Prophet~5 Tutorial: Radiohead, Aphex Twin, Japan

I had an opportunity to borrow a vintage Prophet~5 rev3.2 for a short while and, as I've done lots of videos on the Prophet, I thought I'd take the opportunity to create a tutorial showing three of my favourite uses of this classic synth.
0:00 Intro
0:53 Everything In Its Right Place Demo
1:21 Everything In Its Right Place Breakdown
3:21 Rhubarb Demo
3:53 Rhubarb Breakdown
6:39 Ghosts Demo
7:13 Ghosts Breakdown
9:15 Summary
10:05 Outro Jam
Note: Admittedly I'm busking the parts a bit as the video was more about the sounds, so excuse any not-quite-right chords etc.
The principals showns in the video will all work with a Prophet~5/10 rev4 reissue or a plug-in such as Repro-5 or the Arturia Prophet~V. They are also applicable to other synths that can replicate the architecture of a Prophet~5 (many synths can).

[@thebreakfastmenu]

That Everything in its Right Place could have been the actual recording. That was so spot on

[@marczynsky]

The sound is perfect, but the notes on third chord seem incorrect.

[@nonideal]

It's just two notes on the right hand rather than the three he played I believe@@marczynsky

[@toaster3082]

@@nonideal And he added fifths in the left hand

[@RhymesWithCarbon]

Exactly. That's the sound. That's it. I've watched so many covers and it's real close but it's not..... it

[@MrJdT65]

It really made me stop in my tracks, what a sound!

[@Hainbach]

Goosebumps when you played Everything in its right place, even after having been through the Reddit memes.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Someone else was just telling me about that. I'm not on reddit so this is a total coincidence, but quite a funny one. 🙂

[@teddyn3051]

same, hainbach. beyond all the memes it still is an absolutely magical melody. and played on a prophet... it’s otherworldly

[@thb-music]

@@AlexBallMusic "I'm not on reddit" - That's.... probably for the best.

[@popefrancis1629]

Whats the meme?

[@tweer64]

@@thb-music Why?

[@adambutler2465]

Those Rhubarb chords are heart wrenching

[@natura808]

Reminder about eternal and finite and beauty of both… just my personal interpretation.

[@tomfenn7149]

Japan must be one of the most underrated 'pop' bands of the 1980's. 'Gentlemen take Polaroids' is a timeless recording. I still listen to it and love it today as much as I did when it completely ripped my head off all those years back. Utter genius, and so pleased you mentioned them too!

[@HanHuman]

The Prophet 5 has a rumble in the bass that is unmatched. This thing is alive.

[@theboofin]

An Oberheim has more bass though.

[@HanHuman]

@@theboofin Possibly.

[@Richcanvas]

As a guitarist I still find this so interesting and educational. Brilliant.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. I'm a guitarist too really, just poke around on the keyboard.

[@FreshPrinceOfEnid]

Thrilled you included Japan along the usual suspects, was hoping you'd find a YMO/Sakamoto track to throw in as well!

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Right on synth brother! I always found it surprising that YMO only used American synths in their early days. Ryuchi Sakamoto played the Prophet and a Polymoog on the early concert recordings, alongside an Arp Odyssey. There was also an Oberheim 4 voice in the line up, played by Akiko Yano. Bass was another Arp Odyssey.

[@AlexBallMusic]

I've got a video coming on the esoteric Roland MC-4 that YMO used, so that will drift into their world a bit.

[@radimkeller4937]

Rt

[@slayerfiend]

@@AlexBallMusic YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kingjellybeans7823]

Japan great Stuff Man!

[@toddbernstein3407]

I wouldn't be surprised if it's also used by Boards Of Canada. The Prophet had that warmth that's a part of their sound.

[@neolojism]

BOC claim they didn’t have access to expensive synths and most consensus supports they used a Korg Poly 61.

[@Lobster1496]

BoC were prominently using Yamaha CS-70M and CS-80 + Akai Samplers. And of course an orange, yeah that´s right.

