TAKE 5 vs Prophet 6 // The definitive comparison

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

It’s about 20 months beyond when this video went up as I post my comment. I also just commented below another demonstration you have done of Take 5, Starsky. Something that I wrote Sequential about this afternoon was the idea of turning that model into a tabletop module. I realize how heavily economized it already is, but I can imagine that kind of revision of the design would definitely make back whatever would be invested in developing and building it

[@kierenmoore3236]

Lots of competition, once you drop in price/budget further, tho’ …

[@mkkrt]

Take 5 vs REV2 next?

[@ombo000]

Your channel is so relaxed, it gives me chills in this cruel world. I love your dialect and humor ♡ Have to go back to my Synth now, working on a tune the world would like to listen, if there weren't all the other songs outside

[@shookstylez]

i LOVED the Take Five. To me it sounded really warm and tons of movement. Together with the excellent reverb it's such a cool live synth

[@wilsonjaksetic6009]

I can’t believe I haven’t seen this yet! Your videos made me buy the Take 5 (and I love it)!

[@vincewizz8534]

The FX on the Take 5 can be modulated: that opens up a whole new perspective on sound design and is pretty rare actually:)

[@StarskyCarr]

Yeah I mention that in my walkthrough, I can’t squeeze everything into every video without boring everyone and myself into a trance 😂😂

[@soniklink-WKD4496]

Yea! That what's sweet about Arturia's 'MatrixBrute'. Great function :)

[@vincewizz8534]

@@StarskyCarr thanks Starsky! Btw maybe you have read it already but it seems the filter resonances is much higher if the VCO levels in the mixer are between 10 and 12 o’clock 🙂 Cheers!

[@PacificIslandDrive]

Great job! For your next video comparison, it might be interesting to compare the TAKE 5 with the Prophet REV2. Obviously the REV2 uses DCO’s, vs the TAKE 5’s VCO’s, however, being the REV2 (eight-voice), has a more similar price-point, I’m sure there are some limited budget customers that would be interested in the differences. Personally speaking, one feature that I truly love about the REV2, is its capability to split and layer patches (not unlike the Roland Jupiter 8), including the ability to create binaural patches, that produce a huge 3D stereo effect (especially with the 16-voice version).

[@christdolphin69]

It’s more apparent that the take-5 beats the rev2 if you don’t need the voices. P6 vs take 5 is a little tougher

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@christdolphin69 Oh, wow - that is no not the case/apparent … REV 2 is misunderstood …

[@errorkit]

Selling my P6 - gonna try the T5 - love the smooth and compact Mid Sound on these modern Machines - Rev2 was cool but I hated the Mixer Section - thanks for this Comparison! You're on fire rn 😂🔥

[@htechdance]

I wish you had a discussion on the price difference! I clearly remember when the P6 retailed for $2799.

[@benjaminbrodie9801]

TAKE 5 takes the prize! Thanks for putting together this comparison and offering clarity on both great synths. The TAKE 5 is an awesome synth for the sounds, FX, and the price. Prophet 6 is a great synth but the TAKE 5 is hard to beat. Ignore the haters and play music and be happy. Cheers!

[@gergokovacsjazzpiano8165]

1. MOD MATRIX very interesting in T5. One day I'll have a used one, but never sell my P6, because: 2. HIGH PASS: P6 high pass filter is a great and underestimated feature. I always tend to use High pass with negative env, while low pass with pos env mod, so the sound opens up in both direction. 3. REVERB: Even tough I have a pair of real spring reverb from Anasound, I think the spring reverb is the best reverb in P6, missing from T5. I like to apply 2BBD with different speed on a sequence, again not possible on T5. All the best share the knowledge, peace!

[@jasonhoffman6642]

Thanks man! YT was doing it’s damndest to keep me from finding this.

[@StarskyCarr]

That’s annoying! The title should be easily searchable - but I guess the algorithm likes what it likes 😢

[@StarskyCarr]

It was set as unlisted for some reason. I must’ve changed the settings accidentally. Annoying, so thanks for making me aware there was an issue.

[@musicxtn]

Both are great, yet different. Actually, the P5/10 is on another level in terms of frequency range. T5 is a little brother or P5/P10 and that makes sense for Sequential to fill that market space.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

I know this is asking a lot....but can you compare the Take 5 to a Mopho x4 (with added Mopho module.....so both are 5 voices, would be the icing on top).

[@StarskyCarr]

I’ve not got a Mopho so it’s doubtful tbh.

[@nunooliveira4257]

I’ve been a guitarist and music producer for the last 30 years, and I intend to buy my first synth now. Well, I do have a Korg M1 and a Korg TR61, as well as other sound modules in rack format, but I’d like to go deeper now. One question for those of you who are experienced in this field, please: why would you buy the Take 5 instead of the Deepmind 12 ?

