Dave Smith Instruments Prophet'08

I'm about to install the version that came vith the editor, not sure which is installed right now.
Presets focus on showcaseing the synths features, more as an inspiration than something you play out of the box. Then again, this is not a synth where you'll need the presets anyway. I really don't understand the criticism below, this. is. an. easy. synth. to. edit. Period. If you can't tell which knob to turn - espescially when working with the external editor, well, wash your ears! ;) I've only been breezing through the manual but it seems pretty clear.

8 voices can always be expanded to 16 with the P'08 module. :) The keyboard action is really nice, it's very easy to feel at home on this particular key bed. Stiff, but not heavy and very, very responsive. AT feels balanced and just right. It suits me better than my Andromeda and MUCH better than my Moog LP. No fx, but hey, can You afford a good enough reverb yourself anyway? The sequencer is really flexible, not as powerful as on the Poly Evolver but easier to implement.

Extremely precise analog fatness from the start, and with the osc slop you get all the drift you want - within reason. The unison mode blows anything away, it's the fattest unison I've heard next to the MKS-80. Separate glide rates per osc is nice, and there's a LOT of options for sculpting your favorite sounds. Analog strings and percussive sounds are a breeze, for softer pads I still use the Andromeda. For now, perhaps. :)

It's very light weight but still feels sturdy. I wouldn't hesitate to bring it to a gig. The only downside is the dreaded wall wart power supply, why?!?! I HATE wall warts, and that brings it down to an 8.

Extremely helpful. I have an Evolver and a PER, and DSI have always been as helpful as they can be. Probably the best support in the business!

I'd replace it in a blink. I have a ton of synths, but this is the first poly analog I consider gigging with on a regular basis. It sounds great, it's light weight, it seems reliable and looks great on stage. Considering the price and the support, I'd say it's a best buy among analog polys today. Sure, the Andromeda and the Code8 have advantages, but this one has the SOUND. Get one, you won't regret it.

At a start i was quite worried that the endless knobs was going to be a problem to me coz i have never used this kind of knobs. I was very worried that i would no havet he visable overview of the sound like you have on other analog synths with knobs. But after a while i also could see the advantage of endless knobs. Especialy when you start to program an old preset that you not have been working with for a while. Then the knob starts where you left it the last time and you dont have to feel where it was before. It is just a new way of working with the synth. It would be gret if we could have light diods like the Moog LP or Nordlead 3, but it had for sure affected the price.

We got 8 voices of poly in a true analog synth. It got a load of LFO??s and modulators. A great sequencer and arpeggiator. A very nice keyboard (i use mine as the master in my home studio). This baby got it all. Meaby a highpass filter would do the thing to give it a 10. But im very pleased with the comptence of this machine.

I have owned a few analog polys like Roland Jupiter 8, SCI Prophet 5 (rev 2), Oberhiem OBXa and they all sounds very good. My favorite was the Prophet 5 especialy the Rev 2 with the SSM2040 filter. This machine is that good also. You can imeditly hear its P5 sound. That sweet analog living sound. And the fine thing about the P08 is that you can adjust how "alive" you want it to be with a parameter how drifty the Oscs will be. So you can have it to sound as clean as you want and as dirty, drifty as you want. Amazing. Great sound!

This is the main reason why i bought it. As i said before i have owned a few old analog polys and as you know, old analog polys are getting quite expensive and they are not getting larger in numbers. So sold my polys to sleep better at night and save some time prying that they will not die on me. I can always reliy on this babay. No warming up time, no strange overheat problems and it only gets out of tune as much as i want it :)

I have not had any problem with my P08 yet so i have not been forced to contact DSI. But i have heard that Mr.Dave him self anwers if you contact DSI. Meaby i should contact them just to have a nice conversation with the god of analog polys ;) *joke*

This synth is here to stay in my home studio. This is the synth i build up my sound around nowdays. I just love it. I was searching for a good analog poly for a few years and have tryed a few, Alesis Andromeda, Studio electronics Omega 8 etc etc but there have always been something that i did not like. The Andromeda A6 sounds to "flat" i think and the Omega 8 is much to expensive etc etc. This is a great synth for a great price. So if you are in to analog polys and want to play/making music instead of sending your instrument to your lokal repair man. This is the machine for you.

as mentiond typical subtractive , very hands on . the presets just show of different facets of the sound engine to get you moving. they're not meant be some kind of end-all like on a rompler.

