Prophet-5

{{Infobox synthesizer

| synth_name = Prophet-5

| synth_manufacturer = Sequential

| image = Sequential Prophet 10 Rev 4.png

| image_caption = A Prophet-10 Rev 4, a modern re-issue of the Prophet-5

| synthesis_type = Analog subtractive
Analog FM (Poly-Mod)

| polyphony = 5 voices (Prophet-5)
10 voices (Prophet-10)

| timbrality = Monotimbral (Prophet-5)
Multitimbral (Prophet-10)

| oscillator = 2 VCOs per voice

| filter = 4-pole resonant low-pass

| envelopes = ADSR

| lfo = 1

| memory = 40 patches (Rev 3 120, Rev 4 200)

| fx = None

| synth_hardware =

| keyboard = 61 keys (Prophet-5 (all versions), Prophet-10 (1977, withdrawn from production)
(Prophet-10 (1981-84)) Dual manual 61 key

| velocity = Rev1 to Rev3 no, Rev4 yes

| aftertouch = Rev1 to Rev3 no, Rev4 yes

| left_control = Pitch and modulation wheels

| ext_control = CV/Gate
Proprietary serial interface
MIDI (Rev 3.3)

| sample =

| dates = 1978–84, 2020– (Prophet-5)
1977, 1981–84, 2020– (Prophet-10)

| price = {{US$|3995}} (Rev 1, 2)
{{US$|4595}} (Rev 3.x)
{{US$|3499}} (Rev 4, 5-voice, 2020){{cite press release |title=Prophet-5 Returns! |url=https://www.sequential.com/2020/09/prophet-5-returns/ |location=San Francisco, California |publisher=Sequential |date=30 September 2020 |access-date=13 October 2020}}
{{US$|4299}} (Rev 4, 10-voice, 2020)

}}

The Prophet-5 is an analog synthesizer manufactured by the American company Sequential. It was designed by Dave Smith and John Bowen in 1977. It was the first polyphonic synthesizer with fully programmable memory.

Before the Prophet-5, synthesizers required users to adjust controls to change sounds, with no guarantee of exactly recreating a sound. Sequential used microprocessors 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".{{r|group=|Analog Days|p=385|q1=||}}

The Prophet-5 became a market leader and was widely used in popular music and film soundtracks. In 1981, Sequential released a 10-voice, double-keyboard version, the Prophet-10. Sequential introduced new versions in 2020, and it has been emulated in software synthesizers and hardware. Sequential also released several further Prophet synthesizers, such as the Prophet '08.

Development

{{Listen

| filename = Twice Around the Sun - Oregon - 1987 sample.mp3

| title = "Twice Around the Sun"

| pos = right

| description = From the 1987 jazz album Ecotopia by the band Oregon, this song starts with the Prophet-10 played solo by Ralph Towner. He is joined at ten seconds by Paul McCandless on soprano saxophone, with synth and horn each repeating the theme. Bass and percussion come in at 20 seconds.

}}

The Prophet-5 was created in 1977 by the American engineers Dave Smith and John Bowen at Sequential Circuits.{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Gordon|date=March 1999|title=Sequential Circuits – Prophet Synthesizers 5 & 10 (Retro)|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar99/articles/retroprophet.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203065241/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar99/articles/retroprophet.htm|archive-date=3 February 2016|access-date=January 23, 2015|work=Sound on Sound}} At the time, Smith had a full-time job working with microprocessors, a new technology. Smith conceived the idea of combining them with synthesizer chips to create a programmable synthesizer; this would allow users to save sounds to memory, rather than having to recreate them manually.{{Cite web|date=2013-06-11|title=Dave Smith in his own words|url=http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/dave-smith-in-his-own-words/149095|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611201044/http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/dave-smith-in-his-own-words/149095|archive-date=2013-06-11|access-date=2018-10-17|website=Keyboard}} He did not pursue the idea, assuming Moog or ARP would design the instrument first. When no instrument emerged, in early 1977, Smith quit his job to work full-time on the idea.

Initially, Smith and Bowen developed the Prophet-10, a synthesizer with ten voices of polyphony. 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. Smith demonstrated the Prophet-5 at the NAMM Convention in January 1978 and shipped the first models later that year.{{Cite web |last=Preve |first=Francis |date=23 July 2012 |title=Dave Smith in His Own Words |url=http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/dave-smith-in-his-own-words/149095 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611201044/http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/dave-smith-in-his-own-words/149095 |archive-date=2013-06-11 |access-date=2018-10-17 |work=Keyboard}}

= Production =

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. Revision 3 replaced the Solid State Music (SSM) chipset with Curtis (CEM) chips, necessitating a major redesign. According to Sound on Sound, Revision 3 "remained impressive and pleasant to play, but was slightly cold and featureless by comparison to earlier models". Almost 6,000 Revision 3 models were produced.

