I've always thought the Prophet sounded fantastic, I owned one in the 70's. But I must say, the gentleman playing is not any better than anyone else who has been classically trained on a piano. If one is not then of course you would think he plays wonderfully. He plays well and does sound very good but then so do I when I play.
that toto frhorn really pulls of that "i'll wait" tone.. does this thing sound great for all of Van Halen's music? btw great vids and amazing musical talent!
@keybdwizrd I'm composing an 80s revival album (fully original material that sounds like it's right out of the time period) and I know you were probably just messing around, but I seriously wish I wrote that little passage and wish I could use it because it sounds fantastic =)
Do you have plans to do a series of videos on the Triton Extreme? After all, you already did a Korg Micro X video series (which inspired me to get one) and also, you've recently started a series of vids featuring the M3.
@VectorOmega Probably not, as I don't anticipate buying a Triton, although I don't know much about them. There are a few keyboards I would love to have and try for a while (Motif XF, the new Kronos, and even a Roland Gaia), but those will probably have to wait until the manufacturers decide to send me free ones. :)
I am thinking about buying a prophet 08, but have not tested it and don't know how strings sound on this synth. Your video like most others always show the most brassy character of the Prophet, like the Prophet 5 was known for. So how do strings sound on the P08?
@LuddyVonBeat I should think I have some string-like sounds somewhere in these demos (can't remember, though). The PO8 does vintage analog string sounds quite well, but analog synths are not the instruments if you want realistic string sections.
@keybdwizrd Thank you very much for the reply! I like how you play!
Good to hear the prophet08 does string sounds quite well! You did have played with a chamberstring sound but that also sounded too 'brassy' to me. I had a juno 106 and found the strings it could produce very silky at times and i know a jupiter 8 can emulate 'analog' strings even better. Sure not as realistic as todays workstations. But is it true the Prophet has more tendency for those brass punchy sounds and organs?
@freezazoid Hi. Really different. The Jupiters (especially the 6) have a very animated sparkly sound that is hard to get on any other synth. And they are built like tanks. Much better build quality than the 08'. The best thing you could do would be to get both.
Are there any particular songs you are playing with this instrument? Such as 2:16 with the Sync Floyd effect turned on. Is that a song or a compositon of your own?
@PimpMyFahrrad I decided to opt for a b stock poly evolver - pot edition, it is on another level of awesome, i am truly happy with it. The pots are fantastic, im glad i didnt get the encoder version
My favorite is the Toto FrHorn at 3:08 - The textures are so rich and your composition is absolutely beautiful! I'm only 24, but always felt connected to the early/mid 80s. That sequence is very uplifting and takes me back to 1984 in a Van Halen way ;)
Dear Mr. Wizard, hi fellow Ohioan here. I noticed you have several pics of the Prophet 08 featured on your website. It also looks positioned in a prominent place next to your mac for quick access. Is it your favorite synth that you own?
Honestly, I move my synths around all the time, but I do like playing the Prophet 08.
In terms of being my favorite synth, well I don't know if I have one. The music I like to play often doesn't lend itself to analog synth sounds - I prefer pianos and samples of more "traditional" instruments. But for analog polysynth textures, the Prophet 08 is wonderful.
No need to predict anything. The huge comeback for synthesizers already happened years ago. I dont even know if the interest for analog synths ever died.
An understanding of analog synthesis in general and the various features and functionalities of this instrument are important to making the purchase of a Prophet 08 worthwhile.
I noticed those lights on the right hand side light up when you play, but some don't depending on what you play. Can you tell me what the purpose of those lights are?
hi , i'm Giorgio from Italy , i'm interesting in buying one p08 , i want to ask you 1 thing about midi : do all the knobs of the p08 send midi programs change ? i meen , can i use the p08 to controll some external software instruments ( in reason , logic ... or whatever ... )
tnx ! i'm in big trouble , i'm going to decide from a P08 ( special edition used ) and a Roland V. SYNTH -XT ( used too ) , quite different but everybody very interesting !
i love analog sound and i like tecnology
i've to decide what is the first i need to have P08 or XT ?