8 voices of poly and curtis filters. you can split and layer your sounds. the main thing is the modulation options , which go a long way to make it pack a punch.

in response to the guy below - did you notice this is actually for 'user' reviews ? ie people who actually own the synth ?the reason you were disappointed was because you spent ten minutes in a store, on a MONO speaker ! give me a break . half the power of this thing is in the modulating options, that's where you find the mojo with this. And as for the mono demoing, a lot of the patches are set up for stereo image effects on the l/r to the channels, so no wonder you haven't heard what it can do. the filter sizzles and bubbles with a really hot sound. very nice. if anyone thinks the sounds the same as software I don't know what planet they're on. most of the people praising the sound down there mention comparison with their old synths, they're not newbs here.

after losing breaking two knobs on my mek got them in the post pronto.

this is a powerful synth no question, and I would replace if lost. there's lots of edge and spice in the sound and does a lot. if people are going to review stuff, please actually try and spend some time with them first !

I agree with the first poster and a few others. My colaberator has the real McCoy P5, and the biggest joy is pushing a button to select "saw tooth" "unison" quickly tweaking a knob in realtime, with out thinking about it's corosponding value in a small lcd screen. Getting back to the program bank is a pain, and scrolling though programs are a nightmare, awkwardly clunky overshooting the program in each direction. As said and agreed, It's no better than Native instruments soft synth.

I give this a "1" because I expect better and more out of Dave Smith, yes we can put digital doodads on hamburger if we want, but is it practicle? What's the point of analog if you are going to hide behind digital controls?

Keyboard action feels about as specail as my E-mu 49 midi controller that I use to controll the native intruments P5, wich by the way, is the worst experience about using native instruments. (my poor quality keyboard controller)

This is where I was extremely disapointed. As I played the P08 trying to emulate the "power sync 5" the benchmark of the prophet sound IMO, it fell short of my expectation. The Prophet5 and even the NI P5 has teeth, this thing has gums.

Even the filter sweep was whimpy compared to the NI and SQ versions.

As I played this machine (I had to go get Bill for a second opinion) I realized I was playing through a Rolland Amp sitting on the floor. Thinking of the fat sound I get out of my DW8000(which btw I think out classes this in grit and umph) which I run in stereo, I asked Bill is the P5 in stereo(thinking the mono source was the culprit) No it's mono this thing should have teeth and it doesn't period! I agreed and we left.

NO opinion, I was there to buy and left with out it.

NO opinion no sale

For those that rant and rave about the fatness of this obviously hasn't played an real analog synty with all of it's glories and flaws of descret cuircuts and semi conductors prone to failure and pots that fail, but for a few bucks all of which can be fixed.
Sure I guess this thing would make a great Trance and Hip Hop machine but for Rock-n-roll you're supposed to feel the analog, it's more than what you hear. If aren't feeling it, and I don't mean in decibles, then it aint happening.

I'll give it a seven because I'm sure it's a ten for most. But if you have a definition of Analog that was defined by Moog, Sequential Cuircuts(pre 81), Oberhiem(OBx1) this will fall short. Especially if you are out to regain that analog in new gear that has been missing from Music store shelves for over 2 decades now. I'll stick with the Native instruments if we're all just making do, until we can get some analog pots, and 4pole filters built back on these so called analog Synths.

...Some of the presets are really good, some are not. But half the fun of a instrument like this is that is really fun to tweak all of the sounds, including the ones that you don't like, to fit your tastebuds. It's so easy, and the sounds that you create become you own one of a kind patches. Creating signature sounds was never easier !!

Eight note polyphony...unless you double up. When you look at the Voyager, eight seems like a lot...and properly used, it is. The keyboard is really nice...very expressive, with alot of control over aftertouch/velocity (the only synth-action keyboard that I prefer the action on is the Virus TI). Great sequencer...I'm still learning how to use it.

Velocity and aftertouch are very expressive and helpful. The instruments are not realistic simulations of acoustic instruments...but hey...this is a analog synth, not a sample playback maching. The sounds SIZZLE...very hard to explain, until you hear it next to a Virus or Nord. Don't get me wrong...I love my Viruses and Nord to death (they have very specific strengths), and I'll never part with them...but this synth just JUMPS out of your speakers with a CLEAR, SIZZLING sound that is so warm and fat. No effects here...the sound is all 100% analog. Listen to it, and you'll know why !!

I don't know how reliable it would be gigging, but I suspect that it would be great, due to the level of refinement on this keyboard. And I'm doubly sure that DSI would be on any repairs with blinding speed (read below).

I have no doubt that DSI would be IMMEDIATE in their response to your call/email. When I got mine, I opened it up, just to find the power supply broken. At 8:30pm, I emailed them, and Andrew at DSI responded within an hour...and had a new power supply to me in 1 day. And I called to ask questions about it pre-purchase, I got Dave Smith, the legend...not a recording. He'll talk as long as it takes to answer any questions (I kept him on the phone for 15 min). You gotta love that !! And maybe I'm just starstruck, but this is also the genius that was responsible for inventing MIDI, the Prophet-5, ETC. WOW !!

