Sequential Take 5, worth it?

[@jeffoff7795]

This is the best, most helpful review of the Take 5 that I've come across. I love the sounds you're getting and your playing extraordinary. I'm sold.

[@bennethos]

I agree

[@SandyZoop]

Your note about the effects section and its effect on the sound quality is the kind of thing I really want out of a review but rarely get. Since it’s so hard to go into a store and try something for most people, even before the pandemic, this is badly needed. Well done indeed.

[@fredrikw1447]

You rule man, I listened to jamiroquai alot during the 90ties and I feel the feel of your feel. You know your stuff, thanks for sharing!

[@Blergoz]

Masterful programming and playing, wonderful sounding synth for not much money at all. What an amazing synth designer Dave Smith was.

[@rhodesboy2010]

As an addition to my earlier comment - folks, if you have the Take 5, the soundpack offered here is superb. If you're into that fat and retro vibe that's illustrated here (and in his other videos) you won't be disappointed. Of special note are the mappings Matt included with the Mod Wheel and Pitch Wheel. So many sonic surprises. And, most of all, they are inspiring and make you want to play! I buy a lot of soundbanks because I'm not much of a programmer, and this one gets a big thumbs up. Matt, I would be a return buyer if you decide to create more banks for the Take5 . Please!

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

Thanks so glad you like them!

[@MIkeGazzaruso]

Algorithm is always the same: 1) I see Matt Johnson featuring a new synth 2) I buy that synth

[@Ambientnauts]

Haha not a bad life ritual!

[@bitbotrecords]

Best synth explanations/demonstrations on youtube, love how you explain sound character ❤

[@dox1755]

Is that talent comes with the package too

[@timothyhawkins6048]

So true. 🤣

[@dth5283]

Yes

[@gergokovacs3332]

You know the old joke: practice practice, practice!

[@matthewstonesax]

I’ve just purchased your patches! Great review, this is my first serious synth - and so seeing you press and hold the mod assignment buttons was a revelation:-) I’ve been scrolling and editing up until now. Thanks again.

[@Phovhan]

Really useful review; mine arrived today, and I find Matt's comments spot-on. I also really like sine waves - just add some reverb and they instantly sound fab.

[@LeoMrz]

Matt, thank you for showing how to appreciate the quality of sound not for the sake of gear , but always in the purpose of making things musical. btw, I don’t even play keys

[@ishbeck]

Thanks for putting time and effort into this one. Awesome and inspirational, as always. Much appreciated!

[@bangmateo7481]

You are the best and I really listen to all your advice brother....long live The Boogie!!

[@benjaminbrodie9801]

BRILLIANT REVIEW! Thank you Matt. You created magical sounds from the Take 5. Looking forward to your preset pack. Cheers!

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

You were SO right , ALL the time , my friend ! This little Rascal better be in my studio - ASAP ! What a LOVELY sound .....!

[@benjaminbrodie9801]

@@MikkelGrumBovin You'll love it. An inspiring and magical synth. Matt's review was excellent and showcases its beautiful tones.

[@bennethos]

These reviews are excellent, especially the parts where you mention it to be lacking a bit in low/mid's, effects messing things up a bit. Requires a pro's ear to make this out I guess. Could an UAD Neve 1081 plugin make up for the lack in low/mid's ? Also some of the below comments might have been fixed in the latest firmware update : Sequential has announced a firmware update for the Take 5 synthesizer that expands patch storage, adds new synthesis options and more. Here’s what’s new in Take 5 firmware v1.0.0.10: New Feature: Additional 8 Banks of program locations. Banks 9-G can be accessed holding the bank button and pressing numeric button 9-16. New Feature: Envelope repeat for envelopes 1 and/or 2. Accessed in the prog-level parameters menu. New Feature: Alternate tuning per patch. Accessed in the prog-level parameters menu. New Feature: Oscillator 2 filter bypass mode. Accessed in the prog-level parameters menu. New Feature: Sequencer start/stop from foot pedal. Accessed in global foot function parameter. New Feature: Vintage added as a mod destination. New Feature: LFO 1 and 2 slew rate. Accessed in prog-level parameters menu. New Feature: LFO rate displayed on-screen when frequency updated and LFO sync active.

