The Sequential Take 5 desktop module brings the legendary Prophet-5 sound to your mix, featuring the analog oscillators and filter that transformed electronic music. Compact and powerful, it fits seamlessly into any studio and is easy to transport for live performances. Modern effects and a powerful modulation matrix deliver sounds to transport you.
Soundtrack exclusively by Take 5. Yes, even the drums! Composed by Peter Dyer.
"The Take 5 and Teo-5 from Sequential and Oberheim make fantastic desktop units. They feel like they were made for this form factor - no compromises, simply great sounding synths in a high quality enclosure. The keyboard versions may have felt lacking in keys (even though they have a great keybed) - just a bit too short for some. I found it was quite handy having one that could fit on my rack! But with these the only decision you have to make is which one is best for you.
Luckily I'm here to confuse you further (they both sound great)! The decision will be whether you prefer the Oberheim or Sequential style of VCO programming, the filters, and the X-Mod/FM. And these just so happen to be the bits I look at in this :)"
0:00 Whoo Hoo!!
2:36 The Hardware
4:37 Quick Overview - What Are They?
6:58 Oscillators
10:20 Sync
12:31 Filters
21:08 X-Mod/FM
Press release follows:
Take Your Music to the Next Level with the Sequential Take 5 Desktop Module
San Francisco, CA – [July 1, 2025] – Sequential, a leading innovator in synthesizer technology, today announced the release of the Take 5 Desktop Module, bringing their legendary analog sound to a more compact and accessible form-factor.
Building on the success of the Take 5 keyboard, the desktop module offers the same powerful analog oscillators and filters that capture the iconic warmth and depth of the Prophet-5, enhanced with modern modulation and digital effects. The module delivers this sought-after sound in a space-saving design, perfect for studio setups and live performances where portability and efficiency are paramount.
"Ever since we launched the Take 5 keyboard, we’ve gotten repeated requests for a desktop module version, " says CEO David Gibbons. "And more recently, it seems that modules have really shot up in popularity. So, we're very excited to offer the Take 5 sound in a format that everyone seems to want."
The Take 5 Desktop Module provides the same hands-on, knob-based experience as its keyboard counterpart, allowing for intuitive sound design and real-time parameter adjustments. Users can delve deep into sound creation with controls that are simple and direct, making it fast and easy to polish your sound.
This synth fits perfectly in smaller studio or bedroom setups, and is easy to transport for live gigs, positioning The Take 5 desktop module to bring its signature Sequential sound to a wider audience than ever before. It's an instrument designed to make life easier and streamline the journey to making music and having fun.
The Take 5 desktop module is available now, with a US MAP price of $1,399.
"The Korg DW-8000 & the Retroaktiv DW-8P mk2 MIDI Controller. The DW-8000 is something of a hidden gem, with a fervent following among its fans for good reason. Released in 1985 it was ahead of its time, coming with 16 digital waveforms and Korgs own gorgeous analog filter it is a lovely sounding hybrid. Add to that it came along with the world's first onboard digital delay and cost less than 20% of a PPG this was truly groundbreaking. The Prophet VS didn't arrive until a year later, and the Waldorf Microwave wasn't released until 1989.
It does suffer from 80s minimal interface syndrome, but luckily we have the Retroaktiv DW-8P mk2 which not only brings all the controls to hand but improves on the mk1 with loads of extras like the assignable mod matrix, dual DIN connections, USB MIDI and power, larger screen, improved interface and graphics.
And most of all it brings out the best in the synth as the mod matrix and hands on control really bring it to life."
0:00 Intro 2:12 Interface and Synth Overview 4:27 Ta Dah... the DW-8P 6:13 ADBSSR Envelopes 7:07 Pitch Ramp 7:28 Digital Delay/Chorus 10:59 A Word on the DW-6000 11:58 Closer Look at Some Waveshapes 13:44 A Patch From Scratch 15:29 Arpeggiator + Voice Modes 16:59 Loading and Storing 17:30 Espen's Patch(es) 19:05 Import from the Synth 20:20 Assign/Mod Matrix 23:22 Chord Mode 25:37 Patch Generator
"Classics Vintage Patches from The Novation SUMMIT and PEAK Just a bit of fun... not meant to be identical, but I attempted to recreate some of my favourite patches on my Juno 60, Minimoog, Prophet 5, DW-8000 and OB-X8 - and it was going so well I ended up creating a soundbank.
