Sequential Circuits Prophet T8

I have the latest software version. I can't say how the presets sound because I bought mine used (from a friend). Editing patches is a breeze. All the knobs, wheels, and buttons are right in front. No menus or digital garbage. The manual is relatively easy to follow. (You gotta love Stanley J. and his SCI manuals!) Certain functions (like split or turning off the omni mode) may require a little research but nothing too intense.

- 2 oscillators (each has square, sine, and saw waves) w/ sync option
- assignable lfo
- osc 2 can be set as an lfo to modulate osc 1
- assignable pressure.mod section
- assignable velocity section
- separate amp and filter envelopes
- classic sequential CEM filter
- polymodulation (unbelievable for tweaking sounds!)
- semi-weighted keyboard w/ velocity and aftertouch
- 128 user patches (good for a Prophet!)
- split capabilities with separate outs
- MIDI :-)

The T8 seems rich and thin at the same time. This thing is great for leads (unison), strings, pads, and sound effects. I still use my Juno-60 for bass sounds, though. The velocity and aftertouch are nice because they are both assignable to different parameters and can be controlled by MIDI.

Mine is in good shape. However, I don't play the keys too much for fear that they'll break. Parts and service aren't cheap for this thing.

www.winecountrysequential.com

I really like the T8. I probably would have never bought one if I hadn't gotten it for such a remarkable price. (I still would rather have a Jupiter 8.) The fact that there were only 350 made and that Dave Smith quoted it as being the finest instrument produced by SCI only make it more valuable to me. Definitely a keeper...

I bought this a couple years ago and I love the way it plays. Yep, endless hours of knob tweaking. Works awesome as a controller. Great Great Keyboard. Easy if you know how to subtract.

Look Below. Great Keyboard. Just rad to play. Analog warmth with
memory locations!! Store then edit at the gig - yahooo!!!!
Another great feature - It will break your back if you lean over to far while putting it into your car, but it only weighs 60 lbs not too bad - but too little to really ask your friend to help with.

Shines. Kick in the Unison pedal for screaming solos realtime.
I have programmed so many great sounds in so short a time (2 years)
You can express yourself very well with this. By the time your fingers warm up from playing the Synth will be purring along. Very refined with undertones of cosmic punch.

Bought working more or less perfectly. I have played it everyday, taken it to gigs etc. It still works more or less perfectly. If you blow the DAC, you are hosed till you find a new one. My keys have started to not be uniform in pressure response, but hey that keeps buts movin and wobblin.

Yeah I did speak to Wine Country. They were very helpfull. I asked
"is it worth this much? Will it break?" they said "Is it worth that
much to you? It may break." If something major happens, I feel I may be screwed.

After having this for awhile I'd say it is kinda like a B3 of synths, A great player, for players. Dave Smith - He has a pic of him playing five of his new evolvers using his t8 - that's rad. A benz or Rolls? To me this thing lacks the bloat or pomp. It is classy and smokes it like a fine Cab. It will knokken deen thumpterfruessen till midnighten.

Software Version "3.4 fin" Patch editing is a breaze. Knobs everywhere, no menu safaries or hidden sound parameters. MIDI implementation is primitive, but usable. Velocity and pressure are both transmitted and received. With enough button presses, you can get it to receive on two channels. Unfortunetly, when the T8 boots it starts in OMNI mode and a few crpytic front panel key presses are required to reset midi modes and channels. You just learn to live with it. This is the only real design problem with the T8.

8 voice polophony, action is supurb, expressive poloyphonic pressure. The built in sequencer is basically pointless. The unison and split/layering features are great.

This thing is off the hook. It is a great all around synth. Very playable as an instrument. It will never make realistic orchestra sounds and such, but its one of the fattest synths on the planet. Very little background noise. Its a sweet synth.

It is rather reliable. I've serviced it but find it easy to maintain. I never need to worry about using it in a gig because I own two. ;)

Sequential Circuits are toast, but Wine Country seem to have many of the parts. So far I have had no problem maintaining my T8s. Some service has been required, but nothing major.

I own thirty vintage analog synths, and my two T8s are my favorite children. This synth is extreamly expressive and playable. The dynamics are great, the poly pressure kicks butt, and the sounds are FAT. It works for any style. It makes very playable "keyboard" sounds (pads, bass, horns, etc..), and unbelievable electronic sounds. Great modulation control. Can't say enough good things about this synth. Buy one if you ever get the chance. You'll never sell it.

The Mercedes Benz of synthesizers. Gorgeous asthetics accompanies all-pro layout and easy access to professional sounds.

Excellent wooden keys with high-end piano feel. Good midi implementation. A true console with no expense spared.

Sequential/high-end sounds all the way, with the following proviso:
NOT a Prophet 5. To live up to the awesome physical appearance and lush weighted keyboard, SHOULD have incorporated Prophet 5 internals. That it doesn't is a crime. Instead you're left with Prophet sounds lacking some of the magic. Not quite the punch, and definitely not the warmth, of an older Prophet. In a mix though, it's still Sequential; see Ashford and Simpson's mid 80's LP "Solid".

Main concern are the wooden keys, seem problematic re: optical contacts. Expect occassional servicing, tedious given it's size, in exchange for the most professional synthesizer conceivable.

As controller - 10
As synthesizer - 7

Completely intuitive to use - all edit controls
are on the front panel, and it's always in edit mode

The keyboard is 6 1/4 octave wooden keys - a pleasure

Simply phenomenol. I took ownership of this synth just recently.
It was manufactured nearly 20 years ago and everything, including
the polyphonic aftertouch isstill working.

The sound is an original analogue sound, but with 21st century control
over it. An instrument well ahead of its time.

Stats: 8 Voice, 2 Oscillators per Voic
128 Memory locations, data storage to any audio format.
Vel and Poly Aftertouch, 2nd-touch release (all on many parameters)
Extensive LFO and Poly-Mod modulation
Single/Split/Unison modes ....

Just incredible. The term 'they don't make them like this anymore'
was invented for this instrument.

Consider:

The original Sequential Circuits sound, plus:
6 /14 octave wooden keys(!) with velocity sens. and
polyphonic aftertouch on a myriad of parameters.
the incredible poly-bod section which has to be heard to be
believed.

I have the entire control of an original Sequential Circuits synth
under my finger tips - phew!

Can't comment as I just took delivery of it, but it seems
very robust and with WineCountry sequential, spare parts
are readily available.

Well - WineCountry seqential - who were actually very helpful
with advice on purchasing this T8 from someone else -
thank you WineCountry Sequential

A unique instrument - literally (only 300 were made) - and I
mean instrument - this is built to be played, and boy does it
play.


Why don't they make them like this anymore?