Dave Smith Instruments Prophet'08

Of course it's easy to use. It has knobs for about every feature. I'm going to cut to the chase, but please read and take my review as serious as you would take someone lifting two grand from you.

The features are nothing you shouldn't expect for the price.

Ok, so here is the serious failure in this product. I'd like to start with pointing out that it is NOT a VCO(voltage controlled oscillator) synth, it is a DCO(Digital controlled oscillator synth). A little history...The reason they began using DCO's in synths was due to the vast lack of stability in VCO's. Since they were voltage controlled they were subject to react to any radical change in the electrical current. There was also a common problem with parts working successfully and consistently with VCO's due to parts not working in harmony with each other capacitors etc... Thus they began to use DCO's. Many of the first DCO's are considered great synth's but even some of them are subject to irrational behavior. It is said that almost all Juno 106's will eventually die due to a bad voice chip design. So then for the sake of stability and of course cheaper product they began Virtual analog. The first were sometimes thin and brittle. But that changed in the mid late nineties with synths like the nord...Eh, ok so now that your up to speed. This is a DCO synth. Not a Re-issue of the 70's prophet. It will not sound like a analog synth. Honestly it sounds horrible. Many people will defend this synth violently because they spent two grand. Don't, its not analog in any way. Save your money and buy a used nord. or Virus or Waldorf. These are stable and you get your moneys worth. these things are built like crap. This is an attempt for a pioneering synth designer to cash in before he retires. Dave smith was a genius ut he's no Bob moog. Just read the Vintage Synthesizers book and it will tell you all about how he tried to screw over the guys from EMU. Nuff said. Stay away from this piece of crap. I apologize for the bad grammar. I'm short on time.

As reliable as a Faberge egg.

Stay away, what more can I say?

This is a highly misunderstood synth. Many want it to be a like a Prophet 5, it isn't. I've read countless reviews bashing the features of the thing, but those reviewers didn't have an idea of what this synth is. If you're looking for an old-school analog, then do yourself a favor and buy one of the old-school monsters. This isn't one of them. Stepped (Digital) controls and DCOs won't sound or feel the same as a Prophet 5's VCOs and analog controls. THAT SAID......... this thing is a MONSTER in its own right! I am absoluteley in love with it. I am a Drum & Bass producer specializing in melodic, paddy electro stuff with a hardline breakbeat & bass combination. All of my music has a hint of 80's sound in it, and the Prophet '08 excels at this! You can make all manner of Prophet 5-type brassy sounds, which I make plenty of use of!

The presets suck. But don't let them lead you that you can't program good sounds with it! You really don't start hearing what this baby can do until you dive into the programming and modulation possibilities. In that way, this instrument is not for the faint-at-heart. Don't buy this unless you plan on learning subractive synthesis, at least on a basic level. This is not a keyboard for anyone wanting a grand piano simulation at the touch of a button, but if you're reading this then you already knew that anyway. :)

If you are new to subtractive synthesis, this is by all means a great 'first synth' to learn on due to the simple layout of the controls and scarcity of menu-diving.

Editing is very easy. I didn't get the Editor (heard its quit buggy at the moment) and I don't feel that its necessary. MOST ALL of the controls have their own dedicated knobs, save for a few in Misc. & Global Parameters, but just two menus isn't bad at all for a modern synth this feature-laden. The 4 LFO's and 4 Modulators share their own respective controls, but it is laid out very well and easily understood.

Manual is barebones, but I like it this way. Just enough information for me to figure out what the LFO controls are or modulation destinations, and the like.

8 voice polyphony. In a world dominated by Access Virus TI's with 80-voice polyphony, this may seem infinitley small. But, there's a huge difference between Digital "Virtual" Voices and actual analog circuitry. Just turn on the Unision on a Prophet '08 after cranking the "Unision" to 16 or whatever on an Access Virus and you'll see what I mean. (By the way I also have an Acces Virus Indigo [T-model], which I love.) If 8 voices simply aren't enough, then you can use the Poly Chain out along with another P'08 (module?) to double the polyphony to 16 voices!

