"Many owners say the SSM chip based Rev 2 simply sounds better (significantly more rounded and fuller) than the other Revs. This is why the Rev 2 is the most coveted model of the Prophet lineage. This Prophet responds quick and predictable on all 61 keys. Response of the 61 keys, knobs, and switches are clean, accurate and precise.
I am the original owner of this Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 and personally delivered it to Sequential Circuits N 1st Street San Jose, CA for maintenance and upgrades. The Prophet 5 was recently serviced by Wine Country Productions Inc. (ex-Sequential techs) and passed an engineered functional test which systematically checks every aspect of the instrument to assure that all electronics and features are operating reliably and within factory specifications.
The Prophet 5 was designed to be a true 5 voice polyphonic analog synthesizer with the ability to store and recall patches. This particular Prophet 5 is a Rev 2 and although it does not have midi, Kenton Electronics makes a Profit 5 Midi Retrofit Kit for the Prophet 5 Rev 2.
Included: Original Prophet 5 Operational Manual plus original Release Sequential Circuits Release Footswitch. (Optional anvil flight case)"
You can buy these patches for your SEQUENTIAL PROPHET-5/10 REV4 - [read below]
Additional effects: Korg SDD-3000 (delay effects, right channel only). Lexicon MPX 500 (occasionally for reverb effects).
Drums starting at 11:33: SEQUENTIAL DRUMTRAKS (vintage drum machine from 1984).
_______________________________________________
THE SOUNDS IN THIS VIDEO:
AnalogAudio1 is proud to announce the release of the 'CLASSIC PROPHET' sound set for the SEQUENTIAL PROPHET-5/10 REV4 featuring 80 handcrafted patches. You can rely on AnalogAudio1's wide experience on original Sequential synths, to bring the best out of the new Prophet-5 for your music. This sound set provides classic Prophet-5 sounds heard on many iconic recordings, which were not factory presets. The patches will load into user GROUP 2 and 3.
This sound set features 80 exciting analog tones of the highest quality, ready to use in your music! All kinds of analog pads, synth brass, analog basses, excellent leads, fat synth strings (all the sounds you hear in the video and some more). This sound set comes with a patch list and loading instructions (PDF).
The "CLASSIC PROPHET" soundset costs 25 Euros, payment is via PayPal. If you want to purchase it, send a message to:
analogaudio1@gmx.net
IMPORTANT: NOW KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR SPAM/JUNK FOLDER! I answer within 12 hours.
After payment you will get the patches (including a patch list and loading instructions, both as PDF) to your email address.
The patches are royalty free. Use them for your music as you prefer! Buying this soundset you purchase the right to use these sounds in your music, releases and gigs. Other use is not allowed - such as sharing, reselling, making sample packs, including them in commercial patch collections etc."
"In these video series, they show you in-depth on the award-winning sequential Prophet 5 & Prophet 6 analog synthesizers
The new Prophet-5 is Dave Smith’s timely return to the analog poly synth that changed the world. It’s “the best of all Prophet-5s” as Dave puts it because it embodies all three revisions of the legendary synth — Rev1, Rev2, and Rev3 — through the use of genuine Curtis analog VCOs and filters (as in the Rev3) as well as new 2140 low-pass filters designed by Dave Rossum, like the 2040 filters he designed in the original Rev1 and Rev2. A Rev switch lets you choose between the two filter designs. It also adjusts the Filter Envelope’s shape and response to match the original Prophet Rev 1/2 or Rev 3 respectively.
The Prophet-6 is Dave Smith’s tribute to the poly synth that started it all—the Sequential Prophet-5. But it’s not simply a reissue of a classic. Rather, as Dave puts it, “It’s the result of our effort to build the most awesome-sounding, modern analog poly synth possible.” The Prophet-6 takes the best qualities of the original Prophet-5—true voltage-controlled oscillators, filters, and amplifiers—and adds enhancements such as studio-quality effects, a polyphonic step sequencer, an arpeggiator, and more. The result is pure, unadulterated analog tone with the stability and reliability of a state-of-the-art modern synth."
Video demo of the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, a classic analog polyphonic synthesizer.
