Prophet 12 - How Analog can it sound? - *Only P12 Effects Used*

[@Wrenchfist_Studios]

more than close enough. the best thing about the p12 is how well it seems to play with everything else. it sounds at home next to my digital gear or my analogue gear. really underrated synth. built like a tank. covers a lot of ground. p12 has a great filter imo. can rip pretty well down low and get up there to nearly cs80 levels of cutting. edit: i just realized you are the guy that made the obx8 bank I like so much. going to pick up your p12 set

[@scottmcauleysounds]

I couldn’t agree more. It’s an amazing synth, and its low end is staggeringly solid. It has been hugely overlooked by the vast majority, but those who own the P12, seldom want to let them go. And I’ve heard of so many folks wishing they had never sold theirs. Mine is a keeper that is for sure :) thanks for your comment, and enjoy the sounds! 🙏

[@RayyMusik]

0:40 The P12 doesn‘t have DCOs but 100% digital oscillators. Anyway, your pad is one of the most beautiful I‘ve ever heard.

[@scottmcauleysounds]

Thanks! Yes indeed it’s hybrid full digital front end into analog Curtis filters. But certainly sounds as warm as many other prophets :) Thanks for the kind words, glad you liked it 😊

[@oscarvanderburgh9915]

I love it so much

[@GoodSunsetMusic]

Truly incredible, Scott! Listening to this on repeat for pure pleasure.

[@scottmcauleysounds]

@@GoodSunsetMusic thanks!! 😊🙏

[@petrgabaj4958]

I have chance to get one of P12 LE - 100 units produced worldwide. Never knew P12 before and this video helped me with the decission. Thank you so much for the beautiful sound! ❤

[@scottmcauleysounds]

it's an amazing yet underestimated synth, it was one that seemed to just be overlooked by many. I love it, and Im sure you will too. :)

[@brianlespoir6287]

Back when it came out, I couldn't afford a P12, so I bought my Pro-2 and I love it. I can't say It sounds Digital, but it has the digital benefits with it's rare waveforms and the 2 filters are amazing, I especially love how you can route the oscillators and the filters. Honestly, I don't hear the Pro 2 or P12 have digital oscillators or do I care, it sounds analogue and rare and sounds nothing like the other Dave Smith Sequential synths. Maybe one day I still might buy a second hand P12.

[@alainthiry3965]

really great

[@scottmcauleysounds]

Thanks Alain 🙏😊

[@Roscapeaux]

I think the P12 is awesome. Sometimes people just have to broaden their conception of what a synth should sound like. But that´s also true about a lot of things. Not just sounds.

[@scottmcauleysounds]

@@Roscapeaux well said 👍😊

[@jeffevansmusic]

Totally. I have just discovered this synth recently and I must say it is rather incredible indeed. The amount of analogness you can get out of it is determined by the programer and the extent they are prepared to go to in order to make sounds like this. I will for one be lining up for a copy of your patches when they come out. You have done it proud. The thing is the vast amount of sound design potential beyond the analog only realm that is possible with this. Something none of the all analog Prophets can even imagine.

[@scottmcauleysounds]

Completely agree Jeff. It’s a lovely synth to program too. Really enjoying programming the P12 at the moment.

[@jeffevansmusic]

@@scottmcauleysounds Just got it too and its amazing. You have to appreciate in real life to get the full effect. Yes it sounds incredible. I am really looking forward to your bank coming out soon!! Editing patches on this is a dream come true. I have also got Omnisphere and its an amazing Omnisphere controller as well!!

[@AllureMusicLab]

Love your Video & my P12

[@scottmcauleysounds]

It’s a very under estimated synth. 😊

[@AllureMusicLab]

@@scottmcauleysoundsBut it will be rise in the Future ! Wait for your Soundbank 👍

[@Gmartin4049]

the only time it sounds digital to me is when sweeping filter and you get stepping but being a precise instrument I get that. It can step on other things as well but only if your tweeting knobs. when played beautifully like you are it sound super lush and dreamy. its a keeper. great work.

[@laurentius75]

If you sweep the filter via the Modwheel it doesn't "step".

