A monstrous 8 voice polysynth from SCI! The T8 has a very fat Prophet-5-like tone. This synth adds many illustrious new features (for its time) such as full MIDI implementation, 76 full size weighted keys with velocity and aftertouch, split/layer double/unison keyboard modes, and a simple but useful real-time sequencer. The new keyboard features many dynamics enhancements, ie: aftertouch can affect pitch, level, filter or the LFO. It was Sequential's finest analog synthesizer. Digital control of analog sound with an extremely flexible, intuitive and beautiful design - right down to the wood panels!

Unfortunately the T8 suffered from the popularity of the much cheaper Yamaha DX7 back in 1983 when they were released. Although it still sounds great, the weighted keyboard is the T8's best feature making it the Rolls Royce of analog synthesizers. Generally these beasts are hard to find today and still very expensive. It has been used by Howard Jones, the Thompson Twins and Steve Levine.

Micke

April 28, 2009 @ 3:19 pm

Also used by Jerry Goldsmith (soundtracks), Billy Currie/Ultravox, Kinny Landrum ( "I did use a T8 as my master keyboard when working on the Twin Peaks soundtrack, and sometimes used it for string patches, but not much."), Joe Zawinul/Weather Report, Adolphson & Falk, Jerry Harrison/Talking Heads, Suzanne Ciani, Rupert Greenall and Ralph Grierson.

Steve Gunner

January 29, 2009 @ 5:37 pm

The Prophet T8 also had release velocity for its keys, i.e., the faster/slower you remove your hand, the faster/slower the envelope decayed.

Eric Robert

January 5, 2009 @ 12:20 am

T8 was also part of Ian Stanley's live rig (Tears for Fears, 1985), in addition to the Roland Jupiter 6, DX-7, and PPG Wave 2. Other tour keyboardist used a Yamaha CP-80, Em-U Emulator III, and a Prophet 5.
Incredible gear, even for the time.

Michael

December 3, 2008 @ 12:37 am

Ryuichi Sakamoto used a T8 during Yellow Magic Orchestra's farewell tour in 1983.

Mark Duff

October 22, 2008 @ 8:26 am

I have this synth and have to say its not quite as punchy as the Prophet 5 but has a super warm and grainy quality which is great recorded. You can hear it played on my track 'Magic Bean original demo' at myspace.com/duffkeys. Amazing keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch. And MIDI .. really worth it if you can find a good one.

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