Today we show some of the famous sound of the Prophet 5. Demo of our Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 Rev 3.2 Polyphonic Synthesizer In a lot of ways this needs no introduction. One of the most iconic poly synths ever made, and the first synth to offer true programmability with polyphonic architecture.
The Prophet 5 offers your basic amenities in a poly synth with 5 voices each with 2 VCO's, a low pass VCF, a VCA, two EG's, one LFO with multiple wave shapes available, with POLY MOD as the icing on the cake. This lets you make FM type sounds and is part of what makes the prophet 5 unique.
All music improvised for this demo is either live or running at 120bpm. The music is copyright free. My credit would be appreciated if used on your track!
Andy Whitmore started life as a top session keyboard player playing on over 50 hit records before turning his hand to music production. He went on to produce 14 top ten hits. He is a pro when it comes to synthesizers, and here explores the Prophet 5 as part of a brand new series.
One of the most iconic synthesizers ever, Andy’s experience with this classic dates back to the mid-‘90s, and he discusses the basics in his exploration of what makes the Prophet so great.
Subscribe, like, and comment and I'll get back to you if you have any questions.
"Dave Smith First Polyphonic Programmable Synthesizer Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 (1978)
Once in a while a product comes out that puts it all together—combining the latest technology, while breaking new ground and at the same time, filling a definite void in the market. And as the first programmable polyphonic music synthesizer, the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 was exactly that. An analog synthesizer with the ability to play five notes simultaneously (enough for a chord) and having the memory capability to store a whopping 40 preset programs (later expanded to 120) might not create headlines today, but the Prophet-5 was a sensation in its time, and is still considered a classic.
The path to success wasn’t easy. Sequential Circuits founder/chief designer Dave Smith was excited about the prospect of combining the sound generation capabilities of the new ICs from Solid State Music (SSM) that reduced the major functions of analog filters and synthesis (VCO, VCA, VCF) into single chipsets, reducing the number of necessary components in an synthesizer circuit from hundreds to a few handfuls. At the same time, new microprocessors had just come to market (such as the 8-bit Zilog Z80), which while primitive by today’s standards could definitely handle tasks such as storing/recalling synth patches. Once the ingredients were in place, Smith worked with John Bowen (now of John Bowen Synth Design) and with some consulting help from E-mu founder Dave Rossum, the Prophet-5 project was underway, and was completed in just six months—an amazing accomplishment.
On its debut at the Winter NAMM show in January 1978, the Prophet-5 was nothing less than a hit. The SSM chips (later replaced with Curtis ICs), combined with Smith’s autotuning circuit kept the Prophet-5 in tune—a problem that plagued many early analog synths. Of course, its ease of operation, great factory patches of thick bass and lead sounds, and lush analog string pads made the Prophet-5 quite desirable—even at an original retail of $3,500 (later $4,500). Soon every top keyboardist either owned one—or wanted one—and the Prophet-5 sounds became a common fixture over radios everywhere, from punk bands to Michael McDonald’s signature sound on hits like the Doobie Brothers’ “What a Fool Believes.”
The Prophet-5 stayed in production until the mid-1980s and sold approximately 8,000 units. Today, Dave Smith continues creating award-winning analog synthesizers with his company, Dave Smith Instruments."
"You can buy it on my homepage: https://prophet5-editor.jimdofree.com Price: 6,90 € / $ 7 The Midi Editor for the Sequential Prophet 5 Rev 4. The Prophet 5 Editor gives you direct access from the DAW to the Prophet 5's parameters, allowing you to integrate it into the DAW project. In the PlugIn VST version you can record the controller movements and so the sound change can be saved.
Editor Features: - Complex sound changes can be made easily and quickly. - Change Prophet 5 Sounds directly from Editor. - All controllers can be automated. - X-Y modulation of all parameters - You can random the Controllers of the Prophet 5 - You can use your Prophet 5 as a sound module in the DAW!
The Editor are available for: - PC as VST2 and Standalone for 32bit and VST2, VST3 and Standalone for 64bit Windows. - MAC as VST2, VST3, AU and Standalone, compatible with MAC Intel and M1."
