![]() ![]() The SSM chips used in the early units (more on which later) were in short supply and unreliable to boot, and when the first single‑manual Prophet‑10 units (which doubled the Prophet‑5’s polyphony) shipped, they had to be instantly recalled due to tuning problems caused by heat build‑up. When Smith’s tiny Sequential Circuits company unveiled their new creation in January 1978 it was an instant success: everybody wanted one, Pink Floyd bought eight and Abba ordered 11! Before long Sequential had a backlog of orders stretching far into the future, though the then‑Head of Sales Bob Styles says that Mr Smith (a huge Who fan) made sure Pete Townshend could jump the queue. Its breakthrough design enabled keyboard players to create their own sounds and play chords to their heart’s content, which had a revolutionary effect on the music of the day. The brainchild of US engineer Dave Smith, the Prophet‑5 was the world’s first fully programmable polyphonic synthesizer. If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, take a few moments to reflect on this landmark keyboard’s history. The stars have aligned - my trusty musical accomplice is back in the fold, spruced up, fighting fit and ready to rock. I’ll get back to you soon with details.” Fast forward four months, and Sequential’s new Prophet‑10 Rev 4 analogue synth now occupies pride of place in my music room. Then out of the blue last summer, an email from the makers: “We are nearly finished with something that I think might interest you. No reflection on the UPS delivery service, but I’ve been waiting 20 years for this: since reluctantly putting my beloved Prophet‑5 analogue synth out to pasture in 2001 I’d lived in hope of finding a suitable replacement but, despite some promising leads, it never happened. Great excitement here at Stewart HQ as a courier drops off an eagerly anticipated package. Does the new Prophet Rev 4 still have the power to take on the world? ![]() ![]() A conquering hero returns to the fray after long years in exile. ![]()
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