NAMM 2015: Dave Smith and Sequential Prophet 6

[@shookstylez]

Legend. Rest in peace Dave.

[@brianwilson49]

dave smith is a living legend - the impact this guy has had on music is so massive it is unmeasurable.

[@mattsynth]

Dave makes the best synths. I just purchased a prophet 12 and WOW what a synth. The sonic possibilities are endless. The Prophet 6 takes the show. Nice work Dave.

[@EarmonkeyMusic]

Must convince the wife this is better than furniture. And clothes. And food.

[@clawzsg4384]

ho you too ? :P

[@shtepoui]

sometimes it is arguably better than wife.

[@neonether]

@@shtepoui Confirmed. Wife has a threshold capacity for button pushing. Likewise it affects her affinity for knob turning. Hehe.

[@mCKENIC]

Thanks Nick! A lot of people have been waiting a lot of time for someone to do this - thanks Dave Smith! Gonna have to save but this sure is one instrument to aspire to own! Fantastic!

[@davebellamy4867]

6:46 "Still cheaper than a Minimoog." Dave. 🤣👍❤

[@clarencejeyofficial]

So musical sounding!! It actually sounds like an old Prophet and Oberheim combined!! Wow... that analog warmth shines through.. No more VSTs :)) lol

[@davebellamy4867]

Just sounds 'simple and real 2:30

[@OrganicGreens]

Now theres a man who knows how to demo a synth.

[@edudzzaj]

Jolann Agreed. Nick does great reviews, I often watch ones for stuff I'm not interested in buying, just because I enjoy (and share) his enthusiasm. I could easily sit through a few hours of these guys talking about, and prodding, different gear.

[@mootbooxle]

Judging from most of the other product demos at this NAMM (and previous ones...) one of the FEW!

[@OrganicGreens]

No kidding. I wish they would just hire me already. All these guys try to list every function of there product in three minutes but the patch there playing sounds like shit at least Dave knows whats up.

[@mootbooxle]

Phillip Morrison I'm in the same boat, man. You can tell who really know the product and are passionate about it, and who are glorified 'sales reps'. Who would know his own product better than Dave himself? On another note, I also find it annoying when these demonstrators are obvious hacks. There are a lot of us real musicians out there who know gear, hire us! :)

[@snestracker2077]

mootbooxle moot!!

[@MilesBader]

Really great interview... (and the product looks great too)!

[@MiloSatori]

The Steve jobs of synthesizers 🥺

[@twzstudio139]

Alright, I just want to sit here and swear. I was perfectly happy, knew exactly what gear I needed, and along comes Dave Smith sucking me right back in!

[@davebellamy4867]

Then next year the OB-6 came out and confused you even more! I was thinking I needed a Prophet-6 and then the OB-6 appared and I was like, "Oh Dave. What have you done now?"🤣👍

[@donaldjasoncrunk]

The Rich Formidoni sighting is great, but that Cory Henry dude looking up and saying WOW repeatedly in the background took it away for me

[@theeltea]

I always love how Dave Smith demoes his synths. No "I'ma a player" thing. :) Just presses a couple of chords and that's it.

[@machine3lves]

Dave's enthusiasm was so honest, watching him talk about the authenticity of analog signal path and the vca/vco's with the excitement of a kid on xmas is priceless.

[@johnadams5489]

The Prophet 6's got BALLS. Nice!

[@wurlinnawurl]

To this day in 2019 I still think this is the best! Is a very special instrument, even in a time of Moog one and the river, or even the ob6, to me this thing is just the one.

[@mootbooxle]

I love you Dave Smith!

[@michaelbauers8800]

Looks great. Price is reasonable when compared to other things, and given it's apparent quality.

[@electroteque]

I'm in love I want this so bad.

[@alwaysuptil1]

3:58 "I'm not into reissues. I've done it once I don't want to do it again." When did he do a reissue?

[@theexisireland]

I was taking this to mean "when I've done something once I don't want to so, it again" possibly?

[@alwaysuptil1]

Ah. Yes. I think you're right. "I did it (the Prophet 5) once, I'm not going to do it again..."

[@mindsink]

And here we are in 2021 and the Prophet 5 was indeed reissued.

[@theeltea]

Discrete VCOs, how cool is that?

[@mastersbyiggy]

Rich Formidoni just popping by... Such a legend.

[@mootbooxle]

It has AFTERTOUCH!!!! And I don't wanna hear anymore complaining about the 49 keys. Cmon people.

[@StevenClements]

Dave... you ROCK

[@fusionid]

incredible instrument

[@alwaysuptil1]

Wow. I thought the Arp Odyssey was going to be the show stopper. Wow.

[@dionysiaex5538]

***** The 1970s wonders what you have against people who run synths with sequencers. Clearly you never heard any synth music from 1970-1975.

