| Prophet-5 | |
|---|---|
 A Prophet-10 Rev 4, a modern re-issue of the Prophet-5 | |
| Manufacturer | Sequential |
| Dates | 1978–84, 2020– (Prophet-5) 1977,[1] 1981–84, 2020– (Prophet-10) |
| Price | US$3,995 (Rev 1, 2) US$4,595 (Rev 3.x) US$3,499 (Rev 4, 5-voice, 2020)[2] US$4,299 (Rev 4, 10-voice, 2020)[2] |
| Technical specifications | |
| Polyphony | 5 voices (Prophet-5) 10 voices (Prophet-10) |
| Timbrality | Monotimbral (Prophet-5) Multitimbral (Prophet-10) |
| Oscillator | 2 VCOs per voice |
| LFO | 1 |
| Synthesis type | Analogsubtractive AnalogFM (Poly-Mod) |
| Filter | 4-pole resonant low-pass |
| Aftertouchexpression | Rev1 to Rev3 no, Rev4 yes |
| Velocity expression | Rev1 to Rev3 no, Rev4 yes |
| Storage memory | 40 patches (Rev 3 120, Rev 4 200) |
| Effects | None |
| Input/output | |
| Keyboard | 61 keys (Prophet-5 (all versions), Prophet-10 (1977, withdrawn from production) (Prophet-10 (1981-84)) Dual manual 61 key |
| Left-hand control | Pitch and modulation wheels |
| External control | CV/Gate Proprietaryserial interface MIDI (Rev 3.3) |
TheProphet-5 is ananalog synthesizer manufactured by the American companySequential. It was designed byDave Smith andJohn Bowen in 1977. It was the firstpolyphonic synthesizer with fullyprogrammable memory.
Before the Prophet-5, synthesizers required users to adjust controls to change sounds, with no guarantee of exactly recreating a sound. Sequential usedmicroprocessors to allow users to recall sounds instantly rather than having to recreate them manually. The Prophet-5 facilitated a move from synthesizers creating unpredictable sounds to producing "a standard package of familiar sounds".[3]: 385
The Prophet-5 became a market leader and was widely used in popular music and film soundtracks. Between 1978 and 1984, about 6,000 units were produced across three revisions. In 1981, Sequential released a 10-voice, double-keyboard version, theProphet-10. Sequential introduced new versions in 2020, and it has been emulated insoftware synthesizers and hardware. Sequential also released several further Prophet synthesizers, such as theProphet '08.
The Prophet-5 was created in 1977 by the American engineersDave Smith andJohn Bowen atSequential Circuits.[1] At the time, Smith had a full-time job working withmicroprocessors, a new technology. Smith conceived the idea of combining them with synthesizer chips to create aprogrammable synthesizer; this would allow users to save sounds tomemory, rather than having to recreate them manually.[4] He did not pursue the idea, assumingMoog orARP would design the instrument first.[4] When no instrument emerged, in early 1977, Smith quit his job to work full-time on the idea.[4]
Initially, Smith and Bowen developed the Prophet-10, a synthesizer with ten voices ofpolyphony. However, it was unstable and quickly overheated, creating tuning problems. Smith and Bowen removed half the electronics, reducing the voices to five and creating the Prophet-5.[1] Smith demonstrated the Prophet-5 at theNAMM Convention in January 1978 and shipped the first models later that year.[5]
Three versions were built between 1978 and 1984. The first, Revision 1, was hand-assembled and produced quickly to generate initial revenue; only 182 were made. Revision 2 was mass-produced in quantities over 1,000; this model was more robust, added cassette patch storage, and replaced the koa wood casing with walnut.[1] Revision 3 replaced the Solid State Music (SSM) chipset with Curtis (CEM) chips, necessitating a major redesign. According toSound on Sound, Revision 3 "remained impressive and pleasant to play, but was slightly cold and featureless by comparison to earlier models".[1] In all, approximately 6,000 Prophet-5 synthesizers were produced.[1]
