCER . Compatable with all analog CV and Gate synthesizers. I've discovered Dave Smith (founder of S/C) started making these units in his garage before eventually mass producing the incredible Sequential Circuits synths, drum machines (ect.) as we know them today. This is without a doubt VERY RARE ! Only 500 were made and maybe. It is in Good condition with few minor scuffs / scratches on the top and side. It has a sticker on one side from the place where it was originally sold - Rogue Music Store NY.NY. It has one broken push button (the start / record switch as shown in pic below) which can easily be replaced. The part here cost just over a dollar. You can still push it with the tip of your finger though. It Powers up and the lights come on. It counts through all 16 steps on the LED as it should. You can also walk the steps from 1 to 16. All this is done without it being hooked up to anything."

via Johan

Update via Micke in the comments:
"A little bit of trivia: the original version of this sequencer:
http://www.synthmuseum.com/sequ/seqseq800ad01.jpg
was used on Earth, Wind & Fire's hit "Getaway" which was recorded back in the summer of 1976.

I was told this by LA synthesist/programmer Dan Wyman.
Mr. Wyman is perhaps best known for his synth work on multiple Giorgio Moroder productions. He´s also responsible for the Moog modular programming on John Carpenter's classic synth-scores "Assault On Precinct 13" (1976), "Halloween" (1978) and "The Fog" (1979).

Micke "