This is the comparison I think most of our friends have been interested in. Our Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 is a revision 3.2 and has factory midi. It's in incredibly good condition and has been calibrated fully, thus the tuning tends to be a lot more stable than on unserviced Prophet 5's. Because of the MIDI interface we have been able to send the same MIDI sequence from the MPC 2000XL to both the Prophet 08 and the Prophet 5 simultaneously. Both synths were recorded straight into Pro Tools HD via a Precision 8 mic pre and a 192 HD IO audio interface.
Unlike the Oberheim OB 8 comparison, getting patches to sound similar between the Prophet 08 and the Prophet 5 was a lot more work. It felt many times like chasing a moving target--you would modify one synth a little and then bounce to the previous one to get it closer ... so on and so forth. However, we were again surprised by the Prophet 08's ability to get remarkably close to the general tonal characteristic of the infamous Prophet 5.
A couple of observations became apparent during the comparison: it's very very obvious that the Prophet 5 uses analog components. The VCO's move around a lot more, especially on held chords and it's not a linear movement. Even with programming, the Prophet 08 has a more predictable frequency movement. We used the slop function set to the max and it still wasn't quiet enough to get it close.
Also, this can be observed with envelope times as well. The Prophet 5 feels like each voice is somewhat discrete and exhibits slightly different envelope times for each stage (i.e. ADSR). I've simulated this somewhat by routing sample and hold to modulate the envelope stages on the Prophet 08 but it still feels somewhat "obvious" as a programming trick rather than the true discrete voicing as on the Prophet 5. That is not saying anything bad about the Prophet 08, but rather, that the 08 is a lot more precise (digital envelopes vs CEM3310...) in this department than the 5.
The UNISON mode on both synths is very very different. On the 5, it sounds a lot more dialed in especially considering gain staging whereas on the Prophet 08, provisions have to be taken to bring the VCA envelope modulation down so as not to create internal clipping. It also feels like the envelopes work differently on the 08 when in UNISON mode than on the Prophet 5. This is not a comment regarding legato/non legato modes but rather the "feel" of the envelopes themselves. However, I have heard commentary that the 08 unison is like the unison mode on the Roland Juno 106, and as a former user of a 106, I can safely say that it is nothing like that. It's just a different feeling unison mode that requires a little bit more work on the programming end.
We hope you enjoy this comparison. It was a lot of fun to record and program this."
"Here is a demo video for my now available-for-purchase Sequential Prophet 5/10 patch set. You can purchase these patches at my website, www.nicholastsemrad.com/shop.
These patches will load to the following spots on your Prophet 5 or 10: Group 5 (511 - 558).
I've made 40 of my favorite patches for this set and it includes many patches I've recorded with and played live.
Thanks again to Emily Hoerdemann for the cover design!"
Nicholas Semrad's Sequential Prophet 5/10 Patch Set FREE BONUS PATCHES (Demo)
"These patches will load to the following spots on your Prophet 5 or 10: Group 4 (454-458)."
Update: regarding the Sequential name: "In an unprecedented gesture of good will, Yamaha Corporation and its President, Takuya Nakata, have granted possession of the Sequential brand back to its original owner and company founder, Dave Smith. “To say that I’m grateful would be putting it mildly,” said Smith. “Generosity at this level is almost unheard of in today’s corporate climate.”
Video Description:
"Sequential is back! 100% analog signal path with discrete voltage controlled oscillators, filters, and amplifiers. More info at www.sequential.com
Vintage with a Modern Twist
The Prophet-6 is Dave Smith's tribute to the poly synth that started it all—the Sequential Prophet-5. But it’s not simply a reissue of a classic. Rather, as Dave puts it, “It’s the result of our effort to build the most awesome-sounding, modern analog poly synth possible.” The Prophet-6 takes the best qualities of the original Prophet-5—true voltage-controlled oscillators, filters, and amplifiers—and adds enhancements such as studio-quality effects, a polyphonic sequencer, an arpeggiator, and more. The result is pure, unadulterated analog tone with the stability and reliability of a state-of-the-art modern synth.