[@njety]

2:00 Sounds like “Manifest Destiny” Synth line my gosh You make magic happen that’s crazy 😮👏

[@maedaeburning]

Honestly seeing a bit more complex mod matrix stuff really makes this synth a hell of a lot more interesting to me, good stuff!

[@skinmech4851]

There are lots of videos out there on this Syjth but this video alone made me go out and buy the Take 5 which arrived today - Thanks Matt :)

[@downpatmusic]

I had wished Sequential would have made a poly of their just fantastic Pro 3 which is quite a monophonic synth with very deep programmability and incredible sound. You can program many types of sounds with the Pro 3 so to be able to play the Pro with say 5-6 voices would be fantastic. I know it would have to be much higher priced so I understand that that may have been considered when not producing my dream synth.

[@BXLrules]

Awesome demos. genuine, unbiased. Great content, thanks for sharing!

[@ktreier]

Your playing makes any instrument shine Matt.

[@_alexxon]

Oh man this is incredable! Super nice arrangement and warm analog feel!!!

[@eligioelini9194]

Hello Matt. the video is very interesting. In my opinion the T5 is enhanced because it stands up to comparison with the beautiful red keyboard with which it duets. Continuous switching from one keyboard to the other would highlight any shortcomings of the T5. Instead our little champion sounds great. I have recently owned one and before him I got the Pro3. Unfortunately, I am an amateur who has recently entered this wonderful world and I still have a lot to learn. Greetings from Italy.

[@adibass]

Hi ! Finally Matt did a review on this synthesizer, great ! Ordered it a month ago, now I have to wait a couple of months, there is a big demand for it :))

[@AdrianHeil]

Ordered mine about a month ago from Guitar Center and was told it would ship in November. Got it yesterday 😊

[@vincentouwendijk3746]

That progression at 15:22 is simply stunning!

[@pdm67]

Nice review and sounds Matt. The criticism of the effects has also been levelled at the Pro3 which I just bought. Hopefully this is an area where being part of a larger corporation can help Sequential in the long run.

[@tangonovemberproduction80]

Bought Take 5 before this video... now I've got useful tricks! Thanks Matt!

[@alfiedotwtf]

Just like Katsunori Ujiie, Matt could play a carrot with a teaspoon and make it sound like an 80s sunset and rollerskates

[@Digiphex]

Love the retro 80's intro. Would love it if you did a retro 80's album!

[@thebreathalyzer]

Great video, Matt!!! Many thanks for sharing. All the best.

[@bachcontra3606]

Great vid. Amazing to hear a man with all the synths (expertise) in the world still gush over this little baby. “Really changed my opinion”, yeah, mine too. Thanks Matt.

[@richnosworthy2497]

Love that jam at the start Matt

[@rubbernun66]

Best music channel on YT.

[@Martin1519]

I feel like this is the guy you’d meet in a dream from the 80’s and grant you some kinda Analog superpowers!

[@aviolentpurple9925]

Wow those are some really gorgeous sounds dude

[@etph1997]

I'd love to see you make a review of the Tempest. I never know what to think of it when watching demos. Sometimes I love it and sometimes I hate it. Thanks for this video anyway!!!

[@joel_ricci]

Love seeing a bit of the more experimental MJ in this one. Great review!

[@hgdrn]

You had me at "...pink and white noise" (wiiiiiish wooooosh) "Beautiful!" 😂

[@merlinoner]

Beautiful playing at the end. I liked the morphing techniques you showed, Thanks. This synth seems very solid when you're playing it :)

[@dans.8198]

Great review. The piece at 12:30 reminds me of Super Mario 64 "Water Theme" (Dire Dire Docks level).

[@jorge-keys]

Love your honest opinions, Matt!

[@everpuremusic]

Great walk through, nice to hear your honest and candid opinion about it. You make it sound so much better than I thought it was when I first heard it. It is definitely a lot of bang for the bucks. I only wish they'd made a module w/o keyboard, because I haven't got the space for this one. Oh, and I need to remember the expression "pony"! :D

[@doommega]

just love sitting there listening to matt

[@r-e-s-o-n-a-n-t]

Thank you for the review. Kept it really simple for a beginner like me. Really lovely sounds!

