Prophet '08 Review by Inside Synthesis - Part 1

[Dectheboner]

Ok i'm a total newbie to synths. I hope I don't sound stupid but what is a voice or in this case 8 voices? :)

[francaisemusique]

im really in a pickle, are old synths like old moogs and oberheims really outdated ? because i really want to start making music but i want a nice analouge sound from these kinds of synths, but on newer models, i guess theres nothing like the old synths but are they outdated ?

[PulseWidthM0d3r]

Watch this vid with closed captions 'CC' and tell me if u lol'ed?

[harrychristner]

does the main output play both layer A and B ? or do you have to run two stereo outs to use both layers? also, same again with the phones out. has anyone found a video on how to actually use the synth? or like a post on a forum? or any info on using it to its ability and say routing ideas/patch ideas?

[therealKINDLE]

You have no Idea how many times I've watched these Videos. I wish... No I Dream for one of these Synthesizers to be mine one day. Problem is, I have an illness that has had me out of work for over 4 years now, & it doesn't look good.

Still, I can't complain really. I have an SH-201 which allows me to sculpt -full stop- although I always have to run it through a mixer first to bring up it's pale low end, & then I spend hours.. Days in Post trying to bring it to life.

Thank you for this Video

[BigTuna1994]

@therealKINDLE Feel better, my friend.

[therealKINDLE]

@BigTuna1994 Thank you. I'll survive! :)

[Fnordblaster]

Heard you like analog polysynths so we put a Prophet 08 inside your Oberheim so you can play and tweak warm pads while you play and tweak warm pads.

[Nickydisko]

3:26 sooooooooooooooooooooo wet and amazing. i want that patch

[musicroman]

Very good demo, I'll get mine today...

[foofeo]

what song is that at 3:03 ?

[numanuma20]

So all synth players play in the C most of the time?

[scratchnsurf]

prophet '08 + oberheim = prophetheim ?!?!

[PulseWidthM0d3r]

i bought the PE verison after a year of saving also it is my first hardware synth great unison but before i bought it i watched this clip to make a informed decision

[darklorddisco]

I heartily lol-ed at the comment taken from matrixsynth. Nice touch!

[synth77]

Its got a great sound this is probably the first synth(i've played alot because i'm friends with a music-shop owner) I'm gonna buy,its hasn't gotta that gnarly sound of OB,but know one listen to a record will really notice(live is a different story but i would say a good PA-system before a good synth)

By the way what do you think of the mopho in comparison to this.

[flyyourkite95]

hello friend, im saving up for this machine, i have had 2 years of piano experience (still taking lessons) but im wanting to record my own music and was wondering how to learn how to play a synth, is it hard? would i be able to teach my self?

[AlainHubert]

Very good demo. My friend has one. But I find its biggest flaws are the low resolution of parameters, the wobbly knobs, and the annoyingly small red backlit screen. The keyboard feel is amazingly good though. Much better than the 'ol Prophet 5. The sound feels like it has been passed through an equalizer with boosted lows and highs. It does sound much more like an Oberheim OB-Xa than a Sequential Circuit Prophet 5. (I was able to directly compare a rev3 P5 with the P08. Sounds very different.)

[tonato17]

GReat Vid man! Thanks

Do you preffer this one or a Acces Virus TI? I am looking for an analog sounding Synth bur with all the modern capabilities

[Bartnick81]

Wow that sounds amazing with this analog feel to it, unlike those many plastic electronic music now.. Do the analog sequencers also contribute to it? I know nothing about them..

[cprostudio]

my prophet is awesome but its more like a toy compared to the andromeda or voyager. It just doesnt have that kind of fullness, however it sits nice in the mix i.e., voyager for leads/bass, andromeda for full pads, prophet for background

[terminatorreal]

4:55 Mr Array, in reply to Hexfix93

lol

[FloridaSynthGuy]

To answer the question about whether an OB-8's filter will resonate into self oscillation...generally the answer is NO. However, there is a trim pot for the resonance on the internal voice cards. To get more "bite" from my OB-8s filters, I adjusted the resonance trim pots (there are 8, 1 for each voice). Now my filters scream! I would imagine you can do the same thing with an OB-Xa. So YES the OB series filters can self oscillate just like a Prophet 05(same Curtis chips) if you tweak them a bit

[harrychristner]

what song does he play at roughly 4:00

[JohnF30Music]

isn't the "slop" functionality similar to a flanger?

[aeccoin]

I've got a Virus Indigo 2 right now just for a good selection of digital sounds.

But I want a good analog synth for my studio. I especially need good pads and evolving sounds, bells and such. I really like the Alesis Andromeda, Roland Juno 60, Jupiter 6 +8, and oberheim ob-8.

What would you suggest for an analog synth with those requirements?

The only analog synths that are readily available to me is the Dave Smith stuff and moog.

