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Draft:Prophet VS

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Prophet VS
Sequential Circuits Prophet VS
ManufacturerSequential Circuits
Dates1986-87
Technical specifications
Polyphony8
Timbrality2-part
Oscillator12-bit digital

4 per voice

96 preset & 32 user waveforms
LFO2
Synthesis typeVector
Sample & Synthesis (S&S)
FilterAnalog low-pass filter
Attenuator5-stage loopable envelope generator
Aftertouch expressionYes
Velocity expressionYes
Storage memoryInternal: 100 patches + 32 user waves
Cartridge: 100 patches + 32 user waves
EffectsStereo Chorus
Voice Panning
Input/output
Keyboard61-key
0 (rack version)
Left-hand controlPitch, Modulation
External controlMIDI

The Prophet VS is a hybrid 8-voice synthesizer manufactured by Sequential Circuits and released in 1986. It is notable for being the first synthesizer to use Vector synthesis to structure its sound, using a joystick arranged in a "diamond" pattern for oscillator mixing.[1][2] It's distinctive sound comes from mixing four 12-bit digital single-cycle waves per voice, which are then fed into analog CEM3379/3389 signal processors for filtering & amplification.

Features and architecture

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Sound generation

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The VS has 8 voices, each one featuring up to four digital oscillators. Each oscillator is chosen from a table of 0-126 12-bit single cycle waveforms, with the 127th selection being a noise generator.[3]

Waves 32-126 are programmed into the firmware EPROMs and can't be externally modified. However, waves 0-31 are the user wave space and can be overwritten with custom samples utilizing the MIDI sample dump standard. Another unique characteristic of the VS is that the user waves can be manually edited with the onboard wave editor, mixing up to 4 waves into a single one or adjusting individual harmonics similarly to additive synthesis.[3]

Each voice has a CEM3379/3389 analog signal processor which gives voltage control over the filter, amplifier, and panning. Modulation of panning CV utilizing the modulation matrix can create lush moving stereo patterns.[3]

Hardware

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The VS uses an 8MHz Motorola 68000 as the main processor, along with two 27256 EPROMs for the operating firmware. Besides the usual 7400 & 4000 series logic chips, there are several unique or hard-to-find parts[4]

  • I-625 Voice Chip[5] x4 - Each unit uses these for Waves A-D. 8 digital oscillators plus noise generator. These are unique to the VS.
  • 68B01 Keyboard Controller - Scans the mechanical keyboard and calculates velocity values. Also used in the Prophet 2000.
  • CEM5510 x4 - 8-channel high-speed sample and hold. Used to fake VCAs for oscillator mixing. These are unique to the VS.
  • CEM5530[6] x2 - 30-channel sample and hold. Used to fake VCAs for voice mixing.[7] This is a common point of failure, and several aftermarket replacements are available.[8] Also used in the Studio 440 and Keytek CTS-2000.
  • CEM3365[9] x2 - Dual DAC multiplier.
  • CEM3379[10] or CEM3389 x8 - Analog VCF, VCA, and voltage-controlled panning.

Legacy

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After Sequential was acquired and shut down by Yamaha in 1989, Dave Smith and a handful of the development team moved to Korg, where they worked on developing the Korg Wavestation. Yamaha then expanded upon the VS technology to create the Yamaha SY22 and SY35 in 1990, adding FM synthesis.[7][11]

While modernizing the appearance of the joystick for all following vector based instruments, functionally the "diamond" layout has been followed ever since.[7]

Notable users

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References

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  1. ^ Jungleib, Stanley. "Introduction to Vector Synthesis". Electronic Musician (November 1986): 53–54. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27.
  2. ^ Jenkins, Mark (July 1986). "Sequential's Prophet VS..." Sound on Sound (Jul 1986): 26–28.
  3. ^ a b c Mills, Tony (August 1986). "Sequential Prophet VS". International Musician & Recording World (August 1986): 104–107.
  4. ^ "Sequential Circuits Synthesizers".
  5. ^ https://www.sequentialcircuits.com/prophetvsparts.html
  6. ^ http://www.retrosynth.com/docs/pvs/5530.pdf
  7. ^ a b c Chris Meyer - The Story of the Prophet VS
  8. ^ "A to Synth".
  9. ^ http://www.synfo.nl/datasheets/CEM3365.pdf
  10. ^ http://www.buchty.net/ensoniq/files/cem3379.pdf
  11. ^ Reid, Gordon. "The History Of Korg". Sound on Sound (November 2002).
  12. ^ ""Rush's Live Midi Secrets Revealed" - EQ, July 1997".
  13. ^ "John Carpenter".
  14. ^ "The Nine Inch Nails Hotline". March 1994.
  15. ^ "Letter from Douglas Adams to Sequential Publications". July 30, 1986.
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Further reading

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