[@Davestitch]

@@Lobster1496 Having trawled thru thousands of sysex banks for the dx7, I was surprised how many analog sounding BoC pads can come from 80s FM

[@Jez4prez1]

@@Lobster1496 SH-101. That is in so much of their music. I would argue perhaps their most used synth. Not just their mono / leads also. You can put 101 in sampler also, or even just use hold function too, to make drone / ambient style pads with it. Try this with a 101, hold, sample and reverse, time-stretch / pitch etc, and you can very easily get warbled pads / drones / leads. There is potential evidence they had CS-70M (based on that being said in a generic Warp write-up when selling album), but zero evidence they ever had a CS-80. Zero evidence they had a Korg Poly 61 too. I wouldn't be surprised if they sampled many/most synths btw. A crapload of Samplers, a guitar+bass, drum kit, SH-101, some crappy digital synths for pads, and lots of multi-tracking, tape, pedals, and other FX/outboard can generate 99% of BoC sounds. And like I said, of all their gear, the most obvious is SH-101.

[@splintercast8092]

@@neolojism It's known that they use the Yamaha CS70M which sell for twice what P5's sell for.

[@piperfox74]

Rhubarb is one of my favorite Aphex Twin tunes. Gorgeous.

[@AlexBallMusic]

I love that the comments section on the KZbin upload of it is total existentialism. Brings out something in people. Wonderful piece of music.

[@jasongravely7217]

It never gets old.

[@lancepage1914]

That gave me goosebumps straight away when played Rhubarb. Richard D. James is the man, and so are you Mr. Ball. Thanks for the video.

[@MPHORROCKS]

Ryuichi Sakamoto created all the backing to Japan's 'Taking Islands in Africa' on just a Prophet 5. Steven Jansen, Japan's amazing drummer, said he felt it actually wasn't a Japan track, pre se, as the group didn't really write it or play much (if at all) on it. But, it certainly drove them to the synth programming heights they achieved on 'Tin Drum'.

[@smokey5100]

The Prophet 5/10 is such a masterpiece of a synth. I love it!! Dave blessed the planet with this one...

[@joelk.3917]

Yes! Finally someone referring to Japan 🖤❤ Love the video mate!!

[@AlexBallMusic]

🇯🇵

[@bowieleijte-officialchanne8387]

Finally, someone who is kinda popular I guess and a good keyboardist on KZbin that actually knows japan in the right way.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. Who doesn't love a spot of Japan?

[@DonQuiSjot]

OMG I can't describe it, but this vintage synth just gives me the chills...

[@DonQuiSjot]

so much different then new versions

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@DonQuiSjot A few of us have now done forensic comparisons with two different rev3s and two rev4s. The rev4s are every bit as good. They really sound so close to the vintage counterparts.

[@ChristopherByrumHarris]

Just because I am a nerd for figuring stuff out. I feel like Radiohead used a different synth with stereo outs because you can also hear key tracking in it. There is a live video of Thom playing this song live on a Prophet 08. He definitely has the filter opened up a big and a shorter release but the stereo image is damn near spot on with the studio version. (edit: after a proper deep dive. Nigel Godrich actually captured Thom's midi performance of the opening and piped that into his midi modified Prophet 5 for Thom to tweak settings in real time of his performance. Nigel also tracked Thom playing the opening twice with both performances being slightly different which is why I think I'm hearing key tracking.)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks for looking into it! That's great.

[@topofthemornintoya]

Probably half the P5 recordings ever are probably double tracked. Nothing beats it :)

[@titovalasques]

@@topofthemornintoya Seeing that it’s done with guitars and vocals all the time why not prophet-5’s.

[@davewozere2k9]

They seem to use the 08 for live performances now. I guess they stuck with it after using it for king of limbs staircase.

[@zachneagle4864]

Double possibly triple tracked and then panned for stereo

[@adaptedvinyl]

This sort of analysis of the synth programming behind well-loved music is like gold dust. Thanks for putting this together. Your best video yet!

[@cd78]

amen

[@billyruss]

Three of my all-time fave tracks. Beautiful sounds, nicely played 🙂

[@h2o1969]

I love Everything and Rub. Masterful reproduction on the sounds. Especially Everything. I still get chills from that song.

[@jeffjfindley4802]

Apart from being a great Prophet demo, this is also one of the more useful tutorials I've seen on basic synthesis. Well done as per usual!

[@Digiphex]

The ghosts of my life . . . grow wilder . . . than before.

