OB-6 vs. Prophet-6 (Pads) // PATCH MATCH™ (No Talking)

It's an all-new episode of PATCH MATCH FROM SCRATCH™, once again featuring the incredible OB-6 and Prophet-6 analog synthesizers from Dave Smith Instruments.
These two are some of the most comparable synths on the market today, especially considering they are both built off of the same platform, with almost identical feature sets. That's not to say they sound the same at all, though: there are some pretty distinguishing characteristics and features that really set them apart.
We'll try to match 'em up as best we can, and then if you're hanging around we'll explore some of the differences.
Check it out, and let me know what you think.

[@jamesmeeker6933]

Thanks for comparing the two! I've always considered the OB-X or OB-Xa and Prophet 5 to be the perfect combination, and owned a Xa and P5 for years. I replaced my P5 with the P6 and will replace the Xa with the OB6. Contrary to popular opinion, vintage lives on in these modern masterpieces.

[@vladimirussachevsky1315]

Ob6 is open and clear P6 smooth and warm... Both definitely both!

[@m10538]

Of course there's no absolute judgement possible with this kind of comparison. It's all just personal taste. If anybody's keeping score, put me in the Prophet camp. The Prophet sounds "warmer" to me, more "feeling".

[@MRTUNA]

You're totally right my friend!

[@nickyates9820]

Showing the difference in pads from this demo is one of the better demonstrations of the difference in character of these two boards IMO. The differences certainly aren't limited to this, but this gives a great picture! Great job!

[@kinderobi]

OB-6 sounds way more alive and physical to my ears

[@Initial_Gain]

I choose the OB6 between the two. That's why I bought the module and don't regret it.

[@nym053]

I must say that from all the demos I've heard of these 2 I prefer the Prophet 6's overall tone. It just sits with me better emotionally. Softer and more easygoing. I find the ob-6 sounding more messy and noisy with all its harmonics all over the place when modulating, which makes me more tired in my head. It has that great filter though and with the notch on pads it can sound sort of lush :)

[@henrikgerlach4765]

That's exactly what I thought

[@kiko1935]

Did you do the P5 vintage knob update on either of these? I did it for the Prophet & it makes unison basses insanely phat

[@lifesynthtance]

Totally digging them both. OB6 came first for me, Prophet will undoubtedly follow! They are just both simply awesome. Thanks for the comparison Mr Tuna ! Nice one.

[@TayTayMakesBeats]

The Obie can get super ethereal but the warmth of the Prophet has sold me on it... When I have the money I'm gonna cop the desktop, that is if I don't get into eurorack first!

[@TheMirolab]

I went through this agony about a year ago... and bought the P6.... No regrets at all, but there's simply some dark magic in the OB6 that the P6 won't do. I think it's been said before, the P6 is more versatile and maybe more cheerful sounding, whereas the OB has a dark brooding side. I loved them both when I demoed them, and went with the P6 because I felt it was more versatile overall.... and has dual filters, so I can do thin waspy sounds that don't compete with the bass. Great feeling keyboard too!! (for both)

[@CDinkle]

I feel that with the attack click, it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

[@MRTUNA]

Cory D 100% ageee

[@jean-pierrejoubert6140]

The Prophet sounds good, and will be great for making a bed for other stuff/sit well in a mix, but holy crap, that OB-6 sounds ah-may-zing!

[@MRTUNA]

Jean-Pierre Joubert agreeeeeeeed!

[@M3333C]

Ive heard the ob6 sits better in a mix due to the prophets mid range character

[@MrLawrence0071]

Oh fuck why do I have to be such a damn gear slut... I need both.. after a Rev2 and a Novation Summit... I'm never gonna be rich like this :-O

[@NBSStudioMusic]

The P6 almost sounds like there is noise gen mixed with the OSC.... :/ I wish it was less harsh... I prefer the filtered sounds of the P6, but when the filter opens up the OB6 shines better to my ears..

[@alexanderwatt7047]

As an orchestra the OB-6, as a compliment to the band, the P-6. Great demonstration of how small tweaks can get a fantastic range of sound from these instruments. Inspiring.

[@MRTUNA]

Had to repost this vid 3 times due to upload errors so hopefully this one works!

[@MRTUNA]

If I watch the video any more, I'll just see more things wrong with it and have to re-upload again. It should be noted that I am using the Roland MX-1 for recording at 96kHz, but its something of a noisy little bugger so some of that bleeds into the sound 🤷‍♀️

[@MySynthDungeon]

Excellent sound ,,good job ..!! Big Digs! ...Right to the Right Frequencies ..I hear a song here ,,Cheers!

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

Wondered why they kept on disappearing.

[@MySynthDungeon]

I need the OB 6... in my Set -up ..!!! ..Wow!! Full Body,wet,sound,full solid ....What a great match !!! i'll be right over!! ;_)!!!!

