Description

Sequential Prophet Rev 2 analog synth in 5-octave keyboard version, bi-timbral, with 8 voices of polyphony, 64-step polyphonic sequencer (6 notes per step), arpeggiator, and multi-effects. The synthesis engine is based on 2 DCOs with continuously variable waveforms, a 2/4-pole Curtis low-pass VCF, 3 D-ADSR envelopes, and 4 LFOs. The modulation capabilities are extensive, thanks to a matrix of 22 sources and 53 destinations.

Video tutorial Sequential Rev 2

8-voice Polyphonic Analog Synthesis

The 8 voices of Prophet Rev2 are composed of 2 digitally controlled analog oscillators (DCO). Both oscillators offer 4 waveforms: sawtooth, sawtooth+triangle, triangle, and pulse. The oscillators of Prophet Rev2 are extremely stable, but if you're looking for the imprecise sound typical of vintage analog, you can use the Osc Slop knob to gradually introduce a random detuning. One of the important innovations introduced by this Revision 2 is represented by the two knobs called Shape Mod. With these, you can continuously shape the amplitude and waveform of the generated sound on each oscillator, to access an extremely wide sonic palette. By pressing the Sync button, we force the wave of oscillator 1 to follow that of oscillator 2, thereby obtaining a more complex and harmonically rich sound. An indispensable white noise generator and the Sub oscillator: a square wave tuned an octave lower than oscillator 1, useful for recreating round and deep basses. The Pan Spread function found in the Amplifiers section gives us the ability to expand the stereo image of the generated sound by positioning individual voices sparsely across the soundstage.

The Unison button allows you to play up to 8 voices simultaneously, with the freedom to assign the amount of detune between one voice and the other to help you program very full-bodied sounds. Pressing it while playing a chord will activate the Chord Memory function, thus memorizing the intervals between notes, and then transposing and reproducing them following the note (root) you play on the keyboard.

The Sequential Prophet Rev 2 is Bi-timbral

Sequential Prophet Rev 2 in the 5-octave keyboard version with 8 voices of polyphony is a powerful bi-timbral analog synthesizer, meaning the instrument can play two sounds independently. It's like having two Prophet Rev 2s at your fingertips, with 4 dedicated voices of polyphony for each sound. The two Layers can be played in Stacked mode, where the two sounds are played simultaneously across the entire keyboard, or in Split mode: one sound is assigned to the upper part of the keyboard and the other to the lower part. Each Layer has its own distinct life. BPM, effects, Unison, Arpeggiator, and Sequencer can also be programmed differently for each sound, without interfering with each other: two instruments in one.

The 8-voice Prophet Rev2 filter

The warm, unique, and incisive sound of this powerful synthesizer is also the result of its analog filter: a resonant low-pass filter switchable to 2 or 4 poles. Like many successful vintage or modern analog instruments, the Prophet Rev2 filter also bears the signature of the late engineer Doug Curtis. In the filter section of this synth's panel, there is also the Audio Mod knob, which allows us to adjust the amount of audio coming from oscillator 1, useful for modulating the filter cutoff to obtain movement on the harmonics of the upper part of the sound spectrum, a particularly noticeable effect when we are in 4-pole mode with light resonance parameter values.

Waveform Modulation

Although the sonic character of the Sequential Prophet Rev2 is determined by its analog oscillators and filters, much of its power to create unique and unusual sounds comes from the creative use of its modulations. The 4 LFOs offer five waveforms: triangle, sawtooth, inverted sawtooth, square, and random (sample & hold). There are three 5-stage envelopes: D(delay)-ADSR. One dedicated to the filter, another to the amplifier, and the third assignable. There are 22 sources from which to draw modulations and 53 destinations that can be modulated. The Modulation section allows us to program these modulations in a very simple and intuitive way, by pressing and touching the parameters we want to connect to each other via Source, Destination, and Amount.

The Effects of the Sequential Prophet Rev2

The integrated multi-effect provides a choice of the following effects applicable to each Layer: reverb, delay (standard and BBD), chorus, phaser, flanger, ring mod, distortion, and a high-pass filter. In Stacked or Split mode, you can apply a different effect to each Layer. For even more extreme sound design, all effect parameters can be modulated through the dedicated matrix.