These were selected to give a nice wide range of tones - single, dual and triple, VCO, DCO and digital oscillators
It can't do everything, obviously, but it gets really close on loads of tones - I was not expecting them to be identical but it can get close to the characters.
For this I created a few wavetables for the Summit/Peak from the DW-8000 waves and also the stacked waves from the Prophet 5. You can select multiple waves on the Prophet, but you can't on the Novation's so it was simple enough to create a wavetable to give all options.. saw+sq, saw+sq+triangles etc.
"PWM's Mantis has done it again, given us a very unique and characterful synth full of vibe. Its a mono/duo/quad hybrid, with digital oscillators (16 in total), 2 analog filters and a whole host of really interesting bits and pieces.
Following in the Malevolent's footsteps it continues PWMs affordable ethos, while hammering home a tonne of vintage tones. Thenraw sound of this is gorgeous and they've not smoothed the rough edges too much which gives us some Microwave, Prophet VS, PPG digital sheen."
0:00 Great Scott! Its a time machine
6:59 4 Oscillators per Voice
9:25 Oscillator Shaping
11:04 Let's Hoover
13:03 Pulse, Shepard Tone & Wavetable
15:04 Noise & Crackle
17:50 Reverb & Chorus
22:55 Ring Mod
24:12 Filters
30:10 More About Drive
32:14 Modulation (9 LFOS!)
34:39 Envelopes
39:14 What's Missing
41:21 About Its Looks
43:12 Some of My Patches
"As the spiritual successor to the PPG Waves the 3rd Wave has some secret sauce hidden under the hood to give us the same vintage vibes as the original PPG. And it just so happens this also works for the Prophet VS waves. The way the samples are processed gives us all the lovely 80s musical artefacts that make the classics so special.
Here I demo the Prophet VS waves and show how to load PPG style wavetables. So ... effectively we have a Waveterm - we can load any 128 sample based wavetable that has 64 waves.,
Check out my wavetable vid for some tips on how to do that." [posted here]
Here I put the Prophet VS waves into the UDO Super 6, Waldorf M, Arturia Microfreak and Pigments using just a DAW and Audacity. It's a super flexible method and following this you should be able to sample any wave from anything you have to create a wavetable - the tricky bit was getting the cycle length sample accurate. Some require
0:00 Making Wavetables isn't always easy
3:21 Tuning the Source Instrument
5:16 Create the Initial Samples
6:07 Fine Tuning the Samples
7:45 Creating the Single Cycles Sample in Audacity
10:26 Exporting Individual Files
11:22 Creating Wavetables
15:54 Take Care!
16:48 Changing the Cycle Length
17:39 Export as a Wavetable
18:24 Importing into the Microfreak
19:07 Change the Number of Samples per Wavetable
19:56 Change the Bitrate
20:55 Final Test - The Working Wavetables
"While I'm putting the finishing touches to my full comparison video here's some sounds to demo the similarities and differences between the Behringer Pro-800 and an original vintage Prophet 600 with the GLiGLi upgrade.
Simpler tones can be copied easily as the raw tone is all there in the oscillators. The filter envelope amount, sustain and cutoff work together slightly differently than the original so adding filter envelopes makes things a little more difficult, add to that the linear envelope shapes aren't the same - GliGLi updated the linear model in 2022 to reflect a more natural Prophet 5 Rev1/2 curve but this isn't in the Behringer. Plus Behringer have made the Pro-800 snappier, so the envelopes are not going to match on every occasion... not an issue in any way, every Prophet 600 with different GliGli firmware will be slightly different I imagine too... unless everyones updated to the 2022 version.