I have a ton of gear (2 Viruses, 3 Nords, a Moog Voyager, 2 Yamaha Motif XS's, 3 Hammond organs/w Leslies...etc.). I have been playing for over 40 yrs...and now this monster. Among all these stellar boards, this one stands out. I love everything about it (except maybe the power wall-wart). The way I look at it, my VA's are slick...but the Prophet '08 is powerful in a very big way. As you can tell, I absolutely and catagorically LOVE THIS SYNTH. Please, please...try it out alongside a VA. Unless your totally deaf, you'll immediately see what I mean (actually, if you have the $$, you'll probably walk out with both the Prophet '08 and the Virus TI. Very complementary boards...

this is an intuitive and logical interface, excellent.

Modulation routings galore, hours of fun for adults, my kids, and the dog. Do you really need built in effects when you have a Unison mode splurge like this instrument does ? This man says no.

the Prophet'08 is very sensitive to the touch and to attack vel. The key feel is nicer than most of my old analogs IMHO. Top point though, is that it sounds ==musical== . I've only had two oldie analogs sound musical in this way, as you go from one note to other up a scale, and those were my arp axxe and my arp chroma. Have a play on one, knock out a scale or two and you may just get a handle on what I'm saying.

well it's a bit early for that kind of thing, hey ?

As the good people have said Dave Smith has got a good rep for tech support. Hopefully I won't need it.

As you can probably tell, I like this synth. A lot. It sounds ==musical==.

The Prophet is really well laid out and easy to use. The knobs are a touch sensitive and get bumped easily, but unless you've got fat, frankenstein fingers then you should'nt have too much trouble.
Editing sounds on this synth is a dream. Get a sound and turn a knob. That's it!
As for storing and writing the names of sounds, well... It's ok. The only problem is the "twitchy" knobs really. The editing program is very straight forward and I like that.
The presets aren't all that bad and nearly every sound I've created started from a preset. Only two sounds did I create from a basic patch.
The manual is pretty simple, but it's all there, provided you know how to use analogue synths. If you haven't, then get online and find a tutorial!!

Prophet 08 = 8 voices. The semi-weighted keys are real good and don't feel as flimsy as most other keyboards. It plays well.
No effects to speak of... and yet I don't care!!! I'm using T.C effects pedals for what I need and I bought them because the Prophet didn't cost me my first born. Plus, the Prophet has excellent modulation capabilities. It gets pretty endless when you start getting inside it.
The filters sound amazing and you can texture sounds all day long. I've gotten some great "filter only' sounds out of this puppy too.
The sequencer is the best ******* thing on this synth. It rocks!!!! Lots of control and variation. I love it.
I haven't used the MIDI yet. I believe that Dave Smith was the pioneer of MIDI so no problems I presume?

Velocity and Aftertouch is what it is.
The sound that comes out of this thing is bullshit. I did an a/b test with my P5 and it sounds every bit as good as it's predecessor. Absolutely beautiful in the low end and is actually a little brighter than the P5. Which is a good thing.
In fact, when I played this in the store (looking for a replacement) it ripped everything else they had into little bits of confetti. It was so much warmer than nearly everything out there today.
Judge for yourself what type of music it works best for. I use it in two different sounding projects and it works perfectly in both.
Now the downside. As much as I hate to agree with the first reviewer, there is some extra noise floating around. I only noticed it when I played back the solo'd track in Live. I can live with that though.

No problems yet.

It's pretty solid, though not like some of my other, older keyboards. Big deal!

Everyone seems to think that Dave takes care of every problem himself. That sounds just fine to me.

After the P5, this is my favourite synth. I also own an OBXa, a Juno 6 and the Ondes Martenot(AS). I'm not saying this synth is a substitute, it's an addition to what I already own. Actually I am replacinig the P5 for live only.
If it were lost or stolen? May god have mercy on anyone brave enough to try and take this from me!!! The answer is I would knock on the DSI factory door and buy one of the shelf.
I am a bit dissapointed at the wallwart in all honesty. That's the only thing I wish it didn't have.

Overall, I treat this purchase like, I'm sure, many P5 buyers who still own their original Prophet today do. I am keeping this forever!

Software version: 1.1.

Presets are good but, could be better. P08 has a neat interface so presets can be edited easily. Editor librarian program designed by Soundtower makes it even much easier.

Manual is self explanatory I think.

