Prophet 5 & 10 vs Oberheim OB-X8 🎛️ Shootout Comparison & Tutorial

[@evanglicanism]

Sometimes I think I'm crazy for wanting to spend $3K+ on a synth, but then I see how many other people like the Prophet and I feel a little relieved. One day it will be in my studio!

[@ToddUrban]

It’s only money 😜

[@BlackMan614]

It is awesome. Just make sure to get 10 voice.

[@hurricane6014]

This surprised me. I found the Prophet to be warmer and pleasing to the ears. It just sounded like it would fit into a mix and generate sounds conducive to contemporary music. Jmo. The display feedback seemed more user friendly with less confusing parameter control and the overall look is inviting to reach out and tweak a knob.

[@ToddUrban]

The Prophet does lend itself to warmer sounds more easily. You can do it on both. But as you also pointed out, the UI and layout of each is highly influential to the sounds you make.

[@torbenanschau6641]

What a great comparison. Been waiting for this quite some time.

[@ToddUrban]

Great! Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching! 📺

[@BassFunMusic]

The music here always brightens my day! Cordiali saluti e buona giornata! 💝

[@ToddUrban]

Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@thesrabbit]

Nice comparison! One synth has the best 24db filter ever and the other has the best 12db filter :) Your oscillator demo arp + glissando sounds like an old video game power up :D

[@ToddUrban]

Ha! I wish I could play like Button Masher! 😜 🎹

[@AnnexIptaru]

In a perfect world, I would simply acquire both. I currently have an OB-X8, which is good for just about anything and has a surprisingly robust set of modulation options, given the Page 2 additions and velocity/aftertouch features. I've also got a Prophet 6, with which I've made some astonishing unison sounds (I'm willing to bet that the Prophet 5 Rev. 4 can make these same sounds, but the OB-X8 can't). I have always thought of the Oberheims as better pad and lead machines, and thought of the Prophet 5 as better for percussive sounds, basses, and iridescent filter sweeps. What I've found, though, is that the OB-X8 makes some of the tightest, punchiest bass sounds I've ever heard. Again, I can't speak for the Prophet 5, but the Prophet 6 makes some ghostly, beautiful pads (especially given its high-pass filter). Ultimately, I still want the Prophet 5 Rev. 4 in all of its wooden glory. It clearly has a flavor when it comes to waveforms and filters that is distinct from anything you'll get on the Oberheim. It would have been interesting to see you test the extremes of the different envelope profiles on the two synths (OB-X8 has an OB-X/Xa and and OB-8 envelope option). But I appreciate the thoroughness of this comparison.

[@ToddUrban]

I agree with all you said above regarding these differences. Yes! At some point, I’d like to dive a little deeper into more differences, but didn’t want this to be a hour long video. Probably an OBX8 sound design video will be next. ;) Regarding the prophet 6 vs 5, there are lots of areas where you can create the same sounds. However, to me, the OB-6 and P-6 were more like standalone sound design synths that felt very DSI, while the P5 feels more like an “instrument” that you perform in the way you would approach an organ, piano, or Rhodes. It is its own thing. (Not sure if that makes sense, but it does in my head….)

[@AnnexIptaru]

@@ToddUrban Yeah, that distinction makes sense. One of the things people say about the Prophet 6 is that its VCOs are extremely "stiff" and almost DCO-esque in comparison with the VCOs on the Prophet 5 Rev. 4. I also agree that the P6 is more of a sound design piece that can do all of the bread & butter polysynth sounds when it wants to, whereas the P5 has a very limited and cohesive set of timbres that make it a "Prophet" as such and give it a special signature as an instrument. That said, I think the P6 is highly underrated. I've recently made sounds on it that rival what I can do on the OB-X8. One of the interesting things I've noticed is that, if you program a unison patch with the "vintage" knob turned up to one of the higher settings, the differential in envelope speed creates this incredible cascading effect. The vintage knob on the OB-X8, as you know, is very subtle and only slightly tints the sound of a patch. On the P6, it might as well be a unique modulation source. I don't know how extreme it gets on the P5, but that would be worth investigating.

[@toddurbanmusic]

@@AnnexIptaru The vintage knob on the P5 gets to be a little much. It is almost unusable at the Rev 2 or 1 settings. But check out my series on the Prophet. You will be able to hear a lot more than I can put in words. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJ26dnmji9Wag9k

[@shawnsaul7759]

Hey, whats your thoughts on P10 vs OB-X8 for pads? Want to get one, but I’ve been wondering, which of the two would complement my profit six? Or should I sell the profit six to maybe look into getting both the profit 10 and OBx8?