[@fredrikw1447]

I have owned several synths by Dave Smith including the Poly Evolver and I must say this one seems very tempting thanks to your demo!

[@DaraM73]

Yeah Matt, agree on the gig usefulness where the 5 polyphony doesn’t harm its playability. I just think Prophet 10 and I’m not interested tbh.

[@DaraM73]

@@christdolphin69 in who’s multiverse?

[@moistpeanut5986]

Dont really like the Take 5, the 5 polyphony is such a horrible choice imo. I think the P10 is just so much better and better sounding too. But then again, you pay more for a P10, which makes sense.

[@KD-cobain]

@@christdolphin69 oh boy, have you even listened his other video on the p10? it's otherwordly - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rn6UgYWAhciYgac

[@ZenMountain]

@@christdolphin69 what???

[@ToXball]

The only review than give me the idea of what is Take 5 and how to think musically on every patch. I'm thinking to buy one for me to pair with my Korg Minilogue XD. I love also the great OB6 that for now I can't afford due to the crying wallet. Thanks Matt, have a great life ;)

[@OmarHashModer]

Thanks Matt. Your review and the way you used the Take5 in this video made me go out and buy one. It’s really fun and easy to program and achieve really nice, killer sounds that are actually usable in so many ways. Gonna buy your sounds this weekend. Cheers Matt. Love everything you do. ❤️🎶🕺🏻🚀👽🖖🏼

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

Thanks Omar

[@kiko1935]

Love this. People were whining about the synth online and Matt has clearly proven that it can make awesome sounds

[@ScottWozniak]

Matt could make a Casio VL-1 sound good. 😂

[@autumnbrushtail]

I think it helps to always be thinking about how a synth sounds when being applied musically, rather than making patches for the sake of making patches, which I think is what most folks on KZbin do. I don't have many hardware synths and they're all digital. I don't worry about aliasing too much because I know that it doesn't matter too much once I start mixing it and stuff rather than always listening to it dry. Yeah, it's nice to have a synth sound good out of the box, but I just have cheap retro digital synths, so having those is all I have. My point is, learn to love a synth for what it can do rather than judging it by its presets which almost never show off the full potential of it

[@VentureSilk]

the best moments starts at 13:13 :) I was waiting for this bass) thanks for the video! good job!

[@Roderick_Legato]

Okay, $1300, I might be able to swing that. Now, where do I buy me some talent? 😃

[@jnny7182]

Hehe 😊

[@ciatangallaghe2485]

Find your local weed dealer

[@Subtronik]

Where are you seeing it for $1300?

[@Roderick_Legato]

@@Subtronik Don't recall. That was a year ago. They're ~$1500 now.

[@Subtronik]

@@Roderick_Legato did you end up getting one?

[@RayyMusik]

The mod matrix is typical Sequential technology known from the Prophet X and Rev 2 for years - nothing new, let alone spectacular so far. But those Prophets have 2 or 1 extra aux envelopes, which helps a lot. What I don‘t like is the basic sound of the T5. As you said: it lacks the organic warmth (of a P5/10/6 and even of the Rev 2); it‘s not breathing.

[@orientalflux]

It is in the right hand👍🏼

[@AlecBoyd]

I know it's a bit of an older synth, but it would be fun to see you do a Rev2 video. Per voice, it's 4 LFOs and 8 note polyphony (stackable or split), a dedicated auxiliary envelope and a more comprehensive mod matrix. It would be fun to see you do some sound design on that.

[@mrwplay1]

Yes me too. I have a Rev2 16 and a Pro 3. Would love to see what sounds you would make on them

[@lollebolle8]

Me tooo….and please Novation Summit.

[@andivax]

Rev2 is DCO and different filter. Take 5 is VCO and filter is closer to P6. I am deciding between take5 and p6.

