Prophet-5: Difference between revisions
The source clearly states that the Prophet-10 was used for the soundtrack of Blade Runner, there is no mention of the Prophet-5. |
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Before the Prophet-5, synthesizers required users to adjust cables and knobs to change sounds, with no guarantee of exactly recreating a sound.<ref name="Analog Days">{{cite book|last1=Pinch|first1=Trevor|title=Analog Days: The Invention and Impact of the Moog Synthesizer|last2=Trocco|first2=Frank|date=2004|publisher=[[Harvard University Press]]|isbn=978-0-674-01617-0}}</ref> The Prophet-5, with its ability to save sounds to patch memory, facilitated a move from synthesizers creating unpredictable sounds to producing "a standard package of familiar sounds".{{r|group=|Analog Days|p=385|q1=||}} According to ''[[MusicRadar]]'', the Prophet-5 "changed the world – simple as that".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Jones|date=2021-08-12|title=Sequential Prophet-5 Rev 4 review|url=https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/sequential-prophet-5-rev-4|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-22|website=[[MusicRadar]]|language=en}}</ref> |
Before the Prophet-5, synthesizers required users to adjust cables and knobs to change sounds, with no guarantee of exactly recreating a sound.<ref name="Analog Days">{{cite book|last1=Pinch|first1=Trevor|title=Analog Days: The Invention and Impact of the Moog Synthesizer|last2=Trocco|first2=Frank|date=2004|publisher=[[Harvard University Press]]|isbn=978-0-674-01617-0}}</ref> The Prophet-5, with its ability to save sounds to patch memory, facilitated a move from synthesizers creating unpredictable sounds to producing "a standard package of familiar sounds".{{r|group=|Analog Days|p=385|q1=||}} According to ''[[MusicRadar]]'', the Prophet-5 "changed the world – simple as that".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Jones|date=2021-08-12|title=Sequential Prophet-5 Rev 4 review|url=https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/sequential-prophet-5-rev-4|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-22|website=[[MusicRadar]]|language=en}}</ref> |
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The Prophet-5 became a market leader and industry standard.<ref name=":22">{{Cite news|date=2016-09-15|title=The 14 most important synths in electronic music history – and the musicians who use them|language=en-US|work=[[Fact (US magazine)|Fact]]|url=http://www.factmag.com/2016/09/15/14-most-important-synths/|access-date=2018-10-17}}</ref> [[Michael Jackson]] used it extensively on ''[[Thriller (album)|Thriller]]'' (1982), and [[Madonna]] used it on ''[[Like a Virgin (album)|Like a Virgin]]'' (1984).<ref name=":22" /> [[Radiohead]] used the Prophet-5 on their 2000 album ''[[Kid A]]'', such as on the song "[[Everything in Its Right Place|Everything In Its Right Place]]".<ref>{{Cite news|date=2014-03-04|title=The 14 synthesizers that shaped modern music|language=en-US|work=The Vinyl Factory|url=https://thevinylfactory.com/features/the-14-synthesizers-that-shaped-modern-music/|access-date=2018-03-05}}</ref> [[Peter Gabriel]] considered the Prophet-5 his "old warhorse" synthesizer, using it for many sounds on his 1986 album ''[[So (album)|So]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hammond|first=Ray|date=January 1987|title=Peter Gabriel - Behind The Mask|url=http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/peter-gabriel-behind-the-mask/1494|website=muzines.co.uk|accessdate=February 20, 2021}}</ref> [[Brad Fiedel]] used a Prophet-10 to record [[The Terminator (soundtrack)|the soundtrack]] for ''[[The Terminator]]'' (1984),<ref>Seth Stevenson, [http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2014/02/the_time_signature_of_the_terminator_score_is_a_mystery_for_the_ages.single.html What Is the Time Signature of the Ominous Electronic Score of The Terminator?], ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'', Published 26 February 2014, Accessed 27 February 2014.</ref> and the filmmaker [[John Carpenter]] used both the Prophet-5 and Prophet-10 extensively for his soundtracks.<ref name="SOS_July2016">{{cite magazine |author=Paul Tingen |title=John Carpenter - Film Director & Composer |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/john-carpenter |magazine=[[Sound on Sound]] |issue=July 2016}}</ref> The Greek composer [[Vangelis]] used the Prophet-5 and the Prophet-10, |
