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Thoughts on Prophet X/XL?


cphollis

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I have been fascinated with this synth since it first came out. The combination of good samples+synth really spoke to me.

 

Now I am at a point where I'm considering adding one to my live rig. Used prices have come down and stabilized. Any bugs that are going to get fixed have gotten fixed.

 

Just to refresh, I play a Nord Stage 3 Compact as my main board, with a weighted controller below. I think I'm in great shape for most bread+butter sounds: pianos, organs, familiar pads, the occasional cutting lead line, and so on. There's still more territory to be explored with the Nord, so that's not the issue.

 

My latest band incarnation features two great vocalists teaming together. As we gravitate to set list, there are a growing numbers of ballads and dramatic pieces with longer orchestral interludes. This isn't get-out-there-and-boogie stuff, more like sit and listen to a great live performance. Given our audience demographics (retirees in Florida), it's working well.

 

It looks like the Prophet X/XL would work well for things like movie scoring and other situations where you'd like a rich, textured ambience. It is certainly not a replacement for what the Nord does. I am not sure how well it would work in a live situation. Yes, I can navigate from preset to preset. I am not sure how well the nuanced sounds can stand up to a well-behaved live band. The synth section looks like it's capable of sonic mayhem, so that's not an issue. I have plenty of volume and can control the mix when we play, but if the sounds don't sit well in the mix, I'm sort of screwed.

 

Any thoughts from forumites who have owned one? What don't I know?

 

Thanks in advance

Want to make your band better?  Check out "A Guide To Starting (Or Improving!) Your Own Local Band"

 

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JMHO, it does not seem like a live synth to me. Maybe great for studio, but not live. Granted I may not be the best person to give an opinion. At one time I owned 5 DSI synths. One day I realized I was not using any of them, prefering the Virus, Kronos and Voyagers and ignoring the various incarnations of Prophet that seem to pop up year after year. I gigged full time in the 80's when the Prophet 5 was big. Always wanted one but used a Chroma and MemoryMoog instead. When I finally bought a modern Prophet I was a bit dissapointed. I kept buying new models thinking this will be the one. It never was.

 

Now, only you can decide what you really want and need, and there is something to be said about playing your dream synth. It puts you in a good state of mind that can affect your playing. There is also something to be said about a good digital synth that never goes out of tune or never has problems. I'm gassing for a Jupiter X. I could get by with the cheaper Xm, and have access tot he sounds through my Roland cloud account. But, neither of those options would give me the joy that I would get form the big Jupiter X. If that is how you truly feel about the Prophet X, go for it.

This post edited for speling.

My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page

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I"m with brother RABid. I considered the X when I was looking at the JP-X. I liked the layout and flexibility of the JP-X more, especially the ability to layer multiple engines and easily switch filter types. Went with the Jupiter, still digging it.

 

dB

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:keys:==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <==:rawk:

 

Professional Affiliations: Royer LabsMusic Player Network

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As the proud owner of Prophet XL (PXL), I totally endorse it as a performance-oriented synth that works for stage or studio.

 

The combination of waveforms and samples and real-time programmability makes the PXL the most complete KB I've ever owned.

 

The onboard samples are good and work well whether it's creating a ROMpler-ish instrument sounds and/or as a building blocks in sound design.

 

The sample import capability works but overall it's a bit more cumbersome than necessary in 2021. There is a utility that helps with sample mapping. Sample editing from the KB itself is a rudimentary. IOW, The PXL is not a sampler by any stretch of the imagination.

 

With that understanding, having standard waveforms and a healthy variety of samples and filters makes the PXL a sonic powerhouse. I'd have no problem with using the PXL as my main KB in a gig situation.

 

I didn't buy the PXL when it first came out because while it sounded great, the sample import capability didn't even exist. That didn't make any sense considering how much the synth cost.

 

Now that I own the PXL, I know that I should have bought it several synths ago. Better late than never. :D:cool:

PD

 

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy"

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  • 2 months later...

Well, it seems the Prophet XL is being discontinued. Once existing inventory is sold, the 76-key Prophet X won't be available.