[@AlexBallMusic]

👻

[@heydon9601]

Please do more videos like this, it's really wonderful to hear such patches be thoroughly explained where whether or not you have a Prophet 5, you can still take those principles and apply them to your own synth patches.

[@countorringtonludlow5211]

So glad you included Japan! Prophet 5 is a beast!

[@wilderbeast96]

Wonderful stuff, Alex. I love all the Aphex and Japan stuff you covered. My budgies are freaking out over your ending jam!

[@Kloppsserialbottlers]

Very nice! I still get goosebumps when I hear 'Everything in its right place' begin. One of the coolest riffs of all time, without question.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I’m just watching the intro, and I’m already excited! The Prophet 5 is possibly the most influential synth of all time. Wonderful piece of kit.

[@kerzwhile]

What a wonderful flood of memories of the HOURS I'd spend learning my 1st synth, the Six-Trak, just listening to you diddle about on the Prophet! Thank you! 😀

[@brazni]

Such great songs to demo such a great synth. Lovely walkthrough of the setup to get those textures

[@patrickfoster3118]

That everything in its right place tone is spot on

[@kevinsturges6957]

Your musical piece at the end is brilliant. It gives me that feeling.

[@_alexxon]

Your musical taste are insane!!! And also the demonstration, it’s really enjoyable watching your video. I got a Take5 yesterday as my first sequential synth, and I just love it. Can’t imagine how good Prophet 10 would be.

[@DavidLee07]

Great ending track, Alex. Also, thanks for reminding me I need to make that Japan koto-ish patch on my Prophet 600, which I've now done following your lead. Excellent!

[@KieronEdwards]

Great video - really appreciate the research you've done into Ghosts - it's so rare to find anyone referencing their work these days.

[@needfortweed8734]

I appreciate how you explained how you made the sounds that you made, and of course, the outro jam was (as usual) wonderful...

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. A fun lesson for me too, shows the importance of simplicity at times.

[@clubpresident]

Such a fantastic and diverse synth. It reminds me of Junos and their way of fitting into a track in just the way that you need without being obnoxious. Great video!

[@jimmoore6514]

This is so good. Great video and great playing!

[@sibbyeskie]

WOW. Love that tone for Everything in its Right Place. Spot on!

[@XavierRadix]

Tin Drum! What a masterpiece of an album that is... The sounds are really spot on, too!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Indeed it is. I someone who named their company after it. :)

[@XavierRadix]

@@AlexBallMusic Brilliant!

[@craig7810]

Wow, you've just blown my mind. I always thought that everything in its right place was played on a Rhodes. I didn't know that such tones was achieveable on the Prophet

[@enparticular]

it sounds rode-ish because they are played in a piano-like way. it's obvious it's a synth in the end part of the song, where they open the cutoff of the filter and sounds super synth-ish.

[@jlindborg1105]

Nice one! I was just waiting for the rhythm guitar and a final blast off grooving.😄 Right up my alley!

[@GrumpyTim]

As soon as I saw the title pop up on my phone I thought "Ghosts" (and I hadn't even read the title beyond the "Prophet-5" bit). I've always loved the look of the Prophet-5, it's the perfect image of a vintage synth. Bizarrely I'd always assumed the whole synth sound on Ghosts was from the Prophet-5. I still love it to bits and I'd really like one of those sitting on my desk.......

[@AlexBallMusic]

The full story. www.soundonsound.com/techniques/classic-tracks-japan-ghosts?amp

[@GrumpyTim]

@@AlexBallMusic Wow, fantastic article, cheers Alex

[@BILLYPATRON]

I've been looking for almost this exact video so I appreciate it.

[@greatheightsu]

These are my favourite videos, so awesome watching you play.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Good to know! Cheers.

[@paul6925]

One of my favourite sounding synths. Filter sounds so nice

[@oldvoltage388]

We're so lucky to have you, Alex. Enlightening as always!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you. 🙂

[@retro-dademusic6403]

Kid A was a masterpiece. Always loved that beginning. Great work Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yep, gotta love an imaginative band being successful enough to keep working. Often it doesn't happen.

[@monsterjazzlicks]

What an amazing sound! I am astonished!

[@espacomultiplo]

Incredible synth, sounds and play!!!

