Dave Smith Instruments Prophet '08 Operation Manual
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Dave Smith Instruments Prophet '08 Operation Manual

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Prophet '08
Operation Manual

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  • Page 1 Prophet '08 Operation Manual...
  • Page 3 Prophet '08 Operation Manual Version 1.3 May 2010 Dave Smith Instruments 1210 Cabrillo Hwy N Half Moon Bay, CA 94019-1449 © 2010 Dave Smith Instruments www.DaveSmithInstruments.com...
  • Page 4 Tested To Comply With FCC Standards FOR OFFICE USE This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that...

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Contents Quick Start....................1 Prophet '08 FAQ and Troubleshooting Notes ........... 3 Getting Connected ..................4 Basic Operation..................5 Global Parameters ..................7 Program Parameters................13 Oscillators .................... 13 Noise....................14 Low-pass Filter ..................14 Amplifier....................15 Envelope 3................... 16 LFOs ....................

  • Page 7: Quick Start

    Quick Start Thanks for purchasing the Prophet '08! Listen to the sounds, twiddle some knobs, have some fun! Please Register! Please go to www.davesmithinstruments.com and register your synth. If you purchased directly from us, there is no need to register – we already have your contact information.
  • Page 8 read through the manual to discover all the little features that you might not notice at first. I should mention that this manual does not include explanations of basic analog synthesizer functions. It assumes you already know what an oscillator is, how a low-pass filter affects the sound, what an ADSR envelope looks like, and so on.

  • Page 9: Prophet '08 Faq And Troubleshooting Notes

    The arpeggiator/sequencer has stopped working. Check the Clock setting under the Global menu. If it is set to MIDI In or MIDI In/Out and the Prophet '08 is not receiving MIDI clock, neither the sequencer nor the arpeggiator will play.

  • Page 10: Getting Connected

    Getting Connected The Prophet '08 has several inputs and outputs on its back panel. Connect the power supply included with your Prophet '08. The Power Input – power supply comes with different AC adaptor prongs that allow it to work anywhere in the world.

  • Page 11: Basic Operation

    Basic Operation When you first turn the power on, the keyboard will be in Program Mode with the P switch lit and the following screen active: ROGRAM Programxxx Bankx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The top line shows the Program (1…128) and Bank (1…2) number of the currently selected Program, and the bottom line shows the 16-character name of the Program.
  • Page 12 Note: If your Prophet '08 is poly chained to a second Prophet '08, the program will also be saved in the chained unit. While there is a write pending (see previous Audition Destination Feature – screen), you can press the C...

  • Page 13: Global Parameters

    MIDI data through to the Poly Chain MIDI out jack, where it can be routed to a second Prophet '08 or one or two Tetras. See Using Poly Chain on page 33 for details.
  • Page 14 Sets the method by which the MIDI Parameter Receive: All, NRPN, CC, Off – Prophet '08 receives parameter changes via MIDI. As with transmission, NRPNs are the preferred method, though some controllers may only be able to send CCs.
  • Page 15 When On, the synth will respond to MIDI pressure MIDI Pressure: Off, On – (aftertouch) received, and will transmit Keyboard Pressure to MIDI Out. Page 6: MIDI Control: MIDI SysEx: When On, the synth will respond to MIDI controllers, MIDI Control: Off, On – and will transmit controllers from the keyboard to the MIDI Out.
  • Page 16 Sets one of the four pressure curves for the keyboard; Pressure Curve: 1…4 – this gives you the ability to adjust the keyboard to your playing style. Page 9: Audio Out: xxxxxx MIDIParamLCD: Switching from Stereo to Mono globally Audio Out: Stereo (default), Mono – defeats all of the parameters that affect panning (pan spread, modulation, etc.) and makes both the left and right outputs mono outputs.
  • Page 17 and turn the pot all the way up, it will only go to 90. To get to the maximum value of 127, you first have to turn down until the value is at the other extreme and the pot is at the limit of its travel (in this case, 0 and fully counter- clockwise, respectively).
  • Page 18 RITE transmission. This feature is handy for saving Programs on a computer in SysEx format, or for sending them to another Prophet '08 via a direct MIDI connection. The dumps include Program and Bank numbers, so when received, the programs...