In 1981, Sequential Circuits released the Prophet-10, featuring 10 voices, 20 oscillators, and a double manual keyboard. Like the Prophet-5 Revision 3, it uses CEM chips.[1] The first Prophet-10s used anExatron Stringy Floppy drive for saving patches and storing sequencer data. Sequential later moved to a Braemartape drive, which was more reliable and could store about four times as many sequencer events.[1]
In 2020, Sequential released a new version, the Prophet-5 Rev4, with additional memory and features. They also released a new version of the Prophet-10, with the same external design as the Prophet-5.[2][6][7]
Unlike its nearest competitor in the 1970s, theYamaha CS-80, the Prophet-5 has patch memory, allowing users to store sounds rather than having to reprogram them manually.[8] It has a proprietaryserial interface that allows the user to play using the Prophet Remote, a sling-stylekeytar controller; the interface cannot connect the Prophet-5 to other devices. Sequential produced aMIDI interface that could be retrofitted to later Prophet-5 models. Third-party MIDI interfaces have also been offered.[1]
Before the Prophet-5, synthesizers required users to adjust cables and knobs to change sounds, with no guarantee of exactly recreating a sound.[3] The Prophet-5, with its ability to save sounds to patch memory, facilitated a move from synthesizers creating unpredictable sounds to producing "a standard package of familiar sounds".[3]: 385 The Prophet-5 became a market leader and industry standard.[9] According toMusicRadar, the Prophet-5 "changed the world – simple as that".[10]
TheCars keyboardistGreg Hawkes used the Prophet-5 for the hits "Let's Go" (1979) and "Shake It Up" (1981).[11]Kraftwerk used it on their 1981 "Computer World" Tour,[12] andPhil Collins used it on his 1981 single "In the Air Tonight".[13]Japan used it frequently, such as on their 1982 hit single "Ghosts".[14]Michael Jackson used it extensively onThriller (1982), andMadonna used it onLike a Virgin (1984).[9]Peter Gabriel considered the Prophet-5 his "old warhorse", using it for many sounds on his 1986 albumSo.[15]Brad Fiedel used a Prophet-10 to recordthe soundtrack forThe Terminator (1984),[16] and the filmmakerJohn Carpenter used both the Prophet-5 and Prophet-10 extensively for his soundtracks.[17] The Greek composerVangelis used the Prophet-5 and the Prophet-10, such as inthe soundtrack ofBlade Runner (1982).[18][19]
The Prophet-5 was widely used by 1980ssynth pop acts such asOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark,Tears for Fears,Thompson Twins,Thomas Dolby,Devo,Eurythmics,Soft Cell,Vince Clarke andPet Shop Boys.[20]Radiohead used it on their 2000 albumKid A, on songs including "Everything In Its Right Place".[21] Other users includeGiorgio Moroder,[20]Tony Banks,[22]Tangerine Dream,[20]Jean-Michel Jarre,[20]Dr. Dre,[9]Richard Wright ofPink Floyd,[23]Rick Wakeman,[24]Pendulum,[25]BT[26] andJohn Harrison.[9][5]
Smith released several synthesizers with the Prophet name, including the Pro-One,[27] the Prophet VS,[28] theProphet '08[29] and the Prophet-6.[30] They also releasedsamplers, such as theProphet 2000 and the Prophet 3000.[31][32] In 2020, Sequential announced a new version of the Prophet-5, the Rev 4. It adds features includingUSB and MIDI connectivity,velocity and aftertouch sensitivity, polyphonic glide, and two sets of filters.[6] Sequential also announced a new Prophet-10, initially released as a ten-voice single manual monotimbral version of the Rev 4.[7]
Bowen provided consultation forNative Instruments during the development of the Pro 5software synthesizer emulation, released in 1999. It was followed by the Pro 52 in 2000 and the Pro 53 in 2003.[33][34][35] Bowen also provided consultation forCreamware for their 2003 software emulations, the Prophet and Prophet Plus.[35]Arturia, U-he and Softube released emulations in 2006, 2018 and 2023.[28][36][37] Hardware clones include the upcomingBehringer Pro-16, and PikoPiko Factory'sopen-source Profree-4, released in 2022.[38][39]