[@MRTUNA]

Luke Kage It was super frustrating

[@jasonmcgary]

This video just lets me know I need the ob6 to finish the sound of my prophet 6

[@bonafontciel]

I already have the 12 and the P6.... don’t make me buy the OB6 please I’m begging

[@MRTUNA]

Francisco X is it cruel to say the OB6 is pure untamed magic? :(

[@bonafontciel]

@@MRTUNA :S it is indeed! I close my eyes and I hear an OB Expander this is why I want it ! Maybe next summer

[@peterkenney9158]

I do like the sound of both but the OB-6 is the one that’s literally giving me shivers down my spine and has made me audibly moan the most!

[@nym053]

Sample that moan! ;)

[@davidc510]

Prophet 6 = Wife. OB 6 = Side Chick. Love both equally. Just in different ways.

[@MRTUNA]

I always said if I had to have just one synth it would probably be the P6.... but if I had my whole studio and someone made me choose between P6 and OB6, I think it would be the OB just for its unique, irreplaceable sound.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

@@MRTUNA Well put!!

[@lawrencevaughan5373]

The P6 sounds beautiful no doubt, but when I hear it - I can’t distinguish it from any other prophet synths. The OB-6 though, that’s in a league of its own. Nothing like it. It sounds like you are hurtling through space, toward a distant nebula. It’s special that’s for sure.

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

man, i think the P^ is pretty clearly better sounding then the other prophets, as far as raw sonic character goes

[@toddthomas4761]

I'm with you - OB6 and its not even close... just DYNAMIC and other worldly...

[@RayyMusik]

I don‘t object to the P6‘ click with 0 amp attack. Normally, I don‘t use 0 on any synth. But for synth organ patches the click is fantastic!

[@nikola.kovacevic]

0:55 It's so strange, Sequential must've revised the voice cards in the Prophet 6. My P6 with init patch is significantly darker than my OB6, filters fully open on both,

[@FM-kl7oc]

In the Prophet-6 thread on Gearspace forums someone said they had both a very early and a much later model Prophet-6, and that the sound must have changed over time because they do sound different. There's probably been revisions to the Prophet-6 because of part shortage during and after covid.

[@nikola.kovacevic]

I think I have an older version ​@@FM-kl7oc

[@klinkske]

God i enjoyed this

[@culturedslob]

Totally amazing. Can I plz have both

[@Revelator2025]

You may.

[@SynthientSound]

I really enjoyed this video. I have an OB-6 (and Moog One), but would also love to have a Prophet 6 some day. Thanks for doing this comparison.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Which do you like better the OB6 or the Moog One and why?

[@SynthientSound]

@@GuitarsAndSynths Both sound great. OB-6 is a bit of a one trick pony whose trick is amazing. Moog One is harder to dial in but sounds just as good...but can do about a million thing more. Moog One though is still my personal favorite synth. You can make incredible music with an OB-6, Prophet, or Moog One. :) Were you debating between the two?

[@Fishoilification]

OB6 sounds more 80s Bladerunner esque and the Prophet sounds more usable in real songs imo

[@owenaitken4754]

I think they can both pull of the blade runner sound imo

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I’d get OB6 for soundtrack work and an Access Virus for music song production

[@davidcole1362]

Brilliant video mate, now I really need the OB6 to compliment my P6. I think both is the answer😀

[@gerardsyd8320]

Arrêtez de faire des comparaisons ...

[@djencode]

Your best video yet!

[@MRTUNA]

djencode thanks man! I’m gonna try to do more of these

[@harveyspecter1653]

The effects, are those the synths themselves? Or is it an external one, Sounds bloody great!

[@MRTUNA]

Just the synths for this one!

[@MySynthDungeon]

Well Said!! Cheers!! ;-)!!!

[@MySynthDungeon]

Digs!!

[@MRTUNA]

I just watched my other "Patch Match" video featuring the OB and the Prophet-6, and I think I might have done that one a little better. This one has better sound quality and is a little more polished, but my older vid has a little less blank space in between. It follows the transition of the sounds a little bit better. That being said, I'm mostly just rambling... Thanks for watching!

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

It's all interesting. Thank you

[@deepteral1767]

Gorgeous mate!

[@gunjabeans]

They Both Sound Ridiculous.

[@thejester3112]

got a p6 just waiting for behringers ob

[@MRTUNA]

The behringer OB looks super super sweet but the real appeal of the OB-6 is the SEM based filters that it uses... thats a big distinguishing aspect of its sound and the classic oberheim sound of the tvps and the OB-X (not the OB-Xa) that I love so much. I will probably get that behringer though because the OB-Xa has an awesome sound all of its own too

[@toddthomas4761]

What's this about a Behringer OB? Is that real??

[@RayyMusik]

Are you still waiting? I was fed up with it and have an OB-6 now. Good decision albeit too late.

[@Rhuggins]

Whats synths are like p6 rn? Analog vco polysynth?

[@MRTUNA]

Moog One, Korg prologue, ob6, that's all I can think of right now.

[@davecjd]

Modal 008, Prophet 5 and 10. Studio Electronics Omega 8 & Code 8.

[@patchstein810]

Both

[@VMGIN]

P6 is more like the main coarse and the OB6 seems like the desert with lots of icing.

[@nym053]

Sometimes with a bit to much whipped cream on top ;)