  • Page 19: Program Parameters

    Following are descriptions of each Prophet '08 Program parameter. Oscillators Each of the Prophet '08's eight voices has two analog oscillators. The basic controls for each oscillator are the same and are arranged in two horizontal rows, one for Oscillator 1 and another for Oscillator 2.

  • Page 20: Noise

    Controls the volume of white noise mixed into the filter. Level: 0…127 – Low-pass Filter Each of the Prophet '08's voices utilizes an analog low-pass filter coupled with a 4-stage (plus delay) ADSR envelope generator. Selects either 2- or 4-pole operation for the filter. (The filter is in 4- 4 Pole –...

  • Page 21: Amplifier

    Sets the amount of filter envelope routed to the Env Amount: -127…+127 – cutoff frequency. This can be positive or negative, allowing inverted envelope control of the filter. Amount of key velocity controlling the level of the filter Velocity: 0…127 – envelope.

  • Page 22: Envelope 3

    Sets the Release time. Release: 0…127 – LFOs The Prophet '08 has four Low Frequency Oscillators (LFOs) per voice. To select a specific LFO for editing, press the appropriate switch, 1–4. Turning a knob will then adjust the parameters of the selected LFO.
  • Page 23 Sets the LFO frequency. Range 0–150 for un- Frequency: 0…150, sync – synced LFO; speed ranges from slow (30 seconds) to very fast – at 90 (8 HZ, C- 2) and above the speed steps in semitones, up to 150 (261 Hz, middle C). Note: Some of the analog functions may not respond well to the fastest LFO speeds, due to speed limitations of the control voltages;...

  • Page 24: Modulators

    Modulators The Modulators section lets you configure the modulation routing and amount for the Prophet '08’s four general-purpose modulation slots as well as for MIDI controllers (Mod Wheel, Key Pressure, Breath Control, Velocity, and Foot Controller). Since each Prophet '08 mod source has a single destination, the four general purpose Mods provide a way to send a mod source (such as a sequence or LFO) to additional destinations, with a different amount.
  • Page 25 The amount of random oscillator frequency slop. The analog Osc Slop: 0…5 – oscillators in the Prophet '08 are very accurate, and will not drift. This works great for accurate sounds, and allows precise de-tuning. Oscillator Slop allows subtle amounts of frequency drift. For larger amounts, use a random LFO or white noise mod.
  • Page 26 All available voices are stacked in unison AllDetune1-3 with three different levels of detuning. From fat to morbidly obese. Determines how the Prophet '08 responds to the Unison Assign: see table – keyboard while in Unison mode. Display Keyboard mode...
  • Page 27 Sets the order in which the arpeggiator plays notes. Arp Mode: see table – Mode Behavior Plays from lowest to highest note. Plays from highest to lowest note. Down Plays from lowest to highest and back to lowest. Up Down Plays notes in the order keys were pressed.

  • Page 29: Keyboard Modes

    Keyboard Modes The Prophet ’08 has three main keyboard modes, Normal, Stack, and Split. While playing in the different modes, if you look at the eight voice assignment LEDs on the right side of the front panel, you can easily see how the different voice assignment modes work.
  • Page 30 Note: If you hold the E B switch while in Stack or Split, the E AYER B switch will blink; this indicates you are now in Link Mode, which AYER means that any parameter you change will update that parameter in both Layer A and Layer B.

  • Page 31: Sequencer

    Sequencer For many musicians, the term sequencer has become synonymous with MIDI sequencer; that is, a computer-based application or dedicated hardware device for recording and playing back notes and performance gestures via MIDI. But sequencers were around long before MIDI. The Prophet ’08’s sequencer is much more like the original analog sequencers typically associated with modular synthesizer systems.
  • Page 32 Reset and Rest Sequences have a maximum of 16 steps, but they can have fewer—from 1 to 15—using Reset. (Sequences of 16 steps reset automatically.) Reset appears immediately after the highest value setting for a step. Setting a step to Reset causes the sequence to jump back to the first step and continue playing.

