Dave Smith Instruments Introduces the Prophet '08 PE

May 27, 2009

Released in August 2007, the standard Prophet '08 is an eight-voice, polyphonic synthesizer with a 100% analog audio path. It primarily uses rotary encoders for its front panel controls. On the new Prophet '08 PE, 38 of the 52 rotary controls are potentiometers (AKA "pots"). "We have received numerous requests for a version with controls more like those used on the vintage Prophets, particularly for the more performance-oriented parameters like filter cutoff and resonance," said designer Dave Smith. "With the Prophet '08 PE, we feel like we've achieved a good balance between the advantages offered by both pots and rotary encoders."

The features and functionality of the non-pot and pot versions are essentially the same. The difference is strictly in the controls themselves. Encoders are "endless"???they have no minimum or maximum limit. The advantage to that is that when you edit a preset parameter, the change begins at the preset value and increases or decreases, depending upon the direction turned. Pots typically have about 270?? of travel and have definite limits. The advantage to that is that you know, by feel, where the minimum and maximum limits are and you can sweep through the entire value range in less than one full turn. The only obvious visual difference between the standard and PE versions is that the pots have lined knobs.

The Prophet '08 PE melds the best of the "old school" with the modern features and affordability of a new generation of analog polysynths.

The Prophet '08 PE is available now with an MSRP of $2,309.00 and an MAP of $2,099.00. Specifications

100% analog audio path

5-octave keyboard with semi-weighted action, velocity, and aftertouch

Spring-loaded pitch wheel and assignable mod wheel

256 fully editable Programs (2 banks of 128) with 2 Layers (2 separate sounds) per Program

16 x 4 gated step sequencer

Arpeggiator

2 digitally controlled analog oscillators (DCOs) per voice with selectable sawtooth, triangle, saw/triangle mix, and pulse waves (with pulse-width modulation), and hard sync

White noise generator

1 Analog Curtis low-pass filter per voice, selectable 2- and 4-pole operation (self-resonating in 4-pole mode)

3 DADSR Envelope Generators: filter, amplifier, and assignable; Envelope 3 can loop

4 LFOs

Glide (portamento): separate rates per oscillator

Analog VCAs

Dimensions: 12.1" (30.73 cm) W x 34.8" (88.39 cm) L x 3.875" (9.84 cm) H (2.25" at front edge; the feet account for 0.25" of the total height)

Weight: ~22 lbs. (9.98 kg)

Ins and Outs

MIDI In, Out, Thru, and Poly Chain

Main stereo audio output: 1/4" unbalanced

Output B stereo audio output: 1/4" unbalanced

Sustain pedal input: accepts normally on or normally off momentary footswitch

Pedal/CV input: responds to expression pedals or control voltages ranging from 0 to 5 VDC (protected against higher or negative voltages)

Headphone output: 1/4" stereo phone jack

Includes power supply for 11 — 240V AC operation (13-15 VDC, 400 mA) and operation manual

(Click for close-up)

For more information, visit their web site at http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/.

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