Sequential Prophet-5 Desktop Synthesizer

Not so long ago, we were treated to a surprise reissue of one of the oldest and wisest members of the synthesizer world: the Prophet 5. Countless bands, musicians, and even composers have harnessed the force of the all-seeing prophet to help shape their sound, and after a good forty years, it was given a welcome and refreshed reincarnation in 2020. Now, we get spoilt by the Sequential Prophet-5 Desktop, a modular version of the recent P5, for anyone who’s already kitted out with a perfectly solid MIDI keyboard.

The Sequential Prophet 5 Desktop
On paper, we should say that this synth is actually the Mk4, since there have already been three revisions of the P5. In any case, while a lot of synthesizers come with a daunting reputation for complex sound shaping and even more complex controls, the Prophet 5 is a lot more easy going. The control panel is as simple and smooth as can be, giving you two analogue CEM-VCOs and a noise generator sent through a fat filter section and onwards; through the volume section, completing a pretty straightforward and clean subtractive synthesizer. Add on the oscillator-sync and access is granted to a near-limitless sound-colouring palette shaped by five-voice synthesis complete with MIDI and USB-MIDI connectivity. While the vintage Prophet 5 was an undeniable classic, the Desktop rendition does everything it could ever do and more.