Built-in FX, none. Good move on Dave Smith's part. If effects were included, either the price would jump for quality analog effects or we'd have a **** digital FX selection we'd probably all want to bypass.

This thing has complete MIDI Implementation (would you expect less from the man who invented the protocol?) and all its ins-and-outs are in the back of the manual. Both CC's and NPRN can be sent/received along with SysEx and all the whistles.

The onboard sequencer can be tricky at first, but it is very powerful and a load of FUN to use! Basically 16 of the pots are converted into 'steps' in Edit Sequencer mode. Its just the classic 4x16 patterns common to sequencers of the past. You can use each of the 4 sequences to INDIVIDUALLY modulate things! Great results form that!

The arpeggiator, on the other hand, SUCKS. There's no way around it. No random, no multiple octaves, no patterns. Just BPM and clock divide. Horrible! I have it swtiched on only for ideas, then switch it off and program the arpeggio in my sequencer (Cubase). I even had my P'08 freak out on me when I tried to send MIDI notes to it with the arp switched on!

Points off for the crappy arpeggiator.

Sounds f*cking amazing. Just sit down with the basic patch and within minutes of tweaking you'll discover how great this thing can sound! The analog waveshapes are spot on. Saw, Tri, Saw-Tri, Noise, and variable Pulse waves 0-100 give you alot to work with. Envelopes can be either long or snappy. The Delay feature on all three envelopes is a nice addition not really found on other synths, I've used it for 'pushing back' stuff on a rhythm, or for volume swells (along with a slow attack). Curtis filters sound sick! (Dave Smith had to get Curtis to make a new batch of these chips [which were discontinued] especially for his instruments!) The 4-pole mode is especially satisfying. All manner of spacey resonances can be acheived by playing with the cutoff and having the resonance up. It can even self-oscillate (and there's instructions in the manual how to do this.) Filter-only audio sounds really great on this board. Some may complain that having no multi-mode filters is a limiation, but I've found that I can make all manner of sounds from just having this 2/4-pole Low Pass Filter.

As I make electronic music, my patches tend to be a bit on the wild side. I usually try to max out the modulation possibilities on my patches to make things interesting. P'08 is great for this. It can scream with the best of 'em. Adding some distortion outboard can really take things to another level and I highly recommend this!

Modulation is extensive. 4 LFO's and 4 Modulations. Ability to route almost anything to almost anything. Awesome! Spend some time in the modulation matrix, and you'll discover the real power behind this baby.

I sprung the extra $100 for the Potentionmeter (PE) Edition. Almost all of the rotary encoders are replaced by Pots. This is almost not an option for me, encoders suck. I like to tweak on-the-fly, and while encoders work fine if you're automating (consequently, so do pots, as automation bypasses these controls anyway). The Pots feel nice, however, we have to keep in mind that this is an instrument sold at a reasonable price from a SMALL COMPANY. The build quality is so-so, but NOT HORRIBLE. It all depends how you treat your gear. I'm definitly the babying type. Some that like to smash their keyboards on stage (a la Trent Reznor) may not appreciate how certain things may seem a bit on the delicate side. The buttons, and most of the Pots feel great! However, I've had a Problem with my Filter Env Amt Pot, even tho its a pot and supposedly the upgrade to Pots would resolve any paramter jumping issues, I still have them occasionally on that Pot only, when its aroun "0" value (Halfway up). It seems that vibrations on the casing's face from pushing buttons or nearby pots throws off the value of the Filt Env Amt when in that position. Points off for this, however their excellent customer support almost nullifies this, because they will practically bend over backwards for you. I've heard of people getting entirely new voice boards when problems cannot be resolved! That's like a brand new synth! Try doing that with Roland or Korg. I haven't yet contacted them about this as I've found ways around it for now, but should the problem persist, I have no doubt they'll take care of it.

Would I gig with it? Yes. Without a backup, I don't know. Iv'e had it freak out on me before (during MIDI session with arpeggiator on) and had to run the calibration routine (takes a good ten or so minutes, try doing that on stage!!!) to get it back in order. In all honesty thats the only time its ever happened. Using local control I've never had an issue like that.

