Sequential Prophet-5: The Legend Returns

Audio demos: / prophet-5-audio-demos
Video by Mark Wilcox and Tracy Wadley. Prophet-5 soundtrack by Drew Neumann.
The new Prophet-5 is Dave Smith's return to the analog poly synth that changed the world. It embodies all three revisions of the legendary synth - Rev1, Rev2, Rev3 -
and now, the Rev4. History never sounded better.
Soundtrack exclusively by Prophet-5. Yes, even the drums.

[@Agordon-vw9lx]

"I just turned seventy and it´s my birthday present to the world". A tear dropped here...

[@leesimeone]

Me too x

[@t3l3phasicworksh0p]

Just don't drop those tears of joy onto the pcb!

[@furiousgreencloud]

So Gandalf, to give and not receive on one's birthday. (now fix that tempest, that you've shoved aside there!)

[@cybernitemusic]

Same

[@_EightySix]

"This is the first day of my life........ swear I was born right in the doorway....... I when out in the rain, suddenly everything changed, their spreading, blan-kets on the beach.....

[@SecessionStudios]

this is the best day of my life

[@amulpatel]

now if Roland will take a hint and reissue a legit analog jupiter 8.. everything in our reality will slowly self-correct

[@alfiedotwtf]

@DIV1NITAL who cares... we'll all be in our bunkers playing Toto's Africa until the nuclear winter blows over

[@williamdewolfe1813]

Me too.

[@alfiedotwtf]

@DIV1NITAL designing my bike-to-prophet as we speak 😅

[@nintenalex]

@@amulpatel I don't think people would believe Roland if they came out and said it. I can't believe they haven't tapped into it yet. Seemlike insanity. No one wants the workstation/arranger things they have mongled the name jupiter onto. They really need to get better at talking to their customers.

[@kiko1935]

Roland will release a 4 voice digital version of their classic and say "this is what you wanted, right?" Dave doesn't mess around, much respect.

[@Digiphex]

Yes but Dave doesn't hate the customer, Roland does.

[@nintenalex]

@@Digiphex not disagreeing. But how so?

[@fjfrancois]

Yes Roland sucks. The only good synth now days from them and SE is the Se-02 😊

[@wetfishtail6]

Yeah well..I love this too but I don't have the $3500 USD to drop...so I ain't gonna dump on Roland.

[@maccagee693]

Its annoying but I've been complaining about this for over 20 years now and have almost given up. I think they have done an amazing job with the digital recreations and cloud, they sound excellent BUT they really should remake another run of their legacy analogs as they will sell instantly and the demand is high and those holding onto their vintage want a backup for when they give up the ghost. I really dont see what Roland have to lose and they could regain their crown. If they dont want to do it then let another company do it.

[@QuaA]

7:42 "I just turned 70, so, this is it -- this is my birthday present to the world!" RIP & respect to a legend! Carson

[@buckdiablo7907]

What memories! I spent 9 fun years at Sequential, 1978-1987. (That's me at 1:53) We worked hard and played hard. Good to see everything come full circle! Congrats Dave. (Say hi to Andrew for me). Dennis

[@HorrorCue]

Thank you for your service.

[@Tomvferry]

I worked at California Devices in mid 80’s and worked on a digital ASIC for Sequential. Can’t remember the name of the Sequential designer I worked with. Was a cool chip (DSP of some sort).

[@lamsior]

from a music fan, thank you for your contribution :)

[@thesadwolf]

I gotta say, us engineers loved Dennis. He always kept the bathrooms clean and the floors spotless. When he left in 87' we weren't sure we'd ever find another janitor like him. He was part of the team. Hell, we never called him a janitor, he was our Maintenance Engineer.

[@auxorion]

@@thesadwolf Was nice of them to include him in the photo shoot. (He's pictured here, 1:55 cleaning up underneath that open keyboard)

[@Antonio_Gallego]

RIP Dave 1950-2022

[@AlexBallMusic]

YEEEEEEAAAAHHHHH! (woohoo)

[@oscillian]

You need to update your legacy video, haha!!

[@vertigoswirl5983]

A Prophet 5 reissue and a new Geert von Schlänger video all in one day. How could it be better? 😁

[@synthsandstuff]

Did you know this was coming?

[@geertvanschlanger8057]

@@vertigoswirl5983 Geert Van Schlänger playing a Schequential Prophet?

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@synthsandstuff I heard rumours. Seeing it confirmed is something else though. 😀

[@djtomoy]

God that thing was designed by a 27 year old, that’s amazing.