Hey Keybdwizrd. I appreciate your vids. I wanted your opinion. Funtionally, do you think the prophet '08 would be worth selling a Multimoog, an SH 101 and a Juno 60?
Wow, I have no idea how to answer that one. Depends upon so many different factors and circumstances unique to your situation. Depends upon how much you really want a programmable, reliable, modern day version of an analog polysynth, and how all of those instruments fit into what kind of music you do. I would highly suggest you find a P08 and play one first before making that kind of decision.
Hello keybdwizrd, lovely playing. Really wanted your advice on something. I am planning to buy 2 synths to play in my band who are playing festivals next year. I wanted 1 for atmospheric pads and the other for more analog gritty leads. At first i thought about the waldorf blofeld keyboard and a korg r3. Wat do you you think? is this also easy to use and recommended for pads? many thanks buddy
Hi keybdwizrd, great video sir. I would really like your advice on something. I need to get 2 synths, 1 for pads the other for gritty leads. We sound very 80's like simple minds. My thoughts were a blofeld keyboard and a korg r3. What do you think? i kind of want a recent synth as i've had so many problems with buying vintage gear. What 2 synths would best achieve these vintage sounds? thanks alot buddy
I'm sorry, but in all honesty I have never played a Blofeld or a Korg R3. There are many new and recent synths that can do great vintage sounds but only you can make the choice regarding the one(s) that please your ears. Maybe you could solicit opinions about these two synths from people at the Keys, Synths, and Samplers forum at the Harmony Central website. There are other synth forums online that have people who've played almost every synth made.
I don't believe the Prophet 08 was meant to be an exact recreation of the Prophet 5, but I wonder how many people, exactly, could tell the different between them in a blind listening test.
The Prophet 08 chips have been tweaked and it doesn't sound exactly the same as the analog end of the evolvers - quite a lot more color in the sound if you compare them.
I owned andro about an year. you need time with it since it doesn't have good presets so it's impossible to get too good impressions about it in store. Anyway, what i've heard your super demos ( best ones there are )P08 can't compete with the massivity of sounds but then again i haven't tested p08 myself. My only concern is, how programmable p08 is or is it more like the preset synth in analog world? Can it produce as thick and big sounding leads that andro can?
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I own both. If you are serious musician that wants to create and have the best sounding, and best programmable synth, buy andromeda. Seriously guys. Prophet 08 is pure hype, and biggest dissapointment to me EVER in synth world.
It's very limited compared to andro in my opinion. Prophet doesn't sound HUGE like andro could sound like modular if you wished so, and 16 voice one, not just 8. Prophet compared to andro is a joke. It's amazing that up to this date, andromeda still has no competitors.
The Prophet 08 is * not * 'pure hype'. Its a different synth that does different things. The A6 is a top of the line synth that is great at the mid-range, pads, and huge programmability, but at the same time it doesn't have the sweet top end or 'hotness' of the P8. I also have both and they're both great,
What sound do you want? I have the A6 and the Voyager and I'm extremely happy. I hope I can add a P08 RME to my arsenal.
You would really like a Voyager EmeraldSynth. Don't let anyone lie to you and tell you an A6 can emulate a Moog because it can't. They both have their OWN sound. All synthesizers do.
@SpiralTrance I think its a different sound, but I love both. That said he does have more keys to play with here you will notice a lot of the stuff he's playing is over more than 3 octaves.
The only one that is not a factory preset is "WetChord W" - this is one of mine. I do tweak a lot of patches, but at some point if they become very different than what I started with I'll rename it and throw a "W" at the end.
The Toto FrHorn patch is amazing!