[@isaacrife974]

Herr Absurd That was mainly because they didn't have a choice back then... This stole the show because this is what most of us want; a VCO poly that sounds good and is stable... If you own an actual VCO poly you should know that trying to move and play one in a live environment is just asking for a trip to get serviced.

[@alwaysuptil1]

I have several VCO polys and even in my home studio environment requires maintenance. Well done Dave Smith. And my jaw hit the floor when I saw the Sequential logo. Well done.

[@alwaysuptil1]

Jolann HA!

[@brendencannon3583]

cory henry just chilling in the back

[@DIGITALSCREAMS]

I reckon there will be a an 8 voice 61 key version within 12 months.

[@paul_bliven]

Is that Corey Henry making an appearance in the background at 5:47? Awesome!

[@ZackYouTube]

yes it was him

[@cueboyd8666]

Dave Smith is the don, best piece of kit from Namm 2015!

[@goemon4]

Ok, there is something weird going on in my shorts right now

[@xchump]

I don't even play the piano/keys but I want that so bad!

[@DIGITALSCREAMS]

FINALLY. As a Prophet 5 owner and user I can say that this is the first product Dave has released that captures the real spirit and sound of the original. If you check out the soundclips here soundcloud.com/davesmithinstruments/sets/sequential-prophet-6-audio you will see what I mean.

[@synthartist69]

Will Roland make an analog Jupiter? Probably not...

[@neonether]

And unsurprisingly this comment was proved right 5 years later...as Roland releases their "new" "jupiters" when really they're more like re-packaged system-8s but for some random reason happened to be called jupiter. DSI forever!

[@trevypoos]

Rich Formidoni from Korg nosing about the DSI stand? 😀

[@Kkidzz]

Richard Barbieri are you happy...?

[@JoelBouchillon]

Looks like my Prophet 5 will finally be getting a baby brother (or big brother). Thanks Dave!

[@isaacrife974]

My OBXA will be getting a step-brother... I don't have a prophet 5 :(

[@JoelBouchillon]

Isaac Rife That will be great!!!

[@MrBoxxed]

Aggghhh 😊 DSI is a workhorse of producing instruments. Can't wait to meet on in store

[@wcm5150]

I must have one of these

[@dbpooper7512]

So glad they didn't go with the Curtis chip for this one. Makes it easier to justify having two DSI/SC synths if the filters don't sound the same. Also, I hope they retire the DSI brand and just go with SC from here on out. The Dave Smith name holds weight among synth fans, but as a brand name, it's terribly uninspiring.

[@raydeen2k]

Oh man, do I want this.

[@johngregoryipad]

If NAMM was a competition DSI would be winning for me right now, beating Korg and Roland hands down.

[@NequissimusMusic]

So basically one of the synthesizer/keyboard-gods is sitting there and nobody is kneeling there to praise him? :D God i want one of those Synths... Not that i'd be able to use it to it's full potential, but i want one :D

[@justinsmtih4509]

Long live Mr. Dave Smith!

[@synthartist69]

So awesome but only 49 keys instead of 61... OH NO!!!!

[@djamabolu]

wow ! this is the synth I was waiting for ! And isn't it Cory Henry in the back ??

[@ZackYouTube]

yes

[@drummerdemon]

Hah! Of course Cory Henry shows up in the background during this interview.

[@jimixdnb]

wow, this sure looks nice!

[@DcKayb]

should definitely get this guy On the podcast

[@runningin533]

Wow awesome synth.

[@musicwithrae]

Corey Henry in the background!

[@videotowatch2000]

This is what's great about DSI/ Sequential. They have got something for everyone. If I were in the market for a analog polysynth this would be it. I'm more of a fan of of the evolver line but, hands down this is looking like the best analog polysynth available. This should silence purists pissing and moaning about dco's.

[@deejaydubla]

Oh, hell yes.

[@Theprestonheyman]

I WANT THIS FOR CHRISTMAS :) ACTUALLY I WANT IT NOW!!

[@patsybrady]

Awesome synth. Fair play to Yamaha for giving the name back to Dave.

[@tipvandenbos6416]

at 5:21 that Korg demo guy is standing in the background and at 5:54 Cory Henry from snarky puppy haha

[@1vootman]

Really cool, but I wouldn't trade in my A6 for it. Speaking of which, now would be the time for a Andromeda reissue by Alesis...or Newmark. They could also right some wrongs by fixing some of their buggy OS...one can only wish!

[@TheOmanJam]

1vootman I ordered a red Andromeda to the UK in 2001. They sent a blue one and I refused to take it. At that moment Alesis had just gone Chapter 11 and I had nearly pooed my pants. A synth with an OS that was complex, not quite complete and a company that looked like it was going into bankruptcy. I never realised that they continued to make the Andromedas under Numark; otherwise I would have ordered one again. never mind. I saw the first video on KZbin featuring an Andromeda on stage and it was a Yes gig in 2001. It looked gorgeous, as the Prophets-5s did always. I hope Alesis/Numark do reissue the Andromeda and that will be another classic that I can't afford!