[@cortical1]

If you sweep the filter with high resonance you will pick up discrete overtones of the waveform. This will sound like stepping, but it isn't actually stepping. It's just that a periodic waveform has specific overtones at the root frequency of the tone and multiples of that frequency. For example, a sawtooth wave at 440 Hz is made up of sine waves at 440 Hz, 880 Hz, 1320 Hz, 1760 Hz, etc. As you sweep the filter over this waveform you will get discrete tones at each of these frequencies but no tones in between these frequencies. It will sound like stepping. But this is not a function of the design of the filter or its control. It's a manifestation of a Fourier transform applied to a periodic waveform. The P12 can most certainly perform seamless filter sweeps without stepping. The digital control of the oscillators on old synths (like the MultiTrak) was low resolution enough that stepping was necessary then. These modern DCOs are much better and don't inherently step. It all depends on how you're modulating the filter.

[@cortical1]

@@laurentius75 That's right. Which proves that the P12 doesn't have to step if you know how to modulate the filter using the correct source (such as an amp or env).

[@thesoundzweddingpartyband9276]

Lovely.

[@scottmcauleysounds]

Thank you :)

[@GerenM63]

Damn! That thing's got bottom for days! Silky smooth, too. Nice!

[@scottmcauleysounds]

Its remarkable. I’ve owned it since it came out and it still surprises me. This patch doesn’t even use the sub oscillator. Still Warm n fat! :)

[@AA_MusicGuy1111]

Which patch bank is this in? which preset is it? (I bought all of your p12 stuff btw)

[@scottmcauleysounds]

@@AA_MusicGuy1111 hi there the patch is in Duodecima Vol.1 and called SM Glorious Pad

[@ZozillaThaGreat]

The real question is how fast and easy can it sound analog ;) (considering the desktop version , hence my question , versus a Rev 2 or even the Take 5 / Teo 5 that are not too big)

[@scottmcauleysounds]

The prophet 12 is one of the most if not the most straight forward of the sequential range to program. It is a deep synth with so much modulation capabilities. I prefer it to the rev2 and the take 5, but if the take 5 was a 12voice 61 note synth, my suspicion is that I would prefer the take 5 more. There is a reason the P12 was Dave’s favourite, it has been massively overlooked and under appreciated. It’s a beautiful synth. I can’t comment on the desktop, obviously there will be quite a bit more menu diving with that one. But sound wise, it’s stunning. With some serious low end too.

[@ZozillaThaGreat]

@@scottmcauleysounds Thks Scott , i appreciate the time and quikness of your answer .... exact , i do think Dave was ahaead of his time (should i say once again) and if this synth was relased now , it will crush a lot of contender , if added 2 fx slots and a multi mod filter ....bingo !! May i ask you some i struggle to find infos about : 1) Stack mode A/B , can we create a pacth A , and then copy past it to B to creat a binaural .? or can we edit both patches at the sale time ? 2) If i only use patche A (is there a way to do this) , is Patche A getting 12 voices or voices are lock 6 per patche ? 3) Delay : can it goes to chorus / doubler / fatner territory Number of voices i can deal with it , i just need a great all arounder capable of going analog claassic to crazy stuff ... i have a minilogue XD module witch is imho the most underatted piece of kit around , i want something to sit on my desk sweet spot because the Xd modulation and voices are indeeed limited and it will serve my mono analog need .... Is the filter on the P 12 analog ? and distortion (last one) ? sounds nothing digital in any ways , impressed

[@scottmcauleysounds]

@@ZozillaThaGreat 1) yes copying a to b is possible, and so is editing both at the same time. 2) Using one layer will give you 12 voices, using 2 layers will give you 6 each 3) yes delay can do chorus 4) P12 Filters - Curtis Analog 2- or 4- Pole will self oscillate in 4- Pole mode, also has analog HP Filter (resonant) per voice too. Yes it has distortion along with 5 other independent options in the Character section to further shape your sound - Decimate, Girth, Drive, Air & Hack

[@ZozillaThaGreat]

@@scottmcauleysounds Thks , is it safe to assume that the closer to this is the REv 2 in term of sound .?

[@scottmcauleysounds]

@@ZozillaThaGreat the REV is harsher, many people complain about the REV2 saws sounding brittle. The Prophet 12 is not so much like the REV2, it is warmer, and much lower in the bottom end, basses are huge. worth listening to my Duodecima vol.1 Videos, will gove you a good idea of how phat it can sound

[@Unison_Detune]

Digital oscillators into analog filters is the future of subtractive synthesis. Pure analog waveforms and filters are better represented by analog gear with no digital control. Be that something by Analogue Solutions or modular. There have been a few synths recently doing digital oscillator into analog filter but it has become impossible to ignore with the 3rd Wave. To a lesser extent the Pro 3, albeit on one oscillator, performs the same trick. Whilst the P12 might have been Dave’s favourite synth, his best kept secret was the Prophet 08. Rev-2 owners, listen and weep.

