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Average Price: $2,292
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$500
$1501+
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Price History
Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Dave Smith Instruments Prophet 6 Desktop 6-Voice Polyphonic Synthesizer". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
For those seeking the perfect blend of vintage charm and modern innovation, the Dave Smith Instruments Prophet 6 Desktop 6-Voice Polyphonic Synthesizer is a standout choice. This powerhouse synth pays homage to the legendary Prophet-5 while introducing contemporary enhancements that push creative boundaries. At its core, the Prophet 6 features two discrete voltage-controlled oscillators and a sub-oscillator per voice, delivering a rich, warm analog sound that is both timeless and fresh.
The synth offers a true analog signal path with voltage-controlled amplifiers and filters, including a four-pole resonant low-pass filter and a two-pole high-pass filter, inspired by its iconic predecessor. The dual digital effects engine provides studio-quality reverbs, delays, chorus, and phase shifting, with a true bypass ensuring the purity of your sound. Musicians will appreciate the Poly Mod section with its extensive modulation capabilities, as well as the polyphonic step sequencer that accommodates up to 64 steps, perfect for intricate compositions.
Designed for ease of use, the Prophet 6 features a knob-per-function panel that allows for intuitive sound shaping, eliminating the need for menu diving. With 500 factory presets and the ability to save 500 user-created programs, this synth is ready to suit both studio environments and live performances. Compact and portable, the Prophet 6 is a versatile addition to any musician's arsenal, offering unparalleled sound and flexibility.
Key Features:
- 6 voices with two discrete VCOs and a sub-oscillator per voice
- All-analog signal path with voltage-controlled amplifiers
- Two discrete filters per voice: 4-pole resonant low-pass and 2-pole resonant high-pass
- Dual digital effects section with true bypass: reverb, delay, chorus, phase shifter
- Poly Mod section and 64-step polyphonic step sequencer
- Knob-per-function panel for instant access to synth functions
- 1000 preset slots: 500 factory and 500 user programs
- MIDI In/Out/Thru and USB connectivity for seamless integration
Product specs
| Type | Desktop Synthesizer and Sequencer |
| Polyphony | 6 voices |
| Presets | 500 factory programs, 500 user programs |
| Effects Types | Reverb, delay, chorus, phase shifter (effects are digital with true bypass), analog stereo distortion |
| Arpeggiator | Yes |
| Sequencer | 64-step polyphonic sequencer |
| Analog Inputs | 2 x 1/4" (sequence, sustain footswitches), 2 x 1/4" (volume, LP filter expression pedals) |
| Analog Outputs | 2 x 1/4" (left, right), 1 x 1/4" (headphones) |
| MIDI I/O | In/Out/Thru |
| USB | USB Type B |
| Height | 4.4" |
| Width | 21.25" |
| Depth | 7.43" |
| Weight | 13 lbs. |
FAQs
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Is the Dave Smith Instruments Prophet 6 Desktop polyphonic or monophonic?
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The Prophet 6 Desktop is a polyphonic synthesizer with 6 voices, allowing you to play complex chords and layers.
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What types of effects are included in the Prophet 6 Desktop synthesizer?
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The Prophet 6 Desktop features digital effects including reverb, delay, chorus, and phase shifter, along with an analog stereo distortion.
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Can I use the Prophet 6 Desktop with a MIDI controller?
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Yes, the Prophet 6 Desktop has MIDI In/Out/Thru ports and USB for bidirectional MIDI communication, making it compatible with MIDI controllers.
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Does the Prophet 6 Desktop have an arpeggiator and sequencer?
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Yes, the Prophet 6 Desktop includes both an arpeggiator and a 64-step polyphonic sequencer for creating complex musical patterns.
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What kind of wave shapes can the Prophet 6 Desktop's oscillators produce?
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The oscillators on the Prophet 6 Desktop can produce continuously variable wave shapes including triangle, sawtooth, pulse, and square waves.
Videos
Gear4music Guitars
Sequential Prophet 6 6-Voice Analog Synthesizer | Gear4music demo
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional analog sound quality with rich, warm tones
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Sleek design with user-friendly, one-knob-per-function layout
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64-step polyphonic sequencer is intuitive and powerful
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No menu diving, allowing for quick, on-the-fly adjustments
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Built in San Francisco with top-notch build quality
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Extensive modification options for sound customization
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Vintage sound character with modern modulation versatility
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Ideal for pairing with MIDI controllers for a compact setup
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Inspirational presets and ample memory for custom sounds
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Arpeggiator and digital effects engine are impressive
CONS
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Reverb quality is subpar compared to other effects
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Updating the OS can be more complex than on other synths
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Default patch set might not be the most inspiring
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Occasional scratchy pots and loose ribbons upon delivery
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Dave Smith Instruments Prophet 6 Desktop 6-Voice Polyphonic Synthesizer.
Features and functionality
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The Prophet 6 is praised for its knob-per-function interface, making it intuitive and easy to use without menu diving.
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The Prophet 6 offers stereo panorama spreading, stereo multi-effects, and an analog distortion effect, enhancing its sonic capabilities compared to other models.
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Its high-pass filters are per note and keytracking, allowing resonance to emphasize the fundamental note, adding unique sonic possibilities beyond simple EQ adjustments.
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The Prophet 6 now includes a vintage knob, varying parameters randomly per voice to mimic the "wonkiness" of classic analog synths.
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User experience
Comparisons
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Some users find the Prophet 6 sound to be more "vanilla" compared to the OB-6 and Trigon-6, which are described as having more character.
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The Prophet 6 allows modulation of the VCO waveform from triangle to saw to pulse, providing more modulation capabilities than the Prophet 5.
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The Prophet 6 is known for its punchy sound and extensive capabilities, making it a preferred choice for those valuing modulation and stereo features over the Prophet 5's simplicity.
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Use cases and applications
Build quality
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The desktop version of the Prophet 6 is favored for its portability compared to the heavier keyboard version.
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Critic Reviews
Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings
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