 

No idea of how long Sequential plans to keep the Prophet X around. However, it contains the exact same sounds with with fewer keys. :cool:

PD

 

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy"

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I think Dave has always been of the mind that history marches forward and that a shop his size (even with Focusrite involved in the new ownership) can't spread itself thin with too many models at once.

 

My own prophet XL is in transit cross country in a POD at the moment, and hopefully will arrive undamaged, but it may be months before I own a house here and can have the POD delivered to unpack.

 

As a result, I only have faint memories at the moment, but seem to recall the keybed being more satisfactory to me than any I have had so far. Keep in mind that I haven't yet owned a digital piano.

Eugenio Upright, 60th Anniversary P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico SS Bari, EXL1,

Select Strat, 70th Anniversary Esquire, LP 57, Eastman T486, T64, Ibanez PM2, Hammond XK4, Moog Voyager

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It's a fascinating instrument for those who appreciate the brief, shining period where vintage analog filters and voice architectures were married with digital samples. PPG enthusiasts and the like would find a lot of familiar sonic territory here. It's a shame 8dio seemed to lose interest in holding up their end of the initial promise, but I've done my part in making sure software is readily available to bring complex custom samples to these unique instruments.

Acoustic: Shigeru Kawai SK-7 ~ Breedlove C2/R

MIDI: Kurzweil Forte ~ Sequential Prophet X ~ Yamaha CP88 ~ Expressive E Osmose

Electric: Schecter Solo Custom Exotic ~ Chapman MLB1 Signature Bass

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I've done my part in making sure software is readily available to bring complex custom samples to these unique instruments.

Thanks for doing it. I'm certainly most appreciative of your work. :thu::cool:

PD

 

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy"

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I went through a lot of similar considerations as you, Chuck. For live consideration, I am really happy that I went with a Nord Wave 2 above my Stage 3.

 

I don't know you if you are a software synths guy, but I really found that everything I wanted and more could be accomplished in software at home and the sounds that I wanted to transition to a live experience could be sampled and converted into the Nord Wave 2 and the samples could go also download to the Stage 3 Compact. Let me know if you want to discuss further offline.

Yamaha U1 Upright, Roland Fantom 8, Nord Stage 4 HA73, Nord Wave 2, Korg Nautilus 73, Viscount Legend Live, Roland AX Edge Keytar, Lots of Mainstage/VST Libraries

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Thanks LG, I've really enjoyed the work you did on the Prophet X/XL, and have learned a lot from your write-ups as well, but didn't realize 8DIO had dropped the ball. I did buy some of their add-ons during a sale last year, even though in general I've been disappointed by most sample libraries I've bought from them. So much promise, but always a fatal flaw, whether it is inadequate articulations or even note range. But for the keyboard stuff done for the prophet X/XL, it's a different story from their orchestral offerings.

Eugenio Upright, 60th Anniversary P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico SS Bari, EXL1,

Select Strat, 70th Anniversary Esquire, LP 57, Eastman T486, T64, Ibanez PM2, Hammond XK4, Moog Voyager

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I think you have to appreciate sample libraries for what they are rather than what they're not, as they will always have character baked in and capture a finite range of articulations. Still, I totally understand being disappointed to discover that a given library doesn't live up to your expectations. I felt much the same when they shipped their user sample utility that didn't allow you to map multiple samples to a key at different velocities, much less author round-robin alternatives, on the synth that bears their logo. It's just my opinion, of course, but that's what spurred me to write PXToolkit in the first place. I felt the instrument had a great deal of potential that would never be fully unlocked without giving people the tools they needed to make the most of it.

Acoustic: Shigeru Kawai SK-7 ~ Breedlove C2/R

MIDI: Kurzweil Forte ~ Sequential Prophet X ~ Yamaha CP88 ~ Expressive E Osmose

Electric: Schecter Solo Custom Exotic ~ Chapman MLB1 Signature Bass

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Thank you, Lady Gaia. It was your ongoing contributions that got me interested in the synth in the first place. I also think of samples as building blocks -- Legos if you will -- that are the raw material for new and interestings sounds vs. using in their native form. Through that lens, the PX/PXL has plenty to work with, and -- thanks to you -- plenty of capability to do more. I may yet purchase one, although the case for a Nord Wave 2 (strictly performance) is fairly strong as well.