File:SCI Prophet 10 inside - sandwiched voice boards.jpgIn 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. The first Prophet-10s used an Exatron Stringy Floppy drive for saving patches and storing sequencer data. Sequential later moved to a Braemar tape drive, which was more reliable and could store about four times as many sequencer events.

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.{{Cite web |last=Rogerson |first=Ben |date=2020-10-01 |title=Sequential announces a new Prophet-5, a faithful reboot of one of the greatest synths of all time |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/sequential-announces-a-new-prophet-5-a-faithful-reboot-of-one-of-the-greatest-synths-of-all-time |access-date=2021-12-16 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Esen|first=Aykan|date=2020-10-03|title=Sequential Renews The Prophet-5 And Introduces The Prophet-10|url=https://www.attackmagazine.com/news/sequential-release-prophet-5-prophet-10/|access-date=2021-12-16|website=Attack Magazine|language=en-US}}

Features

Unlike its nearest competitor in the 1970s, the Yamaha CS-80, the Prophet-5 has patch memory, allowing users to store sounds rather than having to reprogram them manually.{{Cite news|date=2016-09-15|title=The 14 most important synths in electronic music history – and the musicians who use them|language=en-US|work=FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music.|url=http://www.factmag.com/2016/09/15/14-most-important-synths/|access-date=2018-10-17}} It has a proprietary serial interface that allows the user to play using the Prophet Remote, a sling-style keytar controller; the interface cannot connect the Prophet-5 to other devices. Sequential produced a MIDI interface that could be retrofitted to later Prophet-5 models. Third-party MIDI interfaces have also been offered.

Impact

Before the Prophet-5, synthesizers required users to adjust cables and knobs to change sounds, with no guarantee of exactly recreating a sound.{{cite book|last1=Pinch|first1=Trevor|title=Analog Days: The Invention and Impact of the Moog Synthesizer|last2=Trocco|first2=Frank|date=2004|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0-674-01617-0}} 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".{{r|group=|Analog Days|p=385|q1=||}} The Prophet-5 became a market leader and industry standard.{{Cite news|date=2016-09-15|title=The 14 most important synths in electronic music history – and the musicians who use them|language=en-US|work=Fact|url=http://www.factmag.com/2016/09/15/14-most-important-synths/|access-date=2018-10-17}} According to MusicRadar, the Prophet-5 "changed the world – simple as that".{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Jones |date=2021-08-12 |title=Sequential Prophet-5 Rev 4 review |url=https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/sequential-prophet-5-rev-4 |access-date=2022-01-22 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}}

The Cars keyboardist Greg Hawkes used the Prophet-5 for the hits "Let's Go" (1979) and "Shake It Up" (1981).{{cite magazine |url=https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/rise-of-the-synthesizer/ |title=Rise of the Synthesizer: How an Electronics Whiz Kid Gave the 1980s Its Signature Sound |last=Marks |first=Ben |date=October 1, 2015 |magazine=Collector's Weekly |access-date=June 2, 2022}} Kraftwerk used it on their 1981 "Computer World" Tour,{{cite web|url=https://www.gearnews.com/kraftwerk-their-legendary-synths-sequencers-and-sounds/ |title=Kraftwerk – their legendary synths, sequencers and sounds |publisher=gearnews.com |date=12 June 2021 |access-date=17 June 2022 }} and Phil Collins used it on his 1981 single "In the Air Tonight".{{Cite news |date=2005-05-01 |title=Classic Tracks: Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" |url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks-phil-collins-air-tonight-365521/ |access-date=2020-09-01 |work=Mixonline |language=en-US}} Japan used it frequently, such as on their 1982 hit single "Ghosts".{{Cite web|last=Doyle|first=Tom|date=August 2021|title=Classic Tracks: Japan 'Ghosts'|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/classic-tracks-japan-ghosts|access-date=2022-01-20|website=Sound on Sound}} Michael Jackson used it extensively on Thriller (1982), and Madonna used it on Like a Virgin (1984). Peter Gabriel considered the Prophet-5 his "old warhorse", using it for many sounds on his 1986 album So.{{cite journal|last=Hammond|first=Ray|date=January 1987|title=Peter Gabriel - Behind The Mask|url=http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/peter-gabriel-behind-the-mask/1494|journal=Sound on Sound|issue=Jan 1987 |pages=40–44 |accessdate=February 20, 2021}} Brad Fiedel used a Prophet-10 to record the soundtrack for The Terminator (1984),{{Cite web |last=Stevenson |first=Seth |date=2014-02-26 |title=3/4? 7/16? 12/8? A Slate Investigation Into the Time Signature of The Terminator's Score. |url=https://slate.com/culture/2014/02/the-time-signature-of-the-terminator-score-is-a-mystery-for-the-ages.html |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=Slate |language=en}} and the filmmaker John Carpenter used both the Prophet-5 and Prophet-10 extensively for his soundtracks.{{cite magazine |author=Paul Tingen |title=John Carpenter - Film Director & Composer |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/john-carpenter |magazine=Sound on Sound |issue=July 2016}} The Greek composer Vangelis used the Prophet-5 and the Prophet-10, such as in the soundtrack of Blade Runner (1982).{{Cite web |last=Clewes |first=Richard |date=November 1997 |title=VANGELIS: Recording At Nemo Studios |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/vangelis-recording-nemo-studios |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=Sound on Sound}}{{Cite web |date=2014-02-01 |title=Landmark Productions: Vangelis - Blade Runner Soundtrack |url=https://musictech.com/guides/essential-guide/landmark-productions-vangelis-blade-runner-soundtrack/ |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=MusicTech |language=en-GB}}