900GTi 4 months ago
I've always thought the Prophet sounded fantastic, I owned one in the 70's. But I must say, the gentleman playing is not any better than anyone else who has been classically trained on a piano. If one is not then of course you would think he plays wonderfully. He plays well and does sound very good but then so do I when I play.
keysB3P 4 months ago
I love these demos! I've ordered a tempest
Puzzlegob 5 months ago
@Puzzlegob Thanks.
keybdwizrd 5 months ago
that toto frhorn really pulls of that "i'll wait" tone.. does this thing sound great for all of Van Halen's music? btw great vids and amazing musical talent!
MEGATROID114 6 months ago
Fortunate guy @ 4:10. Wonder how many ppl didn't get that ELP reference
PooPooOnMyNewShoe 6 months ago
3:07 Like you blew the lid off a 1984 time capsule....80's HEAVEN!!!! BEAUTIFUL CHORDS!! ~_^
DuaLeaD 8 months ago
@DuaLeaD Thanks.
keybdwizrd 8 months ago
@keybdwizrd I'm composing an 80s revival album (fully original material that sounds like it's right out of the time period) and I know you were probably just messing around, but I seriously wish I wrote that little passage and wish I could use it because it sounds fantastic =)
DuaLeaD 7 months ago
Do you have plans to do a series of videos on the Triton Extreme? After all, you already did a Korg Micro X video series (which inspired me to get one) and also, you've recently started a series of vids featuring the M3.
VectorOmega 11 months ago
@VectorOmega Probably not, as I don't anticipate buying a Triton, although I don't know much about them. There are a few keyboards I would love to have and try for a while (Motif XF, the new Kronos, and even a Roland Gaia), but those will probably have to wait until the manufacturers decide to send me free ones. :)
keybdwizrd 11 months ago
LuddyVonBeat is right.
Most synth demo's show off the brassy, harsh sounds, which are of course easier to make but It would be great to hear more ambient variety of sounds.
Notes on Evolver: 2 Osc Digital Wavetable and 2 Analogue/
Prophet VS/05
madebythebird 1 year ago
I am thinking about buying a prophet 08, but have not tested it and don't know how strings sound on this synth. Your video like most others always show the most brassy character of the Prophet, like the Prophet 5 was known for. So how do strings sound on the P08?
LuddyVonBeat 1 year ago
@LuddyVonBeat I should think I have some string-like sounds somewhere in these demos (can't remember, though). The PO8 does vintage analog string sounds quite well, but analog synths are not the instruments if you want realistic string sections.
keybdwizrd 1 year ago
@keybdwizrd Thank you very much for the reply! I like how you play!
Good to hear the prophet08 does string sounds quite well! You did have played with a chamberstring sound but that also sounded too 'brassy' to me. I had a juno 106 and found the strings it could produce very silky at times and i know a jupiter 8 can emulate 'analog' strings even better. Sure not as realistic as todays workstations. But is it true the Prophet has more tendency for those brass punchy sounds and organs?
LuddyVonBeat 1 year ago
3:07 – 'Toto FrHorn' setting – the best sound EVER!!!!!!!
bjcsupertortoise 1 year ago
how does this compare to a roland jupiter-6? I don't know if I want to throw down the dough for the jp-6
freezazoid 1 year ago
@freezazoid I have never played a JP-6...
keybdwizrd 1 year ago
@freezazoid Hi. Really different. The Jupiters (especially the 6) have a very animated sparkly sound that is hard to get on any other synth. And they are built like tanks. Much better build quality than the 08'. The best thing you could do would be to get both.
chizmo7 1 year ago
Are there any particular songs you are playing with this instrument? Such as 2:16 with the Sync Floyd effect turned on. Is that a song or a compositon of your own?