[@kmjansen]

Matt, I'm a bedroom guitarist turned synthesizer nerd who happened upon your channel and have loved all of the content I've seen! One comment: when you say that you have no incentive to say anything positive about the gear because you purchased it, you're not taking into account that you're selling preset packs for the much of it which incentives you to want people to own the gear. Just a thought I have at the beginning of many of your videos. You play keyboards so beautifully -- I hope to one day attain 1/10th of your skill level!

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

True, I guess what I am saying is I am not in the pocket of the company that makes it. I sell patches as I have had to adapt how I survive as a musician in these last couple of years

[@bennethos]

@@MattJohnsonJamiroquai You've got your pension plan in the Jupiter-8 , don't worry :-)

[@kevnor7909]

You have such a talent, thank you for that amazing synth review. 😘

[@bigglesfm]

I felt exactly the same when I plugged in my Pro3 recently but like you once I had a few of my own sounds programmed in wouldn't want to be without it now. Nice to see this demo

[@rhodesboy2010]

Such a beautiful synth - I was so pleased to hear such warmth and VCO creaminess after giving up on my REV2. (another beauty, but just felt chilly to my ears) Mr. Johnson...always look forward to hearing your playing, regardless of the synth you're showcasing! You've done a nice job here, I bought the soundpack...

[@nik_elektrik]

13:52 - Dearly beloved We are gathered here today to get through this thing called life Electric word, life It means forever and that's a mighty long time But I'm here to tell you there's something else The afterworld…

[@trebleboost7]

Yeah! I heard that too followed by a Jan Hammer tone....maybe a little Earth in search of the sun?

[@bennethos]

Same here, bit of Prince vibe going on there

[@ajotech]

Outstanding video Matt.

[@xntricity6446]

For those contemplating will they purchase a Take 5 or P5, here is my conclusion. While T5 is a savage synth and has a superb modulation matrix I have compared sounds with the P5 and to my ears the P5 is a complete sound difficult to beat. To pay twice the price for a P5 desktop module is my plan now, my turning point was when I realised that P5 can be upgraded at a later date to a 10 voice and with new P10 firmware update to allow for dual sounds, it's a game changer. Of course I have to save hard earned cash in the meantime and wait out. The T5 would tie you over substantially if you need to save for a year or 2, or 3 and it will sell well when the time is right for the big purchase. A potential option for those torn between T5 and P5/P10. **Edit: 1 year on I decided to invest my money into a Novation Summit (Best of digital synths), Arturia labkey MkII 88 key (Best VST option) and stick with the Analog mono's I had (Moog Sub37, TD03,Roland Se-01) More than enough sound to inspire me.

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

I agree the P5 is in a class of it's own in terms of sound quality

[@xntricity6446]

@@MattJohnsonJamiroquai Only for looking through your prophet 10 videos I realised the power of the P10 firmware update along with upgrade capabilities of P5, thanks Matt👍. I'll take it step by step, it will be worth it in the long run.

[@paulmapp8306]

@@xntricity6446 Im not looking at the P5 - I need onboard FX even if its a basic reverb, delay and chorus. I am however considering a T5 or P6.... I already have an OB6 and a Pro3 to go with whatever I choose.

[@xntricity6446]

@@paulmapp8306 As you have such a high end selection of synths would it be best to invest in outbound quality fx, you can route all synths through same signal path? Choosing a synth because of fx option might not be the best approach as fx on the T5 in particular "digitised" the sound to a certain degree. There has been a lot of debate regarding P5 and P6, my conclusion is both have their qualities however P5 is priced higher for good reason, quality of overall sound.

[@paulmapp8306]

@@xntricity6446 I have one. I play a guitar as well, and use a Fractal Axe-FX3 for that rig. Its eventide quality (you may well know it). Its not in a studio or at home I have the "fx" thing - its live (thought the AFX site in the loop of my interface - so its all or nothing if playing multiple synths at home for pleasure) . I play live a LOT and footprint is quite often small. Having FX onboard for live use is quite critical. thats why they dont have to be great - but a basic reverb and delay is needed, chorus I can live without but Id like - ditto phaser. I do have a Zoom 70CDR sitting about - which I guess I could put on the output of a P5 for live. I also couldnt fit a P5 keyboard in - its too bit (the P6 just fits). If I went that route it would need to be a module - and the OB6 too k the last available space for modules.