[@reginaldbowls7180]

@Stephen Anthony Or designing video games!

[@smokey5100]

Rest in Peace Dave! Thank you for blessing the world with your timeless instruments 🎹🙏🥃

[@auxorion]

To think that in only 2 years, he'd be leaving us. Thank you Dave, for the return of the Prophet 5, and for everything you gave to the music/synth community. RIP

[@hawk194]

This needs to be on the BBC news at 10. Headline story. So incredibly exciting. Dave Smith is simply amazing.

[@urh8523]

Hope that BBC cares about synthesizers. Specially analog synthesizers.👍❤️😊

[@rudi6127]

RIP Dave Smith, you’ve brought so much to music and thank you for your support to me as an artist. You’re a legend and will never be forgotten.

[@djushuaia281]

corona panic everywhere...in the mean time Roland: let them get an software update for the VST plugins...people love them Dave: hold my Oscillators

[@automatonpilot5040]

🤣

[@Cyberpunk9000]

OMG hahahahahahaha

[@DBLCreations]

😂

[@thomasboesgaard]

Dave Smith is the "Steve Wozniak" of synths.

[@rickc2102]

Charles Entertainment Cheese

[@thomasboesgaard]

Paul Mina Storm Teenage Engineering of course

[@bengsynthmusic]

@Paul Mina Storm Dr. Moog is a legend.

[@antigen4]

no more like the steve jobs maybe? certainly not woz. the REAL wozniak here is Dave Rossum of Emu who designed the Prophet 5

[@synthesizerhome2041]

Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs in one person.

[@Arthur-hg7ny]

I’m so glad he got to see this come to fruition. This synth, and him, will live on forever.

[@sadboi7537]

RIP Dave. You changed the synth game FOREVER…

[@peterldelong]

Thank you Dave. My Prophet 10 will be here tomorrow via FedEx and there won’t be any sleep tonight. I bought my first P5 when I was 16 in 1978 and mom co-signed the loan. I feel like I’m 16 again, you rock Dave!

[@dylanknollenberg4615]

RIP Dave. Thank you for the Prophet 5. Thank you for the Rev 4. Your work is done, Godspeed my friend.

[@Bati_]

04:11 That wonderful moment when you learn that Dave Smith is a fan of Radiohead, and vice versa! Such an amazing connection and circular inspiration! As Ryuichi Sakamoto once said: "...The music goes around the world and comes full circle."

[@oholm09]

They recording their tracks with prophet 5 on the albums

[@baconfister]

Sequential Circuits and the Prophet 5 are really near and dear to me for many reasons. First off, growing up in the Bay Area, and my father was friends with renowned airbrush artist John Mattos whose artwork graced the promotional posters for the Pro One, Prophet 5, Prophet 10, and if my memory serves me correctly, the Prophet Remote. As a young lad in the early 1980s doing my own airbrush artwork I got to meet John and that fueled my interest in synth music further than having been introduced to Oxygene and Equinoxe by Jean-Michel Jarre in the 70s. Needless to say on my bedroom walls were posters for the Pro One, Prophet Five, and Prophet 10 (next to the token pink bikini cameltoe Heather Thomas poster). Acquired a beat up Rev. 2 Prophet 5 in 1990 for a mere $300 as a mostly broke college student and although I was constantly rewiring the anemic keyboard trigger wires (I got really good at soldering), I enjoyed the hell out of it. Out of luck and even more broke in 1994 I sold it for $300… what a mistake that was. Fast-forward to 2020: I don’t give a crap how much the Rev. 4 will cost, I simply NEED one and will buy one. Sidenote: in 2013 - 2014 I worked two buildings down on First Street from the original Sequential Circuits building (RAE Systems by Honeywell).

[@anthonysonego]

Coming here today after hearing the news of Dave’s passing. So sad. You were a pioneer and a collaborator… and your contribution to music is immeasurable. Thank you Dave Smith. My deepest condolences to your family and friends.

[@antonhosinsky3090]

Also one of the most beautiful synths ever built.

[@JorbLovesGear]

Excellent move, they said we'll do it ourselves before behringer can clone it. And do it better

[@10010011001100110101]

lmao

[@carriersignal]

Yes, I definitely think that line of thinking was in the mix somewhere along the way .

[@drydessert4198]

Behringer have their place. For people on a budget, they are an option.

[@JorbLovesGear]

@@drydessert4198 totally agree, I'm a serious deepmind supporter. (check the channel 😁) Sequential has definitely seen what's going on in the market and done an absolutely top notch job of carving out their slice of it; the high end. Starting with the prophet 6 & ob6, they clearly know vintage is hot.