It has 8 voice polyphony, and the keyboard action is really good having aftertouch and pressure sensitivity. It does not have any built-in effects but, the sounds are already pure, warm and gorgeus once you start to tweak.. It has a gated sequencer which can also be used as a modulation source to give dynamic flavours to the sound.

Prophet '08 is an analog synthesizer, therefore do not expect any real/acoustic instrument from that. It can be used for any genre of music I believe.

I have it for one month yet but, it seems robust and strong.

DSI supports the customers well.

If it were lost or stolen, I would certainly buy another one. It worths the price. My other hardware gear are Virus TI, Nord Modular G2, Roland XV5050, Yamaha CS6R, M-audio Prokeys 88.

I prepared kind of mp3 demos featuring short instances from my own Prophet 08 programs, and they are available in our website www.voispectra.com to give you a general impression about it. For sure those programs reflects mostly my personal sonic flavour of P08, and there is really much more content that can be extracted from that

The first thing to say is, im new to analog synths, (and to posting user reviews). Secondly ive owned the Prophet 8 for 4 weeks. Thirdly, whilst I think the previous review is valid (if a little unfair in the extreme), I think it misses the point of the Prophet 8 and will mislead potential users who will love it.
Firstly, dont compare Dave Smith instruments to Moogs, Nords, Korgs, Oberheims, EMS's or any other synths for that matter. If you manage to see any literature about Dave Smith and his philosophy, he does things differently. He always has and he does this simply for better results for the user. Visit the Dave Smith website, click on the news page and start to understand his way of thinking. Its not for everyone, but its extremely compelling.
This will help you to understand why the layout, the parameters and the buttons are designed in the way they are, even if at first it seems fustrating and even annoying. Theres a clear method in the madness.
Ive gigged with it lots in the last few weeks. Numerous 'synth experts' have come up to me to ask for a go, treat it like its a moog and when it doesnt work the way their moog does, they say, "its not like my moog". BINGO!
Easy to use, no not at first. Why?, because its a sophisticated piece of kit thats why. You can wiggle lots of knobs and nothing seems to work, until you start to understand how the sounds work. Once I got to grips with it (in the shop) I started to realise that it was far more intuitive and progressive than the other synths. But hey, its not that difficult. The DX7 is notoriously difficult to program, but hey its legendary. Its taken me, a beginner, a few hours a day for a few weeks to get to grips with it. It isnt rocket science and the difficulties at first weild INCREDIBLE benefits. There thats it said!

Again, the previous user comments about the keyboard, buttons etc. Again the Dave Smith philosophy - to produce the best polyphonic synth on the market at an affordable price. To cut a long story short (because you can find a list of features anywhere), this synth can do far more than the Moog Voyager with 33% off the price tag! There, (I promise i do not work for Dave Smith).
As a newcomer to the synth world I bought this machine because it could do loads more that any other analog synth on the market. Anyway, try it out for yourself, just count how many buttons its got! That IS how many features its got.
You can see video interviews of Dave on the web where he talks about the economics of producing the Prophet whilst keeping the price down

Now LOOK here. I agree in part with the previous review about some bleed and/or cross talk and it not being subtle. I dont know about you but to my ears, it just sounds DIRTY, and I mean that as a term of endearment. Grittly would be another adjective. After all isnt that why people still revere the old analogs over the new digital versions? All i can say is from those 'synth experts' i mentioned before - despite their grumbles with my Prophet not being a Moog etc.. they have all said the same things. Wow!, and Phat!
Over the last few weeks ive listened to Kraftwerk, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Pink FLoyd, Sun Ra...and the Prophet can emulate all of those sounds to my ear perfectly, whilst providing prolific ways to doctor those sounds.

Dont know at this stage. Those buttons are susceptable because they protrude from the board and there are a lot of them. A friend suggested a hard case for synths in general as they are vunreable to knocks and drops. Have to agree with the previous review though about the moog being biult like a tank. On the surface its definately built to outlive a war.

However! Also see my customer support views which are tied in here.

My model came with a faulty voice board out of the box (one note 7 of the polyphony). I contacted customer support by email. They got back to me straight away. They made me do a few tests. After that, they told me they would send a new voice board for me to replace myself.
I was dubious about my ability to carry out this task. I shoud'nt have. Dave Smith instruments don't have a warranty service network because Dave designs the instruments to be easily repaired "in the field" via board swaps. (what did i tell you about the philosophy - all for the benefit of the user). So technically if you carried spares you could fix a broken synth on a gig. Seems crazy but it just might be useful in fifteen or twenty years time!
They even sent me a complimetary t-shirt for my trouble.
Make up your own minds. I lack the knowledge and experience in this area, but from what ive told you above and more, i score it a generous, (but i think deserved) 9.