Classic Tone, Classic Vibe
Central to the warm, punchy sound of the Prophet-6 are its two newly-designed, discrete voltage-controlled oscillators (plus sub-oscillator) per voice. Continuously variable waveshapes provide the tonal palette with triangle, sawtooth, and variable-width pulse waves. There are two discrete filters per voice—a four-pole, resonant, low-pass inspired by the original Prophet-5 filter, and a two-pole, resonant, high-pass filter. Voltage-controlled amplifiers complete the all-analog signal path.
Dual Effects
The dual effects section provides studio-quality reverbs, delays (standard and BBD), chorus and phase shifter. While the effects themselves are digital, with 24-bit, 48 kHz resolution, a true bypass maintains a full analog signal path. There's also an independent stereo distortion effect, which is 100% analog.
Poly Mod and Poly Step Sequencing
Also present from its classic predecessor is a Poly Mod section, with enhancements. True to the original, modulation sources are filter envelope and oscillator 2 (both with bi-polar control). Destinations include oscillator 1 frequency, oscillator 1 shape, oscillator 1 pulse width, low-pass filter cutoff, and high-pass filter cutoff. Another welcome reprise is Unison mode, which features configurable voice count (1-6 voices) and key modes. The polyphonic step sequencer allows up to 64 steps and up to 6 notes per step. You can create sequences polyphonically, with rests and sync to an external MIDI clock. The full-featured arpeggiator can be synced to external MIDI clock as well.
Easy to Program
The knob-per-function front panel offers instant access to virtually all Prophet-6 functions. Included are 500 permanent factory programs in 10 banks of 100 programs. In addition to these, you can create and save up to 500 user programs of your own. Toggling off the Preset button enables live panel mode, in which the sound of the Prophet-6 switches to the current settings of its knobs and switches. In this state, what you see is what you hear.
Easy to Play
All of this awe-inspiring sound is packed into a four octave, semi-weighted keyboard with velocity and channel aftertouch that's an ideal combination portability and power for the project studio or the gigging musician.
Special thanks to Peter Dyer! www.peterdyer.net"
Specs
OSCILLATORS
Continuously variable wave shape (triangle, sawtooth, pulse, square) per oscillator
Pulse width per oscillator
Hard sync: oscillator 1 syncs to oscillator 2
Triangle sub-octave generator (oscillator 1) per voice
Low frequency mode (oscillator 2)
Keyboard tracking on/off (oscillator 2)
Oscillator slop amount for increased tuning instability, from subtle to extreme
"In that demo I demonstrate the basic waveforms from the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 rev. 3 and Prophet VS in comparision.
1. single saw
2. single saw filter
3. single saw resonance
4. two saw tuned
5. two saw detuned
6. two saw detuned (Prophet VS four saw)
7. saw lead filter
8. saw lead resonance
9. pulse and square
10. saw brass
11. saw pad
12. saw bass
13. unison lead
It is a Prophet 5 rev. 3 with curtis filter chips. So, both Prophets have the same filter chips, but the Prophet VS has digital waveforms, whereas the Prophet 5 has analog VCO. The Prophet 5 has only two oscilators, whereas the VS has four oscilators. You also can detune the oscillators and have a lot of modulation possibilites which I didn't demonstrate in this video. But you can really let the VS sound very analogue. Additionaly you have altogehther 128 waveforms (32 user and 98 in ROM).
Of my opinion the Prophet VS is a much more powerful and versatile synth, but the Propeht 5 is a bit warmer sounding. IMO the difference is not so big, also you can let him sound more broad thanks of four oscillators, a mixer envolope and also stereo pan modulation. In this examples I didnt use the onboard chorus of the VS, because the Prophet 5 has none. Also there are no additional effects. It is just pure playing the synhts.
Feel free to subscribe my channel in order to listen to more sound demos of vintage gear and synth legends.
Main OS 1.6.3
Feature: MPE support
Feature: Slop selectable between normal slop and Vintage operation
This OS is compatible with both the keyboard and desktop module; it will display as "1.6.3" after the update.