123blue93 1 year ago
@123blue93 With very rare exception, every little diddly played in my videos is something I made up, including the bit at 2:16.
keybdwizrd 1 year ago
Nice little jam there @ 2:15
itwasallgoodinthe70s 1 year ago
@itwasallgoodinthe70s Thanks.
keybdwizrd 1 year ago
Nice little there at 2:15
itwasallgoodinthe70s 1 year ago
Is "Fortunate Guy" a play on Lucky Man? I think it is? haha
vagnmoore 1 year ago
very great playing !!! i wish i could play like that :-)
lukesfx 2 years ago
this synth seems to breath, i mean it really sounds alive. Is it essestial to have the POT upgrade or can you live with the encoders??
cprostudio 2 years ago
@cprostudio I have encoder version, and I say it's pretty crappy... they don't even work properly.
Thank god that you can order a conversion kit from DSI, or I would be really pissed off!!!
PimpMyFahrrad 1 year ago
@PimpMyFahrrad I decided to opt for a b stock poly evolver - pot edition, it is on another level of awesome, i am truly happy with it. The pots are fantastic, im glad i didnt get the encoder version
cprostudio 1 year ago
My favorite is the Toto FrHorn at 3:08 - The textures are so rich and your composition is absolutely beautiful! I'm only 24, but always felt connected to the early/mid 80s. That sequence is very uplifting and takes me back to 1984 in a Van Halen way ;)
DuaLeaD 2 years ago 3
Dear Mr. Wizard, hi fellow Ohioan here. I noticed you have several pics of the Prophet 08 featured on your website. It also looks positioned in a prominent place next to your mac for quick access. Is it your favorite synth that you own?
wholtone 2 years ago
Honestly, I move my synths around all the time, but I do like playing the Prophet 08.
In terms of being my favorite synth, well I don't know if I have one. The music I like to play often doesn't lend itself to analog synth sounds - I prefer pianos and samples of more "traditional" instruments. But for analog polysynth textures, the Prophet 08 is wonderful.
keybdwizrd 2 years ago
Wow that PolyBass patch is so warm, it's amazing.
I have a soft spot for simple analog patches.
I guess it's my love of 80's pop or something.
I'm only 17 and I predict a huge comeback for synthesizer popularity, newer music seems to be leaning that way.
Biopharmer 2 years ago
No need to predict anything. The huge comeback for synthesizers already happened years ago. I dont even know if the interest for analog synths ever died.
thrcman 2 years ago
how complex is that thing to use. lots of knobs and whatnot. is it helpful to know what is involved in creating a synth sound?
bmstylee 2 years ago
An understanding of analog synthesis in general and the various features and functionalities of this instrument are important to making the purchase of a Prophet 08 worthwhile.
keybdwizrd 2 years ago
still, I think someone who knows little of analog synthesis could still have a fun time regardless
Biopharmer 2 years ago
I noticed those lights on the right hand side light up when you play, but some don't depending on what you play. Can you tell me what the purpose of those lights are?
vontetzianos 2 years ago
Their are eight lights for each of the eight voices. The lights light up when the oscillator (voice) is being used.
keybdwizrd 2 years ago
Fortunate guy.......Oh, lucky man that's funny. Great work Wiz, thanks again.
itwasallgoodinthe70s 3 years ago 2
Wow, Analog bliss is stunning. Digital just can't quite do it.
itwasallgoodinthe70s 3 years ago 2
hi , i'm Giorgio from Italy , i'm interesting in buying one p08 , i want to ask you 1 thing about midi : do all the knobs of the p08 send midi programs change ? i meen , can i use the p08 to controll some external software instruments ( in reason , logic ... or whatever ... )
tnx a lot
good work , your videos are always very usefull !
areyoudreaming 3 years ago
Thanks, yes you can do that.
keybdwizrd 3 years ago
tnx ! i'm in big trouble , i'm going to decide from a P08 ( special edition used ) and a Roland V. SYNTH -XT ( used too ) , quite different but everybody very interesting !
i love analog sound and i like tecnology
i've to decide what is the first i need to have P08 or XT ?
and p08 costs more than xt
bye
Giorgio
areyoudreaming 3 years ago
Sorry but I have no experience with the V-Synth, although I believe it is a VERY different instrument from the Prophet.