My P'08 PE shipped with an encoder knob where a potentionmeter knob should have been. I emailed DSI and they had my replacement knob at my door in three days (And I live in Texas.) They were very prompt in replying to emails, both when I was still researching the synth and afterwards as an owner of one. I have no doubt they will help me resolve my Filt Env Amt issue above should it annoy me to that point.

It's great. There's nothing else on the (new) market like it at all (Save maybe the A6, but thats a whole other beast.) Buy it. You probably won't regret it so long as your not a purist or other hard-headded ***. Once again, it's not going to be a Prophet 5. Think of it as more of an analog/digital hybird. Analog signal path, with digital controls, LFOs, envelopes. The tone-generation is analog but the modulators are mostly digital. Some may really not like this, but I happen to love it. Digital does get points for reliability. BUY IT!

pretty easy if you're at all familiar with analog or even virtual analog synths. The modulation matrix is a little more extensive than most vintage synths so that may confuse some users. It's a good idea to get the patch editor software, especially if you plan to use the step sequencer.

all analog signal path. :)
8 voices is enough for my purposes. :)
2 osc's per voice. :)
2 parts. (splits polyphony in half)
8 voice Unison with spread capability. :)
no effects, but I usually don't like on-board effects.
You can expand it with another Prophet'08... kinda excessive for most people.
Full midi support.
no external audio input. :(
it has a basic 16 step sequencer for making short modulation patterns. You will need a dedicated midi sequencer if you want to sequence a song.
This is not a starter keyboard.

First off... This is an analog poly synth. If you don't know what that means, don't even think about getting one of these. You are not going to get a piano sound out of this. This is a specialized instrument not a bread and butter ROMpler.
The presets are pretty cheesey for the most part, but it is capable of more. It's not great for basses and sounds with very quick envelopes. It's strongest with shimmery pads, bell like synths, atmospherics, motion synths and even unstable atonal noises. It does a decent job at leads, and you can get some giant ones with full unison, but it's not the silky smooth kind you can get with a vintage Moog. The filters are more gritty than silky, but that's not always a negative, although I'd like to have more control over that. The sensitivity and aftertouch are very nice. It definitely has it's own character. some may not like it, but I find it very usable. I use it in two bands. one is a dark ambient experimental group. The other is a more rock band with some post punk, brit pop, shoegaze and indie rock influences. I could also see it used for various forms of electronic music and progressive rock, although I don't have much interest in the latter. I would say, if your doing hip-hop, dub or any bass heavy genres you may want to look into a something else. I personally bought a Little Phatty to fill my needs for bass, smooth leads and filtering external sources. All that said it is much fatter than any of the virtual synths I've used.

The casing is nice.
The knobs are a little wobbly.
The keyboard is well built.
The wheels seem solid enough.
The wall wart is kinda cheesy.

haven't had to use it.

I would definitely consider buying another one if I lost it, but the price tag could put a damper on that.
I've been playing with synths since about 1985.
I currently own a Prophet '08, Moog Little Phatty, Korg Prophecy, and a Korg Mono/Poly.
I bought this along with a Little Phatty, after selling most of my ROMpler and virtual analog gear. I got the two of them for the cost of a Moog Voyager, which was my other choice. I'm pretty satisfied.

The reviews on here always seem to lurch from one extreme to the other , and I'm going to add my voice to the ongoing "feel the love" end.

1) This is a good synth. Full stop. It just covers more bases than any number of classics did " back in the day", whatever you preference for VCO swirl and wobble ( we'll come to that in a minute). Its modulation sources make it more versatile than the classics ; this isn't an argument, just a fact of modern synth design. Instruments like the Prophet 08 and Andromeda provide greater versatility than instruments the P5 or 0BX simply because the luxury of many more modulation sources combined with analog oscillators produces this result. This is not an argument about tonal character, but an observation of what advances in design process have led to.