[@FirstWizardZorander]

Gorgeous! Sequential should package a QR code to this video in every Take 5 box

[@crime_wavez]

i'm saving for the P10 module. i have the modulations in the Rev2 and Pro 3. if i didn't already have those, this would be an option for sure. i don't feel like this is anywhere close to a prophet 5. it doesn't have that prophet 5 drip.

[@darrenjharris9907]

Great demo Matt, just subscribed and ordered it!

[@Marcus-ym2kg]

That sine wave is a nice addition indeed.

[@Marcus-ym2kg]

@ghost mall Agreed on both! I did a little search and found that apart from the Take 5, the Prophet 12 and X both have sine wave shapes for oscillators. Pity I don't own one of those... yet 😄

[@fjfrancois]

14:38 Wow man you Rock with this one, love the sound, is just the sound of the T5 or are other external effects on it.

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

I think it's just the T5 but I don't remember for sure

[@fjfrancois]

@@MattJohnsonJamiroquai thank you so much for your replay.

[@telogic1]

Another quality video Matt. I think you can make any synth shine

[@Subtronik]

Lovely sounds and presentation. Subbed.

[@sethbaer684]

Came for the review, subbed for the playing. Thanks for the vid!

[@xfghffhfg]

i was wondering how the voice spread will sound on other destinations since it's a poly modulation, thank you for that!

[@knicksfan518]

Lovely demo as usual . Sold my P6 a while ago but this looks perfect for planning out. Im gonna pick one up for sure.

[@hoprocker]

Spot on comment about the name. Also, I need to watch every one of your videos again at 1/2 speed to try and pick up those amazing voicings.

[@bennethos]

I wonder if the name Take 5 has a link with Dave Brubeck's song, maybe Dave Smith liked the song ?

[@trebleboost7]

Did I hear some Prince and then Jan Hammer vibes starting around 14:20?

[@ayewhaddupdoe]

This video alone just made me rethink getting a hydra deluxe.

[@GuyRicheyGibbons]

Of course this synth is worth it in the hands of MJ. Matt can make a D Beam sound worth it...

[@crimsonweather]

Thanks for the review, as a previous owner of most Davesmith Synths(renamed to sequential now) , The raw sounding always lifeless and plastic and harsh im a bad way, maybe the mopho and prophet08 were okay other than that, their raw sound( without effects) is lifeless but of course its only my perspective maybe others see it good!

[@bennethos]

14:37 bit of blade runner vangelis vibe to it. gorgeous

[@soundisles]

Just fantastic sound design once again.

[@avace917]

I wonder if the name is inspired by the classic Jazz song titled Take 5

[@mh22xv]

Hey Matt! Can you make a review of the Sequential Pro 3, or at least give your thoughts about it. Another request: your chords masterclass :)

[@AdamBorseti]

I think I'm finally at the point where expect my polysynths to have at least a 4 octave keyboard from C to C. Lately I keep encountering synths that are polyphonic, but have keyboards like a monosynth, such as this one. Why the 3 1/2 octave F-C keyboard? Would it have really cost that much more to have filled in those bottom 5 keys?

[@Howdy606]

I think to keep costs down, they used the Pro 3 chassis (bottom part). That is the only reason I can think they went for that size.

[@RayyMusik]

It‘s what I call a ‘one-hand synth‘. No problem as long as you have another synth for bass/lead. 5 voices are not enough for both hands anyway (sorry, P5).

[@RayyMusik]

@ghost mall Unfortunately I love noodling around - also with the same sound for both hands. And I wonder why 5-octave poly synths have ever been built.

[@AdamBorseti]

@@RayyMusik Exactly. The industry seems to be moving away from people who can actually play in favor of producers who just want to make beats.

[@SandyZoop]

This is clearly built for people who want something like the Prophet 5 but don’t have the money for that plus effects. Unfortunately that means compromises.