keybdwizrd 3 years ago
Hey Keybdwizrd. I appreciate your vids. I wanted your opinion. Funtionally, do you think the prophet '08 would be worth selling a Multimoog, an SH 101 and a Juno 60?
jondon24 3 years ago
Wow, I have no idea how to answer that one. Depends upon so many different factors and circumstances unique to your situation. Depends upon how much you really want a programmable, reliable, modern day version of an analog polysynth, and how all of those instruments fit into what kind of music you do. I would highly suggest you find a P08 and play one first before making that kind of decision.
keybdwizrd 3 years ago
Thanks for getting back to me. It's a tough one. Keep up the vids!
jondon24 3 years ago
Hello keybdwizrd, lovely playing. Really wanted your advice on something. I am planning to buy 2 synths to play in my band who are playing festivals next year. I wanted 1 for atmospheric pads and the other for more analog gritty leads. At first i thought about the waldorf blofeld keyboard and a korg r3. Wat do you you think? is this also easy to use and recommended for pads? many thanks buddy
victims00 3 years ago
Hi keybdwizrd, great video sir. I would really like your advice on something. I need to get 2 synths, 1 for pads the other for gritty leads. We sound very 80's like simple minds. My thoughts were a blofeld keyboard and a korg r3. What do you think? i kind of want a recent synth as i've had so many problems with buying vintage gear. What 2 synths would best achieve these vintage sounds? thanks alot buddy
victims00 3 years ago
I'm sorry, but in all honesty I have never played a Blofeld or a Korg R3. There are many new and recent synths that can do great vintage sounds but only you can make the choice regarding the one(s) that please your ears. Maybe you could solicit opinions about these two synths from people at the Keys, Synths, and Samplers forum at the Harmony Central website. There are other synth forums online that have people who've played almost every synth made.
keybdwizrd 3 years ago
Still looking for SYNTH for pads? If you want the best pad making machine ever, get the Roland JD-800, it was made
around 1992 so its not too vintage.
ILSTEVO 2 years ago 2
omg i ordered mine last night i simply can not wait to have it here
staticlabs 3 years ago 9
Oh, and you are an absolutely fantastic player!
thrcman 3 years ago 2
Cool instrument,could you make a demo of it without any effects?,just the synth?,I would like to hear the pure sound.
roetsj 3 years ago
I believe there are plenty of audio demos without effects on the Dave Smith Instruments website, and elsewhere.
keybdwizrd 3 years ago
no mod/pitch... thats an impairment
qwerfderf 3 years ago
Yes, there are mod and pitch wheels, on the panel, above the keyboard, all the way to the left.
keybdwizrd 3 years ago
you're videos are very good. Would it be possible to demonstrate the sequencer of the prophet 08?
sweetcircuit 3 years ago
Thanks so much for these demos you make me wanna get one!
fatblckchick 3 years ago
In a funny way the P8 is "hot " instead , which suits a lot of modern music - that's why it's been a success I think.
GoldenColumn 3 years ago
Nice but you still can't get that extra special warm sound that the early Sequential Circuits synths had.
discothief 3 years ago
I don't believe the Prophet 08 was meant to be an exact recreation of the Prophet 5, but I wonder how many people, exactly, could tell the different between them in a blind listening test.
keybdwizrd 3 years ago
according to sonic state video, the P'08 seems to sound very much alike the good old warm oberheim sound.
Robbinsffxi 3 years ago 3
cool stereo effect I'm hearing.......I bought the Kurzweil PC3X and now looking to add this to my setup........thanks!
GregoryJ67 3 years ago 2
The Prophet 08 chips have been tweaked and it doesn't sound exactly the same as the analog end of the evolvers - quite a lot more color in the sound if you compare them.
californiabass 3 years ago 2
so prohpets four analog oscilaters, polyevolv. is 2 and 2 dig...what is the difference between polyevolver and 2 analog oscilators with a laptop?
marvinkmooneyoz 3 years ago
ack! portamento progressive synth! I'm not a huge fan of progressive rock synth. Depeche mode for me please!