Other differences include the Poly-Mod, filter and LFO modulation ranges aren't as wide in the Behringer"
"I've owned or any least spent a lot of time with most Sequential synths.. and have owned all in the Sequential room at Superbooth at some point... expect for the Prophet X
"Get ready for a geekfeist. Softube Model 80 and U-He Repro-5 are the two main contenders for the Prophet 5 Rev3 plugin crown, while the Arturia Prophet 5V is carrying the flag for the rarer Prophet 5 Rev 2. There are minor differences in the 2 models - the filter and envelope responses are different, but they all sound like Prophets.
BUT... which is best for you. They all do slightly different things and approach emulations in their own way."
0:00 Preamble with Schh Schh Schh Schh 2:21 Different Approaches 3:40 Rev2 vs Rev3 Prophets 6:56 Oscillators 8:26 Pulse Deep Dive 14:33 PWM 14:58 LFOs 15:42 Chords 16:10 Unison 17:16 Slop & Aging 20:55 Filter Sweeps 25:16 Envelope Slop 27:45 Filters in more detail 31:24 Filter Envelope interaction 34:33 Gentle Musical Sweeps 37:07 FM 39:21 Inverting the Sawtooth 40:37 Which ones for you? 43:42 In the Mix
"Discover this expert model of an industry-defining five-voice polyphonic synth from 1980 and find out how a synth that changed the face of music can change your sound.
Playlist:
Introducing Model 80 Five Voice Synthesizer – Softube
Model 80 Five Voice Synthesizer Walkthrough – Softube
Model 80 Five Voice Synthesizer – Build It With Modular – Softube
Model 80 Artist Presets by Nicholas T Semrad – Softube
The industry-defining five-voice polyphonic synth from 1980
Expertly modeled for the authentic sound, interactions, and performance of the original unit
Two versions included: the instrument and five modules for Modular
It's not overstating things to say that this five-voice synthesizer changed the future. The first synthesizer with a digital microprocessor to control the analog polyphonic synth engine and store sounds, it has graced hits from superstars such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, The Cars, and countless others.
With great reverence and proven modeling expertise, we captured every detail of this storied synth's circuit, interactions, and factory presets. The result is a revelation: the authentic sound, feel, and performance of an industry-defining instrument perfected for modern production. Like a prophecy from 1980 fulfilled, so cometh Model 80 Five Voice Synthesizer.
And a user video by Starsky Carr:
Softube Model 80 // Sounds like a Prophet 5 to me.
"Softube Model 80 put up against a Prophet 5 Rev 4. The Model 80 appears to be based on the Prophet 5 Rev 3 - there are a couple of minor things that the Rev3 does compared to the Rev4 .. so minor I'm having difficulty remembering as I write this! This is an amazing emulation."
Update:
Nicholas Semrad's Softube Model 80 Patch Set (Demo)
"Here is a demo video for my available-for-purchase Softube Model 80 Patch Set. You can purchase these patches at my website, www.nicholastsemrad.com/shop. You can find the Model 80 plugin at www.softube.com
I've specifically made 40 patches for this set that I have both performed with live and recorded with.
**important note** These patches are for use EXCLUSIVELY with the Softube Model 80 plugin and WILL NOT work with any other hardware piece/software plugins.
"How does the Arturia Minifreak sound compared to one of the best hybrid digital/analog synths ever created? Not really a comparison but a look at how the Minifreak stands up against vintage class. and the Prophet VS is pure vintage class!
They're 2 Different synths so I'm not doing a strict like for like comparison - that wouldn't make sense - but I'm exploring if there's a start difference between modern and vintage units. Do vintage units have a certain je ne sais quoi do they have a life, depth and fizz we just don't seem to be able to recreate in new instruments?"
"A tutorial and demo on how to recreate the tones of F.M84, Miami Nights 1984, Timecop 1983, Waveshaper, Wayflow, Starcadian, Lazerhawk etc Make your own synthwave patches. How to make synthwave bass, pads, and lead sounds using a Prophet 5 in this, but most soft synths can do the same, even stock plugins that come with your DAW, The basic principles are the same... they're simple sounds from synths that had limited abilities in the 1980s."
0:00 intro
0:40 Basic Bass
5:02 Legato Bass - long and low!
