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Average Price: $385
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$500
$1501+
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Description
Unveiling the Korg Prophecy, a legendary analog modeling synth from the 90s era that still holds a special place in the heart of musicians. Redefining the fusion of vintage and modern, it boasts fat sounding oscillators and realistically modeled filters. With the addition of digital patch storage, it effortlessly blends a classic touch with contemporary convenience. Not to mention, its capacity for physical modeling and FM synthesis which opens up avenues for a wide spectrum of sound explorations.
Key Features:
- Analog modeling synth from the mid-90s
- Fat sounding oscillators for robust sound generation
- Realistically modeled filters for authentic sound shaping
- Digital patch storage for modern convenience
- Capable of physical modeling and FM synthesis for sound variety
- 37 keys for extensive playability
- Monophonic polyphony for focused sound design
- Audio and MIDI I/O for versatile connectivity
Product specs
| Brand | Korg |
| Model | Prophecy |
| Finish | Silver |
| Year | 1990s |
| Categories | Digital Synthesizers, Keyboard Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through |
| Number of Keys | 37 Keys |
| Polyphony | 1 Voice |
FAQs
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Is the Korg Prophecy suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Korg Prophecy is designed for live use with its compact 37-key format and expressive controls, making it a great choice for musicians who need portability and versatility in sound for live performances.
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What type of synthesis does the Korg Prophecy use?
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The Korg Prophecy utilizes digital synthesis with virtual analog and physical modeling capabilities, allowing it to produce a wide range of unique and complex sounds.
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Can the Korg Prophecy be integrated with modern MIDI setups?
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Yes, the Korg Prophecy features MIDI Input, Output, and Through, making it compatible with modern MIDI setups for both studio and live environments.
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Is the Korg Prophecy polyphonic?
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No, the Korg Prophecy is a monophonic synthesizer, meaning it can play only one note at a time, which is ideal for lead sounds and expressive solos.
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What kind of keyboard action does the Korg Prophecy have?
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The Korg Prophecy features a synth action keyboard, which is light and fast, suitable for quick playing styles and expressive performance techniques.
Videos
Jexus (sounds-for-synths.com)
Korg Prophecy | demo by Jexus / WC Olo Garb
Reviews
PROS
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Realistic brass, reed, and string sounds through physical modeling
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Extensive parameter options for in-depth sound customization
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Compact size suitable for limited spaces
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Unique, expressive flute sound patch available
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Versatile as a controller with numerous options
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Ideal for creating unconventional, "weird" synth sounds
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Praised for use in early internet entertainment and iconic tracks
CONS
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Monophonic, limiting polyphonic playability
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Construction feels cheap, akin to a child's toy
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Requires significant time to learn and program effectively
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Some users find it difficult to integrate into music projects
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Korg Prophecy.
Features and functionality
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The Prophecy's unique modulation roller/ribbon is essential to its character, unlike typical MIDI controllers.
Source
Comparisons
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The Karma with EXB-MOSS card offers a more user-friendly experience compared to the Prophecy.
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The Korg Z1 is seen as a larger, more expensive version of the Prophecy, offering similar sound capabilities.
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Korg Triton with the MOSS board is an alternative that offers the Prophecy's DSP board functionality, but the MOSS board alone can cost around $400.
Source
Build quality
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The Prophecy is considered one of the cheapest feeling "professional" instruments by some users.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The Prophecy's sound evokes a 90s tracker techno vibe, suitable for genres like Unreal Tournament or Command and Conquer.
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Software and compatibility
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The VST version of the Prophecy is praised for its polyphonic capabilities, which the original lacks.
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Patch Base synth editor for iPads now supports Korg Prophecy, offering a practical option for programming patches.
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Ctrlr and Midi Quest 12 are viable software options for editing Korg Prophecy patches, though Midi Quest's cost-effectiveness is debatable.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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A unique mod was found with harmonica buttons replacing the standard keyboard on a Prophecy, although it was considered overpriced.
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Value and pricing
Critic Reviews
4.0 out of 5
Based on 6 Reviews and 32 Ratings
70
The sound of Future
The most agressive mono synth of the 90s. Best use with distortion wah in combo, i love the controls.
1264
Weird but cool
I had one for about 6 months and didn't super gel with it. I kinda wish I had one again to see what I would think of it now. I enjoyed playing it but it never made it into any track. Traded it plus a Micro Q for a Jupiter 6 and didn't regret it.