Want to make your band better?  Check out "A Guide To Starting (Or Improving!) Your Own Local Band"

 

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I also think of samples as building blocks -- Legos if you will -- that are the raw material for new and interestings sounds vs. using in their native form. Through that lens, the PX/PXL has plenty to work with.

Bingo. :thu:

 

I wouldn't advise approaching the PX/L sample library from a ROMpler perspective.

 

IMO, while the PX/L is capable of providing a semblance of traditional sounds, it's better to think of the samples as additional waveforms beyond standard analog synthesis.

 

The Nord Wave 2 is an excellent alternative but I'm pro PX/L all the way. :cool:

PD

 

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy"

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  • 10 months later...

Resurrecting this old thread because I bought a Prophet X this summer but didn't have time to really play with it because of my busy road schedule. I'm off the road for a bit and have really enjoyed exploring this synth. I have wanted one since it was announced and I played it several times at NAMM and Sweetwater GearFest, including talking to the legend himself, Dave Smith, about it at the last NAMM show I attended (January 2020). 

 

This is a fascinating machine. Lady Gaia has noted that the support for it in terms of software tools is limited. I am super thankful for her free tools that help unlock the potential of this instrument. I have a lot of ideas for making some samples for it, including sampling my Hammond melodicas and a set of amazing sounding Tibetan bowls that my friend and studio owner has.

Speaking of my friend, I did a recording session of his original tunes this past Tuesday and used the Prophet X as well as the Oberheim OB-X8, Hammond SK Pro, and the HydraSynth. The Prophet X just sounded incredible and added the perfect level of familiarity mixed with quirkiness that the session required.

 

I really hope 8DIO releases some more sets based around acoustic instruments.

 

 

311319158_10225928282091103_6425085753492970949_n.jpg

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9 hours ago, Jim Alfredson said:

I bought a Prophet X...This is a fascinating machine. Lady Gaia has noted that the support for it in terms of software tools is limited. I am super thankful for her free tools that help unlock the potential of this instrument. I have a lot of ideas for making some samples for it...

 

I really hope 8DIO releases some more sets based around acoustic instruments.

@Jim Alfredson, I believe you will do great things with the Prophet X.

 

While I have moved on from the Prophet X, I still believe it is an excellent analog/digital hybrid synth.  Huge potential there for musicians and sound designers willing to explore it.

 

Another vote for the work Lady Gaia put into making the Prophet X more user friendly. 

 

However, I would not deprive myself of oxygen waiting for 8dio to release more sample pack/instruments.😁😎

 

 

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PD

 

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy"

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I'm a bit sorry that 8DIO seemingly came to a halt here. The X could have used just a bit more orchestral material. Over the years, I've generally found that buying several 3rd party patch sets brought the instrument at hand up to its broadest potential. Those leaping-off points usually equal 2 or 3 more sets, if you keep at it. With a Prophet X, it should be a near-lifetime thing you can use at great length because its so elastic, even for a synth. Its ALSO a deep commitment, like having a Yamaha DX5 and pretending that you can casually program it on the fly. Yeah, right. 🤨🤥

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 "Sometimes not giving up is the most heroic thing you can do."
      ~ "Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom"

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2 hours ago, David Emm said:

I'm a bit sorry that 8DIO seemingly came to a halt here.


Yeah, I really don't understand it. I guess this is why other companies, like HamSuz, are wary of partnerships. It made sense to me for HamSuz to use their partnership with IK Multimedia to provide better sounds for the SK series. But I'm not on the business side of things; maybe these relationships are trickier than I understand.

The cool thing is that it occurred to me as I was falling asleep last night, letting my mind wander, that one of my favorite softsynths of all time, Alchemy, uses standard wav files for samples. No special wrapper or proprietary format. Before Apple bought Camel Audio and screwed over we PC peons, I had a lot of third-party add-ons for Alchemy and lo and behold, I looked at my folders this morning and all the wav files are just there, ready to be used. So I'm going to experiment with importing them into the Prophet X. 