  • Page 33: Programming The Sequencer

    Many of the factory programs have sequences programmed, so you can refer to those to see how certain effects are being achieved. The sequencer’s controls are indicated in orange type on the Prophet '08's front panel. The G switch activates the sequencer.
  • Page 34 To program a sequence: 1. Press the G switch and press a key to play the ATED EQUENCER sequence. You may also want to adjust the C and BPM LOCK IVIDE settings. 2. Press E to enter sequence edit mode. EQUENCER 3.
  • Page 35 sequence two, it controls sequence one, and Slew in sequence four controls sequence three. In the Prophet ’08’s sequencer, Slew sets the slew rate between the previous step’s value and the current step’s value when the step is gated on. Confused yet? This should help: let’s say sequence one is routed to oscillator frequency and sequence two to Slew.
  • Page 36 triangle wave selected and routed to the filter will provide a clean filter sweep over a 16-step sequence, perfectly in sync! This is much easier (and smoother) than manually programming a sequence to sweep the filter.

  • Page 37: Arpeggiator

    Arpeggiator —Turns Prophet ’08’s arpeggiator on and off. The tempo and note Arpeggiator value are determined by the BPM and Clock Divide settings. Arpeggiator Mode is set in Miscellaneous Parameters. The different modes are: Mode Behavior Plays from lowest to highest note. Plays from highest to lowest note.
  • Page 38 LOBAL settings to make sure Clock is set to Internal. If Clock is set to use an external clock source, the Prophet '08 must be receiving MIDI clock messages in order for the arpeggiator to run. The tempo and note value are determined by the BPM and C...

  • Page 39: Using Poly Chain

    Using Poly Chain Poly Chain links two Prophet '08s or a Prophet '08 and one or two Tetras to increase polyphony by intelligently processing the keys hit and passing MIDI data through to the Poly Chain MIDI out jack. You should have the same programs loaded into all the poly chained instruments.
  • Page 40 If Poly Chain is set to Off, the Poly Chain MIDI out jack simply duplicates the MIDI out jack.

  • Page 41: Rack Mounting The Module

    Rack Mounting the Module The Prophet '08 module includes rack ears for mounting the module in a standard, 19" equipment rack. The module itself is 4U (4 rack spaces) high. The inputs and outputs are recessed, but it may be necessary to use angled plugs for audio and MIDI to prevent the plugs and cables from interfering with a fifth space above the module.

  • Page 42: Modulation Destinations

    Modulation Destinations Display Destination No destination selected Oscillator 1 Frequency Osc 1 Freq Oscillator 2 Frequency Osc 2 Freq Oscillator 1 and 2 Frequency OscAllFreq Oscillator Mix Osc Mix Noise Level NoiseLevel Oscillator 1 Pulse Width Osc1 PulsW Oscillator 2 Pulse Width Osc2 PulsW All Oscillators Pulse Width Osc All PW...
  • Page 43 Envelope 3 Release Rate Env3Releas All Envelope Release Rates EnvAll Rel Modulator 1 Amount Mod 1 Amt Modulator 2 Amount Mod 2 Amt Modulator 3 Amount Mod 3 Amt Modulator 4 Amount Mod 4 Amt Slew Amount (Sequences 2 and 4 only) Seq Slew...

  • Page 44: Modulation Sources

    Modulation Sources Display Source No source selected Sequence 1 Sequence1 Sequence 2 Sequence2 Sequence 3 Sequence3 Sequence 4 Sequence4 LFO 1 LFO 1 LFO 2 LFO 2 LFO 3 LFO 3 LFO 4 LFO 4 Filter Envelope FilterEnv Amp (VCA) Envelope VCA Env Envelope 3 Envelope3...

  • Page 45: Midi Implementation

    Poly Chain: Off, Out, In – by intelligently processing the keys hit and passing MIDI data through to the Poly Chain MIDI out jack, where it can be routed to a second Prophet '08. Enables or disables the internal connection between Local Control: Off, On –...