The Prophet-5 became a market leader and industry standard.<ref name=":22">{{Cite news|date=2016-09-15|title=The 14 most important synths in electronic music history – and the musicians who use them|language=en-US|work=[[Fact (US magazine)|Fact]]|url=http://www.factmag.com/2016/09/15/14-most-important-synths/|access-date=2018-10-17}}</ref> [[Michael Jackson]] used it extensively on ''[[Thriller (album)|Thriller]]'' (1982), and [[Madonna]] used it on ''[[Like a Virgin (album)|Like a Virgin]]'' (1984).<ref name=":22" /> [[Radiohead]] used the Prophet-5 on their 2000 album ''[[Kid A]]'', such as on the song "[[Everything in Its Right Place|Everything In Its Right Place]]".<ref>{{Cite news|date=2014-03-04|title=The 14 synthesizers that shaped modern music|language=en-US|work=The Vinyl Factory|url=https://thevinylfactory.com/features/the-14-synthesizers-that-shaped-modern-music/|access-date=2018-03-05}}</ref> [[Peter Gabriel]] considered the Prophet-5 his "old warhorse" synthesizer, using it for many sounds on his 1986 album ''[[So (album)|So]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hammond|first=Ray|date=January 1987|title=Peter Gabriel - Behind The Mask|url=http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/peter-gabriel-behind-the-mask/1494|website=muzines.co.uk|accessdate=February 20, 2021}}</ref> [[Brad Fiedel]] used a Prophet-10 to record [[The Terminator (soundtrack)|the soundtrack]] for ''[[The Terminator]]'' (1984),<ref>Seth Stevenson, [http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2014/02/the_time_signature_of_the_terminator_score_is_a_mystery_for_the_ages.single.html What Is the Time Signature of the Ominous Electronic Score of The Terminator?], ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'', Published 26 February 2014, Accessed 27 February 2014.</ref> and the filmmaker [[John Carpenter]] used both the Prophet-5 and Prophet-10 extensively for his soundtracks.<ref name="SOS_July2016">{{cite magazine |author=Paul Tingen |title=John Carpenter - Film Director & Composer |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/john-carpenter |magazine=[[Sound on Sound]] |issue=July 2016}}</ref> The Greek composer [[Vangelis]] used the Prophet-5 and the Prophet-10, the latter for example in [[Blade Runner (soundtrack)|the soundtrack]] of ''[[Blade Runner]]'' (1982).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clewes |first=Richard |date=November 1997 |title=VANGELIS: Recording At Nemo Studios |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/vangelis-recording-nemo-studios |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=[[Sound on Sound]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-01 |title=Landmark Productions: Vangelis - Blade Runner Soundtrack |url=https://musictech.com/guides/essential-guide/landmark-productions-vangelis-blade-runner-soundtrack/ |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=[[MusicTech]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> Other users include [[Tony Banks (musician)|Tony Banks]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Tony Banks talks new album A Chord Too Far and his favourite synthesizer of all time|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/tony-banks-talks-new-album-a-chord-too-far-and-his-favourite-synthesizer-of-all-time-626275|access-date=2020-10-20|website=Musicradar|publisher=Future Publishing Limited}}</ref> [[Phil Collins]],<ref>{{Cite news|date=2005-05-01|title=Classic Tracks: Phil Collins’ "In the Air Tonight"|language=en-US|work=Mixonline|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks-phil-collins-air-tonight-365521/|access-date=2020-09-01}}</ref> [[Tangerine Dream]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Andy|date=2018-09-25|title=The 10 Synths That Made Synth Pop (And 2 Samplers)|url=https://musictech.com/guides/essential-guide/the-10-synths-that-made-synth-pop-and-2-samplers/|access-date=2022-02-13|website=MusicTech|language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Dr. Dre]],<ref name=":22" /> [[Richard Barbieri]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Doyle|first=Tom|date=August 2021|title=Classic Tracks: Japan ‘Ghosts’|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/classic-tracks-japan-ghosts|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-20|website=[[Sound on Sound]]}}</ref> [[Richard Wright (musician)|Richard Wright]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-04-01|title=The art of synth soloing: how to play like Pink Floyd's Richard Wright|url=https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/the-art-of-synth-soloing-how-to-play-like-pink-floyds-richard-wright|access-date=2022-02-10|website=MusicRadar|language=en}}</ref> [[Rick Wakeman]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Scott|first=Danny|date=2020-07-14|title=Rick Wakeman on his top 5 synths: “I suddenly had an instrument that could give the guitar a run for its money”|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/rick-wakeman-on-his-top-5-synths-i-suddenly-had-an-instrument-that-could-give-the-guitar-a-run-for-its-money|access-date=2022-02-10|website=MusicRadar|language=en}}</ref> [[Pendulum (Australian band)|Pendulum]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Inglis|first=Sam|date=June 2008|title=Pendulum|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/pendulum|url-status=live|access-date=2022-02-10|website=[[Sound on Sound]]}}</ref> [[BT (musician)|BT]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-09-29|title=BT: "Synths like the Prophet-5 were built in Dave Smith’s garage over a period of weeks… now they’re just banged out in China."