Dave Smith really did design this his own incredible brain. Check out the video interviews floating on the web. He knows every nut and bolt (nowadays chip and pin)in that machine, where it goes, how it got there and why. Check it out for yourself. I give it a generous (and well deserved) 9. You shouldnt score things 10, otherwise its all over, or youre hearing angels. Have fun.

The first thing to say is, im new to analog synths, (and to posting user reviews). Secondly ive owned the Prophet 8 for 4 weeks. Thirdly, whilst I think the previous review is valid (if a little unfair in the extreme), I think it misses the point of the Prophet 8 and will mislead potential users who will love it.
Firstly, dont compare Dave Smith instruments to Moogs, Nords, Korgs, Oberheims, EMS's or any other synths for that matter. If you manage to see any literature about Dave Smith and his philosophy, he does things differently. He always has and he does this simply for better results for the user. Visit the Dave Smith website, click on the news page and start to understand his way of thinking. Its not for everyone, but its extremely compelling.
This will help you to understand why the layout, the parameters and the buttons are designed in the way they are, even if at first it seems fustrating and even annoying. Theres a clear method in the madness.
Ive gigged with it lots in the last few weeks. Numerous 'synth experts' have come up to me to ask for a go, treat it like its a moog and when it doesnt work the way their moog does, they say, "its not like my moog". BINGO!
Easy to use, no not at first. Why?, because its a sophisticated piece of kit thats why. You can wiggle lots of knobs and nothing seems to work, until you start to understand how the sounds work. Once I got to grips with it (in the shop) I started to realise that it was far more intuitive and progressive than the other synths. But hey, its not that difficult. The DX7 is notoriously difficult to program, but hey its legendary. Its taken me, a beginner, a few hours a day for a few weeks to get to grips with it. It isnt rocket science and the difficulties at first weild INCREDIBLE benefits. There thats it said!

Again, the previous user comments about the keyboard, buttons etc. Again the Dave Smith philosophy - to produce the best polyphonic synth on the market at an affordable price. To cut a long story short (because you can find a list of features anywhere), this synth can do far more than the Moog Voyager with 33% off the price tag! There, (I promise i do not work for Dave Smith).
As a newcomer to the synth world I bought this machine because it could do loads more that any other analog synth on the market. Anyway, try it out for yourself, just count how many buttons its got! That IS how many features its got.
You can see video interviews of Dave on the web where he talks about the economics of producing the Prophet whilst keeping the price down

Now LOOK here. I agree in part with the previous review about some bleed and/or cross talk and it not being subtle. I dont know about you but to my ears, it just sounds DIRTY, and I mean that as a term of endearment. Grittly would be another adjective. After all isnt that why people still revere the old analogs over the new digital versions? All i can say is from those 'synth experts' i mentioned before - despite their grumbles with my Prophet not being a Moog etc.. they have all said the same things. Wow!, and Phat!
Over the last few weeks ive listened to Kraftwerk, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Pink FLoyd, Sun Ra...and the Prophet can emulate all of those sounds, to my ear perfectly, whilst providing prolific ways to doctor those sounds

Dont know at this stage. Those buttons are susceptable because they protrude from the board and there are a lot of them. A friend suggested a hard case for synths in general as they are vunreable to knocks and drops. Have to agree with the previous review though about the moog being biult like a tank. On the surface its definately built to outlive a war.

However! Also see my customer support views which are tied in here.

My model came with a faulty voice board out of the box (one note 7 of the polyphony). I contacted customer support by email. They got back to me straight away. They made me do a few tests. After that, they told me they would send a new voice board for me to replace myself.
I was dubious about my ability to carry out this task. I shoud'nt have. Dave Smith instruments don't have a warranty service network because Dave designs the instruments to be easily repaired "in the field" via board swaps. (what did i tell you about the philosophy - all for the benefit of the user). So technically if you carried spares you could fix a broken synth on a gig. Seems crazy but it just might be useful in fifteen or twenty years time!
They even sent me a complimetary t-shirt for my trouble.
Make up your own minds. I lack the knowledge and experience in this area, but from what ive told you above and more, i score it a generous, (but i think deserved) 9.

Dave Smith really did design this his own incredible brain. Check out those video interviews of him talking about the Prophet on the web. He knows every nut and bolt (nowadays chip and pin) in that machine, where it goes, how it got there and why. Check it out for yourself. I give it a generous (and well deserved) 9. You shouldnt score things 10, otherwise its all over, or youre hearing angels. Have fun.