If you recall, the Prophet-5 introduced a new Vintage Knob described as follows:
"Vintage Sound, Vintage Knob
In addition to sourcing genuine Prophet-5 hardware components, we did extensive research into exactly what made the original sound the way it did — warm, organic, and alive. We found that much of this desirable character was due to slight fluctuations and differences in the response times and frequencies of the individual VCOs, filters, envelopes, and amplifiers from voice to voice.
To give the same mojo to the new Prophet-5, we created the Vintage knob. Use it to dial in as much old-school randomness as you’d like. Go from a very stable '4' — as in Prophet-5 Rev4, which is how we refer to the new version in house — all the way to “1,” as in Prophet-5 Rev1, the rarest and most temperamental of all Prophet-5s."
And the OB-6's Detune knob offered the following:
"The oscillators on the OB-6 are extremely stable. To emulate the random pitch drift and oscillator instability of vintage instruments, use the DETUNE parameter (next to the UNISON button) to dial in as little or as much drift as you like."
The BETA OSes add a new "Vintage operation".
Update: I have confirmation from Sequential that this is indeed the same as the vintage knob functionality introduced in the new Prophet-5 and Prophet-10.
"Dave Smith and the gang at Sequential have cooked up something special with the Take 5 compact polyphonic analog synthesizer. The Take 5 brings polyphonic analog synthesis and the legendary Sequential sound to a new generation of synthesists. It’s affordable, portable, and approachable — an ideal synth for newcomers and seasoned synth wizards alike. Though compact, the Take 5 certainly doesn’t skimp on tone! Its five voices are massive, owing to its all-analog dual VCOs. Plus, its splendid 4-pole resonant VCF is inspired by the Prophet 5 Rev 4, a modern classic steeped in tradition. With ample modulation options, including two 5-stage envelopes and one global LFO and one freely assignable LFO — there are few areas of subtractive synthesis you can’t explore with the Take 5. Not only is the Take 5 a stellar sound design tool, but it’s also a brilliantly conceived performance instrument that features a satisfying Fatar keybed with aftertouch and velocity sensitivity. You can even split the keys into two performance zones with different octave ranges! Whether it’s your first polyphonic synth or your 50th, the Sequential Take 5 is an ultra-versatile, extremely fun polysynth!
Portable, Powerful, Polyphonic
The Take 5 is Sequential’s most compact, full-featured, full-throttle VCO/VCF-based poly synth ever. It’s the perfect gateway to subtractive synthesis and the creative power of Sequential’s best synths — whether you’re new to analog synths or a space-conscious pro. And since it’s portable, you can transport it from studio to stage without breaking a sweat or leaving any features or playability behind. Genuine Sequential sound and quality at a price within your reach.
Fits Anywhere You Need It
With 44-full-size keys and a total width of just 26 inches, the Take 5 fits easily into your studio or on stage. Its nearly knob-per-function control panel gives you immediate access to all of its essential sound-shaping controls. And its ingenious key-split feature gives you access to a wider playable range than other compact synths by letting you divide the 3.5 octave keyboard into two separate performance zones.
Powerful Synthesis
The five voices of the Take 5 get their distinctive sound from a combination of two analog VCOs and a sub oscillator passing through a Prophet-5-lineage 4-pole analog filter. The result is classic Sequential — smooth, warm, punchy sound that sits perfectly in a mix and cuts through clearly on stage. For even more analog-style goodness, a Vintage knob adds voice-to-voice variation for genuine vintage character. Dual Digital effects, a dedicated overdrive, continuously variable wave shaping, and front-panel access to analog FM all ensure the Take 5 can kick out modern tone just as easily as it does vintage..
Finishing Touches
The Take 5 feature set is rounded out with two LFOs (1 global, and 1 per-voice), two ADSR+delay envelopes, extensive modulation, a 64-step polyphonic sequencer, and a multimode arpeggiator. The premium Fatar keybed makes it a pleasure to play, wherever you take it."
"It’s with great excitement that I announce that Sequential is joining the Focusrite Group of music and audio brands.
We're now part of a family made up of some of the best and brightest companies in the music instruments and pro audio industries: Focusrite, Focusrite Pro, Martin Audio, Optimal Audio, ADAM Audio, Novation and Ampify Music. We’re in good company!
