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Description

The Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000 is a classic synthesizer that bridges the world of analog and digital with finesse. Known for its 12-bit sampling ability, this synthesizer brings a vintage, gritty character to your music, making it a favorite among electronic music producers and sound designers. With its 8-voice polyphony, the Prophet 2000 gives you the freedom to layer sounds and create lush textures that are both rich and complex.

Not just a sampler, this synth also boasts 8 analog VCAs and VCFs, which allow you to sculpt sound with precision and warmth. The Prophet 2000 is equipped with a built-in sequencer, providing a platform for creativity that doesn't require external devices. It seamlessly integrates with modern setups thanks to full MIDI compatibility, ensuring it can easily become a central piece of your studio or live performance rig.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or a budding musician, the Prophet 2000 offers a unique sound palette that is both versatile and iconic. Its ability to transform raw samples into expressive, nuanced sounds makes it a valuable tool for those looking to push musical boundaries.

Key Features:

  • 12-bit sampling for gritty, vintage sound
  • 8-voice polyphony for complex layering
  • 8 analog VCAs & VCFs for rich sound sculpting
  • Built-in sequencer for on-board composition
  • Full MIDI compatibility for seamless integration

Product specs

Brand Sequential
Model Prophet 2000 61-Key 8-Voice Polyphonic Synthesizer
Finish Black
Year 1985
Made In United States
Categories Analog Synths, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital Analog
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Synth Action
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Number of Keys 61 Keys
Polyphony 8 Voices

FAQs

Is the Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000 a polyphonic synthesizer?

Yes, the Prophet 2000 is an 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer, allowing you to play up to eight notes simultaneously.

What type of synthesis does the Prophet 2000 use?

The Prophet 2000 is an analog synthesizer, known for its rich, warm sounds typical of analog synthesis.

Does the Prophet 2000 have MIDI capabilities?

Yes, the Prophet 2000 includes MIDI input, output, and through connections, making it compatible with other MIDI-equipped gear.

How many keys does the Prophet 2000 have and what is the action type?

The Prophet 2000 features a 61-key full-size keyboard with synth action, providing a responsive playing experience.

Can the Prophet 2000 be used for live performances?

With its 61 keys and 8-voice polyphony, the Prophet 2000 is suitable for live performances, offering versatile sound options and MIDI connectivity for integration into a live setup.

solidstatecollective

solidstatecollective

Sequential Circuits - Prophet 2000

Video thumbnail for Sequential Circuits - Prophet 2000 by solidstatecollective

Sequential Circuits - Prophet 2000

solidstatecollective

solidstatecollective

Video thumbnail for Prophet 2000  | Sequential Sampling from 1985 by Espen Kraft

Prophet 2000 | Sequential Sampling from 1985

Espen Kraft

Espen Kraft

Video thumbnail for Sequential Prophet 2000 by Pulsophonic

Sequential Prophet 2000

Pulsophonic

Pulsophonic

Video thumbnail for Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000 for sale by AnalogSweden

Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000 for sale

AnalogSweden

AnalogSweden

Video thumbnail for SAMPLING INTO the---Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000 by HANGING OUT WITH AUDIOPHILES

SAMPLING INTO the---Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000

HANGING OUT WITH AUDIOPHILES

HANGING OUT WITH AUDIOPHILES

Video thumbnail for Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000 sampling and filter by weltron2010

Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000 sampling and filter

weltron2010

weltron2010

Video thumbnail for Valmont - Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000 (1985) : Novembre by Valmont

Valmont - Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000 (1985) : Novembre

Valmont

Valmont

Video thumbnail for Inside a 1985 Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000 by Ryan's Custom Shop and Gear Outlet

Inside a 1985 Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000

Ryan's Custom Shop and Gear Outlet

Ryan's Custom Shop and Gear Outlet

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000.

Features and functionality

  • The Prophet 2000 is the only sampler with 12-bit variable rate DACs per voice and analog filters with resonance, offering a unique sound quality.

    Source
  • Studio 440, with the same sound engine as Prophet 2000, includes a highly regarded but often buggy sequencer, offering added functionality for users seeking integrated sequencing.

    Source

User experience

  • The user interface for setting up multisamples on the Prophet 2000 is described as cryptic, posing a challenge for new users.

    Source
  • Prophet 2000 is considered a "sleeper gem" by enthusiasts, suggesting it may be undervalued or overlooked despite its capabilities.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Prophet 2000 is considered to have the best sound among its peers, described as both crunchy and clean, a unique trait not found even in Fairlight samplers.

    Source
  • The Prophet 2000/2002 is likened to a more hi-fi-sounding Emulator II, offering a unique niche in sound quality among 12-bit samplers.

    Source
  • Prophet 2000/2002 is noted for its distinct sound profile, potentially bridging the gap between gritty, crunchy samplers and clean, sheen alternatives.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Sequential's Prophet 2000 Samplers

soundonsound.com

The Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000 was a groundbreaking sampler in its time, offering 12-bit sampling quality at an affordable price, surpassing competitors like the Ensoniq Mirage. Its innovative features, such as automatic zero-crossing for looping and multitimbral MIDI access, made it a versatile tool for musicians. However, the interface was cumbersome, with a complex sample-assignment system and a limited display. Despite these drawbacks, its dynamic voice allocation and timbral flexibility made it a favorite among emerging artists. Overall, the Prophet 2000 is remembered fondly for its pioneering role in sampling technology.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 6 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
meltyplastic

Sounds so good

Lofi sampler through an analog filter. Lots of fun. Modded mine with USB preset storage

dominic_toone

great sounding synth sampler.

lovely sounding curtis filters, great key action, 12 bit beast.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Klaus Schulze uses Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000

Klaus Schulze

Guitarist, Bassist

Tangerine Dream

...
Verified via Klaus-schulze

Klaus Schulze uses the Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000, as detailed on the "Klaus Schulze's Instruments" page.