[@StarskyCarr]

The Take 5 is a 2 osc synth so although it’s only got 5 voices not 12 it’s much more versatile from a sound design perspective. It has FM and sync as well as being able to have intervals so much more to dig into.

[@dr.eville]

Though fx and modulation are better on the Take 5, I think the prophet 6 wins for me because it supports MPE.

[@ShaunCymruDS8]

Nice comparison Mr S. You know, I hate the name “Take5” and that skewed my initial thoughts on this synth but I really am coming around to this little beauty and your videos are directly attributed to this :) I have been seriously considering a Rev2 but wondering now how it stacks up again the T5. Decisions decisions.

[@xntricity6446]

There has been some discussion regarding rev2 and the take 5 in other videos comments, have a look. They are 2 very different machines and personal preferences will come into play. Due to the close comparison with the p6 and this is a vco synth plus affordable (and sounds fantastic) I am choosing this over other polys.

[@ShaunCymruDS8]

@@xntricity6446 yes you are right they do have their differences and each with pros and cons. I'm still swayed to the rev2, it has a lot of user support and I don't think the price will come any lower on the Rev2 as its been out a while whereas the T5 may have some wriggle room over the coming year so maybe worth waiting? Just don't know :)

[@xntricity6446]

@@ShaunCymruDS8 I have seen rev 2 used synths around 1000 euros, 250 euro cheaper than the take 5. I think its best to focus on the overall sound, for me the take 5 sounds like it will cover vintage and new synth grit, the rev2 sounds dull and lacks something to my ears so I'm decided, didn't take me long to come to conclusion. Best of luck with your choices 😊

[@kierenmoore3236]

Yeah, they are too different to compare, even … the Rev 2 is a beast, tho … but you either want VCOs … or you want lots of voices, layers, splits, and lots of modulation. Too different.

[@ShaunCymruDS8]

@@kierenmoore3236 as an update.. I ended up getting a Rev2 and not regretted it one bit.I just love the rounded prophet sound..rich and warm to my ears.

[@halion9]

I think the Prophet 6 is clearly the better synth, maybe that is due to more discrete circuitry being used, but the Take 5 has a perfectly usable sound for studio use too.

[@JorbLovesGear]

Can I ask, what's your measure of better? Is it just discrete vs not? What is it about discrete components?

[@SpikesStudio3]

Jorb hey bro, your comment, and even layout, speak volumes about who you are. Thats why i follow your channel. Aren't all synths created equal?

[@JorbLovesGear]

@@SpikesStudio3 maybe not ~all equal, but I'm thinking about doing something along the lines of "why a/b tests don't work for synths" to try and make the point that most people are not making a decision based only on sound. There's way more factors in synths, so feature comparisons matter way more (which, Mr. Carr is constantly mentioning) But sound vs sound is almost always going to just validate existing opinions for an individual

[@bangmateo7481]

@@JorbLovesGear People never consider higher end components which to me as along as its not to the level to toyish like Behringer Im ok with. I think this Take 5 will be on my xmas list and maybe marry it with a pro 3 or sub 25.

[@SpikesStudio3]

Jorb its a rabbit hole. Even feature comparisons dont cut it. I understand that reviewers need to quantify the attributes so that consumers have a guide or at least a reference point, but why do i love my analog four as much as my ms-20? Its all about the individuals preference. I feel like i could do a/b tests on any of my synths but "a" is monday and "b" is saturday night (same machine). They will be hugely different. That being said, i love starsky's comparisons. I think when i watch them im trying to find out why they are different instead of how they are different. Kapish? Cheers. P.s. Sorry for off topic hijack

[@ZozillaThaGreat]

Exellent review as usual , i'm on the fence to get a take 5 , but i heard that the enveloppe decay is short , can you comment on that ? Thks for your tremendous work !!

[@percussionboy4357]

Thanks for that!

[@soniklink-WKD4496]

When I bought my Polysynth, I chose the P6 as I wanted an all analog synth (except the FX), it was that or the OB-6 like your choice, but the Prophet sound was used by more of my fave bands. Nice compare vid as usual dude! Love it, glad I now have my P6. Thank you :)

[@paulmapp8306]

I have the Pro3 and OB6... but cant choose T5 or P6 to go with them....

[@soniklink-WKD4496]

@@paulmapp8306 Again, my choice was for all Analogue. But with an OB6 you can cover many aspects of the P6 already and with a diverse T5 + Pro3, you have a full bodied Prophet sound for sure.

[@paulmapp8306]

@@soniklink-WKD4496 indeed. Add to that a deep mind, a peak, a virus ti2 and a roland fantom as the brains.....

[@soniklink-WKD4496]

@@paulmapp8306 Mmmm! The Virus TI, another sexy sound of Sasha's tunes. Awesome :)

[@jasonhoffman6642]

Did the comments get hidden when you unprivatized it? I don't see them now. Anyway, update-I got the 6. It's been an absolute inspiration machine. Thanks for the input SC!