[@ToddUrban]

@@shawnsaul7759 so…..the P6 and OB6 feel more like a DSI synth than the original vintage hardware. The P6 can sound like the P5, but the workflow is very different in my opinion. If you are keeping the P6, the OB-X8 will be completely different. The stereo out also makes it great for pads that need to be to the side. That being said, the P5 is amazing for pads, but since you have a P6, I’d say go for something that fills a completely different sound. Hope that helps! 😃

[@joxer96]

Great vid, thanks for the comparison! I have an OB-X8 and was very close to pulling the trigger on a Prophet 10, but I’ve recently been watching 3rd Wave demos. Now I’m starting to have second thoughts about the Prophet since the OB covers a lot of the same ground quite well. For the sync demo using S&H on the OB, oscillator 2 needed to be pitched higher in order to get the full sync effect.

[@ToddUrban]

Wow. Yeah, that’s a totally different beast. I’d love a 3rd Wave. But my person opinion is that the workflow of the Prophet is so iconic that I would want to have it to work with the OB. But I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them! You will find that while there are some areas that you can make similar or even the same sounds, the workflow completely changes how you play and adjust sounds in real time.

[@joxer96]

@@ToddUrban That’s a really good point, one I have to admit I hadn’t given as much thought as I should. The Prophet’s layout is perfect in my opinion, the synth really is a masterpiece. I liken it to a Strat, a classic. And like you said, iconic! Ooof, lots to think about as I probably won’t be making another large purchase like this for a while. Thanks for the reply!

[@paulmapp8306]

@@ToddUrban I have the Prophet 6 and OB6 (desktops) and am considering letting BOTH go and picking up EITHER the OBx8 or Prophet 10 (again in desktop) plsu a dedicated FX unit (H90 most likely). I cant decide which way to go..... I GENERALLY prefer the sound of the P6 to the OB6.. BUT I have a 3rd Wave too, and that gets closer to the Prophet sound than it does to the OB so ???????

[@ToddUrban]

@@paulmapp8306 well, I had the OB6 and P6. My opinion is that the OBX8 and P10 have a vibe that inspires me to be creative. (Especially with the attached Keybed) you can get all of them to sound similar, but it’s really about the workflow and inspiration for me. As for FX, the H90 is a beast. I don’t have it, but have been around it. I use a Plethora, which is ok, but gets me the basic delays, mod, and reverbs I need. An H90 is definitely on my bucket list.

[@paulmapp8306]

@@ToddUrban Im a guitarist primarily - and do have a Fractal AxeFX, which I use for outboard FX with my synths at times BUTI do tend to bake FX into my patches - and not having them in the PO5/10 and OBx8 is a PITA.... i need to sync the units so patch changin on one - also changes the other. I think the H90 is the best fit here as the OBx8 (at least,m not sure on the P5/10) outputs bank changes when you change banks, and patch changes when you change patches... m,ost FX units need BOTH in a single message to correctly select patches. The H90 doesnt have that - it has set lists of 100 - so If you remember to change "set list" when you "bank change" on the synth it should stay in sync fairly well

[@BiggerFeat]

Lovely stuff Todd! Interesting how similar, and how different, they are! /George

[@ToddUrban]

Definitely! Thanks for watching George. :)

[@gbkny1]

From what i can tell although it takes longer to achieve, you can create better sounds with the OB-X8. The Prophet 5 seems quicker to create some nice sounds. These as well as the minimoog model d are gems. They are very unique in their own right and just cannot be compared..

[@ToddUrban]

Absolutely. The Model D set a standard for future synths.

[@robert_starling]

Hey Todd! I survived and am alive! Will get back on your calendar soon!

[@ToddUrban]

Awesome! Glad to see you back in the recording/mixing scene! Catch you soon.

[@jamiepastman5594]

i have an OB-6. While I like it, to my ears the oscillators sound paper thin on bright sounds with the filter wide open. The Prophet is surprisingly warmer

[@ToddUrban]

The OB-6 is very different than the OBX8, though both are super awesome. The OB-6 feels more like a Dave Smith Instruments product with a different type of versatility. With this in mind, also consider that the filter happens to have a HUGE part on that paper thin quality that you can get. This is a massive area that the Prophet starts to sound incredibly different. Anyway, keep the OB-6. :) It is awesome.

