A Synth Legend On Your Desktop

The Prophet-5 module brings the power of Sequential’s legendary analog poly synth to your desktop. Like the full keyboard version, it’s “the best of all Prophet-5s” because it incorporates all three Prophet-5 revisions — Rev1, Rev2, and Rev3 — using genuine Curtis analog VCOs and filters (as in the Rev3) as well as new 2140 low-pass filters designed by Dave Rossum, similar to the 2040 filters he created in the original Rev1 and Rev2. A Rev switch lets you choose between the two filter designs. It also adjusts the Filter Envelope’s shape and response to match the original Prophet Rev 1/2 or Rev 3 respectively.

The result is as pure a revival of an analog classic as you could wish for, with the authentic, powerful sound of the original and the reliability of a state-of-the-art modern instrument.

Vintage Sound, Vintage Knob

In addition to using genuine Prophet-5 hardware components, we conducted extensive research into exactly what made the original sound the way it did — warm, organic, and alive. We found that much of this desirable character came from slight fluctuations and differences in the response times and frequencies of the individual VCOs, filters, envelopes, and amplifiers from voice to voice.

To give the same mojo to the new Prophet-5, we created the Vintage knob. Use it to dial in as much old-school randomness as you want. Go from a very stable “4” — as in Prophet-5 Rev4, which is how we refer to the new version internally — all the way to “1,” as in Prophet-5 Rev1, the rarest and most temperamental of all Prophet-5s.

Poly Mod and Enhanced Unison

Besides the unmistakable tone of its oscillators and filters, much of the classic Prophet-5 sound came from Poly Mod, which is faithfully included here as well. True to the original, modulation sources are Filter Envelope and Oscillator B. Destinations include Oscillator A frequency, Oscillator A pulse width, and low-pass filter. The range of sounds possible defies its simplicity. Another welcome return is Unison mode, which now features configurable voice count (1-5 voices) with variable detuning, and chord memory. And now Glide works both in and out of Unison.

Velocity and Aftertouch

While the new Prophet-5 is as accurate, authoritative, and true to the original as possible, we couldn’t resist adding a couple of modern enhancements to increase expressiveness: velocity sensitivity and aftertouch. These allow the new Prophet-5 to perform in ways the original never could by putting filter sweeps, LFO modulation, and volume changes at your fingertips.

Effortless to Program

The purity of the new Prophet’s sound is matched only by its ease of programming. The knob-per-function front panel gives you instant gratification and immediate access to all sound-shaping controls. Turning off the Preset button enables live panel mode, where the Prophet-5 switches to the current settings of its knobs and switches. What you see is exactly what you hear. Included are 200 permanent factory programs and 200 rewritable user programs, including the original 40-program sound set from 1978 that appeared on countless recordings and film soundtracks then and since.

Expandable to 10 Voices

With the optional Voice Expansion Card, you can double the polyphony of the Prophet-5 to ten voices. This also enables you to take advantage of bi-timbral operation, which is available on 10-voice-capable Prophets. This means you can play two different programs simultaneously. In this mode, each program is allocated five voices. Use this capability to layer two programs for thicker, more powerful pads or chord stabs. Alternatively, split the keyboard into two independent performance zones and play synth bass in the lower range and leads or chords in the upper range.

The Whole Package

All of this punchy, powerful, analog goodness is housed in a compact steel case with USB, MIDI, Gate and CV inputs/outputs, and premium-quality, hand-oiled, sustainable black walnut heartwood trim.

The new Prophet-5 desktop module — history never sounded better.