Now there's an interesting viewpoint. The Prophet '08 just isn't a Prophet 5; Oh no, it's better than a Prophet 5!
This is true. I'm sure I've read the same posts and threads which pan the P-08 compared to the P5. I just wonder how many of those people actually worked with a P5 and got to know it on a fairly deep level - and learned its limitations.
I loved the instrument, and it helped me make a very good living during the '80's. I bought it in 1980. It was a Rev. 3.0 with 40 memories. Paid $3200 for it (which is about $7k in today's dollars). The keyboard was in such high demand that I was getting calls for gigs and sessions just because I had the P5. It paid for itself very quickly. I previously had some ARP instruments and learned how to program. The P5 was a piece of cake to learn. Having polyphony and memory made it a dream machine. So, between having a P5 and knowing how to program it made me very popular.
Then the DX-7 came out. The sounds were absolutely amazing compared to anything previous. The keyboard was touch sensitive and had 16 voices. The P5 started feeling dated really fast - especially the lack of touch sensitivity. Also, in those days you always had to have the latest toys to work. I found the P5 sitting in the closet more and more while the digital revolution took hold. The DMX and the DX-7 became my mainstays.
Just before I sold the P5, I remember A/B-ing the two instruments for sound. The DX could do most of the what the P5 was popular for and sounded better. The P5 sounded comparatively dull and lackluster. I ended up selling the P5 for $900. Should have never sold it. I still have my DX from that era. Really should have kept the P5 too.
When I bought the P-08 I did the same A/B that I had done 30 years before with the same DX. I was pleasantly surprised how vibrant the P-08 sounded next to the DX. The P5 couldn't hold a candle to the DX. My love affair with analog was coming back. Touch sensitivity!! That in itself makes the P-08 light years ahead of the P5.
The P5 was an amazing instrument for its time. It can't compare to a P-08, however.
Sacred Synth - I listened to your Youtube tracks and you are doing amazing stuff! I love what you are doing. BTW, a lot of what you are doing could not have been done on a P5. For your own work, think about taking away MIDI and touch sensitivity. How far would you get? A P5 can have some basic MIDI elements retrofitted, but AFAIK not touch sensitivity.
If I had a choice of a P5 or a P-08 for my workhorse synth, it would be the P-08 in a heartbeat. I know this time that I will not make the mistake of selling by P-08!