2) Condemning those who like synth as " green" and "unfamiliar with the real mccoy P5" , etc, seems fairly pointless when these pages are full of 'veterans' such as myself who love this synth ( and also, naturally, 'veterans' who don't).

3) From my point of view , and others on here apparently, the distinctive qualities of this synth don't mean it has to sound "just like a P5" to be of any value in itself. What does its tone offer that's distinctive ? To reapeat & paraphrase several other posts ; an upfront "sizzle" and presence in the mix that's all of its own ; a rare kind of 'musicality' in the tone thats actually more reminiscent of several lesser known 70s antiques rather than the sequentials and oberheims of this world ; a very pure treble end ; and the straightforward versatility further up.

4) Regardless of all that, for most people the choice just won't be between a p5 and obx or p8 to start with. In a world dominated by software synths most people have not even had the opportunity to integrate analog sound into their set-up. This synth is a very viable solution for a large number of people for whom the prospect of rev2 p5s and moog modulars is just a distant, impractical and expensive luxury. For most people the choice will be between digital va synths in an already computer-saturated environment, and an instrument like this. If you run 5 softsynths, the Prophet 08 will provide with you more that's new & distinctive than an Access Virus or Nord Lead. Again, this is just a fact, rather than an argument.

5) There's plenty of room for vintage synths, softsynths *and* new analog synths.
A large amount of energy seems to expended telling people exactly why they shouldn't bother at all with new instruments like this , as they don't sound *exactly* like someone's favourite from 1980, which means we should all go home. This is a worthwhile synth that a lot of people like, that does a lot of new things with an old format , for a decent price. Variety is the spice of life - eat, drink and be merry.

I have the P08 PE edition. Pretty easy to use assuming you know about analog synth programming.

Keyboard feels fine. Pots are sturdy and smooth.

I've had this synth for around a month now. When I first plugged it in and started to play, I actually though the keyboard was broken - the first patch ('Wagnerain', or something - I blew it out so I'd never have to see or hear it again) is so exceptionally and profoundly bad. Whoever programmed that patch should be flogged everyday for eternity, It's really that bad. Not a great first impression to say the very least.

So I moved on to the other patches...most of them are as equally awful. Not a big deal, I've read this over and over on the web so I expected the worst and I wasn't let down by the utter crappyness of the factory programs.

Like I said, no biggie - I cut my teeth on a JP-6, so I love to program. This reveals the major flaw with this synth. It just basically sounds like crap. The filter is weak and grainy (not in a good way) and the envelopes are sloppy.

On something like a Minimoog where you have to struggle to get a bad sound, on the P08 you have to struggle to get something even usable. And then try and record it with other instruments and you can't even hear it in a mix - only the brightest aspects of the sound makes it through.

It does some nice brass and string sounds but that's about it. Filter sweeps are thin, basses lack guts, sync sounds are just okay. There's zero growl here. Quirky sounds that any self-respecting analog poly synth should be able to do in seconds are totally non-existent.

I know, I know, "Dave wasn't interested in rehashing the past." I'm sure his intention wasn't to make a wimpy, characterless keyboard either...but he did.

Put it this way, if you've never heard or owned a decent poly like a Jupiter-6 or even a Juno-60, you might think this synth sounds like an old classic. It doesn't. It lacks the vibe of those oldies and sounds many times removed like a photocopy of a photocopy of a photocopy of a photocopy. Yeah, you can tell what it's supposed to be, but it's only a mere shadow and all the important stuff has been lost.

Does it sound like a Prophet-5? Ha, ha... If you think an Epiphone Les Paul sounds like a vintage Gibson Les Paul, then yes, it sounds just like a Prophet-5. Apples and oranges, really...

What are the redeeming qualities of the P08? It's small, loaded with knobs, and has wood on the sides. You can stack and split sounds, at the cost of polyphony, of course. The arpeggiator, though, sounds dumb and reacts poorly. The gated sequencer is flat-out dumb and counter-intuitive.