[@SamSung-jv3dg]

You've done some fantastic videos on the history of electronic music and the evolution of the hardware. EIIRP and Ghosts are two of my all time favourite tracks, great to see the keyboard parts recreated, thank you. Good to see Japan getting an airing too, they still have a dedicated fan base but are usually forgotten in the music media, I've never understood why.

[@elijahryder313]

subbed, inspiring and makes me excited to grow into this realm more.

[@andrefelixstudio2833]

It’s amazing what you can get with a cup of tea excellent nicely done!

[@rxgueplanet]

Glad it came in for a cup of tea 🧐🔥

[@AlexBallMusic]

Me too. It drinks Earl Grey.

[@ArvidOlson]

I love how when your talking with your hands, even when off-screen, you can see the shadow so you still have that presence.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Nice to know. Thanks!

[@kgbinfo]

When I was a kid and just getting into vintage keyboards and Radiohead was becoming my favorite band, I always thought that sound in Everything in its Right Place was done on a Rhodes. Of course that doesn’t make much sense, what with the gradually opening filter over the course of the song, but that really is a testament to how lively and organic the Prophet sounds. Great video Alex!

[@akkudakkupl]

This is getting sequentially better and better. You have prophetic skills with those keys.

[@dirkremmington]

Thread over...time to go home..LOL

[@seanthadondontcom]

5/10

[@ManCalledMif]

Love everything in its right place. Even better heating the isolated synth part 🙌🏼

[@SpikesStudio3]

So, every time i hear radiohead, i weep. And everytime i hear aphex ambient, i weep. And everytime i hear sylvians wonderment, ah shit, yeah, im too emotional. I get it. Couldnt have picked a better three for me personally. Thanks alex. I own a p6, so am happy with that. Close enough.

[@paulcharlesworth9114]

Another great video, Alex. Thanks. Tin Drum for me next. All about the arrangement, indeed. With planning and intention, more musical than chucking it all in and hoping to control it in the mix, as you stressed before. Everything in its right place. See what you did there, sir!

[@glennringer5475]

Tremendous!! "more Prophets than the Bible!" LOL. Superb!

[@AlexBallMusic]

It's been spiritual.

[@alexandermccarthy]

A more perfect triplet I couldn't imagine. You've outdone yourself again, Alex!

[@Andybaby]

the outro jam ROCKED!!!

[@rockstarjazzcat]

Always a treat, your channel. Thanks, Daniel

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Daniel.

[@NeonShadowsx]

Japan is one of my favourite bands! Awesome breakdown!

[@tonywilbanks3541]

Very Cool! Would love to see you take on and present all of the classic sounds in the songs of the 80's.....this and the Juno 6 shaped the era!

[@ReadAndReturn]

Love the crunchy bell sounds that the Prophet's can make. Those tones are probably my favorite sounds to make via my Rev2.

[@henryaposto3550]

You have the best synth demos on the internet period

[@brucefellowes4848]

Another superb video. Really interesting

[@Itscjoy]

Probably the best synth ever made imo

[@Fluxwithit]

Brilliant video Alex . Love all these examples

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers mate.

[@carlosserrano3985]

Nothing like the Prophet-5, awesome video!

[@usaroman]

Radiohead synth is spot on. I thought the clicking on the attack was done by chopping the sound wave in software. What an eye opener. Thanks Alex 🎉🎉🎉

[@cjbcarr1]

damn ......absolutely nailed everything in it's right place. nice!!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers

[@eratodisques]

really wonderful sound, and play, thanks!

[@samlatone1763]

bro, your ending track might be one of your best compositions! got me bobbin my head with stank face.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!

[@ClemensWennersMusic]

Pfff... that is a sound to die for. Wonderful video mate!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers mate.

[@junokarah3495]

Finally someone playing Everything In It’s Right Place on an actual P5!! Outstanding!

[@stevengr4]

Great content as always.

[@StyloLive]

That outro is so vibeyyyy 🎶🎹

[@jasongravely7217]

These sound amazing!

[@chedhead3278]

Cheers Alex, loved that and the perfect excuse to revisit the originals too.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Nice. Yes, I enjoyed going back to them to check the sounds and wound up just listening to them.