[sacredgeometry]

@aeccoin i would say your virus is just as capable of those sounds as any of the ones you listed even the andromeda.

[aeccoin]

I've got a Virus Indigo 2 right now just for a good selection of digital sounds.

But I want a good analog synth for my studio. I especially need good pads and evolving sounds, bells and such. I really like the Alesis Andromeda, Roland Juno 60, Jupiter 6 +8, and oberheim ob-8.

What would you suggest for an analog synth with those requirements?

The only analog synths that are readily available to me is the Dave Smith stuff and moog.

[Samixelo]

Great review. Looks like a nice analog synth.

[x11i509]

I can't decide between this and the poly evolver, any recommendation?

Great videos by the way.

[freezazoid]

the OBER sounds a little "more awesome" to my ears. A really cool electronic sound... where you can definitely here a smoother and deeper tone with the Dave smith. The D.S. is almost more like a "vangelis" sound. not so electronic and seventies. The oberheim screams kool and the gang's "summer madness".

[OifelOifel]

really like the prophet 08... sounds really great

[VacTrooper]

Can you pan the voices individually like an old Oberheim synth? In "KORG R3 Terms", the KORG R3 has "Six Virtual Patch Cables." What does the Prophet '08 have against that, in that field?

[watchtheskies]

any chance of putting part 2 on youtube?

the sonic state video isn't loading

cheers

[hogberto]

interesting review. thanks.

[Fabiohammond]

Fantastic video!!!

Is there a second part of it?

I didn't find it in your videos :-(

Fabio

[Microsloth]

Nice synth for sure--and the review is well done.

I had forgotten how big that Oberheim was!

[JDVbeats]

What a synth!!!

[etzilla]

this is why I like youtube! Thank you for posting this!

[EFKA526]

great review of a great sounding synth

[gtadead]

fantastic review please make more!

[mindphlux]

damn that ob-xa sounded so good

[metabog]

Wowee that sounds amazing.

[OZilla612]

great review

[BXLrules]

Dear God, please send me a prophet 08...

Amen.

[Dogboy73]

Great review. Have you tried the Dave Smith Tetra? What do you think of that? Any chance of an 'inside synthesis' review? :-)

[e6400ultra]

Why not try one yourself?

[Dogboy73]

Well it looks like basically half a Prophet 08. smaller, more affordable & with the added bonus of the sub oscillators. I'm sold! If I do end up getting one I might try a review, but don't expect the sort of detail & quality of the Inside Synthesis reviews. Your reviews are bloody good!

[spulkagent47]

"real analog filters have a certain juice to them." WTF??

[insidesynthesis]

You've never heard that expression? I don't think I'm the first to use it - it essentially is the same as referring to a filter as wet, like a Moog, or dry, like a very digital, linear filter.

[hafstrat]

Wow. Superb demo. Superb. Thank you for sharing.

[rezisehtnys]

Awesome video. And since you're a person who happens to own both an OB-Xa and Prophet '08 I was wondering if you could answer a question for me. Do you consider the Prophet '08 as a worthy alternative? I know you said not to expect the 08 to sound like an OB, but I can't risk my synth dieing on stage...or anywhere really. Thanks for your time.

[insidesynthesis]

If you want true analog and reliability, the Prophet '08 is the only multitimbral option at any reasonable cost. But that doesn't mean it's the best sounding option. I think modern VAs can out perform it.

I can get sounds closer to an Oberheim

off a Virus TI, which might sound like heresy to some people. The P'08 might be true analog, but it uses a budget chip.

[rezisehtnys]

That's interesting. I guess that would explain all of the Prophet 08's selling for almost half the new price on eBay then. I've owned the Alesis Ion and Roland JP-8000 before and no luck, but maybe it was the missing octave more than anything. I once tried out a TI at Guitar Center, it sounded nice but that's way more money than I'll have anytime soon. Well, thanks for your response. Anymore videos soon?

[e6400ultra]

The Virus and VAs just don't have the warmth or presence of the P08. The options may not be as open ended but the sound is better.

[madichelp0]

Not that i'm asking you to do this, but do you feel confident that you would pass a blindtest with those two?

[e6400ultra]

Without a doubt.

[egotistic1]

The Virus is a bad comparison. A fairer comparison would be to the Andromeda.

It's easier end to end for most people to use a Virus - easy to create a good sound, and far easier to record it well. To get the full benefit of true analog kit you need high end converters with decent pre's, which most people do not have.

[sacredgeometry]

@insidesynthesis dont worry i agree :) its not heresy its honesty

[maccagrabme]

@insidesynthesis Good review. I've yet to see a new analogue that can sound as good as the original, is this down to poor components or can it not be achieved in a cost effective manner nowadays? Surely with modern day techniques, convertors, processors and memory storage, new analogue synths and drum machines should be blowing the old ones out of the water?