I own a Jupiter-6, Juno-60, Minimoog, Rogue, DW-8000, Poly-800 II and Yamaha CS2X. Which of these synths does the P08 most sound like? The cheap ten-year-old all digital CS2X, only not as thick.

I'm not some bozo who tried it in a music store for a few minutes and came away with a bad opinion. I dropped $1850.00 on this turd and have the balls to call it what it is. Usually, people will defend their pricey purchases with glowing reviews because they refuse to admit they wasted a major chunk of change. That's fine, but it helps no one out other than you and your delicate sensibilities.

Like I said, if you're a kid who has never heard a classic before, let alone a top-of-the-heap analog poly like a Prophet-5, Memorymoog, JP-8 or a CS-80, you might think the P08 sounds good.

It's not even in the same class of a Matrix-6 or a Juno-60 or a Poly-6...or a Poly 800 II even...those boards all sound like massive modular monsters in comparison.

I know I sound like a huge jerk with a chip on his shoulder but don't make the same mistake as me. I'll keep this thin, metallic-sounding synth for live use since drunk people won't know the difference, but the P08 will never make it on a recording...I'll keep trying though.

Seems okay.

I've heard DSI is very good in this regard.

Stay away unless you have a lot of money to burn.

Not sure what the software version, will have to check this out before I can really say here.
The presets sound great judging by the samples on their site, shows that this will be a very creative device.
I haven't actually used it yet but it looks very easy - no prior experience with synthesis will be necessary, unless you want to create really boring stuff.
The manual, I hear is fine.

I will check the manual for the polyphony but I believe it's around 7. There are no built in effects however this is a bit academic because every sound is an effect - it's a synth!
By linking together with other prophets you can obtain a polyphony of at least 22. Especially if you use 3.
There's a lot of stuff in the middle, too much to mention here.
According to the manual (bible) this prophet has a very good sequencer, it's very flexible and it's very easy to use, especially for the novice.

The wooden side panels mean that it can produce very realistic acoustic instruments, I believe the Trumpet preset is better than the real instrument.
This instrument would definitely be better for classical music, nothing on here would suit electronic music and has no relevance there. If you want that then buy a flute.

It's never let me down and I hope that continues when I use it. I wouldn't use it on a gig it's not the type of place you would take it to.
This question would be better rephrased as, "Would you introduce it to your mother?
The answer is no I wouldn't.

Brilliant, really friendly even when you don't have a problem.

I haven't bought it yet so no comment on it's value. If it were stolen I would find the thief and buy it back.
I've been playing for a number of years and have just learned my first chords, so really chuffed about that.
I hate the fact that I cannot afford one yet.
I compared it to a pair of trousers and decided on the trousers in the end.
I wish it had pots like the PE version.
It's great for music if that's what you wan to do with it.
I have sweets.

I think I got one of the first or second prophet-08's to come into Canada with a very low serial number on it.
I am not much a fan of the presets, I quickly started by programming my own sounds and found it very easy to use.
I have only really had to pick up the manual a few times and I thought it could explain a few things a bit better, however I have previously used several other analog synths so I was at home on this one.

At 8 voices of analog polyphony I find it to be enough. A synth like this doesn't need to have a million voices and multifx, etc, etc.
The keyboard action is ok. I wasn't expecting a piano. It's fine for a synth.
The reason to use this synth in my opinion is it's fantastic modulation routings and step sequencers.
It will make your sounds move all over the place. It offers functions that it's older counterpart doesn't.
The layer mode is nice as well if you want to create very complex sounds and sequences. Also the Pan spread is a nice addition and reminds me a little of my beloved OB-8.

As an owner of many vintage poly synthesizer's (Jupiter-4, OB-8, OBX, Prophet-5, Jupiter-8, Polysix) I will say that it is NOT a prophet-5. I actually put them side by side and programmed the same patches on both to hear the difference (thanks to the prophet-5's patch sheets in the user manual). The prophet-5 DOES sound bigger, but the 08 does sound analog and sits in my music in ways that the prophet-5 can't.
The 08 does sound like a sequential though. There is no doubt about that. And for those who are using VA, there is simply no comparison to real Analog.
If you think the 08 is not sounding rich enough, Add oscilator slop, detune the voices a bit, put it into layer mode, Hit the UNISON button.