|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/bt-synths-like-the-prophet-5-were-built-in-dave-smiths-garage-over-a-period-of-weeks-now-theyre-just-banged-out-in-china|access-date=2022-02-10|website=FutureMusic|language=en}}</ref> and [[John Harrison (director)|John Harrison]].<ref name=":22" /> |
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==Successors and emulations== |
==Successors and emulations== |
Revision as of 20:46, 21 March 2022
Prophet-5 | |
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Manufacturer | Sequential |
Dates | 1978–84, 2020– |
Price | US$3,995 (Rev 1, 2) US$4,595 (Rev 3) US$3,499 (Rev 4, 5-voice, 2020)[1] |
Technical specifications | |
Polyphony | 5 voices |
Timbrality | Monotimbral |
Oscillator | 2 VCOs per voice |
LFO | 1 |
Synthesis type | Analog subtractive Analog FM (Poly-Mod) |
Filter | 4-pole resonant low-pass |
Attenuator | ADSR envelope (2) |
Aftertouch expression | No on Rev1 to Rev3, Yes on Rev4 |
Velocity expression | No on Rev1 to Rev3, Yes on Rev4 |
Storage memory | 40 patches (120 patches on later units, 200 patches on the Rev4 iteration) |
Effects | None |
Input/output | |
Keyboard | 61 keys |
Left-hand control | Pitch and modulation wheels |
External control | CV/Gate Proprietary serial interface MIDI (Rev 4 only) |
The Prophet-5 is an analog synthesizer manufactured by the American company Sequential. It was designed by Dave Smith and John Bowen in 1977, who used microprocessors, then a new technology, to create the first polyphonic synthesizer with fully programmable memory. This allowed users to store sounds and recall them instantly rather than having to reprogram them manually; whereas synthesizers had once created unpredictable sounds, the Prophet-5 moved synthesizers to producing "a standard package of familiar sounds".[2]: 385
Between 1978 and 1984, about 6,000 units were produced across three revisions. In 1981, Sequential released a 10-voice, double-keyboard version, the Prophet-10. Sequential introduced new versions in 2020, and it has been emulated in software synthesizers and hardware. The Prophet-5 has been widely used in popular music and film soundtracks.
Development
The Prophet-5 was created in 1977 by Dave Smith and John Bowen at Sequential Circuits.[3] At the time, Smith had a full-time job working with microprocessors, then a new technology. Smith conceived the idea of combining them with synthesizer chips to create a programmable synthesizer; this would allow users to save sounds to memory, rather than having to recreate them manually.[4] He did not pursue the idea, assuming Moog or ARP would design the instrument first.[4] When no instrument emerged, in early 1977, Smith quit his job to work full-time on the idea.[4]
Initially, Smith and Bowen developed the Prophet-10, a synthesizer with ten voices of polyphony; however, it was unstable and quickly overheated, creating tuning problems. Smith and Bowen removed half the electronics, reducing the voices to five and creating the Prophet-5.[3] Smith demonstrated the Prophet-5 at NAMM in January 1978 and shipped the first models later that year.[5]
Production
Three versions were built between 1978 and 1984. The first, Revision 1, was hand-assembled and produced quickly to generate initial revenue; only 182 were made. Revision 2 was mass-produced in quantities over 1,000; this model was more robust, added cassette patch storage, and replaced the koa wood casing with walnut.[3] Revision 3 replaced the Solid State Music (SSM) chipset with Curtis Electromusic Specialties (CEM) chips, necessitating a major redesign. According to Sound on Sound, Revision 3 "remained impressive and pleasant to play, but was slightly cold and featureless by comparison to earlier models".[3] In all, approximately 6,000 Prophet-5 synthesizers were produced.[3]
In 1981, Sequential Circuits released the Prophet-10, featuring 10 voices, 20 oscillators, and a double manual keyboard. Like the Prophet-5 Revision 3, it uses CEM chips.[3] The first Prophet-10s used an Exatron Stringy Floppy drive for saving patches and storing sequencer data. Sequential later moved to a Braemar tape drive, which was more reliable and could store about four times as many sequencer events.[3] In 2020, Sequential reissued the Prophet-5 along with a new version of the Prophet-10, the Rev 4.[6][7][1][8]
Features
