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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

1227.0. "SCI Sequential Prophet 5 Analog Synthesizer" by KIPPIS::LEHTINEN (Marriage = Bilateral Closed SIG) Wed Feb 24 1988 15:15

    Hi COMMUSICians,
    
    I have just bought a Sequential Prophet-5. I have two questions
    concerning this instrument that I think someone here might be able 
    to answer.
    
    1.) Is there a MIDIfying kit available for the Prophet-5. If
    so, anyone know where I could place my order?
    
    2.) I have understood that at least at one time the Prophet-5
    had a feature where the scale of 12 notes (keys) could be tuned
    individually and these exotic tunings could be stored to the 
    standard patch memory locations for later recall. I think that
    for instance Terry Riley used a just-tuned Prophet-5 on "A Rainbow
    In Curved Air". 
    
    I see no sign of this feature (at least no markings on the top of
    the instrument that would imply this sort of functionality) on 
    my 'copy'. Anyone know how to activate this feature? Or could it 
    perhaps be, that Sequential discontinued to include this feature 
    on the instrument and I have a later revision?
    
    Any information on this appreciated.
    
    Timo
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
1227.1CANYON::MOELLERBoycott M*A*S*H rerunsWed Feb 24 1988 15:435
    Timo, I don't have the specific information you're seeking. I just
    wanted to congratulate you on purchasing, in my opinion, the best
    sounding analog synth ever made.
    
    karl
1227.2Vague mumblings.BOLT::BAILEYSteph (stef') BaileyThu Feb 25 1988 09:2314
    Well, this almost isn't worth a reply, but I figure that some info
    is much better than none.
    
    There is (was) a MIDI upgrade for the 5.  Unfortunately, the one
    that I knew of was made by Sequential, and that probably means that
    it isn't made any more.  Never heard of a third party item.  I'm
    groping in the dark, but I seem to remember that a third party was
    responsible for the MIDI upgrade of Linn drums and also made MIDI
    upgrades for other equipment of that vintage (5s and T8s?).
    
    You are correct that the Prophet 5 allows separate tuning.  I am quite
    sure that the feature existed on all 5s.  No idea how to invoke it.
    
    Steph
1227.3FIDDLE::CROWLEYere lies David St. 'ubbins, and why not!Thu Feb 25 1988 10:2818
    
    
    Well, this doesn't help much your question, but.....
    I was in Wurlitzers (Boston) about two weeks ago, and Fred
    Lapatino told me that despite all the rumors of Sequential
    Circuits going under, they are in fact still hanging in there.
    He said it was still possible for an upgrade for our 2000 to
    512K and that there was even talk of a 3000 coming soon.
    
    Of course, this was only a month or so after one of the guys at
    the Worcester store told me they were filing chapter 11 and Yamaha
    was gonna try to buy them out....so who knows!!??
    
    ralph
    
    ps.  Good choice on the Prophet 5!!
1227.4Try Hitech Musical Svcs.DYO780::SCHAFERJust another roadie.Mon Feb 29 1988 12:155
    I don't remember the number, but I know who will know.  Try calling
    HiTech Musical Services.  They're in California in the 213 area code.
    They found me a MIDI mod for my OB-Xa when there were none to be had. 

    Sorry I can't remember the number.
1227.5Which COMMUSIC.NOTE am I in now? ;-)KIPPIS::LEHTINENMarriage = Bilateral Closed SIGWed Mar 02 1988 17:2924
    Re: .all
                                 
    Sorry I haven't been participating in this topic after writing my base
    note. I have been unable to access COMMUSIC since... and what's more, 
    now I see there's two of them going... ;-)
    
    Anyway, thank you guys for the bits of info. I'm glad to hear you 
    feel the same way about the 5 as I do. This synth really sounds good! 
    And the nice thing is that if you can find one in the stores you can 
    usually pick it up at a reasonable price these days. 
    
    I think the best thing for me would be to actually get a copy of the 
    owners manual. I'm sure there are other nice-to-know features (in 
    addition to the separate tuning thing) that would be interesting to 
    know. So, if anyone ever reading this possesses (or has access to) a 
    copy of the manual, I'd be very glad to get it xeroxed. 
    
    Re: .-1
    
    Thanks Brad, I'll try HiTech Musical Services and post results here.
    
    Timo
1227.6MIDI Upgrade available?BPOV10::MASTERThu Aug 11 1988 13:564
    Just wondering if you found the MIDI upgrade kit. If you did
    I'd be interested in finding out who/where/whatkind/$'s etc.
1227.7Cross referenceKIPPIS::LEHTINENMandolin!Mon Mar 27 1989 06:075
    Note 1888.0 has a pointer to a dealer selling MIDI upgrade kits
    for the Prophet V.
    
    Timo
1227.8Patches wantedODIXIE::LINCEFri Dec 06 1991 15:464
    I own a 5 and love it. Is there anyone out there willing to swap
    patches?????
    
    Jim