But don't worry — we’re not going anywhere. It’s business as usual for us and we'll be a separate entity from the other brands in the group. I’ll continue to lead our engineering and product development and work with the Sequential design team into the future. If anything, I'll have more time to make amazing synths!
- Dave Smith"
And the official press release:
Focusrite PLC Acquires Sequential® in Landmark Industry Development
Legendary Synth Brand Founded by Dave Smith Joins Focusrite Group
San Francisco, CA and High Wycombe, UK — April 27th 2021 — In a joint statement, Focusrite Group and Sequential LLC today announced that Focusrite plc, a leading global creator of music and audio hardware and software products, has acquired Sequential LLC, the respected American synthesizer manufacturer led by legendary electronic instrument designer and Grammy® winner Dave Smith.
Both companies stand to benefit from the synergy created by the acquisition. The Focusrite Group will add the venerable Sequential line of instruments to its already-impressive portfolio of products, which includes the acclaimed Focusrite, Focusrite Pro, Martin Audio, Optimal Audio, ADAM Audio, Novation, and Ampify brands. Sequential will benefit from greater resources to expand its global markets and future R&D efforts.
Sequential’s Dave Smith said, “With Focusrite, we’ve found an ideal home and a perfect cultural and technological fit. Phil Dudderidge and his team have a long history of quality, vision, and focus on what musicians and audio professionals really want. We’re excited to join such an industry powerhouse and contribute to our mutual success. I expect great things.”
Sequential has been a leading force in the resurgent popularity of analog synthesizers over the last decade. Its instruments, which include the Prophet® 5 Rev4 polyphonic synth, Pro 3® hybrid monosynth, and Prophet X Samples + Synthesis keyboard, are known for their versatility, ease of use, and excellence of sound. They are a mainstay of performing and recording artists and can be seen and heard on countless stages and recordings.
Focusrite Founder Phil Dudderidge commented: “We’re excited and pleased to add Sequential’s instruments and pedigree to Focusrite Group’s portfolio of world-class audio and music production tools. Dave Smith’s history as an innovator speaks for itself. From his creation of the world’s first fully programmable polysynth, the Prophet 5, to his co-invention of MIDI, Dave has literally changed the world of music several times. We’re looking forward to continuing his history of innovation and expanding the global market for Sequential’s instruments.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Sequential has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Focusrite plc. Sequential’s day-to-day operations and product development remain unchanged and will continue to be guided by Dave Smith and his team.
Tim Carroll, CEO of Focusrite Group, remarked, “Sequential is a premium analogue synth brand with a big stake in music creation. The products are exceptional and the company is run extremely well, and the passion of the people at Sequential aligns perfectly with our Focusrite Group ethos. It’s tremendously exciting to be able to bring Sequential into the Focusrite family, further the incredible journey that Dave Smith started, and keep growing together.”
Sequential and Novation will grow together under the same parent company.
We’re over the moon to announce that our parent company, Focusrite plc, has acquired Sequential, the synth brand founded and led by legendary synth designer and Grammy winner, Dave Smith.
If you’re new to the name Sequential, you’ll definitely have heard the synths: Dave Smith is the pioneer that designed the world’s first fully programmable polysynth, the classic Prophet® 5, and he co-invented MIDI, which transformed electronic production and changed musical history. Today, countless artists still count on Sequential instruments to bring life and an undeniably rich and organic feeling to their musical creations, spanning every genre.
Before your mind goes wild conceiving the ultimate Novation x Sequential product mashup, it’s safe to say that Sequential and Novation will continue to operate independently, as separate entities under the Focusrite Group umbrella. Dave Smith will remain at the helm of Sequential, leading engineering, product development and mentorship of Sequential’s new breed of designers.
So, it’s business as usual, and we’re extremely excited to grow together, inspire each other, and together fuel the future of forward-thinking music!