I would say that luckily I have not had an issue, and I don't expect to. It is brand new so no need to worry about dead SSM/ curtis chips, and recapping it. That is one thing I don't like about the old gear.
I have taken it out for a show, and I will again.
It is nice an small compared to a Jupiter or Oberheim.
I do hope that the knobs keep up over the years though.

Once I had to contact Dave Smith Instruments regarding the Evolver's software.
It was a sunday afternoon around dinner time. I emailed, and within an hour I had a response from Dave Smith himself with a software fix via a midi file!!
I am sorry Roland, Korg, Yamaha, & E-mu but that is the best synth support I have ever had. Perhaps you could learn something from this small, QUALITY company!

Overall it is a great modern synth. It is about time that there were a few Analog options in the new synth market. It stands out in the age of sterile computer production,VA's and workstations.
I would replace it if It was lost or stolen with another one perhaps a desktop to save some space though.
I do wish there was another 2 banks of memory to store patches though.
Also missed is the Polymod of the prophet-5.
Otherwiswe it is a great new synth!

I think software is brilliant.
I think presets are there just for example of the overall potential of the instruments.

The manual is the key to understand the purpose of this instrument, something as: "please play, you are not an engineer, I've done the engineering for you"

Polyphony right, enough...

The sequencer, as all sequencers is hard to understand. A a part of a rock structure.
Well, it's gated. And that's in someway a suggestion to me.

Sound is great. It depends form ears to ears. But this actually it's great to me, because I'm looking for a kind of sound that's not futuristic or vintage.

This instruments is very powerful: I play rock with it, classical, and dance too (it has 4 (four) LFO's!)

Good keyboard

I'd carried with me in an hard case.
No problem.

The price, in the end, is correct.
I've played it for 6 months.

I love sound and hate a little the limit of cannot play it for 5 hours in a day. It's not a piano, it's easy to lost your imagination in one of the hundred possibilities of this instrument.

I wish it had... more pedals!

To play it is an experience.

The last thing to share: music is time! I whish the prophet was built in four dimensions!

pretty straightforward poly analog layout, except for the layer features, check the manual on there.

polyphony good, keybed response pretty good, like the stacking feature.

there's absolutely no question = this synth has more presence than all the 'virtual analog' synths on the market. This reminds me of the Juno-60 , actually, but with miles better features and fkexibility. People who say this instrument is good for a balance of "modern electronica' ( clean treble and highs) and 'vintage' ( warmth & presence) are bang-on, and that's what you get with the best DCO synths. one or two reviewers below a bit muddled about the point of the synth,,; wasn't supposed to be a retread of the prophet 5 to start with, as dave smith said. It's half sequential sound and half new synth ( clean ) sound and damn good at being just that.

some complaints about the knovs, but considering the price they 've got it down to for a multi voice analog you'd expect that the trade off there.

all you need to is the compare the sound to overpriced VAs, and the featureset on old 80s analogs out there, to see what strong value this is. optimistically we;re going to see more like this and fewer VA synths.

Limited polyphony as 30 years ago.
Somehow cheap feel of knobs and buttons.
Due to target price synth looks cheap.
Functionally it is 90% OK.

P08 doesn't have signature sound of heavyweight synthesizers we loved so much in 80s. It ressembles them., but pale in comparison.
Polyevolver is better synth than this prophet.
Don't expect Prophet 5 here.
Some VAs (Virus TI) are better to my ears, even Andromeda that is criticized heavily has overal more balls and character.
IMO budget was so low that better synth couldn't be actually produced.

No idea.

I couldn't force myself to keep it.
I have Polyevolver PEK+PER for 8 voices and this combo at least has something special and new brought to table. It is new concept.
I expected a lot from P08, but it didn't deliver.
For guys who never owned Prophet 5 or Memorymoog P08 might sound like analogue synth from the past, but it's not so.
I don't recommend it to real analogue afficionados.