Personally, the only thing that betrays the Prophecy as a digital, vice analog instrument, is the clarity of the tones generated. Granted, this is not a bad thing if it is what you are looking for overall. The Prophecy does have its uses, but it is NOT an analog instrument nor does it have the unique timbres of analogs. It is an amazing instrument, but cannot pinch-hit for a true analog.

Although the Prophecy may lack, to my exacting standards, the "analog sound", it is a very worthwhile instrument to own in regards to creating sounds that cannot be duplicated on an analog instrument. This is why the Prophecy is a classic already--it has its own soul so to speak. By carefully editing the sounds (I recommend getting a Windows based editior--very intuitive and easy to do) one can create a new breed of synthesizer tones never before heard. In this sense, the Prophecy is best equated as a "monophonic digital modular synthesizer". The range of possibilities are endless with this machine.

The quality of construction and layout of the Prophecy is very good, and are close to what I would specify for an instrument of its function. The characteristic, futuristic design of the Prophecy combines form and function beautifully together yielding an esthetically pleasing machine in a world of "look-alike" synth chassis.

In general I would suggest the Prophecy to any synthesist interested in a quality (but not precise) emulation of monophonic analog synthesizers--but are not willing to take the time and expense to purchase the real things. Although the Prophecy is somewhat limited for mainstream synth players, it makes an awesome edition to an existing equipment pile. However, if polyphony is the issue, I'd look at a Nord product; however, to my ear the Prophecy is far more powerful than the Nord systems are and way more "outside" and out of control.

No, the Prophecy is not a MUST HAVE synthesizer for the vast majority of musicians. But, unlike most modern synthesizers, the Prophecy is wholly unique and the only option for players that require the sounds and flexibility of the Prophecy. Truly an outrageous synthesizer from both a performing and programming point of view.

The Prophecy can create some of the weirdest timbres, powerful basses, ear bleeding TB`s and spooky FX you`ll ever hear. Ignore the Acoustic models as realistic instruments because they sound weak, plastic and fake (rather like the VL sections in the EX5 or MU100R) and a far cry from the awesome reality of a VL1 or 7 BUT are an excellent starting block for even more tortured screaming sounds. the good thing is that despite the "JV1080" readout, the Proph`s programming interface is really accessable (certainly compared to the VL1`s massive Jungle of surreal parameters anyway (;-). having 2-OSCs each of which can have it`s own filter is a great benefit, the Sub is more flexible than those on real Analog Monosynths and having loads of understandable EG`s and varied LFOs is great.

Steve Hunt likened it to an ARP... Yeah, an Odyssey for the 90`s, complex, flexible, harder to suss out, certainly compared to the Waldorf Pulse (a sort of budget Minimoog rack for the 90s if you like ) it`s got an edge that even breaches into MS20 territory. Someone somewhere stated that it didn`t sound Analog, I`ve heard sounds coming from Odysseys, Chromas and MS20s that you`d swear was FM, CZ or PPG.

If ONE voice of Z1 puts out the power that can be coaxed out of this, it makes it even more of a shame that they screwed up the FX routing, Outputs (only 2!), Dynamic Voice allocation and left off the sausage roll, cos 12 of them for the price the Prophecy was originally would have been a bargain!.

Prophs are cheap secondhand now and apart from making a good performance controller, can add an awful lot to your setup for not a lot of cash. One of these, a Pulse and a cheap vintage mono with a totally different sound again like an SH1, 2, 09 or Yamaha CS15 etc and you`ve got the Monosynth side pretty well covered. Its also the best looking of Korg`s "Cybermen" styled synths, well until the Triton arrives at least (;-).

I wanted to buy a JP-8000 but it is much too expensive. I'm glad I decided to go with the Prophecy. Ok, it's monophonic, but when you start playing it, it really doesn't matter (and you can use it as a polyphonic midi controller).

The ribbon controller-wheel is great!

I can't wait to dive into the manuals and get to the bottom of this silver beast!