"Drew showcases the sonic polyphony of this vintage Sequential Prophet-5 rev2 16-voice poly-synth, now available at the Synth Exchange! The Prophet rev2 16-voice features twice the polyphony as the rev2 8-voice synths, plus twice the mod matrix, waveshape modulation on all waveforms, and digital effects per layer in stacked or split voice mode—all of which make this Prophet-5 an analog powerhouse!
Following in the footsteps of the original Sequential Prophet-5 released in 1978—the first electronic music synthesizer to employ microprocessors for storing sounds, making it possible to recall previous patches with ease—the Prophet-5 rev2 16-voice synth represents the second iteration of Sequential’s microprocessor-controlled polyphonic synth. Boasting the highly resonant, slightly more mid-rangy sonic characteristics of the Dave Rossum-designed SSM 2040 filter, this synth became so beloved by musicians and producers that Sequential incorporated its sounds into its latest rev4 update, both to appease Sequential enthusiasts who preferred these earlier versions and to let modern users access all the quirks of previous iterations!"
"Well, it's finally here, people! Sequential has reissued the iconic, legendary, beloved and incredible Prophet 5 synthesizer. This is truly an incredible moment in synthesizer history. I am so humbled and honored to have been asked to be part of the team to sound design and create new factory presets for this instrument.
In this video, you will hear a bunch of sounds I created for the Prophet 5. Some are included factory, while others will appear in a sound bank I will release in due time.
It is important to note that the Prophet 5 reissue, like the original, does NOT contain any onboard effects. In this video, I used combinations of chorus, delay, and reverb and other FX to create the best ambience for the recording. I used the Strymon trifecta: Mobius (modulation), Timeline (delay), and Big Sky (reverb). Some folks may ask, "don't you miss having onboard FX?" The answer: not at all. Like all of the great vintage synthesizers, all the weight and effort was put into the synthesizer components. To me, it's almost better to have your signal processing separate. Then you have the best of both worlds.
The Prophet 5 reissue (or “Rev 4”) has been built to the same specs as the original, with a few subtle additions for stability, patch memory, and extended features. For all intents and purposes, this IS the original Prophet 5, but built in 2020. I can tell you, it is a gorgeous instrument. The way it sounds, the way it feels, the way it looks, the nostalgia…everything!
Not only is the Prophet 5 being reissued, but also a 10 voice version is being reissued: the Prophet 10! Yes…a 10 voice version!
Some of you will notice that there is no "Prophet 5" placard right above the righthand part of the keyboard. This is because this was a beta unit. I assure you that all production units will have the iconic "Prophet 5" logo where the indentation on the wood is.
Visit www.sequential.com for more information on how to place your order for the Prophet 5 or Prophet 10.
Special cameo by Poppy Pollack at the end of the video, for those who make it to the end. ;)"
Sequential Prophet XL Introduction Published on Oct 23, 2018 Dave Smith Instruments
"The Sequential Prophet XL is a 76-key version of the acclaimed Prophet X — a potent fusion of samples-plus-synthesis and the most ground-breaking evolution of the Prophet yet: https://www.sequential.com/product/pr..."
And the press release followed by some hi-res pics:
San Francisco, CA—Oct 23, 2018—Sequential today announced the Prophet XL, a 76-key version of their flagship Prophet X samples-plus-synthesis hybrid synth. The new instrument provides the same powerful combination of high-fidelity samples from 8Dio and full synthesis capabilities that has earned the Prophet X critical acclaim — but makes the concept even more compelling for studio and stage by adding a semi-weighted-action, 76-key, premium-quality Fatar keybed and a new performance mode that allows 32-voice polyphony when using a single sampled instrument and a single oscillator.
At the heart of both the Prophet XL and the Prophet X is a sound engine that powers two simultaneous 16-bit, 48kHz sample-based instruments plus two high-resolution digital oscillators with waveshape modulation — all processed through analog filters. In standard performance mode, the instrument provides bi-timbral, 8-voice-stereo, or 16-voice mono operation.
Dave Smith commented: “We designed the Prophet XL for musicians who wanted more of a good thing. By adding an extended, semi-weighted action keyboard and enabling 32-voice performance mode, we’ve made it even more satisfying to play the acoustic and electric pianos and other instruments where increased polyphony is crucial. We’re making 32-voice mode available on the Prophet X, as well, so that all of our users will benefit.”
