Prophet-5
The Prophet-5 is an analog synthesizer manufactured by the American company Sequential. It was designed by Dave Smith and John Bowen in 1977. It was the first polyphonic synthesizer with fully programmable memory.
Not to be confused with the Korg Prophecy.Prophet-5
1978–84, 2020– (Prophet-5)
1977,[1] 1981–84, 2020– (Prophet-10)
5 voices (Prophet-5)
10 voices (Prophet-10)
Monotimbral (Prophet-5)
Multitimbral (Prophet-10)
2 VCOs per voice
1
Analog subtractive
Analog FM (Poly-Mod)
4-pole resonant low-pass
ADSR envelope (2)
No on Rev1 to Rev3, Yes on Rev4
No on Rev1 to Rev3, Yes on Rev4
40 patches (120 patches on later units, 200 patches on the Rev4 iteration)
None
61 keys (Prophet-5 (all versions), Prophet-10 (1977, Rev 4))
Double 61 key manuals (Prophet-10 (1981-84))
Pitch and modulation wheels
CV/Gate
Proprietary serial interface
MIDI (Rev 4 only)
Before the Prophet-5, synthesizers required users to adjust controls to change sounds, with no guarantee of exactly recreating a sound. Sequential used microprocessors to allow users to recall sounds instantly rather than having to recreate them manually. The Prophet-5 facilitated a move from synthesizers creating unpredictable sounds to producing "a standard package of familiar sounds".[3]: 385
The Prophet-5 became a market leader and was widely used in popular music and film soundtracks. Between 1978 and 1984, about 6,000 units were produced across three revisions. In 1981, Sequential released a 10-voice, double-keyboard version, the Prophet-10. Sequential introduced new versions in 2020, and it has been emulated in software synthesizers and hardware. Sequential also released several further Prophet synthesizers, such as the Prophet '08.
Features[edit]
Unlike its nearest competitor in the 1970s, the Yamaha CS-80, the Prophet-5 has patch memory, allowing users to store sounds rather than having to reprogram them manually.[8] It has a proprietary serial interface that allows the user to play using the Prophet Remote, a sling-style keytar controller; the interface cannot connect the Prophet-5 to other devices. Sequential produced a MIDI interface that could be retrofitted to later Prophet-5 models. Third-party MIDI interfaces have also been offered.[1]
Impact[edit]
Before the Prophet-5, synthesizers required users to adjust cables and knobs to change sounds, with no guarantee of exactly recreating a sound.[3] The Prophet-5, with its ability to save sounds to patch memory, facilitated a move from synthesizers creating unpredictable sounds to producing "a standard package of familiar sounds".[3]: 385 The Prophet-5 became a market leader and industry standard.[9] According to MusicRadar, the Prophet-5 "changed the world – simple as that".[10]
The Cars keyboardist Greg Hawkes used the Prophet-5 for the hits "Let's Go" (1979) and "Shake It Up" (1981).[11] Kraftwerk used it on their 1981 "Computer World" Tour,[12] and Phil Collins used it on his 1981 single "In the Air Tonight".[13] Japan used it frequently, such as on their 1982 hit single "Ghosts".[14] Michael Jackson used it extensively on Thriller (1982), and Madonna used it on Like a Virgin (1984).[9] Peter Gabriel considered the Prophet-5 his "old warhorse", using it for many sounds on his 1986 album So.[15] Brad Fiedel used a Prophet-10 to record the soundtrack for The Terminator (1984),[16] and the filmmaker John Carpenter used both the Prophet-5 and Prophet-10 extensively for his soundtracks.[17] The Greek composer Vangelis used the Prophet-5 and the Prophet-10, such as in the soundtrack of Blade Runner (1982).[18][19]
The Prophet-5 was widely used by 1980s synth pop acts such as Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Tears for Fears, Thompson Twins, Thomas Dolby, Devo, Eurythmics, Soft Cell, Vince Clarke and Pet Shop Boys.[20] Radiohead used it on their 2000 album Kid A, on songs including "Everything In Its Right Place".[21] Other users include Giorgio Moroder,[20] Tony Banks,[22] Tangerine Dream,[20] Jean-Michel Jarre,[20] Dr. Dre,[9] Richard Wright of Pink Floyd,[23] Rick Wakeman,[24] Pendulum,[25] BT[26] and John Harrison.[9][5]