Vintage Synth Explorer

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.

VISITOR COMMENTS

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Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

Mprint

Posted 262 days ago

I'm hearing some mixed signals about the Prophet from you guys. I hope that the naysayers are wrong because I just ordered one today(should be here next week). I am satisfied from the demo's and Dave's reputation that it will be more than adequate. I got the module version through Guitar Center for $999.00(nice hook-up by my boy). If I affirm your comments and decide I'd like something else, it can always be sold for at least that price I know. All in all, i'm pretty excited to see what this thing is made of.

PEEFIVE

Posted 265 days ago

How come the envelopes are so sloppy?
Where's that cracking wip type attack that the P5 has?
What's with the infinite knob control?
Why do you have to go back into preset mode after editing?
Mod wheels awkwardly above the keys.
Then that uggly sticker with Dave's signature.
Wow, this must be the flop of the centuary.
Total waste of money.
Will become as worthless as the OB12.

Alex D.

Posted 298 days ago

I know this is not a vintage synth, but maybe you should ad Dave smith's MoPho synth module to your site, cause it seem to be actually a great analog monosynth and its low cost.

Alex T.

Posted 351 days ago

superb sound on this machine. not just warm but hot ! will never sell this one.

MeBabyMe

Posted 351 days ago

I had it for almost a year before I decided to sell it, I agree with the first post, it has a cold and harsh sound, almost digital. It took work to go from its polished controlled sound to get the vintage analog sound I've come to love, add a slow/subtle lfo to the frequencies for starters. Its definitely flexible, but I would go as far as to say that even my cz-1 sounded warmer than this synth.

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