Sequential Prophet-10 vs Prophet-5

[juliepool]

I had the chance to play a Prophet-10 last year and have been saving up since then.

This is probably a silly question but - before I pull the trigger - is there any reason not to get a P10 over a P5?

Has anyone seen any difference in bugs/repairability that makes one model a better long-term investment?

Edit: Thank you to everyone who’s responded already. I definitely understand the advantages the P10 has over the P5. I was just curious if anyone had experienced - or heard about - any issues related to the added circuitry/functions.

[Analog Prophet]

I assume you’re talking rev 4: As far I understand the only thing that differs P10 vs P5 is the voices.

I bought a P5 and not P10 when rev 4 first was released because I don’t play piano with it but synth. Was completely happy with that. But when the firmware 2.0 came with possibility with layers (need double voices to that) I upgraded my P5 to a P10 simply by adding a voice card I ordered from Sequential with the additional 5 voices already in the P10.

The reason to get a P10 over the P5 is to be able to play layered timbres and still have 5 voices.

[LPF83]

I had the chance to play a Prophet-10 last year and have been saving up since then.

This is probably a silly question but - before I pull the trigger - is there any reason not to get a P10 over a P5?

Has anyone seen any difference in bugs/repairability that makes one model a better long-term investment?

Edit: Thank you to everyone who’s responded already. I definitely understand the advantages the P10 has over the P5. I was just curious if anyone had experienced - or heard about - any issues related to the added circuitry/functions.

No difference that I'm aware of in terms of bugs/repairability, other than the P10 has an additional board and more parts means more things that could potentially go wrong in the distant future.  Something that's a non-issue in keyboard versions -- the desktop version of the P10 can be expected to get hotter due to more heat generation inside of a smaller box, I've heard Sequential employees mention this... so long term, heat could potentially affect reliability, but I've heard no specific complaints about the P10 desktop.

[chloebailey262]

I assume you’re talking rev 4: As far I understand the only thing that differs P10 vs P5 is the voices.

I bought a P5 and not P10 when rev 4 first was released because I don’t play piano with it but synth. Was completely happy with that. But when the firmware 2.0 came with possibility with layers (need double voices to that) I upgraded my P5 to a P10 simply by adding a voice card I ordered from Sequential with the additional 5 voices already in the P10.

The reason to get a P10 over the P5 is to be able to play layered timbres and still have 5 voices. papa's games

Given that the main difference between the Prophet-5 (P5) and Prophet-10 (P10) is the number of voices, can you elaborate on how the additional voices in the P10 enhance the layering capabilities for synthesizer playing, especially after the firmware 2.0 update? 

[Analog Prophet]

I assume you’re talking rev 4: As far I understand the only thing that differs P10 vs P5 is the voices.

I bought a P5 and not P10 when rev 4 first was released because I don’t play piano with it but synth. Was completely happy with that. But when the firmware 2.0 came with possibility with layers (need double voices to that) I upgraded my P5 to a P10 simply by adding a voice card I ordered from Sequential with the additional 5 voices already in the P10.

The reason to get a P10 over the P5 is to be able to play layered timbres and still have 5 voices. papa's games

Given that the main difference between the Prophet-5 (P5) and Prophet-10 (P10) is the number of voices, can you elaborate on how the additional voices in the P10 enhance the layering capabilities for synthesizer playing, especially after the firmware 2.0 update?

https://sequential.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Prophet-OS-2.0-Addendum.pdf

[LPF83]

Given that the main difference between the Prophet-5 (P5) and Prophet-10 (P10) is the number of voices, can you elaborate on how the additional voices in the P10 enhance the layering capabilities for synthesizer playing, especially after the firmware 2.0 update?

I typically don't layer two separate patches on the P10 (though you can... or split them).  For me the big layering enhancement is poly unison mode, it's like having two Prophet 5s with slight detuning differences.  Beyond that I like the fact the extra voice count helps with voice stealing issues as it relates to envelope retriggering on long release pads (this is not a Prophet thing but an issue on many polys when they hit their voice count limit).

[Analog Prophet]

I like the fact the extra voice count helps with voice stealing issues as it relates to envelope retriggering on long release pads (this is not a Prophet thing but an issue on many polys when they hit their voice count limit).

To me it’s not an issue but a part of the signature P5 sound. That behavior can be set in the menu at the P10.

[Pl@ton]

To me it’s not an issue but a part of the signature P5 sound. That behavior can be set in the menu at the P10.

Personally I never use the menu for that. I just set a layer B with the same sound as layer A, but with volume at zero.

[LPF83]

To me it’s not an issue but a part of the signature P5 sound. That behavior can be set in the menu at the P10.

Personally I never use the menu for that. I just set a layer B with the same sound as layer A, but with volume at zero.

There's many ways to skin a cat with this synth.  Usually if I want to plop it into 5 voice mode, I will just set it to PU2 with no detuning (or maybe slight) and reduce gain as it typically sounds better on most patches to my ears that way.  I have my P10 running through a Boss EQ200 which I sometimes use to quickly thin out the sound (effectively high pass it) if I need to.

[558]

No you want the Prophet 10.  One of the main differences between the classic vintage prophet 5 and these is these have velocity.  That makes them way more Pianistic.  I was just playing mine the other day and thinking about this velocity addition how very pianistic it sounded. 

What with this also having Poly Unison and split stack you def. want the 10.  Get a desktop and a Studiologic SL88.  I would get both of those and maybe a Third Wave desktop synth.  I can picture a Third Wave and the Prophet 10 side by side above an SL88 in my studio.  But that's all moot since I don't have the money and I already have the Prophet 10 61 key. 

[Jessica67]

I had the chance to play a Prophet-10 last year and have been saving up since then.

This is probably a silly question but - before I pull the trigger - is there any reason not to get a P10 over a P5?

Has anyone seen any difference in Slope Game that makes one model a better long-term investment?

Edit: Thank you to everyone who’s responded already. I definitely understand the advantages the P10 has over the P5. I was just curious if anyone had experienced - or heard about - any issues related to the added circuitry/functions.

I was in the same situation before deciding on the Prophet-10. The extra voices make a big difference, especially for more layered sounds. Both the P5 and P10 are well-built, and Sequential’s support is solid, so I wouldn’t worry too much about repairability. If you’ve played the P10 and loved it, I’d say go for it!