Dave Smith Instruments • Prophet '08
Prophet '08
The Prophet '08 truly signals the return of the classic Sequential Circuits Prophet synthesizers, in a beautiful, modern and ultra-stable programmable analog synthesizer! Building on the Poly Evolver keyboard, the Prophet '08 offers eight voices of polyphony with a 100% analog signal path. The look is spot-on! Brand new, the Prophet '08 already looks like it's a classic vintage piece of history. And its sound really does blow you away!
Dave Smith is considered a legendary figure in the synthesizer world, he founded Sequential Circuits and designed such classics as the Prophet 5 and Prophet VS, and he was a pioneer in bringing MIDI to synthesizers. The new for 2007 Prophet '08 brings back much of the original technology from those old Prophets (Curtis filters and analog oscillators), updated of course, to meet todays musician's needs.
While it doesn't sound exactly like an original P5, it does sound and behave more like one than any other pretender. It's cleaner, purer and a little more predictable than its 25 year old predecessors. Actually, it sounds just like the Poly Evolver, minus the digital oscillators.
Regardless, the Prophet '08 is truly a modern day Prophet series synth. Unlike many (Roland) synths that are attaching vintage model names to their current synths even though they are almost nothing alike (Juno, SH, etc.), the Prophet '08 is the real-deal next generation version of its predecessors. As DSI says, the Prophet '08 is the product of evolution, not nostalgia. Of course, it includes features we now take for granted, like velocity and aftertouch. Add to that performance features like an arpeggiator, gated step sequencer, and the ability to split and layer sounds. The modulation possibilities are much deeper than anything Sequential ever produced, making it capable of producing sounds the "classics" simply could not.
Prophet '08 Special Edition
The year 2008 marks 30 years of great Dave Smith-designed synthesizers. To celebrate, DSI issued the Prophet '08 Special Edition. In addition to the standard Prophet '08 features, the Special Edition includes red lighted (pitch/bend) wheels, exotic leopard-wood end panels, and a special commemorative overlay signed by Dave. It also includes editor/librarian software and the "Dave Smith: Synthesizer Pioneer" DVD. It costs about $500 more than the standard model.
I'm also checking out the Tetra which is great because I get that fat sound, and I can program it from my Prophet. Finally, it's small and I don't have to worry about it like my expensive, limited edition P'08 on a gig.
I can't recommend this synth highly enough. Digital and software DO NOT sound like this. It's easily the funkiest synth I have ever owned.
I've owned one for a couple of months now and I'm blown away by its flexibility. Its about the best poly I've owned when it comes to realtime performance as the keyboard and wheels are so responsive. I've got the PE edition and the pots feel very nicely weighted to me - not like the 1st generation models.
Soundwise it can be incredibly rich or wafer thin. Does it all. I prefer it to my old Korg Trident and Jupiter 6 that's for certain. It holds its own against the Prophet T8 soundwise but I've no idea about Prophet 5 comparisons as I don't own one, and frankly, I don't care. Its a terrific little lightweight instrument in its own right and worth every penny.
One of the best I've owned in the 25 years I've been buying and playing.