Bought new direct from Sequential's US factory in 2021, this all-analogue Prophet-5 Rev 4 Desktop Module is the property of a respected UK keyboardist, composer and Sound On Sound writer. The unit is in perfect working order with exceptionally stable tuning. Having been carefully stored in the owner's smoke-free studio since day one, it remains in excellent condition apart from a few minor cosmetic blemishes. The desktop model is sonically identical to the Rev 4 keyboard version and shares the exact same circuit board, analogue signal path, voice architecture and sound engine. It can be expanded to 10 voices using an user-installable official voice expansion card, which also offers stack and split functions.

The module is housed in a tough, premium-quality steel casing with a hand-oiled black walnut wood trim that matches the original Prophet-5 keyboard. Its simple knob-per-function layout lets you design sounds instantly without searching through menus: with a little practice, you can program brass stabs, big EDM pads and risers, screaming leads, banging bass sounds, delicate choir and flutes, vintage organ emulations and sci-fi effects. As with the original keyboard, the secret weapon is the groundbreaking Poly Mod section, which can create anything from lush PWM string pads, delicate exotic plucks and shimmering soundscapes to Prodigy-like big, devastating basses and howling lead lines.

The 2020 Rev 4 reissue perfectly copies the sonic footprint of the vintage 1978 Prophet-5. You can switch between three classic sound styles: the raw tone of the Rev 1, the warm organic power of the Rev 2 and the clean, marginally brighter sound of the Rev 3. For the sake of authenticity designer Dave Smith included two different filter chips: Dave Rossum's SSI 2140 (based on Rossum's SSM 2040 used for the Rev 1 and Rev 2) and the original Doug Curtis CEM 3320 filter used for the Rev 3. The oscillators are original Curtis CEM 3340 VCOs, also used for the Rev 3. If you want to introduce some unpredictable analogue drift, the 'Vintage Knob' progressively destabilises the oscillators, envelopes and amplifiers, emulating the behaviour of various revisions ranging from the perfectly stable Rev 4 to the wildly temperamental Rev 1.

In addition to faithfully recreating the 1978 instrument's core design, the Rev 4 model adds essential modern features such as velocity, aftertouch, USB and a full MIDI spec. Each front panel control has been assigned its own MIDI continuous controller number, so any changes you make to knobs and switches will be transmitted over MIDI and recorded in your DAW. As a result, you can program filter sweeps, LFO modulation, release on/off, program changes, etc. When played over MIDI you can also access the Prophet Rev 4’s full nine-octave range, from seismic sub-bass rumbles to stratospherically high pitches.

Rear panel connections include a 1/4" mono jack out, 1/4" headphone output compatible with stereo headphones, MIDI In/Out/Thru, a bidirectional USB port for MIDI communication, CV and Gate I/O, sustain footswitch and expression pedal inputs for filter cutoff and volume. The module operates on voltages between 100 and 240 volts at 50 to 60Hz and has a standard IEC AC power inlet for its internal power supply - no wall warts required!

The legendary Prophet-5 was the world’s first fully programmable polyphonic synthesizer; it set the standard for hundreds of imitators and remains the first choice instrument for many leading synth players. Sadly, original instruments in good working order are increasingly rare and notoriously difficult to service. The 2021 Rev 4 Desktop model offers a viable modern alternative, packing all the desirable features of the Prophet-5's 42-year evolution into a compact upgraded MIDI module with vastly improved reliability.

Includes original product box, poster, sticker, manual and Sequential badge. UK sales only.