Software Clones: Sequential Circuits Prophet 5

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The Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 is a synthesizer that is consistently rated one of the very best ever made. This excellent article will tell you more about why it was so mind-blowing in it's historic context, and why it is almost equally loved today.

I have created a table comparing some of the basic features of the original Prophet 5 with 3 current software clones. If you want to take a closer look at any of these, there are links below.


A few comments...

Don't let the lack of fake wood or a piano keyboard of a GUI affect your judgement, even though it subconsciously will to some degree. They have no actual function and don't affect the sound in any way!

Onboard effects are convenient, but not necessary to create a good sound, as you can easily add as many effects as you need after the synth. In fact, many times the included effects aren't as good as the best dedicated effects. It's not as convenient, but it will get you as good or better sounds in the end.

Sequential Circuits Prophet 5





Arturia Prophet V





Native Instruments Pro-53





Roberson Audio Synthesizers Prophanity


I guess faux wood doesn't serve a purpose anyway :-)

	Sq. Circuits Prophet 5	Arturia Prophet-V	Native Inst. Pro-53	Roberson Prophanity
Price/Value:	$1,300	$249	$199	FREE!
Production:	1978-1984	2006 +	2002 +	2006 +
Polyphony:	5 Voices	32 + Unison	32	32 + Unison
Oscillators:	2 per voice (square/pulse/tri/saw)	2 per voice (square/noise/ tri, saw)	2 per voice (A=saw/pulse. B=saw/tri/pulse)	2 per voice (A=square/saw/ pulse/, B=square/saw/ tri/pulse) + noise
LFO's:	1 (pulse width or pitch)	3 (with MIDI sync)	1 (saw/square/pulse, MIDI sync, envelope triggering. Assignable to oscillators, filter, etc)	1 with saw/tri/square
Filters:	1 (24db Low Pass w/ resonance)	1 (24db Low Pass w/resonance)	2 (24db Low Pass / high-pass filter w/ resonance, self-oscillation)	1 (24db Low Pass w/ resonance)
VCA's:	1 ADSR	2 ADSR envelopes and 3 five point envelopes	1 ADSR and Hold function	1 ADSR
Effects:	None	Chorus, Stereo Delay with MIDI Sync	Delay, Multi-Echo, Chorus, Flange, MIDI-sync	none
Platform:	Hardware (61-key)	PC, Mac	PC, Mac	PC
Format:	Analog	VST, DXi, RTAS, AU, Standalone	VST, AU, RTAS	VST, Standalone
Listen!				none yet
Web:	HTTP	HTTP	HTTP	HTTP