Prophet-5 Revision 1 – impressions of THE Prophet

The Sequential Prophet-5. Not Revision 2 or Revision 3, no – THE Prophet. The original edition, Revision 1. Only few of the 182 built units are still in existence. Way back in 1979 and 1980, some of the original Prophets have been traded (and cannibalized) for newer versions (Rev. 2 / Rev. 3). And some of the original Prophets were (and still are) most of the time dead. But when they work, they sound glorious …
Sequential Prophet-5 Synthesizer

Dominic Milano (author of the US magazine “Keyboard”) owns Ser. No. 0004. He got it new and still has it – up and running properly. The Prophet shown here works perfectly as well. It has Ser. No. 0167 – one of the last Revision 1 models.

Sequential Prophet-5 Synthesizer

Trademarks of the early version: power switch on the top panel, a giant freestanding Prophet-5 logo and a strange “Memory Protect” flip-switch (RECORD).

Sequential Prophet-5 Synthesizer

There’s no autotune-button (although the software could be retrofitted). Adjusting sounds requires activation of two separate “Edit” buttons …

Sequential Prophet-5 Synthesizer

Sequential Prophet-5 Synthesizer

Sequential Prophet-5 Synthesizer

The wood – usually Koa, this is Walnut, though* – is of particular elegance and has been glued exclusively. Later, the Prophet-5 housing is made out of Walnut, with extra screws for better stability.

[* Thanks to reader Roland for the hint.]

Sequential Prophet-5 Synthesizer

Revision 1 / Revision 2 contain a lot of blue (later white) trim / tune adjustments. Particularly eye-catching is the SSM2030 VCO which its piggyback Tempco resistor. And the extra row of ribbon connector points for an optional second voice board (which in fact proved impossible due to massive heat problems).

Sequential Prophet-5 Synthesizer Rev 1

Sequential Prophet-5 Synthesizer Rev 1

Compared to later models, Revision 1 and Revision 2 offer a larger sound spectrum due to their SSM components. The SSM2040 filter is notable with its great variety in sound, as well as the SSM2050 ADSR generator with its tight (and also – if desired – very long!) envelope times …

Sequential Prophet-5 Synthesizer

Susanne Ciani: “[…] the Prophet was incredible because it didn’t haug the space; it had a transparency, translucence and a shimmering quality. You know, the Moog was a big beefy sound that a lot of the rock people loved. The Buchla was not about sound really, it was about movement of sound. The Prophet had this exquisite translucent quality and it could be on a track without masking anything else.”

(From: “The Prophet from Silicon Valley”, David Abernethy, page 32)

Nevertheless, “all” Prophet-5 models are outstanding musical instruments. Revision 1 / 2 sound different and possibly richer, whereas Revision 3 is the most solid Prophet-5 version, characterized by its reliable CEM chips, better heat regulation (heat sink, vent holes) and its optimized circuit layout / tuning system.

Sequential Prophet-5 Synthesizer

First introduced in January 1978, production began in May 1978, being continued until early 1985.

Prophet-5 Rev. Date Special features Ser. No.
Revision 1 May 1978 SSM Chips, power switch on top panel, digital board features second connector points for additional voice board (10-Voice option), separate Edit-Mode, no Auto-Tune function / button, lots of tuning / trim adjustments inside, 40 memories, metal surface: smooth satin black finish, wooden frame: Koa. 0001 – 0182
Revision 2 May 1979 SSM Chips, power switch on rear side, separate Edit-Mode, early Auto-Tune function / button, circuits board layout optimized, lots of tuning / trim adjustments inside, 40 memories, metal surface: smooth satin black finish – changing to matt black with a slight dimpled effect, wooden frame: Koa or Walnut. 0183 – 1300
Revision 3 May 1980 (until end of 1984) CEM Chips, instant Edit-Mode, Cassette-interface, A-440 reference tone, circuits board layout and auto-tune further optimized, reduced amount of tuning / trim adjustments inside, heat-sink and vent-holes on the back, metal surface: matt black with a slight dimpled effect, wooden frame: Walnut.

Later models have Analog / Digital interface (for optional Remote Keyboard und Sequencer), 120 memories, MIDI-retrofitting (very last units).

1301 – 6427

Link Test Report:
Sequential Prophet-5 – Milestone and Musical Legend

Filed under 2019, General

“Es genügt, einen Ton schön zu spielen” sagte der Komponist Arvo Pärt im Jahre 2005. Diese Aussage ist ebenso einfach wie ich auch exzellent: Es braucht kein Meer an Tönen, denn entscheidend ist der Klang. Dass so mancher Vintage-Synthesizer der 70er und 80er Jahre teils unerreicht hochwertige Klänge liefert, steht außer Frage. Doch tatsächlich leben wir “heute” in einer nahezu perfekten Zeit. Einerseits hat man – mehr oder weniger – noch Zugriff auf die Vintage Analogen, andererseits wird auch bei Neugeräten die wichtige Komponente des hochwertigen Klanges wieder zunehmend berücksichtigt. Doepfer, Cwejman, Synthesizers.com, MacBeth, Moog, GRP, Studio Electronics, COTK, John Bowen und andere Hersteller bauen hervorragende Synthesizer, die den “Klassikern” in nichts nachstehen. All diesen (alten wie neuen) “großartigen” Instrumenten ist Great Synthesizers gewidmet. _________________________________________________________ In 2005 composer Arvo Pärt said: “Playing one tone really well is enough”. In other words, it is sufficient to play one tone 'beautifully'. I agree with that. All musical efforts are focused on the sound itself. Although I studied classical music (piano and drums), it’s the electronic sound that inspires me. Synthesizers are the epitome of new sounds and exciting tonal spheres. Today, many companies produce high-quality - excellent! - synthesizers: Doepfer, Cwejman, MacBeth, Moog, GRP, Synthesizers.com, COTK, Studio Electronics, John Bowen and others. It's their products I'm really interested in ... apart from Vintage Synthesizers, which I have been collecting for 20 years. Subsequent to our former websites Bluesynths and Blogasys, Peter Mahr and I have now created GreatSynthesizers. We hope you like it.

6 Comments

  1. Theo Bloderer

    … oh, thanks for the note. This is walnut, alright …! Cheers – Theo

  2. Richard

    If it is indeed Walnut, they picked a particularly swirly, exotic and expensive looking piece covering the key assembly.

  3. Paul Evelyn

    I’ve got a prophet 5 I bought in 1980, played extensively in various bands; now many keys crap out and I can’t find anyone who knows how to work on it. Wizard Electronics in Atlanta tried but couldn’t get her right. Any idea where I can get this instrument worked on? Thanks!

  4. Theo Bloderer

    … thanks for the great job! Fantastic!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.