Vintage Synth Explorer

Sequential Circuits • Prophet T8

(click to enlarge)

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.

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Steve Gunner

Posted 295 days ago

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

Posted 320 days ago

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

Posted 353 days ago

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

Mark Duff

Posted 395 days ago

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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