Arpeggiator and Poly Step Sequencer

The programmable arpeggiator of the Sequential Prophet Rev2 can be configured in the classic Up, Down, Up + Down, Random progressions and in the order in which the notes are played by us. The notes generated by the arpeggiator and the Sequencer can be transmitted to the MIDI OUT; through the dedicated Global setting, we can decide whether to send them both via DIN, via USB, or only to one of the two options. Both Arpeggiator and Sequencer are synchronizable to external MIDI Clock or to the internal Master Clock with Tap Tempo.

Inside Prophet Rev 2 we find a Sequencer with two distinct modes. The first is the Polyphonic mode where we can record up to 64 steps with a maximum of 6 notes per step. This mode will allow you to create very complex rhythmic and melodic sequences. The second mode is Gated: unlike the polyphonic one, it allows us to record up to 4 tracks of 16 steps each. In this mode, the Sequencer will not transmit notes, but will allow us to store parameter variations of the Synth step-by-step.

Prophet Rev2 Keyboard and Controls

The panel offers 55 potentiometers for immediate access to almost all instrument parameters. It includes 512 permanent factory presets and 512 rewritable user programs. All this polyphonic power is housed in a high-quality five-octave semi-weighted keyboard, sensitive to velocity and aftertouch (mono). Among the other features that make it an ideal instrument for concerts or studio recording, we note the presence of an integrated power supply and an intelligible OLED display.

Sequential Prophet Rev2 Connections

On the rear panel of the Prophet Rev2, we find a headphone output and 2 stereo audio outputs named Main/A Output and B Output. The Main/A output reproduces the sound of both layers if no cable is connected to the B output. Simply connect a cable to the B output to separate the two audio signals of the layers and assign them to their respective outputs.

A Pedal/CV Input is used to connect a standard expression pedal (¼” TRS jack) assignable via the modulation section to control various parameters, or a CV audio signal (max 5V peak-to-peak). The presence of a ¼” TS jack input dedicated to a sustain pedal is natural, and another input called Sequencer is intended for connecting a footswitch or receiving a CV audio signal to start/stop the sequencer, arpeggiator, or other functions indicated in the manual. For MIDI connection, we have In, Out, and Thru in DIN format and a USB Type B port for bidirectional communication with PC and Mac computers.

Sequential Prophet Rev2 Features

    
• 8-voice analog synthesizer
    
• Bi-timbral: 4x2 layers or split
    
• Memory: 512 presets (4x128) + 512 user
    
• 5-octave keyboard with semi-weighted keys
    
• Velocity and mono aftertouch sensitive
    
• Assignable Pitch and Modulation Wheel
    
• 55 knobs and 35 buttons
    
• Glide (portamento): with separate speeds for each oscillator
    
• 2 DCOs: saw, triangle, saw/triangle, variable width pulse
    
• Hard Sync
    
• White noise generator
    
• 1 Curtis low-pass filter (2 or 4 poles)
    
• Analog VCA
    
• 3 DADSR envelopes: filter, VCA, and assignable (with loop)
    
• 64-step polyphonic sequencer (6 notes per step)
    
• 4-track 16-step x 4 mode
    
• Each layer can have a separate sequence
    
• 4 LFOs
    
• 8-slot modulation matrix
    
• 22 sources and 53 destinations
    
• 5 additional sources: mod wheel, pressure, velocity, breath controller, footswitch
    
• Programmable arpeggiator with Re-latch
    
• Note repeat
    
• MIDI: DIN In, Out, Thru; USB Type B
    
• 2 stereo audio outputs: MAIN/A and Out B
    
• Headphone output: 1/4" stereo jack.
    
• Sustain pedal input ¼” TS jack
    
• Pedal input for sequencer and arpeggiator on/off
    
• Pedal/CV input (¼” TRS jack): for expression pedals or CV (0 - 5 VDC)
    
• Dimensions and weight: 89.20x32.26x9.65cm; 9.3KG
    
• IEC connector for mains power supply
    
• Consumption: approx. 17W
    
• Wooden side panels (African mahogany)