Dave Smith Instruments Prophet-6 Desktop

6-voice polyphonic analogue synthesizer – desktop module that has all of the same controls as the keyboard version (Prophet-6 Keyboard) and provides the same immediacy and ease of use – with absolutely no menu diving. It features the same analogue signal path with discrete VCOs and VCFs, the same high-quality digital effects and the same classic sound that has been earning raves from customers and reviewers alike. It also offers a poly chain feature so any two modules can be paired for twelve-voice polyphony. This desktop module is Dave Smith’s tribute to the poly synth that started it all – the Sequential Prophet-5. It takes the best qualities of the original model – true voltage-controlled oscillators, filters, and amplifiers – and adds enhancements such as studio-quality effects, a polyphonic step sequencer, an arpeggiator, and more. The result is pure, unadulterated analogue tone with the stability and reliability of a state-of-the-art modern synth. Central to the warm, punchy sound of the unit are its two newly-designed, discrete voltage-controlled oscillators (plus sub-oscillator) per voice. Continuously variable waveshapes provide the tonal palette with triangle, sawtooth, and variable-width pulse waves. There are two discrete filters per voice – a four-pole, resonant, low-pass inspired by the original Prophet-5 filter, and a two-pole, resonant, high-pass filter. Voltage-controlled amplifiers complete the all-analogue signal path. The dual effects section provides studio-quality reverbs, delays (standard and BBD), chorus and phase shifter. While the effects themselves are digital, with 24-bit, 48 kHz resolution, a true bypass maintains a full analogue signal path. There is also an independent stereo distortion effect, which is 100% analogue. Also present from its classic predecessor is a Poly Mod section, with enhancements. True to the original, modulation sources are filter envelope and oscillator 2 (both with bi-polar control). Destinations include oscillator 1 frequency, oscillator 1 shape, oscillator 1 pulse width, low-pass filter cut-off, and high-pass filter cut-off. Another welcome reprise is Unison mode, which features configurable voice count (1-6 voices) and key modes. The polyphonic step sequencer allows up to 64 steps and up to 6 notes per step. User can create sequences polyphonically, with rests, and sync to an external MIDI clock. The full-featured arpeggiator can be synced to external MIDI clock as well. The knob-per-function front panel offers instant access to virtually all module’s functions. Included are 500 permanent factory programs and 500 rewritable user programs. Toggling off the Preset button enables live panel mode, in which the sound of the module switches to the current settings of its knobs and switches. All of this awe-inspiring sound is packed into a desktop module that is small enough to fit in a backpack and features walnut end panels and trim. It is an ideal combination of portability and power for the project studio or the gigging musician. Dimensions: 540 x 189 x 112 mm. Weight: 5.9 kg.