8:01 Sequenced Bass
10:53 Leads/Plucks
13:59 Arpeggios
15:17 Pads
18:07 All Together Demo - Track
"Founded on Modal Electronics’ next-generation COBALT synth architecture and housed in an ultra-portable go-anywhere footprint, the USB-powered COBALT5S is made-to-move and ready to spark your creativity wherever, and whenever inspiration strikes. Whether it’s a singularly authentic replication of classic analogue sounds, or the most contemporary leading-edge texture, COBALT5S’ extended virtual analogue sound engine delivers on all counts.
COBALT5S takes inspiration from the iconic sound of it’s analogue forebears, transcending any and all limitations to take a leading edge synth architecture, truly mobile – from sultry basslines, to expansive, mutating beds and everywhere in between, COBALT5S is not just modeling run-of-the-mill analogue sounds, this is Beyond Analogue, Anywhere."
COBALT5S Introduction
Kraft Music: Modal Electronics Cobalt 5S - All Playing, No Talking!
"https://bit.ly/3vHgNi3 - Grab one today & check out more about the Cobalt 5son our blog Signal
We're taking a look at our new favorite "walkin' around synth" the Cobalt 5s !
This virtual analog monster packs the same punch as it's larger siblings in a much smaller and portable package!
Join our pals Jacob and Brian as they explore some sounds and the universe with this fantastic new synthesizer"
Starsky Carr: COBALT5s // Testing Modal's Metal // Review, Demo and Walkthrough
"A demo, review and walkthrough of Modal's latest release, the Cobalt5S. Its a great sounding little synth - sounds like its big brother/sister - but a reduced voice count an a couple less features, but not that you'd notice it sounds fantastic. The Oscillator groups are inspired.
0:00 what is it? 3:43 building the intro track 7:59 Navigating the Interface 12:09 setting up mod slots 14:12 what’s an oscillator group 21:12 filter 29:11 Effects 31:52 Arp & Seq 34:32 Envelopes 36:11 vs prophet 5 37:55 final thoughts 39:40 some sounds
Sonicstate: Modal Cobalt5S - New 5 Voice DSP Synth - Sonic LAB Review
"Modal today released another in the Cobalt range - the Cobalt 5S. This is a five voice version of the all DSP Cobalt engine with the same oscillator section using the Extended VA engine, modelled 24dB Ladder Filter, three Envelopes, 2 LFOs (reduced from 3), twin fixed FX (chorus and delay) and Sequencer and Arpeggiator.
We've uploaded a few patches as Decent Sampler (free plug-in) format to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/63217454
#soniclab #modal #cobalt5S
00:00 Intro and overview
4:04 Sounds and UI
7:45 Mod slots
8:20 Osc + Filter
10:30 more sounds
12:08 LFOs and Envelopes
14:00 Editor
15:55 XY pad
16:45 Wrap"
"Demo of 10 factory patches from the new Modal Electronics Cobalt 5s
0:00 Analog Breeze
0:42 Geometrip
1:27 TetherBall
2:09 Pushing Tin
2:35 BroCannons
3:26 Scatter Square
4:29 Stay Gold 5ths
5:04 Easy Street
5:54 Chameleon
6:24 Neon Factor"
And the press release followed by detailed pics:
MODAL ELECTRONICS ANNOUNCES THE COBALT5S EMPOWERING USERS WITH UNRIVALLED SOUND SCULPTING CAPABILITY, ANYWHERE
– Five-voice go-anywhere synthesiser powered by an Extended Virtual Analogue synthesis engine, a proprietary morphable 4-Pole Ladder Filter, MPE support and much more – Bristol, UK - 1st March 2022. Modal Electronics, a leading global synthesiser manufacturer, has just announced a new addition to the critically acclaimed COBALT Series, the COBALT5S. Fusing Modal Electronics’ next-generation COBALT synth architecture and housed in an ultra-portable go-anywhere footprint, the USB-powered COBALT5S is made-to-move and ready to spark user’s creativity wherever, and whenever inspiration strikes
Supercharge any performance with COBALT5S’ built-in MPE support, 16 quick-access smooth rotary switch encoders, a premium 37-note compact-key keybed with aftertouch and an ultra-responsive X/Y/Z Touchpad for pitch bend, mod wheel and/or modulation assignments. Rounding out the control arsenal is a comprehensive realtime/step sequencer with four animation lanes alongside a built-in programmable arpeggiator. Like all Modal synthesisers, COBALT5S is fully compatible with the free MODALapp, the gateway to effortless editing and preset management available on Mac,Windows PC or mobile devices including iOS/Android smartphones and tablets.