See how Legowelt uses Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000

Legowelt

Music Producer

...
Verified via Legowelt

Listed on the actual official Legowelt website as being a piece of gear used by him at some point. Can be found on the "Synthesizers" section.

See how Andy Fletcher uses Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000

Andy Fletcher

Keyboardist

Depeche Mode

...
Verified via Google Books

"Martin uses an [E-mu] Emulator II and a PPG Wave 2.2. Andy has a [Sequential Circuits] Prophet 2000, and I have an Emulator II and a Korg DW-8000."

See how Roger O'Donnell uses Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000

Roger O'Donnell

Keyboardist, Music Producer

The Cure

...
Verified via Musicfanclubs

"The characteristic sound of the album is the orchestral string sample I got from Doctor Sounds in New York for my [Sequential] Prophet 2000."

See how Michael Cretu uses Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000

Michael Cretu

Singer, Composer

Enigma

...
Verified via Enigma-music

From the FAQ Pages of The Enigma Archive: "From the credits of various albums, it is known that Michael Cretu uses or has used the Waveframe 1000, Audi Frame Workstation, MIDIMoog, PPG System, Korg M1, C-Lab Notator, Takamine 6 and 12 String, Tom Anderson Electric Guitars, Otari DTR-900, Akai 900, Linn 9000, Prophet 2002, X-Pander, EMS Vocoder, DX-7, and Roland Super Jupiter."

See how David Bryan uses Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000

David Bryan

Singer, Guitarist

Bon Jovi

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "David Bryan Keyboard Lesson #1" by Petsitterincharlotte, David Bryan discusses using the Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000 during live performances.

See how Billy Currie uses Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000

Billy Currie

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Ultravox

...
Verified via Gforcesoftware

"Q. I noticed that during your solo albums you moved through the gamut of classic 80s keyboards including the PPG Wave, Yamaha GS-1 and Roland D-50. What are your fave synths from the 80s?

I loved the GS-1. It was big and high quality but I don’t think I used it a lot on my solo albums. I think it was originally made for the small church market in America so that they could get the sounds they needed without buying a huge church organ. I had a deal with Yamaha who stuck with us over the years and when the GS-1 came out I ended up going to Hamburg and sitting with a Yamaha programmer who created some great string sounds for me. I loved playing that instrument and I could play the vibrato with my feet. I’d stand up and rock back back to keep the sustain going and do the vibrato with my foot.

I used the PPG a lot. I got into the Rack Mounted DX-7, the TX-816. I’d got into MIDI in the early days in my own studio for the first couple of solo albums, Transportation and Stand Up and Walk and linking all these things up to get new sounds. I had a Prophet T8, the Prophet Sampler, the Roland D-50. it was like Keyboard City. The Prophet VS was used a lot. I really liked the joystick and the way you could morph between sounds."

See how Nik Kershaw uses Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000

Nik Kershaw

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Muzines

"Keyboard-wise, I've just got a Prophet 2000 sampler which is great fun. I've got a Roland Jupiter 6 and two Yamaha DX7s; an Oberheim OBXa synth which I'm just about to have adapted for MIDI so that I can sequence it from the QX1; and there's a beaten-up old Emulator 1 sampler, which I probably won't use any more now I've got the Prophet 2000."

See how Georgi Guryanov uses Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000

Georgi Guryanov

Bassist, Drummer

KINO

...
Verified via YouTube

In 1987, during the recording of the album "Blood Type," Georgi Guryanov and Yuri Kasparyan got Sergey Kuryokhin drunk and spent the following night recording synthesizer parts for the album using the Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000. This is detailed at the 18:12 timestamp in the YouTube video

See how Kurt Harland uses Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000

Kurt Harland

Singer

Information Society

...
Verified via Muzines

"We rely pretty heavily on the Prophet 2000 sampler, although it was not my choice. It just happened to be what turned up in my studio. Everyone seems to say that the actual sound quality of the 2000 is very, very good, better than most, but I don't particularly like it. I got upset right away that you can only transpose it up a very short distance. I was using a Mirage before, which is supposedly a much less sophisticated thing, but you could transpose over five octaves. Other than that, I'll admit it's a pretty good sampler."

See how Sergey Kuryokhin uses Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000

Sergey Kuryokhin

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Photo

This photograph shows Sergey Kuryokhin playing a Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000. The front-panel layout and logo confirm that this is the Prophet 2000 sampling keyboard used by Kuryokhin during his experimental and Pop-Mechanika era.

J

John Beck

Keyboardist

The Alan Parsons Project

...
Verified via Photo

Diagram of John Beck's keyboard rig printed in the November 1986 issue of International Musician.

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 Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Moog Memorymoog
Moog Memorymoog Synthesizers
2
Roland D-50
Roland D-50 Synthesizers
2
Studio Electronics Midimoog
Studio Electronics Midimoog Synthesizers & Sound Modules
2
Ensoniq Mirage DMS-8
Ensoniq Mirage DMS-8 Audio Samplers
2
Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter
Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter Synthesizers & Sound Modules
2
E-mu Vintage Keys
E-mu Vintage Keys Sound Modules
1
Roland SDE-3000
Roland SDE-3000 Effects Processors
1

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