Early Prophet-5s use voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), filter and amplifier chips designed by E-mu Systems and manufactured by Solid State Music (SSM). Revision 3 Prophet-5s used Curtis CEM chips manufactured by Curtis Electromusic Specialties. Some owners maintain that SSM oscillators produce a richer timbre.[9][better source needed] However, the SSM oscillators rendered the instruments unstable and prone to detuning over time. CEM chips have remained more stable.[10]
Unlike its nearest competitor in the 1970s, the Yamaha CS-80, the Prophet-5 has patch memory, allowing users to store sounds rather than having to reprogram them manually.[11] It has a proprietary serial interface that allows the user to play using the Prophet Remote, a sling-style keytar controller; the interface cannot connect the Prophet-5 to other devices. Sequential produced a MIDI interface that could be retrofitted to later Prophet-5 models. Third-party MIDI interfaces have also been offered.[3]
Impact
Before the Prophet-5, synthesizers required users to adjust cables and knobs to change sounds, with no guarantee of exactly recreating a sound.[2] The Prophet-5, with its ability to save sounds to patch memory, facilitated a move from synthesizers creating unpredictable sounds to producing "a standard package of familiar sounds".[2]: 385 According to MusicRadar, the Prophet-5 "changed the world – simple as that".[12]
The Prophet-5 became a market leader and industry standard.[13] Michael Jackson used it extensively on Thriller (1982), and Madonna used it on Like a Virgin (1984).[13] Radiohead used the Prophet-5 on their 2000 album Kid A, such as on the song "Everything In Its Right Place".[14] Peter Gabriel considered the Prophet-5 his "old warhorse" synthesizer, using it for many sounds on his 1986 album So.[15] Brad Fiedel used a Prophet-10 to record the soundtrack for The Terminator (1984),[16] and the filmmaker John Carpenter used both the Prophet-5 and Prophet-10 extensively for his soundtracks.[17] The Greek composer Vangelis used the Prophet-5 and the Prophet-10, the latter for example in the soundtrack of Blade Runner (1982).[18][19] Other users include Tony Banks,[20] Phil Collins,[21] Tangerine Dream,[22] Dr. Dre,[13] Richard Barbieri,[23] Richard Wright,[24] Rick Wakeman,[25] Pendulum,[26] BT,[27] and John Harrison.[13]
Successors and emulations
Smith released several further instruments with the Prophet name, including synthesizers like the Pro-One,[28] the Prophet VS,[29] the Prophet '08[30] and the Prophet-6[31] and samplers such as the Prophet 2000[32] and the Prophet 3000.[33] In 2020, Sequential announced a new version of the Prophet-5, the Rev 4. It adds features including USB and MIDI connectivity, velocity and aftertouch sensitivity, polyphonic glide, and two sets of filters.[6] Sequential also announced a new Prophet-10, initially released as a ten-voice single manual monotimbral version of the Rev 4.[8]
Bowen provided consultation for Native Instruments during the development of the Pro 5 software synthesizer emulation, released in 1999. It was followed by the Pro 52 in 2000 and the Pro 53 in 2003.[34][35][36] Bowen also provided consultation for Creamware for their 2003 software emulations, the Prophet and Prophet Plus.[36] Arturia released another emulation, the Prophet V, in 2006.[29] In 2018, U-he released the Repro-5.[37] Third parties have created clones of the Prophet-5, such as PikoPiko Factory's Prophet-Mini in 2020[38] and Behringer's Pro-16 in 2021.[39]
References
- ^ a b "Prophet-5 Returns!" (Press release). San Francisco, California: Sequential. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ a b c Pinch, Trevor; Trocco, Frank (2004). Analog Days: The Invention and Impact of the Moog Synthesizer. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-01617-0.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Reid, Gordon (March 1999). "Sequential Circuits – Prophet Synthesizers 5 & 10 (Retro)". Sound on Sound. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Dave Smith in his own words". Keyboard. 2013-06-11. Archived from the original on 2013-06-11. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
- ^ Preve, Francis (23 July 2012). "Dave Smith in His Own Words". Keyboardmag. Archived from the original on 2013-06-11. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
- ^ a b Rogerson, Ben (2020-10-01). "Sequential announces a new Prophet-5, a faithful reboot of one of the greatest synths of all time". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Sequential Prophet 5 Product Page". Sequential.com. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
- ^ a b Esen, Aykan (2020-10-03). "Sequential Renews The Prophet-5 And Introduces The Prophet-10". Attack Magazine. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Sequential Circuits Prophet 5". Vintage Synth Explorer. Retrieved 2015-12-26.