[@scottmcauleysounds]

Very well said. I do however still love the old vintage unstable analog sound too, but with the recent developments of vintage modelling as a parameter in the DCO type synths, it's a game changer. If you need a solid stable waveform you have it, if you want something that behaves like the VCO then it's available via a knob turn. it's not yet perfect but it is getting extremely close. it's only a matter of time. I do 100% agree with you on the DCO into Analog. So much more reliable. :)

[@boomtherehewas]

miss my p12

[@scottmcauleysounds]

It was my first ever sequential synth, and I still love it Eric.

[@boomtherehewas]

@@scottmcauleysounds was mine too, even upgarded for the white one...might buy one bac again...never know :]

[@scottmcauleysounds]

@@boomtherehewas it looks great in white! Been tempted myself :)

[@Gmartin4049]

same here, we also have a pro 3 and tempest. gagging for a 5 or 6 and also the latest. all amazing. @@scottmcauleysounds

[@scottmcauleysounds]

@@Gmartin4049 they are great, the 5/10 rev4 is amazing, yes mono, which put me off for a long time...but wow! it is one serious bit of kit even in mono, somehow it sounds wide! then double track in DAW and pan each take hard L/R and boom it's huge :D

[@sK3LeTvM1]

FYI: I play, collect and own many synths since the 70's. Many people talk about 'analog' or 'warm' sound, while they have no clue at all and talk complete bs. There simply is no thing like warm or analog sound. Scientific (blind test) experiments on university level (please do some research before you start talking bs) have long proven that people can not hear the difference between what is described as 'analog' or 'digital' sound. As an experienced sound designer, and educated music producer and professional musician, I can make any digital synth sound 'analog' or 'warm', and any analog synth sound stone cold. For whatever warm / cold should mean...People only tend to believe what they see, and if it's an analog synth, they are all ready biased!! It only feeds the myth. The whole discussion is based on wrong ideas and insights of so called 'connoisseurs' who had no education in this matter at all. The best thing they can do is keep their mouths shut... or if they should not agree, ask themself this question: 'Does a calibrated measuring device exist that measures 'warmth' or indicates 'analog' on a scale from 1-10??' NO! And it will never exist either... I've had it with people who claim to know all about it, while the only thing they do is talking blabla.

[@scottmcauleysounds]

I agree to a certain degree, but digital is far more difficult to make sound lush without drowning in effects or adding some sort of variant to the oscillators & envelopes. Digital is naturally stable and it’s instability that IMO adds what people perceive as “warmth” some of the most lush pads I’ve heard are from digital synths, but RAW sound in the Digital domain is seldom warm unless sampled from an analog unit. It’s all a matter of taste I think. And for lush sounds, analog filters are incredibly difficult to replicate digitally. It’s coming and will eventually be equal big at the moment analog filters win hands down. :)

[@scottmcauleysounds]

@@konradgiscours4214 very well put. it is hard / near impossible to explain what analog does, but it definitely does something. I was originally analog synths late 80s early nineties, then went more or less fully digital, outboard and "in the box" the convenience of in the box is great for recall etc, but that "feeling' that analog gives, had dissapeared from my studio. so, back I went to analog, and have never looked back. for me personally its not only the sound, it's the connection you have with an analog instrument, it just feels right :) - thanks for your insight :)

[@hostnik777]

LOL there is a huge difference between analog and digital with respect to "warmth". Yes, digital emulations of analog synths have come a long way, but that's only by progressively approximating the variations in sound in analog synths that come from variations in the physical world. Early digital emulations may have only gotten some of these - oscillator phasing, pitch drift etc. and over time added things like per-voice saturation in the VCA etc. Just listen to U-he or Cherry Audio to see how far we've come. But all of these characteristics collectively are what people mean when they say "warm", and there's a very obvious explanation - these characteristics tend to become more pronounced in the sound of an analog synth when it heats up (or changes again when it cools down)! So sure, emulations are really close or 99.9999% of the way there for all but a few edge cases in sound design. And of course digital sounds can be just as pleasing and interesting as analog. But to say that there is no sense to the term "warm" in reference to analog is just dumb af.

[@FrankHeuvelman]

Not analogue enough? Insert a discrete fuzz pedal at full drive.

[@scottmcauleysounds]

it certainly sounds plenty analog to me! and thats without DFP :)