[@hdslave]

I like both synths a lot. Is the prophet 6 louder? That makes it a bit unfair comparison

[@StarskyCarr]

It shouldn’t be - I check on meters (but different systems will sound different) - checking by perceived volume doesn’t work as my monitors will be different than everyone else’s. In other words it’s not an exact science / so Maybe yes the P6 is louder for you but not for others.

[@RyanKHudson]

@@StarskyCarr Yeah, for what it's worth, the Take5 sounded louder on my Kali IN-5s. Crazy how the listening environment can affect things so much.

[@vincewizz8534]

Since I am not into MS20 style high resonances, I so far tend to prefer the Take 5 filter (plus it doesn’t step) :)

[@chakko007]

Nothing better than a self oscillating filter though.

[@justinpower4475]

@@chakko007 how does one use a self oscillating filter other than playing it straight? I'm not making a point. It's a sincere question. I've always wondered and never seen a patch that uses resonance all the way up...

[@chakko007]

@@justinpower4475 Playing the filter is one use case. Filter sweeps with high resonance another. Percussive sounds with fast filter decay time and high resonance another. There are many sounds where high resonance, or even self oscillation can be useful. Of course, it really depends on the music you are making, and whether such sounds are useful for you. 😊 I think, in general, synths do benefit from a lot of resonance, or, preferrably, self oscillating filters. You can always dial back the resonance if it's not needed. But, you can't dial in more resonance, when the filter/synth doesn't allow it.

[@vincewizz8534]

@@chakko007 sure, but personally I favor that on dedicated mono synths. But it’s sure that if you need it there is no way around it: you can’t fake it or simulate it :) Cheers

[@vincewizz8534]

@@chakko007 btw today I read that the Take 5 resonance is linked to the vcos mixer level and that at 10 o’clock it does a beautiful instable beginning of screaming 🙂 Apparently after 12 o’clock the scream disappears as the drive gets higher… That sounds very interesting to me 🙂

[@gergokovacsjazzpiano8165]

How I see it T5 has different filter, plus LFO per voice, rather complementary then competitor, but would be nice to see a module version of T5.

[@vksoundstudiokokow3236]

Great! Thank you

[@gaborb6577]

Thanks for thw comparison. Exactly that is the problem. Either you take 1 prpphetnor take 5 take5 for the same cost😢

[@dos5gw962]

How the filter FM compares?

[@StarskyCarr]

Did I not demo that? I forget what makes the final edited version. No-one wants to watch the full 2 hours of recording! But essentially the same as the FM to the VCo - which maybe why I removed it - simply repeating the same. you can do it via the mod matrix - but is not as dramatic as the P6… and you can stack mod slots onto the same destination to increase the mod amount. Not as simple as the O6 but doable.

[@dos5gw962]

@@StarskyCarr That's good news for the Take5! Thank you.

[@paulmapp8306]

Difficult choice.... Trying to decide which sits with an OB6 and Pro 3 better.... The Mod options and FX of the T5 or the extra keys, HPF and extra voice of the P6 - providing they both sound nice at a core sound level..... Or indeed if the OB6/P6/T5 is a better mix with no Pro 3 (which I already have).

[@kierenmoore3236]

No idea why you’d have a T5 as well as a P6 … ?! PRO 3 is a beast. OB-6 is great. And P6 > T5. Nobody buys a Sequential for the FX …

[@_alexxon]

Just got a brand new take5 yesterday. It works pretty good in first 30 minutes and strange bugs started to appear everywhere. After I did a tone calibration everything back to normal again😂And now I still love it more than any synth I've got, but just a little annyoing that it didn't please me all the time.

[@StarskyCarr]

weird... but you do have to calibrate them quite a few tines before they settle down. They use a temperature map which acclimatises to your studio. It 'remembers' the calibration settings at different temperatures, so the more you do it the more accurate it becomes.

[@_alexxon]

@@StarskyCarr yeah this is exactly what sequential told me. They said it might be temperature difference, but it can’t explain why everything is normal in first 30 minutes. My TAKE5’s problem is that everything is out of tune. But for one preset in Unison mode it is in tune. For others, whether in or not in unison mode the tune is strange. Can’t tell what’s happening but this never happen again since that calibration. Now everything works fine:)

[@arunca190]

Thoughts on the Mopho x4?

[@StarskyCarr]

Never used one, sorry.

[@audiolego]

I like the synth a lot. It is also the cheesiest synth name I ever heard.

[@xntricity6446]

It does amaze me that sequential brought out a product that competes against its own synths such as P5, P6 and Rev2 etc. I'll take the take5 based on price, Vco and sound, absolutely. Thanks for the great comparison, I think they will sell these by the bucket load.