The Prophet-5 was widely used by 1980s synth pop acts such as Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Tears for Fears, Thompson Twins, Thomas Dolby, Devo, Eurythmics, Soft Cell, Vince Clarke and Pet Shop Boys.{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Andy|date=2018-09-25|title=The 10 Synths That Made Synth Pop (And 2 Samplers)|url=https://musictech.com/guides/essential-guide/the-10-synths-that-made-synth-pop-and-2-samplers/|access-date=2022-02-13|website=MusicTech|language=en-GB}} Radiohead used it on their 2000 album Kid A, on songs including "Everything In Its Right Place".{{Cite news |date=2014-03-04 |title=The 14 synthesizers that shaped modern music |url=https://thevinylfactory.com/features/the-14-synthesizers-that-shaped-modern-music/ |access-date=2018-03-05 |work=The Vinyl Factory |language=en-US}} Other users include Giorgio Moroder, Tony Banks,{{cite web|title=Tony Banks talks new album A Chord Too Far and his favourite synthesizer of all time|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/tony-banks-talks-new-album-a-chord-too-far-and-his-favourite-synthesizer-of-all-time-626275|access-date=2020-10-20|website=MusicRadar|date=11 August 2015 |publisher=Future Publishing Limited}} Tangerine Dream, Jean-Michel Jarre, Dr. Dre, Richard Wright of Pink Floyd,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-04-01 |title=The art of synth soloing: how to play like Pink Floyd's Richard Wright |url=https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/the-art-of-synth-soloing-how-to-play-like-pink-floyds-richard-wright |access-date=2022-02-10 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}} Rick Wakeman,{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Danny |date=2020-07-14 |title=Rick Wakeman on his top 5 synths: "I suddenly had an instrument that could give the guitar a run for its money" |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/rick-wakeman-on-his-top-5-synths-i-suddenly-had-an-instrument-that-could-give-the-guitar-a-run-for-its-money |access-date=2022-02-10 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}} Pendulum,{{Cite web|last=Inglis|first=Sam|date=June 2008|title=Pendulum|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/pendulum|access-date=2022-02-10|website=Sound on Sound}} BT{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-09-29|title=BT: "Synths like the Prophet-5 were built in Dave Smith's garage over a period of weeks… now they're just banged out in China."|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/bt-synths-like-the-prophet-5-were-built-in-dave-smiths-garage-over-a-period-of-weeks-now-theyre-just-banged-out-in-china|access-date=2022-02-10|website=FutureMusic|language=en}} and John Harrison.