The Create Anywhere Philosophy
Taking the legendary build quality synonymous with Modal Electronics’ synthesiser roster, and outfitting this with a 37-note compact-key keybed with aftertouch, COBALT5S is primed for user’s creative exploits wherever and wherever creativity strikes. Plus, with a USB powered specification, powering the COBALT5S from a Mac/PC or portable power brick couldn’t be simpler.
The Engine
Featuring five true polyphonic voices, two independent algorithm groups and up to 8 oscillators per voice, musicians, sound designers and producers are armed with a nefarious palette of sound that’s primed for any application. Fuse this with 40 complex algorithms, including Sync, Ring Modulation, Waveform Morphng, plus many more, and it’s easy to see why COBALT5S empowers creators with liberated sound sculpting capability without limitation.
Next-Generation Filter
Featuring the same self-oscillating 4-Pole Morphable Ladder Filter from the COBALT8, COBALT5S guarantees to texture the user’s sound with all the bite and warmth their performance demands. Four separate filter modes fuse with mainstay controls for Cutoff and Resonance, alongside a Morph parameter to musically manipulate the frequency response of the filter for a truly immersive experience
Shape Your Sound
With COBALT5S, everything the modern creator demands to craft the perfect sound in meticulous detail is thoughtfully included. Three envelopes complete with selectable types take command of the filter, amp or modulation destinations, furnishing users with unrestricted options when it comes to fine-tuning their sound. One Polyphonic LFO and one Global LFO provide extended power to control a plethora of modulation sources, selected via a sophisticated 8-slot modulation matrix.
Supercharged Performances
Fuse a 512-note realtime/step-sequencer, complete with 4 animation lanes, with a built-in programmable 32-step advanced arpeggiator and you start to scratch the surface of the performance capability COBALT5S heralds for the modern creator. Add to this MPE support for next generation creative expressions via a compatible MPE controller and COBALT5S is primed for any performance, production or sound design scenario imaginable.
MODALapp
The free MODALapp brings the comfort of screen-based editing on your computer or mobile device. Available as a standalone app for macOS, Windows, iOS, iPadOS or Android systems and in VST3 and AU plug-in formats, it is the perfect companion for synth enthusiasts looking to deep dive to all sound editing and performance parameters. Crafting the perfect sound, library backups and managing your patches & sequences couldn’t be simpler.
COBALT5S can pre-ordered via our wide network of authorised Modal retailers globally with an MSRP of $449 /€449/£379, with estimated shipping within the next 2 weeks.
"Is the Prophet 600 a viable alternative to the Prophet 5? We're here to find out! The Prophet 600 is about £2k cheaper than a Prophet 5 but can it make similar sounds? are they essentially the same synth, same circuits with different interface and a couple of minor differences?
0:00 Intro
1:43 The BIG ONE - Envelopes
5:57 Knob Resolution
9:28 Main Functions
11:31 Poly Mod
13:02 Oscillators
18:41 Filter
22:58 Conclusion"
"Before the release of the Behringer Pro-800 I thought I'd take a look at the original vintage version from 1982. The Prophet 600 gets a really bad press (in some cases it's deserved ed), but the tones are great, and if you can put up with dodgy envelopes and a laggy processor... no-one will notice in a final track :)"
0:00 Intro
2:39 GliGli or not?
8:06 Raw Tones
13:02 Filter
16:44 Poly Mod
17:39 Final Thoughts
18:38 Demo Sounds #1
22:37 demo Sounds #2
"Here's a few demo tracks using a vintage Sequential Prophet 600. Its an underdog.. but it's got some bite. I've featured a few more modern styes here.. although there's always got to be a synthwave demo thrown in :) so a little nod to the 80s included. Plus a couple of more complete tracks showing its versatility."
0:00 Downtempo loveliness
3:55 4 to the floor... not sure of genre!