[@KNHSynths]

Better ? Not 100% sure, the new "P5" is not really a real one, it is a brand new machine with new possibilities and it will be high priced certainly. If Behringer makes a clone it will be perhaps nearer to the original P5 and of course less expensive than the Sequential new one, so the game is not over for Behringer, it's all the contrary I believe, above all with this new P5. This will make the clone even more desirable. Look at what Moog did with the "Emerson modular", or what Korg did recently with the ARP 2600. Now the Moog 55/35/15 clone eurorack modules from Behringer are top sellers. And lot of people are waiting for their 2600 clone, for their OBxa. Quality is surely not at the top with their low cost chinese manufacturing, it's Behringer, but they manage how to sound good. All their clones are very decent. So a P5 for less than $1000 will be a killer. Now if you have the money, buy a Sequential new P5, we don't know enough about this machine but I'm sure it is a dream maker. I've got a Prophet Rev2/16 and I'll be very happy to get the new P5 or even P10 (a dream within a dream...). But you can't burry Behringer, they are in the competition and play well...

[@squishmallowfan025]

I just love that one of the greatest, warmest, most influential synthesizers ever made is (re)-introduced without a trace of cynicism or opportunism (these will have no trouble selling) by a team who are very obviously in it because they enjoy what they do.

[@automatonpilot5040]

Well said.

[@Flornmonk]

I have goosebumps!

[@lespressure650]

Dave Smith is a synth legend. I was one of his dealers back in the late 70’s. I purchased a Prophet 10 from him in 1980, and it never failed thru hundreds of gigs. It’s great to see him still pushing the envelope. If you know synths, it’s clear Dave has surpassed many of the copycats who never quite got it right.

[@cybernitemusic]

Awwwww we love you Dave Smith! ♥️

[@gallen5042]

Thankyou for everything, Dave. Such a shocking loss.

[@harmonicres]

Top notch American instrument company. Their customer service dept may not be massive but the people who work there actually care to help out their customers with a genuineness you dont find in most American businesses anymore. Thanks Dave and clan for keeping the torch alive!

[@opwave79]

This was my dream synth for over 40 years. I want this for my 50th birthday next year.

[@menacerisamir198]

happy birthday for the next year and got this beast and have fun with it

[@JoelBouchillon]

You're making a grown man cry!!! I just turned 57...It will be The best-est present ever!!!

[@genx1144]

THE 👏 MOOG ONE 👏 KILLER 👏 Been saying this since April. I will own a 10 voice. Mind blown! Thank you Dave! Thank you thank you and thank you!

[@6884]

no need to kill each other, rather make sweet polyphonic love

[@genx1144]

Chris Trevanion you aren’t a fan of Dave and Sequential. Your comments all over this video prove it. That’s ok with me, but I think your P5 hate is overlooked by almost everyone. You’re a hater, but it means nothing.

[@genx1144]

@Chris Trevanion Eat shit man. You got your feelings hurt that I don't like Moog Ones. 🖕 Keep trolling, troll. I'm having fun with this. You troll all these people happy to see a P5/10. You're a sad man.

[@fjfrancois]

Chris Trevanion dudes don’t fight for a Synth that’s is out of the league 😞 Lol 😂

[@genx1144]

@Luke Actually, the Moog One is NOT legendary. Try again.

[@masonx3376]

RIP Dave Smith. A true legend, thank you for your amazing talents and life, rest easy.

[@plgDavid]

This video. Datasheets? Check. Vintage Pictures? Check. Old stories that you would watch for an hour? Check.

[@AndrewJohnClive]

Happy birthday Dave!

[@Zalanes]

The world is a better place for Dave Smith being in it. Thank you, Dave.

[@OldCrowCS80]

I have not bought a new synthesizer in almost 20 years. That is about to change. ;)

[@milk_bath]

Wow, that sounds so boring. A lot of cool new synths with new ideas have been released since 2000; not to mention the world of Eurorack. Glad you are happy with the same 'ole. Classics are classics for a reason I guess.

[@mixolydian9102]

#metoo I haven't bought a new one in 20 years as well. I was thinking about a Montage 88 key, but now....

[@milk_bath]

Mixolydian shame on you for using that hashtag for this purpose.

[@bhaveshtochabbra6853]

@@milk_bath lol

[@suadcokljat1045]

Me too! Actually I don't remember when did I buy a new synth last time. ...and I have full room of synths and modules.