Successors and emulations

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = vertical

| width = 160

| image1 = Sequential Prophet-6 - 2015 NAMM Show.jpg

| caption1 = Sequential Prophet-6 (2015)

}}

Smith's companies released several synthesizers with the Prophet name, including the Pro-One,{{cite web|date=March 1994|title=SCI Pro1|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1994_articles/mar94/sequentialpro1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607055913/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1994_articles/mar94/sequentialpro1.html|archive-date=7 June 2015|work=Sound on Sound}} the Prophet VS, the Prophet '08{{Cite web|date=2013-06-11|title=Dave Smith in his own words|url=http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/dave-smith-in-his-own-words/149095|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611201044/http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/dave-smith-in-his-own-words/149095|archive-date=2013-06-11|access-date=2018-10-17|website=Keyboard}} and the Prophet-6.{{Cite web|title=Dave Smith Instruments Sequential Prophet 6|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/dave-smith-instruments-sequential-prophet-6|access-date=2022-01-03|website=Sound on Sound}} They also released samplers, such as the Prophet 2000 and the Prophet 3000.{{cite web |last=Wiffen |first=Paul |date=January 2004 |title=Sequential's Prophet 2000 Samplers |url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan04/articles/sequentialprophet2000.htm |accessdate=February 10, 2015 |work=Sound on Sound}}{{cite web|last=Alexander|first=Robert|date=October 2000|title=Sequential Prophet 3000|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct00/articles/retroprophet.htm|work=Sound on Sound|accessdate=February 10, 2015}} In 2020, Sequential announced a new version of the Prophet-5, the Rev 4. It adds features including USB and MIDI connectivity, velocity and aftertouch sensitivity, polyphonic glide, and two sets of filters. Sequential also announced a new Prophet-10 Rev 4, a ten-voice version of the Prophet-5 Rev 4.

Bowen provided consultation for Native Instruments during the development of the Pro 5 software synthesizer emulation, released in 1999. It was followed by the Pro 52 in 2000 and the Pro 53 in 2003.{{Cite web|last=Price|first=Simon|date=October 2006|title=10 Years Of Native Instruments|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/music-business/10-years-native-instruments|access-date=2022-01-03|website=Sound on Sound}}{{Cite web|last=Inglis|first=Sam|date=August 2005|title=NI Xpress Keyboards|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/ni-xpress-keyboards|access-date=2022-01-03|website=Sound on Sound}}{{Cite web|last=Wherry|first=Mark|date=June 2003|title=Zarg Music Prophet & Prophet Plus 3.1|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/zarg-music-prophet-prophet-plus-31|access-date=2022-01-03|website=Sound on Sound}} Bowen also provided consultation for Creamware for their 2003 software emulations, the Prophet and Prophet Plus. Arturia, U-he and Softube released emulations in 2006, 2018 and 2023.{{cite web|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep06/articles/prophetv.htm |work=Sound on Sound |title=Arturia Prophet V |first=Gordon |last=Reid |date=September 2006 |access-date=January 23, 2015}}{{Cite web |last=Scarth |first=Greg |date=2018-03-07 |title=Attention to Detail: U-he Repro-5 |url=https://www.attackmagazine.com/reviews/gear-software/attention-to-detail-u-he-repro-5/ |access-date=2021-12-16 |website=Attack Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Softube introduce Model 80 soft synth |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/news/softube-introduce-model-80-soft-synth |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=www.soundonsound.com}}

Other hardware clones include the upcoming Behringer Pro-16 (prototype revealed at NAMM 2025), and PikoPiko Factory's open-source Profree-4, released in 2022.{{Cite web |last=Sheah |first=Daniel |date=2021-08-02 |title=Behringer completes prototype of Prophet-5 recreation, going "full force" into firmware development |url=https://musictech.com/news/gear/behringer-shows-prototype-pro-16-prophet-5-recreation/ |access-date=2022-01-03 |website=MusicTech |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Anatomy |first=Synth |date=2025-01-23 |title=Behringer Pro-16: official feature set with 16 voices, multi-mode filters, and more |url=https://synthanatomy.com/2025/01/behringer-previews-pro-16-feature-set-16-analog-voices-multi-timbrality.html |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=SYNTH ANATOMY |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Kraftman |first=Tamzin |date=2022-04-28 |title=Japan's PikoPiko Factory heads to Kickstarter with its Sequential-inspired Profree-4 mini synth |url=https://musictech.com/news/gear/pikopiko-factory-announce-release-profree-4-mini-synth-kickstarter/ |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=MusicTech |language=en-GB}}

References

External links

[http://www.vintagesynth.com/sci/p5.php Prophet-5 profile on Vintage Synth Explorer]

Category:Products introduced in 1978

Category:Sequential Circuits synthesizers

Category:Analog synthesizers

Category:Polyphonic synthesizers

Category:Z80

Category:Synthesizers with preset storage