[@dannyanalog4423]

I'm pride to be a P5 owner but i still want to have a oberheim, the last geardream to complete my synthcollection

[@ToddUrban]

It’s a terrible addiction. 😜

[@GamoOnTheBeat]

debating what to pull the trigger on my first poly analog, and I am still torn after watching this amazing video lol I lean towards the simplicity of the P5 but wonder if I should just hunker down for that wonderful oberheim color. Anything else to help me go either direction would be greatly appreciated lol Cheers from AZ!

[@ToddUrban]

Well, workflow for me is a big thing. If it is to you, Prophet is the way to go. But if you want that OB sound and something a little more wide, stereo, and maybe modern, that might be the better one

[@AlainHubert]

10:00 right there is the main difference in tone between the two machines. The Prophet is sort of brash, whereas the Oberheim is sweet. My choice is Oberheim.

[@ToddUrban]

I love both, but the OB can create massive sounds and that is before any effects are applied! Thanks for the comment.

[@xntricity6446]

I have watched your tutorials for the P5 and absolutely perfect. I do have a dilemma, I can afford 1 polysynth and my choice is either a Behringer Ub-Xa or Prophet 5 of which I have lusted for many years. I have a Novation Summit and I cover a vast variety of music. If you have had to choose.... Would it be the P5 😊

[@ToddUrban]

Well, I’m not one of these anti Behringer people. I use their products and feel like they have their place. But there is a difference with the original units, and when you get to that price level, why not go for the real deal? The P5 cannot be beat. It’s a classic.

[@xntricity6446]

@@ToddUrban greatly appreciate your reply, even tho the specifications for the UB-XA look great I think the P5 will be a true rewarding gem. Thanks for helping with my decision making.

[@Jack655321]

Or wait for the Behringer Pro 16, a 16 voice clone of the Prophet 5/10 It should be in the final stages of production.

[@xntricity6446]

​@@Jack655321hey, I see the pro 16 is in beta testing which is great news. I opted for a P5 keyboard and ain't looking back, I may upgrade to 10 someday but not essential right now.

[@subfifth]

Both. The answer is both.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Great review and comparison! I have the OB X8 and wondering is the Prophet 10 worth getting since I have the Oberheim ?

[@ToddUrban]

Absolutely. More than “the sound”, the workflow and inspiration from the boards is completely different. So for me, I have days where I just only want to use one or the other. Of course they are both expensive. But they are also both legends.

[@MadelnMachines]

The OBX8 Xmod is either on or off isn't it but the Prophet you can set an amount.

[@ToddUrban]

So…… this is a big one! X-mod uses the sawtooth wave of OSC 2 and you do not have control of that amount. However, you do have control over the amount of OSC 2’s Triangle wave in the Page 2 settings. Turning this up increase the triangle x-mod amount, but is independent from the sawtooth x-mod. (Hope that makes sense 😃)

[@MadelnMachines]

@@ToddUrban So you can have triangle xmod on it's own with level control and no OSC 2 xmod if you wanted?

[@ToddUrban]

@@MadelnMachines well, no. Actually it is combining the OSC 2 sawtooth with the triangle, but you have control over the triangle amount, but not the sawtooth amount. In most cases, I’ll turn off OSC 2 in the mixer and modulate the pitch of OSC 2 so that you get the X-mod as a modulated effect on OSC1. Honestly, it’s one of those parameters, that I’ve never been completely confident in. You can get some nice metallic and percussive sounds. However, it always feels a bit experimental to me. I’m never completely sure what is going to come out sonically.

[@onathanj]

In terms of sound the Ob-x8 is so superior.

[@ToddUrban]

Yep. They are similar in some ways, and totally different in others. The OB is definitely more versatile and extensive.

[@pinocarella_00]

io preferisco il prophet 10

[@ToddUrban]

😎🎹 💥

[@zap7759]

This but with big digital polys might be a little more interesting 🙂

[@ToddUrban]

I would love to! Just need to get my hands on them. 😉

[@jameslast3192]

The differences that you call pointless are exactly the things we want to hear. Ridiculous.

[@ToddUrban]

Well I think my point is that we cannot compare them since these synths don’t both offer these features and therefore cannot be compared. This is why I selected to compare characteristics where you can see where there are similarities and differences.

[@chizmo7]

I had a 1983 Prophet-5 that I sold because it was unreliable. And it had a mono output and glide was only available in mono mode. The Pratt Read keyboard was horrible and the gold-plated J-wires kept breaking. Only five voice polyphony. I ended up with an OB8 which is the best poly analog synth ever made IMO. And now I have the OBX8 and it is also amazing. I'm sure the new Prophets are better but I much prefer the Oberheim gear. By far.

[@ToddUrban]

The stability is much better with the rev4. But having it alongside the OB is the perfect pair!