  • Page 46: Midi Messages

    When On, the synth will respond to MIDI controllers, MIDI Control: Off, On – and will transmit controllers from the keyboard to the MIDI Out. Controllers include Pitch Wheel, Mod Wheel, Pedal, Breath, Volume, and Expression. When On, the synth will respond to received MIDI MIDI SysEx: Off, On –...
  • Page 47 1011 nnnn 0vvvvvvv Damper pedal – holds envelopes in Sustain if 0100 0000 or higher 1011 nnnn 0vvvvvvv All Notes Off – clear all MIDI notes 1011 nnnn 0vvvvvvv Reset All Controllers – clears all MIDI controllers to 0, MIDI volume to maximum See sections below for additional Continuous Controller (CC) and Non- registered Parameter Number (NRPN) messages received.

  • Page 48: Nrpn Messages

    Parameter Parameter Osc 1 Frequency VCA Level Pan Spread Osc 1 Freq Fine Amp Env Amt Osc 1 Shape Amp Velocity Amt Glide 1 Amp Delay Osc 2 Frequency Amp Attack Osc 2 Freq Fine Amp Decay Osc 2 Shape Amp Sustain Glide 2 Amp Release...

  • Page 49: Global Parameter Data

    0vvv vvvv Parameter Number LSB 0000 0110 NRPN parameter value MSB CC 0vvv vvvv Parameter value MSB 0010 0110 NRPN parameter value LSB CC 0vvv vvvv Parameter value LSB The parameter number can be found in the two tables below, one for Global parameters, and the other for Program parameters.
  • Page 50 Parm NRPN Range Description 0 – 127 Program Number 1 – 128 0 – 1 Bank Number 1 – 2 0 – 24 Master Transpose; 0 = -12 semitones (1 octave), 12 = 0 (no transpose), and 24 = +12 semitones. 0 –...

  • Page 51: Program Parameter Data

    Program Parameter Data The following table lists the Prophet ’08’s voice parameters. These are used for the NRPNs and in the program and edit buffer dumps. Since most parameters are present in both the A and B layers, they are listed side-by-side. Range Description 0 –...
  • Page 52 0 - 127 Filter Envelope Decay 0 - 127 Filter Envelope Sustain 0 - 127 Filter Envelope Release 0 - 127 VCA Initial Level 0 - 127 Output Spread 0 - 127 Voice Volume 0 - 127 VCA Envelope Amount 0 - 127 VCA Envelope Velocity Amount 0 - 127...
  • Page 53 0 - 43 LFO 2 Mod Destination; See Modulation Destination list below 0 - 1 LFO 2 Key Sync Off/On 0 - 166 LFO 3 Frequency; same as LFO 1 0 - 4 LFO 3 Shape; same as LFO 1 0 - 127 LFO 3 Amount 0 - 43...
  • Page 54 0 - 43 Sequence 3 Destination; See ModDestination list below 0 - 43 Sequence 4 Destination; See ModDestination list below 0 - 254 Mod Wheel Amount; -127 to +127 0 - 43 Mod Wheel Destination; See ModDestination list below 0 - 254 Pressure Amount;...
  • Page 55 0 - 4 Unison Mode: 1 voice All voices All voices detune1 All voices detune2 All voices detune3 0 - 3 Arpeggiator Mode: Down Up/Down, Assign 0 - 1 Envelope 3 Repear Mode; off/on 0 - 1 Unison; off/on 0 - 1 Arpeggiator;...
  • Page 56 Noise Level Osc 1 Pulse Width Osc 2 Pulse Width Osc 1 and 2 Pulse Width Filter Frequency Resonance Filter Audio Mod Amt VCA Level Pan Spread LFO 1 Freq LFO 2 Freq LFO 3 Freq LFO 4 Freq All LFO Freq LFO 1 Amt LFO 2 Amt LFO 3 Amt...

  • Page 57: Sysex Messages

    0000 0110 Inquiry Message 0000 0010 Inquiry Reply 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0011 Prophet '08 ID (Family LS) Note: Special Edition ID = 0010 0100 0000 0000 Family MS 0000 0000 Family Member LS 0000 0000 Family Member MS 0jjj nnnn Main Software version: jjj –...
  • