Sequential Prophet 5 Desktop (Used)

5-voice analog synthesizer module

• Compact desktop analog synth
• 5-voice polyphony
• 200 user and 200 factory memories
• 2 VCOs (CEM 3340) per voice
• OSC A saw, variable-width pulse
• OSC B saw, triangle, variable-width pulse
• Simultaneously reproducible waveforms on both oscillators
• Hard-sync
• Unison and Chord Memory
• 2 VCF LP resonant 4-pole (SSI2140/CEM 3320)
• Rev1/2 or Rev3 filter selection key
• 1 LFO, 2 ADSR
• Wheel-Mod 2 sources 5 destinations
• Poly-Mod 2 sources and 3 destinations
• Velocity, Aftertouch (mono)
• Vintage Knob
• Glide
• Master Tune and tune button
• MIDI: In, Out and Thru DIN, USB Type B

A Synth Legend on Your Desktop

The Prophet-5 module puts the power of Sequential's legendary poly analog synth on your desktop. Like the full keyboard version, it is "the best of all Prophet-5s" because it embodies all three revisions of Prophet-5 - Rev1, Rev2, and Rev3 - through the use of original Curtis analog VCOs and filters (as in Rev3) as well as the new Dave Rossum-designed 2140 low-pass filters, like the 2040 filters he designed in the original Rev1 and Rev2. A Rev switch lets you choose between the two filter designs. It also adjusts the shape and response of the filter envelope to match the original Prophet Rev 1/2 or Rev 3, respectively. The result is as pure a renewal of an analog classic as you could wish for, with the authentic, muscular sound of the original and the reliability of a state-of-the-art modern instrument.

Vintage sound, vintage knob

In addition to sourcing original Prophet-5 hardware components, we did extensive research into what made the original sound exactly the way it did: warm, organic, and alive. We found that much of this desirable character was due to slight fluctuations and differences in the response times and frequencies of individual VCOs, filters, envelopes, and amps from voice to voice. To give the same mojo to the new Prophet-5, we created the Vintage knob . Use it to dial in all the old-school randomness you desire. Go from a very stable "4"-as in Prophet-5 Rev4, which is how we refer to the new version internally-to "1," as in Prophet-5 Rev1, the rarest and most fickle of all Prophet-5s.

Poly Mod and Enhanced Unison

Besides the unmistakable tone of its oscillators and filters, much of Prophet-5's classic sound was the result of Poly Mod, which is faithfully present here as well. True to the original, the modulation sources are the filter envelope and oscillator B. Destinations include the frequency of oscillator A, the pulse width of oscillator A, and the low-pass filter. The range of possible sounds defies its simplicity. Another welcome resurgence is the Unison mode, which now has a configurable voice count (1-5 voices) with variable staccato and chord memory. And now Glide works both in and out of Unison.

Speed and Aftertouch

Although the new Prophet-5 is as accurate, authoritative, and faithful to the original as possible, we could not 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, putting sweep filters, LFO mods, and volume changes at your fingertips.

Easy to program

The purity of sound of the new Prophet is matched only by its ease of programming. The front panel with per-function knob gives you instant gratification and instant access to all sound-shaping controls. Turning off the Preset button enables the live panel mode, in which 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 audio set from 1978 that found its way onto countless recordings and movie soundtracks throughout the day and beyond.

Expandable to 10 voices

With the optional voice expansion card, you can double the polyphony of the Prophet-5 to ten voices. This also allows you to take advantage of bi-timbral operation, which is available on Prophet with 10-voice capability. This means that you can play two different programs at the same time. In this mode, each program is assigned five voices. Use this capability to overlay two programs for thicker, more powerful pads or chord stabs. Alternatively, divide the keyboard into two independent performance zones and play synthesized bass in the lower range and leads or chords in the upper range.

The whole package

All this analog, powerful, punchy goodness is packed into a compact steel case with USB, MIDI, Gate, and CV inputs/outputs and a high-quality, hand-oiled, sustainable solid black walnut finish.

Technical Specifications.

OSCILLATORS

• Two authentic CEM 3340 voltage-controlled oscillators per voice
• Simultaneously selectable wave shapes. Oscillator A: sawtooth, pulse. Oscillator B: sawtooth, triangle, pulse.
• Pulse width per oscillator
• Hard sync: Oscillator A syncs to Oscillator B
• Low frequency mode (Oscillator B)
• Keyboard tracking on/off (Oscillator B)

MIXER

• Oscillator A amount
• Oscillator B amount
• White noise amount

LOW-PASS FILTER

• Four-pole, resonant, low-pass filter per voice
• Switchable between authentic versions of the Prophet-5 Rev1/2 filter and Prophet-5 Rev3 filter
• Rev1/2 filter is a Dave Rossum-designed 2140, the modern counterpart of the original 2040 filter found in the Prophet-5 Rev1 and Rev2
• Rev3 filter is a Doug Curtis-designed CEM 3320
• Filter can be driven into self-oscillation with the Resonance control
• Keyboard tracking: off, half, full

FILTER ENVELOPE

• Four-stage (ADSR) envelope generator
• Velocity modulation of envelope amount

AMPLIFIER ENVELOPE

• Four-stage (ADSR) envelope generator
• Velocity modulation of envelope amount

LOW FREQUENCY OSCILLATOR

• Three wave shapes: sawtooth, triangle, square. All waveshapes can be engaged simultaneously
• Both Initial Amount and mod wheel control
• Mod destinations: oscillator A frequency, Oscillator B frequency, Oscillator A and B pulse width, filter cutoff

POLY MOD

• Sources: filter envelope and Oscillator B
• Destinations: oscillator A frequency, oscillator A pulse width, filter cutoff

VINTAGE KNOB

• Recreates the characteristics of various Prophet-5 models by varying the behavior of oscillators, envelopes, amplifiers, and other parameters. Go from a very stable "4" - as in Prophet-5 Rev4, (the new version) - all the way to "1," as in Prophet-5 Rev1, the rarest and most temperamental of all Prophet-5s.

AFTERTOUCH

• Channel (mono) aftertouch
• Destinations: filter cutoff frequency, LFO amount

PERFORMANCE CONTROLS

• Polyphonic glide (portamento)
• Unison (monophonic) mode with configurable voice count, from one to all five voices and key modes
• Preset switch: when off, the front panel is live; what you see is what you hear

PATCH MEMORY

• 200 user and 200 factory programs in 5 banks of 40 programs each
• Direct program access, including Prophet 5-style single-button access to the current set of 8 programs

IN/OUT

• Mono output (1 x 1/4" phone jack)
• Headphone output (stereo, 1/4" phone jack)
• MIDI in, out, and thru ports
• USB for bidirectional MIDI communication
• Control voltage in/out (1 x 1/4" phone jack) 0- +5V input/output signal. Configured for 1-volt-per-octave operation.
• Gate in/out (1 x 1/4" phone jack). Accepts a 1.5- to 15-volt on/off signal to gate the envelopes of a single voice on the Prophet-5. Outputs a 15-volt on/off used to gate the envelopes of an external synth.
• Low-pass filter cutoff expression pedal input
• Volume expression pedal input
• Sustain footswitch input

POWER

• IEC AC power inlet for internal power supply
• Operates worldwide on voltages between 100 and 240 volts at 50 to 60 Hz; Prophet-5: 20 watts maximum power consumption.

PHYSICAL SPECS.

• 20.75″ L x 7.4″ W x 3″ H (52.70 cm x 18.8 cm x 7.62 cm)
• Roadworthy all-steel case with premium black walnut heartwood trim