[@TheOmanJam]

1vootman The advantage of the Prophet-6 is that it kind of doesn't even have an OS. No menu, no issues. As long as all the knobs and switches work, you are off to the races! I am going to whinge about 4 octaves because it's a polysynth and I like double octaved bass notes. I don't like running out of keys. The Roland JP-8000 had that problem. However if you were playing live and the thing on mono-timbral you are just gonna have to buy one for each hand.

[@dbpooper7512]

I hope they poly sequencer has rests.

[@Nonpartisanmusic]

I fucking love the look of it...

[@samurairj]

Ha! Get a load of the Elektron Boffin in the background at 5:50 and 6:25, loves the Prophet!

[@roberti6433]

Those Elektron folk are all actually robots, not really people at all...their instrument interfaces also prove that--THIS is what the Analog Keys should have and could have been...but no...convoluted and counter-intuitive. Way to go Dave! Prophet 6 is exactly what I have been waiting for in a new analog poly. This will play nice beside my Sub 37 and Evolvers.

[@PinkOrangeRed]

cool!

[@LungAnt]

Wow! I want.

[@jedisid]

time to start saving...

[@Pr0fitOfDoom]

GOD BLESS DAVE SMITH

[@therealjuantxo]

5:47 Holly smokes, Cory Henry!!

[@goolug]

What speakers are those?

[@fjzingo]

With Cory Henry in the back :-)

[@PsychedelicSocialist]

So weird... Just a random video I found on gearslutz, and I see my teacher in the background at 4:54 and then Cory Henry appears at 5:46... small world...

[@RAGINxxXxxCAJUN]

OH HELL YEAH!!!

[@justinsmtih4509]

Other synth companies with more resources (Roland, Yamaha) should take note of what Smith, moog and oberheim does.

[@larsuk9578]

« I’m not gonna make a Prophet 5 again » « I’m not into reissues » .. 😊 never say never!

[@bencharlesb]

Cory Henry sighting at 5:47 haha

[@MarctheDarc]

Yet again DSI delivers! Though this poses a dilemma, as i'm a big fan of both hybrid designs such as the Prophet 12 / Pro-2, and proper discrete analogue designs such as this. Both analogue and digital each have their strengths and features that make them worthwhile. In this case though, despite the true bypass, i kinda wish they hadn't bothered with the digital effects, kept it simpler, _fully_ analogue, and cheaper. Even so this is looking to quite simply be one of the very coolest, most awesome, synths of all time! Usually i would describe DSI and Moog as different beasts, with different character and strengths. But this might just be beating Moog in their own camp, while retaining that DSI character. I am wildly impressed, and can't wait to try 1 out!

[@zaphod7029]

Saving now :D

[@midlander4]

Cory!

[@AvivC1]

get cory henry to demo it!!

[@nicostadi]

Coryyy Henryyyyy my maaan haha. But yeah... this synth is so drool worthy.

[@empirix]

wowsers

[@DJ_Melech]

WANT

[@CamelOnDirtBike]

lol did anyone else notice cory henry in the back at 7:38?

[@Digiphex]

Selling everything for P6. See eBay.

[@spaceman103]

I’m not so sure. It sounded damned convincing. Think your AK will be up for sale in the summer.

[@Digiphex]

spaceman Maybe sell something else and have both.

[@spaceman103]

In my case: Sell everything… $ 2800 and a weak €. We will see. Nice though they are building it.

[@Digiphex]

spaceman Vote down the Socialist VAT you can have cheap products on the free market.

[@boggisthecat]

VAT, like all sales taxes, is regressive -- hitting the poorest the worst. Not remotely "socialist". (Unless you mean socialism for the rich...) On topic: this has be the most convincing new analogue synthesizer I have heard. Kudos to Dave Smith.

[@xsquaredthemusician]

"fade to black"

[@karlumgeher9361]

lucky synthesizer world

[@Mark-ne7mh]

He's making a massive Prophet on this one and i'm not talking about the synth. £2250 is taking advantage.

[@neonether]

What silliness this comment is.

[@JackIredale1994]

@6:05 spit on lense :s

[@flowerpower111]

2800... :(

[@flowerpower111]

***** I guess not if it pays for this..

[@Amelloc]

Could have five octaves!!

[@X-101]

I WANT ONE.. o $2800 :(

[@vistacruiser70s]

Lets hear some solo trumpet, solo flute or some clav before we go gaga for it. All we are hearing is effects and pads.

[@Massproduce201]

Cory Smith