Sequential Circuits Prophet-5
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| Manufactured by | Sequential Circuits |
|---|---|
| Dates | 1978-1984 |
| Technical specifications | |
| Polyphony | 5 voices |
| Timbrality | Monotimbral |
| Oscillator | 2 VCOs per voice |
| LFO | 1 |
| Synthesis type | Analog Subtractive Analog Frequency modulation via Poly-Mod |
| Filter | 1 lowpass |
| Input/output | |
| Keyboard | 61 keys |
| Left-hand control | Pitch & modulation wheels |
| External control | CV/Gate Optional factory MIDI kit |
The Prophet-5 was an analog synthesizer manufactured by Sequential Circuits in San Jose, California between 1977 and 1984. The Prophet 5 was groundbreaking in that it was one of the first analog synthesizers to implement patch memory, a feature which stored user settings of every parameter on the synthesizer into internal memory. It is also one of the first polyphonic synthesizers, with a maximum polyphony of 5 voices, meaning that up to 5 notes can sound at the same time. The pitchbend and modulation wheels were made with a see through acrylic material similar of that to early Minimoogs. Like the Minimoog, the pitch wheel was not spring loaded, but had a detent mechanism which clicked every time it was centered.
The Prophet-5 was also known for its modulation capabilities. The "Poly-Mod" feature routed the output of the filter envelope generator and the second oscillator in each voice through two mixer knobs, which could then be connected to the pulse width and pitch controls on the first oscillator, to the filter cutoff frequency control, or all three at the same time. Since the second VCO was not limited to being an LFO, this allowed the Prophet-5 to generate 2-operator FM synthesis and ring modulator-style effects, as well as complex sweeping sounds.
Three revisions were produced, the first two using oscillators manufactured by Solid State Music, and the last one (Revision 3) using chips from Curtis Electronics.
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[edit] SSM vs. Curtis
The Revision 1 and 2 Prophet-5s used SSM oscillator and filter chips while the Revision 3 instruments used the CEM chips. There is still much debate about whether the earlier SSM oscillators produced a richer, more musical timbre. The instability of the early SSM-based Prophets, however, renders this debate moot for all but owners who are either technical enough to tweak or maintain their own Revision 1 or 2 instruments, or wealthy enough to pay a dwindling breed of analog synth technicians to do it for them. The most common and stable of the three revisions was the Revision 3. The last of the rev 3.3s were available with MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT ports.
[edit] Users
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The Prophet 5 is prized by amateurs and professional musicians alike for its excellent bass sounds and sound effects, as well as its uniquely warm sound that is characteristic of all synthesizers Sequential Circuits manufactured during its short lifetime.[citation needed] The Prophet 5 has been used by many famous artists including Roxy Music (on their albums Flesh + Blood and Avalon)[citation needed], Paul Carrack of Squeeze (and Roxy Music)[citation needed], Dieter Bohlen of Modern Talking[citation needed], and Kraftwerk[citation needed].
One of its best remembered appearances is probably in "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes.[citation needed] The Prophet 5 was also used by Keff McCulloch during the late 1980s, who compared it to a "real keyboard."[citation needed] George Duke used the Prophet 5 on stage as well.[citation needed] Several Prophet 5 synthesizers were used in the original London and Broadway productions of Cats, and its signature Prophet sounds have been sampled into current equipment for use with subsequent productions.[citation needed]
[edit] Other versions
Sequential Circuits also manufactured a double version of the Prophet-5 called the Prophet-10, which featured 10 voice polyphony and two keyboards, stacked on top of each other.
[edit] Software Clones and Emulators
Analog Synth Lab have recently released the Prophecizer 5. A Prophet 5 emulator for PC. This is priced at £8.99. Analog Synth Lab Prophecizer 5 '
Yamaha developed and manufactured a daughter board known as the PLG150-AN which was based on the Prophet 5. It is a 5 note polyphonic Analogue Physical Modelling Plug-in board for expansion of the sound set of many of Yamaha's synthesizer keyboards such as the Motif and sound modules such as the MU128.
Arturia developed and markets a "virtual" version of the Prophet 5 called the Prophet V which also includes the Prophet VS. In this version, characteristics from both synthesizers can be used simultaneously in a "hybrid" mode.
Native Instruments developed and markets a Virtual Studio Technology (VST) version of the Prophet 5 called "Pro-53" (previously released as "Pro-52"). This software simulates the look and sound of the Prophet 5, and is programmed similarly.
Creamware developed and manufactures a "virtual" version of the Prophet 5 called the "Pro-12". This version has an SSM filter emulation. Creamware has also developed and manufactures a hardware version of the Pro-12 called the Pro-12 ASB.
Dave Smith Instruments in order to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Prophet have developed the Prophet '08, an 8-voice analog synthesizer. Dave Smith was one of the original developers of the Prophet 5.