[@japoople]

It's fine I didnt need my other kidney anyway

[@thesadwolf]

I went with the, "Who needs two testicles?" approach.

[@mitsanut5869]

Can you come up with something better than kidney? This stupid joke is getting really obnoxious!

[@GerardVos]

@@mitsanut5869 chill it, missy

[@jo_9805]

Sequential....I just love you!!! tears of joy

[@EM-km8em]

I first heard this synth in the intro of “ One of my turns “ by Pink Floyd and i was wondering how such a beautiful sound could be created??? Then of course I got into the High Energy music genre and my God this synth is one of the Holy Grails along with Rolands Jupiter 4. If this synth truly has THAT prophet 5 sound then this is one of the best news in synths in 30+ years!!! I never wanted one of these modern synths with endless complex dive in menus, all i want is that pure sound with simple and fast envelopes. Prophet 5..Jupiter 4,8… Juno 60.. my all time faves

[@RaymondPeckIII]

Rick Wright was a master of timbre, that's for sure.

[@danielpirone8028]

My first synth was an Sequential Six Trax in 84. I still have it. My next will have to be a prophet 10 to celebrate Dave’s contribution to making my life so much better! Thank you Dave!

[@arvingarrison1410]

Dave did it again. Damn.

[@andreass.6209]

Thank You so Much for this Present to your 70th Birthday!!

[@bitley]

Such a lovely video, more!

[@ranzee]

Little humble me, sitting in the bottom corner of the world (Perth, Australia) ... thinking: wow, to think all those huge artists and people over the years that has been touched by a Prophet 5 ... and there's Dave Smith, sitting at the pinnacle of his career - bringing us back something that is truly remarkable. One day (I may have to sell my car first) - I'll be able to own one of these. Thanks Dave!

[@lukeneptune3820]

Yes! I have one on the way. Very excited.

[@johnbarron4308]

@Cortana +1

[@lukeneptune3820]

@Cortana Thanks :)

[@jeremythornton433]

This is great!

[@archiebeatz]

Yay!!! Dave Smith 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@SyncdAlien]

Happy birthday from and to you, Dave Smith! 👍 And many more! 👍

[@shookmusic]

HOLY MOLY. Congrats Sequential! This is so exciting!

[@shookstylez]

SHOOK!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

This is incredible

[@MrMarco33333]

Dave Smith you did it again you legend.

[@mootbooxle]

Thank you Dave!!!!!

[@MarshalArnold]

Absolutely brilliant! Happy Birthday Dave, pre ordered a Prophet 10 🎂😊

[@Robguitarjarvis]

Wow, what a legend !!!!

[@ianovic69]

Thanks Dave. For this, and for everything. Happy 70th birthday!

[@jonasness]

This release made me so excited that afterwards I went and played a session with all of my DSI / Sequential synths. It calmed me down a little but I’m still excited and anxious to get one. Thank you so much Dave! Such a rad surprise b-day gift!

[@Robbinsffxi]

Everytime Dave launch a new product, it feels like being 7 at christmas. Dave you seem like a wonderfull charming person, and an excillent synth designer. I wish you the best, and a delayed happy birthday!

[@masonkiller1]

[@StephanS]

Happy Birthday Dave - You are a REAL Legend. Cant wait for the new Prophet

[@JimAlfredson]

Dave Smith, you are a treasure and a legend. Thank you so much for sharing your genius with the world, for creating these legendary instruments, and for putting music and creativity first always. Much love to you and Sequential. You guys are the absolute best. I can't wait to hear the Prophet 5 rev4 in person.

[@LisaBellaDonnaMusic]

AMAZING!!! Wonderful to see and hear this one come back around in such a beautiful and inspired evocation!

[@francoisdesjardins274]

I think i'm going to cry. Thank You Dave!

[@davebellamy4867]

The original Prophet 10 was the perfect synth that didn't quite work due to technological limitations. One voice per finger. Way to go. Now he can do it, so he's done it! Happy 70th birthday Dave Smith!

[@channelxnews]

a legend discussing a legend. thanks for everything Dave!

[@synthanatomy]

Welcome back, we missed you. 😍

[@synth-ing4986]

True legend! Well done! And happy birthday Dave!

[@michaelmauve]

We love you Dave! Happy Birthday and thanks for everything

[@NOLNV1]

saw this on my front page, couldn't figure out how the hell I'd missed news like this, this is huge! then I read "uploaded five minutes ago." I am so excited to hear this thing! I love a simple poly with a banger sound and you can't get much better than a Prophet 5 for that, maybe a Polysix, but those aren't coming back anytime soon either I fear.