Biopharmer 3 years ago
You could probably coax DM out of these, too.
DavePerry2012 3 years ago 2
Well thanks to you Michael, there goes my tax refund check...and more....Prophet 08 and Moog voyager on the way...haha
itwasallgoodinthe70s 3 years ago 4
Is it me or does the prophet 08 sound better than the virus? Seems to sound a bit rougher than your virus demos.
SpiralTrance 3 years ago 10
They are very different animals, but I think many people would agree that they prefer the sound of the Prophet.
keybdwizrd 3 years ago
What do you prefer. The Andromeda or the Prophet 08
Contrapunctus1 3 years ago
I played an Andromeda in a store once and couldn't get excited about it. Then I played a Prophet 08 and knew I just had to have one!
keybdwizrd 3 years ago
I owned andro about an year. you need time with it since it doesn't have good presets so it's impossible to get too good impressions about it in store. Anyway, what i've heard your super demos ( best ones there are )P08 can't compete with the massivity of sounds but then again i haven't tested p08 myself. My only concern is, how programmable p08 is or is it more like the preset synth in analog world? Can it produce as thick and big sounding leads that andro can?
divyx 3 years ago
Thanks. Sorry, but I have no experience with the Andromeda. The P08 is fully programmable, it is certainly not a preset synth.
keybdwizrd 3 years ago
3:10 sounds pretty massive to me.
DavePerry2012 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I own both. If you are serious musician that wants to create and have the best sounding, and best programmable synth, buy andromeda. Seriously guys. Prophet 08 is pure hype, and biggest dissapointment to me EVER in synth world.
It's very limited compared to andro in my opinion. Prophet doesn't sound HUGE like andro could sound like modular if you wished so, and 16 voice one, not just 8. Prophet compared to andro is a joke. It's amazing that up to this date, andromeda still has no competitors.
divyx 3 years ago
Thanks for the advice
Contrapunctus1 3 years ago
The Prophet 08 is * not * 'pure hype'. Its a different synth that does different things. The A6 is a top of the line synth that is great at the mid-range, pads, and huge programmability, but at the same time it doesn't have the sweet top end or 'hotness' of the P8. I also have both and they're both great,
EmeraldSynth 3 years ago 5
Prophet 08: Hot
Andromeda: Big
Voyager: Fat
What sound do you want? I have the A6 and the Voyager and I'm extremely happy. I hope I can add a P08 RME to my arsenal.
You would really like a Voyager EmeraldSynth. Don't let anyone lie to you and tell you an A6 can emulate a Moog because it can't. They both have their OWN sound. All synthesizers do.
Qiwolf 3 years ago 5
@SpiralTrance I think its a different sound, but I love both. That said he does have more keys to play with here you will notice a lot of the stuff he's playing is over more than 3 octaves.
sacredgeometry 1 year ago
so, are you satisfied with your prophet 08 ?? Do you like it ?
TR0jAX 3 years ago
Yes and yes!
keybdwizrd 3 years ago
did you get the chance to program some sequences?
zahush76 3 years ago
All I've done so far is use the sequencer to recreate the keyboard parts for "Baba O'Riley" by the Who.
keybdwizrd 3 years ago
Can You you trigger a soft synth and will it include velocity layers and all the midi goodness?
Im shopping for an all in one keyboard.
12string 3 years ago
Yes, the Prophet '08 can be used to play softsynths. It will send velocity data and all of it's controller data via MIDI to the computer.
keybdwizrd 3 years ago
are these all presets ?
randcror 3 years ago
Yes.
keybdwizrd 3 years ago
The only one that is not a factory preset is "WetChord W" - this is one of mine. I do tweak a lot of patches, but at some point if they become very different than what I started with I'll rename it and throw a "W" at the end.
keybdwizrd 3 years ago
excellent as ever.
cub005 3 years ago