- ^ Forrest, Peter (1996). The A-Z of Analogue Synthesisers Part Two. Short Run Press Ltd. p. 114.
- ^ "The 14 most important synths in electronic music history – and the musicians who use them". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
- ^ Jones, Jones (2021-08-12). "Sequential Prophet-5 Rev 4 review". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c d "The 14 most important synths in electronic music history – and the musicians who use them". Fact. 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
- ^ "The 14 synthesizers that shaped modern music". The Vinyl Factory. 2014-03-04. Retrieved 2018-03-05.
- ^ Hammond, Ray (January 1987). "Peter Gabriel - Behind The Mask". muzines.co.uk. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ Seth Stevenson, What Is the Time Signature of the Ominous Electronic Score of The Terminator?, Slate, Published 26 February 2014, Accessed 27 February 2014.
- ^ Paul Tingen. "John Carpenter - Film Director & Composer". Sound on Sound. No. July 2016.
- ^ Clewes, Richard (November 1997). "VANGELIS: Recording At Nemo Studios". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
- ^ "Landmark Productions: Vangelis - Blade Runner Soundtrack". MusicTech. 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
- ^ "Tony Banks talks new album A Chord Too Far and his favourite synthesizer of all time". Musicradar. Future Publishing Limited. Retrieved 2020-10-20.
- ^ "Classic Tracks: Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight"". Mixonline. 2005-05-01. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
- ^ Jones, Andy (2018-09-25). "The 10 Synths That Made Synth Pop (And 2 Samplers)". MusicTech. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
- ^ Doyle, Tom (August 2021). "Classic Tracks: Japan 'Ghosts'". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "The art of synth soloing: how to play like Pink Floyd's Richard Wright". MusicRadar. 2020-04-01. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
- ^ Scott, Danny (2020-07-14). "Rick Wakeman on his top 5 synths: "I suddenly had an instrument that could give the guitar a run for its money"". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
- ^ Inglis, Sam (June 2008). "Pendulum". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "BT: "Synths like the Prophet-5 were built in Dave Smith's garage over a period of weeks… now they're just banged out in China."". FutureMusic. 2020-09-29. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
- ^ "SCI Pro1". Sound on Sound. March 1994. Archived from the original on 7 June 2015.
- ^ a b Reid, Gordon (September 2006). "Arturia Prophet V". Sound on Sound. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
- ^ "Dave Smith in his own words". Keyboard. 2013-06-11. Archived from the original on 2013-06-11. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
- ^ "Dave Smith Instruments Sequential Prophet 6". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Wiffen, Paul (January 2004). "Sequential's Prophet 2000 Samplers". Sound on Sound. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
- ^ Alexander, Robert (October 2000). "Sequential Prophet 3000". Sound on Sound. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
- ^ Price, Simon (October 2006). "10 Years Of Native Instruments". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Inglis, Sam (August 2005). "NI Xpress Keyboards". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Wherry, Mark (June 2003). "Zarg Music Prophet & Prophet Plus 3.1". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Scarth, Greg (2018-03-07). "Attention to Detail: U-he Repro-5". Attack Magazine. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Esen, Aykan (2020-10-01). "New Japanese Company Tweets Images Of A Prophet-mini In The Works". Attack Magazine. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Sheah, Daniel (2021-08-02). "Behringer completes prototype of Prophet-5 recreation, going "full force" into firmware development". MusicTech. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
Further reading
- "Prophet 5". Music Technology. Vol. 2, no. 12. October 1988. p. 42. ISSN 0957-6606. OCLC 24835173.
- "Retro: SCI Prophet 5". Future Music. No. 47. Future Publishing. September 1996. p. 53. ISSN 0967-0378. OCLC 1032779031.