Prophet VS

{{Infobox synthesizer

| image = Sequential Circuits Prophet VS.png

| image_caption = Sequential Circuits Prophet VS

| synth_name = Prophet VS

| synth_manufacturer = Sequential Circuits

| synthesis_type = Vector

Sample & Synthesis (S&S)

| filter = Analog low-pass filter

| oscillator = 12-bit digital

4 per voice

96 preset & 32 user waveforms

| lfo = 2

| timbrality = 2-part

| polyphony = 8

| left_control = Pitch, Modulation

| keyboard = 61-key

0 (rack version)

| aftertouch = Yes

| velocity = Yes

| memory = Internal: 100 patches + 32 user waves

Cartridge: 100 patches + 32 user waves

| fx = Stereo Chorus

Voice Panning

| attenuator = 5-stage loopable envelope generator

| dates = 1986-87

| ext_control = MIDI

}}

The Prophet VS was a hybrid 8-voice synthesizer manufactured by Sequential Circuits and released in 1986. It is notable for being the first synthesizer to use vector synthesis to structure its sound, using a joystick arranged in a "diamond" pattern for oscillator mixing.{{cite magazine | last1=Alexander | first1=Rob | url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov01/articles/retroprophetvs.asp | title=Sequential Prophet VS | magazine=Sound on Sound | date=November 2001 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201191246/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov01/articles/retroprophetvs.asp | archive-date=1 February 2016}}{{cite magazine | url=http://www.seersystems.com/jungleib/archive/1986/86%20INTRO%20VECTOR%20EM%20ART.jpg | title=Introduction to Vector Synthesis | magazine=Electronic Musician | date=November 1986 | pages=53–54 | last1=Jungleib | first1=Stanley | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927053947/http://www.seersystems.com/jungleib/archive/1986/86%20INTRO%20VECTOR%20EM%20ART.jpg | archive-date=27 September 2007}}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/sequentials-prophet-vs/1617 | title=Sequential's Prophet VS... | magazine=Sound on Sound | pages=26–28 | last1=Jenkins | first1=Mark | date=July 1986 }} Its distinctive sound comes from mixing four 12-bit digital single-cycle waves per voice, which are then fed into analog CEM3379/3389 signal processors for filtering and amplification.

Features and architecture

= Sound generation =

The VS has 8 voices, each one featuring up to four digital oscillators. Each oscillator is chosen from a table of 0-126 12-bit single cycle waveforms, with the 127th selection being a noise generator.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/sequential-prophet-vs/11087 | title=Sequential Prophet VS | magazine=International Musician and Recording World | last1=Mills | first1=Tony| date=August 1986 | pages=104–107 }}

Waves 32-126 are programmed into the firmware EPROMs and cannot be externally modified. However, waves 0-31 are the user wave space and can be overwritten with custom samples utilizing the MIDI sample dump standard. Another unique characteristic of the VS is that the user waves can be manually edited with the onboard wave editor, mixing up to 4 waves into a single one or adjusting individual harmonics similarly to additive synthesis.

Each voice has a CEM3379/3389 analog signal processor which gives voltage control over the filter, amplifier, and panning. Modulation of panning CV utilizing the modulation matrix can create lush moving stereo patterns.

= Hardware =

The VS uses an 8MHz Motorola 68000 as the main processor, along with two 27256 EPROMs for the operating firmware. Besides the usual 7400 & 4000 series logic chips, there are several unique or hard-to-find parts{{cite web | url=https://winecountrysequential.com/page15.html | title=Sequential Circuits Synthesizers }}

I-625 Voice Chiphttps://www.sequentialcircuits.com/prophetvsparts.html x4 - Each unit uses these for Waves A-D. 8 digital oscillators plus noise generator. These are unique to the VS.
68B01 Keyboard Controller - Scans the mechanical keyboard and calculates velocity values. Also used in the Prophet 2000.
CEM5510 x4 - 8-channel high-speed sample and hold. Used to fake VCAs for oscillator mixing. These are unique to the VS.
CEM5530http://www.retrosynth.com/docs/pvs/5530.pdf x2 - 30-channel sample and hold. Used to fake VCAs for voice mixing.{{cite web | url=https://learningmodular.com/the-story-of-the-prophet-vs/ | title="The Story of the Prophet VS - from the VS WaveWrangler User Guide, 1991"| date=30 January 1991}} This is a common point of failure, and several aftermarket replacements are available. Also used in the Studio 440 and Keytek CTS-2000.
CEM3365http://www.synfo.nl/datasheets/CEM3365.pdf x2 - Dual DAC multiplier.
CEM3379http://www.buchty.net/ensoniq/files/cem3379.pdf or CEM3389 x8 - Analog VCF, VCA, and voltage-controlled panning.

Legacy

After Sequential was acquired and shut down by Yamaha in 1989, Dave Smith and a handful of the development team moved to Korg, where they worked on developing the Korg Wavestation.{{cite magazine |last1=Reid |first1=Gordon |date=November 2002 |title=The History Of Korg |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/music-business/history-korg-part-2 |magazine=Sound on Sound}} Yamaha then expanded upon the VS technology to create the Yamaha SY22 and SY35 in 1990, adding FM synthesis.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/blast-from-the-past-sequential-circuits-prophet-vs-619031 | title="Blast from the past: Sequential Circuits Prophet VS" | magazine=Computer Music | date=27 April 2015 | author=}}

In the 2020s, Behringer released two clones of the Prophet VS, a eurorack synth engine called the "Victor" and a miniature version of the complete synth called the "Pro VS Mini".{{Cite web |title=Behringer introduces Victor Eurorack module with a PRO-VS Mini engine |url=https://musictech.com/news/gear/behringer-victor-module-eurorack-pro-vs-mini-engine/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=MusicTech |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Anatomy |first=Synth |date=2024-12-13 |title=Behringer Pro VS Mini 2.0, hybrid vector synth now with more voices, new FXs, and more |url=https://synthanatomy.com/2024/12/behringer-pro-vs-mini-2-0-hybrid-vector-synth-now-with-more-voices-new-fx-and-more.html |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=SYNTH ANATOMY |language=en-US}}

While modernizing the appearance of the joystick for all following vector based instruments, functionally the "diamond" layout has been followed ever since.

Notable users

John Carpenter{{cite magazine | url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/john-carpenter | title=John Carpenter | magazine=Sound on Sound | date=July 2016 | last1=Tingen | first1=Paul}}
Prince{{Cite book |last=Tudahl |first=Duane |title=Prince and the Parade and Sign O the Times Era Studio Session: 1985 and 1986 |date=November 2021 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |year=2021 |isbn=9781538144510 |pages=}}
Trent Reznor{{cite magazine | url=https://www.theninhotline.com/archives/articles/display/548 | title=Trent Reznor | magazine=Keyboard Magazine | date=1 March 1994 | last1=Rule | first1=Greg}}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.theninhotline.net/archives/articles/display/55 | title=Trent Reznor sheds the excesses of the past... | magazine=Remix Magazine | date=1 May 2005 | last1=Hanson | first1=Robert}}
Rush{{cite magazine |last1=Secret |first1=Jack |date=July 1997 |title="Rush's Live Midi Secrets Revealed" |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19970700eq.htm |magazine=EQ Magazine}} - The VS Choir is featured prominently on the album Hold Your Fire.

References

External links

[https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/sequential-prophet-vs-retrozone The Prophet VS at Sound On Sound]
[https://shalebridgetech.com/prophet_vs/vs.html Prophet VS Information]