1464
A unique instrument with a bevy of expressive control
I picked this up second hand in 97 and it was utilized during the Lavender Hill Mob / newgrounds.com and FDA era of early internet entertainment. As a controller, it came before most in terms of the amount of options possible. The sounds are like dreams if you dive deep, which you can!
198
It's a BEAST...!!!
I fell in love with this synth back in the 90's during the rave movement... It's still a beast of a synth. If you are into riding the outer edge of insanity (much like one might do with any of 'the Access Virus' machines), then this synth might give you what your appetite has been craving...
Should explore more
It is very hard to program but I should explore mine more now that there is an editor http://ctrlr.org/710 It has the most realistic sax and trumpet type sounds short of using samples. Famously used by The Prodigy for most of the synth sounds on Firestarter and Smack My Bitch Up.
Artist usage
Add artist
Jonny used the Korg Prophecy in the studio version of "Lift", he also used it in the live concerts, as shown in the source, you can see Jonny playing the Korg Prophecy at minute 2:23.
Jonny's Korg Prophecy was the band's "secret weapon" during the "Ok Computer" sessions between 1995-1998. Besides using the Prophecy on "Lift", it was also used on the studio version of "Airbag" and "Climbing Up The Walls", on these tracks he used it as an attempt to emulate an Ondes Martenot (that's why when he got a real Ondes Martenot he got rid of the Prophecy before the Kid A/Amnesiac sessions). You can also see the Prophecy in action in live performances of the tracks "Talk Show Host", "Planet Telex", and "Paranoid Android" (the latter he only used it once live) between 1996 and 1998.
In the November 1997 issue of Sound on Sound magazine, Autechre discusses using the Korg Prophecy synthesizer.
Quote from album "Oxygene 7-13" by Jean-Michel Jarre (1997 release):
"Jean Michel Jarre played the following Instruments: 2600 ARP Synthesizer, VCS3 synthesizer, AKS, Eminent, Mellotron, Theremin, CS80, Quasimidi Raven, Digisequencer, Logic Audio, Akai MPC3000, Nordlead, JV 90, K2000, RMI, Prophecy, TR808, DJ70."
"The Prophecy is one of the few things that produces big distortion as far as a ready-to-run synth goes. It's at its best on stage, though I've used it on just about every track on the new album [The Fat of the Land] so far. The programming is so open, it's great for resonant sweeps, and the ribbon is quite handy. You can also record filter changes over MIDI onto the Mac. There are so many different things you can do with it. It's not the type of keyboard I'd go to to start a song with -- it's better for distortion and feedback sounds. It's a shame it's only monophonic -- it's got some good string sounds."
In an interview on reverb.com, Alessandro Cortini of Nine Inch Nails expresses his admiration for several synthesizers, including the Korg Prophecy.
On Wakeman's official site, it is stated that he uses a Korg Prophecy. Its June 2020 Reverb.com listing dates it to 1990.
"The Prophecy is one of the few things that produces big distortion as far as a ready-to-run synth goes. It's at its best on stage, though I've used it on just about every track on the new album so far. The programming is so open, it's great for resonant sweeps, and the ribbon is quite handy. You can also record filter changes over MIDI onto the Mac. There are so many different things you can do with it. It's not the type of keyboard I'd go to to start a song with -- it's better for distortion and feedback sounds. It's a shame it's only monophonic -- it's got some good string sounds." – Liam Howlett in a 1996 interview with Sound On Sound.
Mentioned in a "studio gear" list in a 2001 interview with Rocket Baby.
In this Reddit AMA, George mentions using a Prophecy on his song Livin' Loose.
"the distorted bass synthesizer at the end of living loose is korg prophecy."
"i really like my korg prophecy but also sometimes i hate it."
It can also be seen in this video at 9:35: https://youtu.be/BqqjOefczqg?t=575
Album Usage
The Korg Prophecy has been featured on the following albums:
Gentō
Steve Rothery & Thorsten Quaeschning (2025)
Mass Effect: Trilogy Collection Bonus Tracks (Original Soundtrack)
Sascha Dikiciyan (2022)
Providence
Nathan Fake (2017)
Synthwaves
Ulrich Schnauss & Thorsten Quaeschning (2017)
Live In Chicago
Ween (2004)
State to State 2
808 State (2002)
Amnesiac
Radiohead (2001)
Kid A
Radiohead (2000)
www.pitchshifter.com
Pitchshifter (1998)
The Fat of the Land
The Prodigy & The Prodigy (1997)
Oxygene 7-13
Jean Michel Jarre (1997)
OK Computer
Radiohead (1997)
Older
George Michael (1996)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Korg Prophecy, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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