[Vsyevolod]

@maccagrabme

The P08 is a very good sounding synthesizer *for its price range*. To my ear, having cut my baby teeth on Moog Modular, Serge, Buchla, and PAIA, I could never feel 'at home' with this baby. Why is it that high quality modular systems on the market today cost $3000 for two oscillators, a filter, and a mixing module? Well these components aren't cheap. If your synth is designed to meet a certain price point, you have to skimp on sound quality a fair amount. Case in point.

[radiocrash]

@insidesynthesis its interesting you say that i never used this instrument but have been thinking about and i know how close you can get a va to sound analog

[MoverasTus]

great review!!

Just one thing, don't you think narrator's voice is a little bit too high?

cause i turn on the volume to listen the synth but then starts the description and it hurts!

but i really like this

thanks!

[doktorhulk]

excellent review of an excellent machine. this sets standard for video reviews. thanks !

[ncheriyan]

Wow...I love Sonic State synth reviews...you guys make movie quality material...direction/editing/s­ound quality compared to any other video reviews, including Gearwire. 2 Thumbs up!

Analog ICs are great....not a fan of discrete breadboard /soldered circuits

[Biopharmer]

I wanna get the new potentiometer edition of the P08

[markix88]

3.57 awesome brassy sound...a bit dry wet but very good...is an impro? I can understand one thing...in the video when you talking about "separate portamento for each oscillator" after you use the synth with unison on (all eight led on) right? In this case i can't listen the separate portamento effect...maybe I'm wrong...aniway good video !

[insidesynthesis]

You can have different portamento for oscillator 1 and oscillator 2. I don't think I activated it during any of the demonstrations.

Pretty much everything was improved when I record, but I do have a habit of sneaking in melodies from '80s songs.

[markix88]

thank you. Synthpop inspiring me too.

[roginator1]

I love CEM sound

3340

3320

3360

= LOVE

[Meteotrance]

dude i love that sound remember me so much the obxa ^^ on Van hallen jump or africa from toto i need more money to buy this wonderfull engine ^^ !!

[drajabian]

WOW, you patches are great!! can you post your settings?

[insidesynthesis]

About half of the patches were just modified presets; only the other half were original. Unfortunately, I no longer have a Prophet '08 so I don't have the patch settings.

[gododinou]

Cool video! Is it the Prophet O8 playing music at 0:36? Very cool arpegio, Many thanx ;)

[insidesynthesis]

That part is from my Pro One. I didn't have a Prophet 5, but I wanted vintage sounds during the history bit so I figured a multitracked Pro One would work.

[Chumleh]

A Forest (The Cure) @ 7:00?

Dude, this rocks. I'd like to see you review some of the cheaper synths, though, such as the Xiosynth, Micron, R3, et cetera.

Keep up the good work.

[ClJNT]

Very good review, please do more.

I found your other inside synthesis videos helpful as well, clever stuff.

[insidesynthesis]

SysEx = System Exclusive. It's a way of transferring data to equipment via MIDI. You can upload the preset data to a computer, and then download it back if you want the original presets.

[insidesynthesis]

Yes - you can reset the synth back to factory presets via SysEx. I'm not sure if there's a way to do it with just the synth itself.

[Aetila]

I tested one at a store; I didn't like the "hissing" sound that came from the "phone out"...actually I was chocked by the noise...otherwise it's great synth, would probably buy it.

[insidesynthesis]

Yeah - the headphone amp is pretty noisy. I forgot to mention that. I tested it with monitors, and the main outs are pretty clean.

[DSCook]

Hexfix93. (4:56)

Bryan Erickson from Velvet Acid Christ.

One of my idols, check his youtube page.

[soundlibero]

Wich patch is at 1.50 ?

Thanks

[insidesynthesis]

I sent back the review unit awhile back, but I think it's #2 or #3 - it's called "Dual Sync" or something.

[soundlibero]

I've found a BiSynk patch but is not exactly the same.

Thanks

[CaptainOplanet]

Legend, Cheers! Much appreciated. I'd love to hear your perspective on some other hardware too.

[armalyte]

superb review!

I did leave a comment on sonic state, where i also saw this, but it was removed. I think it might have been for using my company name.

[neuropa4au]

Great, thank you very much. If you have a Jupiter 8, I'd love to see a direct comparison, like sound for like sound as you did with the obie. cheers.

[neuropa4au]

Awesome review, you really know what you are doing. I loved the sounds & the comparisons to the obie. Does the moog little phatty use discreet components like the minimoog or a synth on a chip?

[insidesynthesis]

The Moog Little Phatty uses neither a synth-on-a-chip voice, nor entirely discrete components. Much like the analog synths of the early 80's, it uses a mixture of both - so it costs more to make than a Prophet '08, but it also has a smoother, more robust sound.

Same with the Voyager.

[browndwarf5]

Solid review!

[lesingemonotone]

Great review William - Keep up the good work!

/Le Singe Monotone