[@swid_swid_swid]

It makes sense to me - it’s probably cheaper for them to make, so the profit margin is similar and people who REALLY want a Prophet 5 are still going to spend the extra to get there anyway, so a bigger chunk of the market = more money for Sequential, however you slice it. Similarly, I don’t think Behringer is - for example - really hurting Moog (people who wanted to spend $5K on a real Model D are still going to spend $5K on a real Model D) but by not having a cheaper “Epiphone-like” sub-brand (I think as a legacy brand, Moog shares many similiarities with Gibson) they’re just leaving money on the table for Behringer to go after.

[@swid_swid_swid]

Oh, and similarly I think my next synth is going to be a Take 5. I could get into Sequential territory for FAR less with a Behringer Pro-800 but despite already owning 4 of their desktop models I’m not going to do that because I’m willing to pay extra for “the real thing”.

[@xntricity6446]

@@swid_swid_swid hey there, I agree with what you said above. I did not go ahead with the take 5 only because I fealt the fx had a negative impact on output. It's an amazing Synth but bought a Novation summit and went all out. I bought the pro 800 too and and a fantastic Synth. If your looking for a well capable Synth your not going wrong with the Take 5. Best of luck with your decision

[@therealk-tone214]

Take 5 vs virus Ti 2, Take 5 vs OB-6? Any thoughts folks?

[@eventualinfinity3862]

I have a Take 5 and OB-6. OB-6 sounds better in terms of tone, but the Take 5 is a sound design beast. Plus, being able to modulate FX is pretty sick. I didn’t like the Take 5 sound at first, but as I figured out how to dial it in, the sound really grew on me. The Take 5 is insanely flexible. So if you’re after an OB-6 or Take 5, I say get a used Take 5 and an OB-6 module :)

[@swid_swid_swid]

Pretty sure the distortion on the Take 5 is actually analog.

[@josebordasmusic]

I'm a bit surprised that I'm liking the T5 sound more.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Take 5 is the Alpha Juno where the Prophet 6 is the JX8P. (not counting the amount of hands on controls).

[@pizzagogo6151]

Great comparison, thanks Starsky. Ok I admit I’m surprised they sound closer than I expected, I thought the P6 wouldn’t come close. Still think take 5 edges it out, and when you take into account he value for features - the take 5 really seems a much better option. I’d be surprised if P6 sales don’t fall off a lot! Also makes you wonder if in future sequential may not do a premium version with the extra features, more voices & bigger keybed a.k.a a ? Take 10?

[@StarskyCarr]

Ooh… the T10!

[@kierenmoore3236]

Don’t expect to see a T10 … ! That really would be cannibalising themselves …

[@scifctn]

The p6 sounds noticeably brighter and more "hifi" to me.

[@michaelous]

Another great difference afaik is that the Take5 doesn't have voice panning that makes so many polysounds in P6 as beautiful as they are

[@galenmenzel4786]

The Take 5 supports voice panning via the mod matrix.

[@quiddam]

lol, you were so disgusted about the take 5 distortion you didn't even wanna spend 2 seconds on it

[@rubenzemog]

Trigon 6 vs Rev2

[@StarskyCarr]

I haven't got either at the moment.

[@rubenzemog]

i thought you had every synth :)

[@adama-lee]

Which better Take-5 and Rev2-8V?

[@StarskyCarr]

A hard one… take 5 has fm and arguably better fx plus it’s VCo not dco if that matters. For me I’d probably go with the Rev2 - but I’ve a p6 and OB6 so can’t have them all!

[@veerchasm1]

Take 5 is better…because it’s the one I own 😅

[@Napalbe]

Take 5 sounds stuck, mid nasal, plastic...not too good for me....

[@letssee9]

in comparison, yes it does. Good ear! I'm still trying to decide on take 5. Maybe i'll go prophet.

[@wrmusic8736]

Take 5 has SSI filters and yet, somehow, Sequential seems to have managed to mess it up

[@raven-jz6cv]

Thats prolly novation's fault:p

[@frankpalomacity]

So basically the take 5 is a big and fatty volca keys

[@liantrosretrospectiva4134]

Et tu Brute? You're making me stop being aT5 hater ... now I don't know how to waste my time ... well there is still a lot of shit gear to hate ... also youtubers ... I have to visit Mark Doty's channel, he always gives good reasons to be hated

[@DBCisco]

Mark Doty is a salesman, nothing more.

[@liantrosretrospectiva4134]

@@DBCisco maybe that's why he always seems fake and over-acted to me

[@liantrosretrospectiva4134]

like Daniel Fisher, but at least he play the salesman part explicitly

[@DBCisco]

@@liantrosretrospectiva4134 I commented on his working for Buchla on one of his videos and he blocked me. lol

[@fjfrancois]

@@DBCisco who block you dude, Mark Doty or Daniel Fisher.