[@Johnsormani]

I remember seeing Japan when they were on tour here in the Netherlands , back in 1979. It was maybe the first international band I ever saw live. I still have some ( bad) pictures from that gig. David Sylvian played a Gibson firebird, which I thought was a fantastic guitar to see. Always wanted one and finally got one a few years ago….

[@jack3361]

Thank you for this wonderful tutorial

[@everpuremusic]

There's nothing like a Prophet. And yes, there are many other incredibe, amazing, inspiring and beautiful looking and sounding synths out there. I just got a small Roland Boutique JX-08 delivered in the mail the other day; and even that can do glimpses of what made the Prophet so famous. That brass, those strings, those plucks - the filter... I won't ever own a Prophet 5 old or new, but it's lovely to listen and learn from it!

[@dervishcapkiner6679]

Brilliant examples and tutorial.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you sir. :)

[@Mark_Ocain]

"When too many Prophets are barely enough .." 🤣 Great prezo, Alex!! Greatly enjoyed this!!

[@homophonia1570]

Alex, you are the man! A guy who knows how to talk about synthesizers at the highest level. With exquisite musical taste and a great sense of humor... many youtubers should learn from you and leave their arrogance aside!

[@finctank]

Woah there everyone on synth KZbin is lovely so I’m assuming you mean “other” KZbinrs 😄

[@homophonia1570]

@@finctank Unfortunately not all of them are charming, there are some with an excessive ego

[@carlosserrano3985]

Spitting truth!

[@DoctorJezz]

Brilliant as always Alex - you totally highlighted one of the things that always irked me about my P5 Rev 3 - the fact that the subtle positioning of the mod wheel was always so absolutely crucial to many of my favourite (otherwise) stored patches - also the fact that such small alterations anywhere produced such subtle but critical changes to the sound. It's something I've not really had to adjust to to such a degree on other synths. Maybe I just like a blunt instrument that has joysticks/buttons (JP8/Juno etc) and basically sounds as you'd expect, only more or less so when you change parameters. I suspect it was my own weaknesses and expectations that made me let my P5 go. Still - no regrets for me and great to see how you and others make these instruments shine. Always love your perspective - thanks so much once again ☺👍👍 Just edited to say, I still love my Pro One, so I'm happy with those adjustments without the presets - like I say - probably my weakness!

[@lefunghi6151]

Man the Super 6 just always sounds so incredibly soft. Next to the P5 one of my bucket list synths. Hopefully they’ll still make them in a few years!

[@rachelar]

This makes me realize it's Sylvian's vocals that really make the track; it's quite sparse and Zen-like

[@noeqplease]

Cool sounds, thanks!

[@alfish18]

Oh Marge, we need a Prophet.

[@krider7296]

Great video,very inspiring.

[@simon_jakobsson]

This is beautiful, and another great video. Now all I need is to find a tutorial for figuring out how to afford all these beautiful synths ;)

[@blenderbuch]

That was nice. Learned very much! 🙏

[@AlexBallMusic]

Great - thanks.

[@slimyelow]

That funky track at the end is bomb!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!

[@RichardDenRooyen1973]

that first sound.... o. m. g. beautiful, and so simple....

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, great lesson in the importance of pure tone.

[@sbatty65227]

Even though I have musical talent whatsoever, I do love these videos. Gives me an insight on the way most of the bands in my record collection used their synths. 👍

[@bonchbonch]

For Everything In Its Right Place, the performed MIDI was played back through the Prophet 5 while the filter knobs were adjusted in real-time, so maybe a different filter performance was recorded for each stereo channel to create the doubled effect.

[@RobertDorschel]

Listened to your outro ditty here with the subwoofer on; shook the rafter a bit with dat phat bass

[@AlexBallMusic]

Wallop!

[@MeatSnax]

Before you even said anything about simplicity, just seeing the panel makes SO much sense why a band like Radiohead would dive so deep into analog synths and electronic sounds. I've tried to get into Analog synth (without committing any real money) and midi controllers but it just feels so much like work to get to a point where I can just play a little song, but this thing just looks like an electric organ which is simply the most fun type of keyboard to mess around with. Like I really respect people who take the time to read the manual and experiment and really put in the time to get to know a piece of equipment, but nothing beats the joy of playing with that big green Line 6 Delay/Looper when you're 16 and everything sounds sick as hell.

[@Rose_Arcana]

That outro jam is HOT!