[@leesimeone]

I love you Dave, this is amazing! Good price, really good. Tears in rain today, one of the best days of my life! X

[@vitovagito628]

your music is awesome young man!

[@Rhodeslover1]

This is THE perfect way to bring back this classic. Awesome. Very well done, Dave !

[@synthsandstuff]

This is truly the best present you could give to the world, thank you Dave!

[@zeniktorres4320]

Love it. This is how a re-issue is done.

[@ToddUrban]

Amazing product marketing video to whoever put this together. And yes, I will own one of these soon!

[@pdxfunk]

Dave, you are the man! Much respect to you making that call to quit your job and go for it. I hope someday I can do the same.

[@synth4ever]

Congrats guys, this is huge! Can't wait to hear and learn more about it. Always nice to see a classic get an update :)

[@PureAmbientDrone]

So been waiting for this one!

[@genx1144]

@Nima Hafezieh 🤣 Behringer low hanging fruiters.

[@PureAmbientDrone]

@ErsatzMoose I know I just did a video about me letting lose of some synths but this thing is legendary and would play so nice with all my other Sequential synths!

[@highplains]

Wow. Some seriously snobbish synth-wankery in the comments section

[@dmomcilovic9185]

Pure Ambient Drone Hi James, you did speculate on this a few weeks back in one of your videos. I was so hoping for a new Polyevolver Rev2. I will still Still get a prophet 6 not a 5

[@genx1144]

this butthurt moment brought to you by behringer.

[@RedMeansRecording]

WHAT THE HECK

[@CapeAlan]

Please get one so fast.

[@isweartofuckinggod]

lol same

[@theshyguy1580]

WAIT, WHAT?!??!?!

[@SpacehotelMusic]

Proud owner of a Prophet 10 Rev 4! Thanks Dave for keepin' it real!

[@OrfinMusik]

Amazing Dave I can’t wait to see it in person

[@Zwopper]

Now resusrect the VS and my life is complete. ❤️

[@gautrstafr]

wouldn't the Korg Wavestate be somewhat of a rehash of the Wavestation which itself is a rehash of the VS?

[@Supremeteamcaptain]

Gustavo Elizondo I would argue the VS and Wavetstate are completely different given the fact it’s two different makers

[@keithlamontdavis8047]

Yes! That's the synth I want.

[@xuiqen]

The Musical Synthesizer - same. I want the polyevolver 2 😅

[@xuiqen]

The Musical Synthesizer oh? I must’ve missed that bit. 😕

[@BURG]

I´m speechless, just wow

[@Schilliebillie]

Happy birthday Dave! What a gift to us all.

[@kevanmcrae]

Happy Birthday Dave !!! Thanks for all of you and the team's hard work and beautiful instruments !

[@SynthgodXXX]

Awesome!

[@crabraz4873]

When I first quit my job and started thinking seriously about working with music, I really wanted a Prophet synthesizer, but I told myself that I can only buy it with money earned with my music. Now I am literally days away from launching my business and you guys come out with THIS! My motivation is through the roof right now.

[@Analog32]

This is just fantastic, thank you Dave. You are still king of the Analogue Polysynths !

[@MarkWRoberts]

Thanks Dave, and Happy Birthday !!!

[@CO5MA]

2:14 « Jean Michael Jarre » will love the new Prophet 5 🤗

[@NatLifeSounds]

@Sometimes I piss in my own ass haha)

[@andreasfelldin8917]

Shut up and take my money!

[@embodie_breaks7089]

Thank you so much Sequential! Now i something new to look forward to! Happy Birthday Dave!!!!

[@thegrizzledmusician]

Brilliant, congrats to you all for recreating an icon and what a happy day for us synth lovers!

[@joakimsafstrom8405]

RIP Legend

[@aqueveque]

Al fin la resurrección mas esperada 💙

[@glennmgregory]

That's really cool. Super excited!

[@searley888]

omg...pre-ordered! Thx Dave and happy 70th! No words can express our gratitude to you and the team.

[@hollowmenrule]

Why are people giving this a thumbs down? LOL that's really cool that they redid it I never owned an original but I will definitely look into this one One finances and allow cuz it looks expensive

[@veerchasm1]

Roland: “How about a digital version of the Jupiter 8! Excited?”

[@troypol343]

Yeah, Where is Roland??? The Jupiter-X? nah. I guess sequential will get my dime.

[@S1ph3r]

Dude this is so cool! Thank you for the birthday gift!

[@martineow]

The best birthday present ever. Thank you Dave. Wish you well and good health