Sample content for the Prophet X series was created by sound developers 8Dio, known for pioneering “deep sampling.” Regarding the new instrument, 8Dio co-founder Troels Folmann said: “For us, it’s all about giving musicians the best tools to express themselves. The Prophet XL is a great enhancement of the original Prophet X concept because it gives artists more room to breathe. More keys and more voices means more room to explore and create.”
The 150 GB sample library in the Prophet XL and Prophet X includes numerous acoustic and electronic instruments as well as an extensive collection of ambient and cinematic effects. Users can shape the samples through loop manipulation, sample stretching, and the synthesizer’s many sound-sculpting functions which include 4 envelope generators, 4 LFOs, a deep modulation matrix, and other tools. The Prophet XL and Prophet X also provide 50 gigabytes of internal storage for importing additional samples. Support for user-created sample content is planned for December, 2018.
The Prophet XL will be available in November of 2018 with a MAP of $4,399.
About Sequential
Originally launched in 2002 as Dave Smith Instruments, Sequential is helmed by legendary musical instrument designer and Grammy® award winner Dave Smith. Dave’s many accomplishments include the creation of the Prophet-5—the world’s first fully programmable polyphonic synthesizer—and his legacy as the primary driving force behind MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface).
The company’s products are used by an ever-growing roster of well-known musicians and are available from music retailers worldwide. Instruments include the Prophet-6, OB-6, Prophet Rev2, and the Tempest analog drum machine. Sequential is based in San Francisco, where its instruments are also manufactured. Visit www.sequential.com.
About 8Dio
Founded in 2011 by Troels Folmann and Tawnia Knox, 8Dio is the leading independent developer of software instruments and the inventors of deep-sampling. Troels is an Academy Award, TEC/Mix Foundation, GANG and D3 award-winning composer and Ph.D scholar in music technologies. Tawnia is the CEO of 8Dio Productions and has had a long career as an executive in luxury brands.
8Dio has created an extensive, deep-sampled catalog of advanced instruments based on literally millions of samples. Notable titles include Majestica - the largest symphony orchestra ever sampled, Epic Taiko Ensembles, Titanic Choirs, Cinematic Scoring Tools, and over 250 other instruments. 8Dio products are used by high-profile artists, composers, and top music producers in all genres. They are featured in a majority of current blockbuster movies, independent films, video games, TV-shows, Broadway productions, and the professional sports industry. For more information, visit www.8dio.com."
"This was the first programmable synthesizer (1977)."
Programmable as in patch memory. The 1003 was a programmable monophonic synth with two oscillators, digitally controlled keyboard, and it was duophonic.
"So... this is THE LEGEND - new version (rev4) of the first polyphonic synth with preset memories - The PROPHET-5!
What to say... so many old and new records were recorded with this synth, it's created by synth pioneer Dave Smith (who created MIDI too) and it sounds spectacular. I just try to imagine how people reacted to this synth back in 1977.! It's amazing.
I was so interested in how VINTAGE knob react when you change Prophet-5's revision modes (from rev1 to rev4) - it's really interesting and sounds different. In rev1 mode P5 sounds more archaic with, fex., slightly different decay on keys - this remind me that my Jupiter 4 (1978) reacted at the same way.
All sounds are recorded directly from Prophet-5 to Tascam DR-05x recorder in 24bit/96kHz resolution, without any FX processing.
"This Prophet 5 has MIDI (120 patches) and an extremely rare upgrade which makes this one of the only available prophet 5 with this modification! It has the legendary distortion mod witch you can activate by your wishings! This makes a big prophet 5 even bigger !!!!!
The sound is just huge and cuts right trough the speakers! Im extremely saddened to let this package go.
"Many owners say the SSM chip based Rev 2 simply sounds better (significantly more rounded and fuller) than the other Revs. This is why the Rev 2 is the most coveted model of the Prophet lineage. This Prophet responds quick and predictable on all 61 keys. Response of the 61 keys, knobs, and switches are clean, accurate and precise. 