[@MiIIenia]

Having picked up both the P5 Rev 4 last year and and Take 5 a few weeks back, I think both are great units that don't step over each other's feet too much. Prophet 5 feels luxurious and vintage whereas the take 5 feels like a fun modern unit that is somewhere between the Pro 3 and P6. I think more people should give it a fair try especially if they can't afford the prophet 5 and want something that is close to as lovely sounding, especially if they want to travel or gig without fear. If I had to choose between pro 3 and take 5, I'd take this any day over the pro 3, it just feels more fun and less limiting.

[@ZenMountain]

In what way is the Pro3 more limiting than the Take5 apart from Polyphony?

[@MiIIenia]

Sorry for the late reply. It's hard for me to describe because I am not really musically inclined just a hobbyist, but I feel it's easier to get more mellow or sweeter sounds out of the T5 versus the pro 3 which I feel is better for dirtier and harsher, more industrial sounds. The stock sounds on the pro 3 I find are mostly lousy and you are better off making your own, but unfortunately sequential sucks when it comes to software support for almost any of their synths it seems. They don't provide software editors even for a synthesizer as expensive as the pro 3, and only link you to an outside website that sells one for 50 USD if I remember. I have the matrixbrute and though some don't like its sound, I find it far more user friendly and definitely easier to edit and change patches. Arturia is hands down one of the synth industry leaders in software support and firmware updates and organizing patches are easy versus sequential asking you to download and learn a sysex editor or buy someone else's program to do it. But to each their own and I admit I am not the most in depth when it comes to programming. That being said I have the Pro 3 SE with wooden cheeks and flip-up panel and I love the premium feel of it.

[@trueneutral3092]

You're nuts if you'd prefer the Take 5 over a Pro 3.

[@thaexception3406]

Always some nice vibes with you

[@jasper4487]

Beautiful piece at the start!!

[@lundsweden]

14:38 Matt having a Vangelis moment!

[@Janomix]

Are the Take 5 a polyphonic version of Pro-3? Thank you! Greetings from Chile!

[@Deeplycloseted435]

If I didn’t have any analog poly, this would probably be very high on my list of things to get or seriously consider.

[@amonster8mymother]

Matt sounds awesome.

[@AguaMineralNatural]

Damn the vintage vibe sounds amazing

[@thejollyjoker187]

I just noticed that the letter E on the word TAKE on the logo is exactly like the Elka Logo.. ripoff? reminder? influenced by?

[@666JGNotts]

Sounds great to me, thanks for the video. A couple of things that are maybe putting me off are 1) only 128 user bank slots available and 2) pot values aren't being displayed on the screen when changed

[@semephor]

This.. why is pot values being displayed so hard to do? When I recall a patch on my Minilogue XD it show pot value and even what the value is for the patch, so I can turn the pot up and down to match. loading a preset on this I'm a bit lost as to what the env and other settings are at that point.

[@bennethos]

@@semephor it' a great limitation offering more creativity :-)

[@semephor]

@@bennethos actually I figured out how to load a patch and then turn a physical knob to match the patch setting, you have to look for the small red led dot in the led screen. Enjoying the synth so far!!

[@amonster8mymother]

The first patch is like instant boards of Canada. I wasnt sure who make this synth when I played but trouble I have with sequential is the patches are just typical sequential. Dont get me wrong they are good patches they just dont remind me of any songs.

[@festivalmiami]

would like to see you make a review of the tempest...so many opinions of all direction out there

[@fjfrancois]

Matt thanks for the video, I was between the Take 5 or a OB Matrix 6R, and I ended getting the OB Matrix 6.

[@mark35mi]

Nice work Mj. Brilliant playing. Would love to hear some mj magic on the Prologue 16.. with some trick custom digital oscillator and filter work.

[@simonlegrec]

Amazing how U use this synth....

[@giannagiavelli5098]

16:37 love that. and boy id love a tempest

[@neilbeddoes_music]

Awesome as always 👍🏻

[@darrengoodenough8064]

Sounds fantastic sir

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

What precisely was done to economize this model against some of the fully professional sequential models? It obviously wasn’t just about chopping the bottom part of the keyboard away or substituting the wood casing. Especially when you think about how it includes the same modulation matrix as the Prophet 12 (or similar). Because you only happen to be Matt Johnson, the limitations you did mention seem superfluous when you harness the synthesizer. On that, anybody listening can rely.