I may also purchase Sample Robot, as that seems like the easiest way to loop custom samples.

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I find it interesting that you might use Alchemy resources to feed your Prophet X. What an odd synergy, but its perfectly legit, no different than dropping WAVs into Alchemy. You could make a singular obsession from that alone. Its an industrial GUI, but also inviting.

 

Another word might be "overkill," if you do as I did. I put a different pipe organ in each corner and took too long to realize that two was plenty for any reasonable application. The desired results came from doing LESS. The reverse of this could also be true for psycho-sci-fi sound design. People speak of desert island instruments, but if its a choice between a Steinway and a synthesizer, the latter should be as deep as hell.

 

IMO, Oberheims are more for two-fisted keyboard *players* than sound designers in the usual sense. Unless that's a Hydrasynth under your PX, your search for a comfortable path for expanding your other, broader synth seems wise. Give it a shot, tell us how it translated.    

 "Sometimes not giving up is the most heroic thing you can do."
      ~ "Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom"

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 Brother Moonglow and I got a very thorough tour of the Prophet X at 2019's Gearfest, courtesy of Gerry Bassermann from Sequential. I was then turned loose on the above XL model. Tried a little programming, and came up with this sound.  Very inspiring synth to play, and enjoyed having the 76 action for 'stretching out'.  Still tempted by the Prophet X, at times.  Having an analog poly again, plus access to a flexible built-in sample-based engine  is intriguing.  Too bad about 8dio only having a T8 sample set on their site; appears that partnership did indeed come to a halt. Jim, I look forward to hearing what you come up with sample-wise for the Prophet X.

 

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'Someday, we'll look back on these days and laugh; likely a maniacal laugh from our padded cells, but a laugh nonetheless' - Mr. Boffo.

 

We need a barfing cat emoticon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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20 hours ago, allan_evett said:

 

 Brother Moonglow and I got a very thorough tour of the Prophet X at 2019's Gearfest, courtesy of Gerry Bassermann from Sequential. I was then turned loose on the above XL model. Tried a little programming, and came up with this sound.  Very inspiring synth to play, and enjoyed having the 76 action for 'stretching out'.  Still tempted by the Prophet X, at times.  Having an analog poly again, plus access to a flexible built-in sample-based engine  is intriguing.  Too bad about 8dio only having a T8 sample set on their site; appears that partnership did indeed come to a halt. Jim, I look forward to hearing what you come up with sample-wise for the Prophet X.

 

I was standing right behind you there... 😎 Actually I think you showed me this patch later in the day.

 

~ vonnor

 

p.s. you still owe me this sound for the Kronos... 😉

Gear:

Hardware: Nord Stage4, Korg Kronos 2, Novation Summit

Software: Cantabile 3, Halion Sonic 3 and assorted VST plug-ins.

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3 hours ago, vonnor said:

 

~ vonnor

 

p.s. you still owe me this sound for the Kronos... 😉

 

And I sold the Kronos in 2020, during the Covid slowdown.:wah:  I have a similar sound for the Fantom, but that doesn't help you.  May be able to extract my  Kronos 'Clavitar' Combi from files saved in Dropbox. Will check on that.

'Someday, we'll look back on these days and laugh; likely a maniacal laugh from our padded cells, but a laugh nonetheless' - Mr. Boffo.

 

We need a barfing cat emoticon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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47 minutes ago, allan_evett said:

 

And I sold the Kronos in 2020, during the Covid slowdown.:wah:  I have a similar sound for the Fantom, but that doesn't help you.  May be able to extract my  Kronos 'Clavitar' Combi from files saved in Dropbox. Will check on that.

 

 

Bill, I just emailed you a Dropbox shared link...

'Someday, we'll look back on these days and laugh; likely a maniacal laugh from our padded cells, but a laugh nonetheless' - Mr. Boffo.

 

We need a barfing cat emoticon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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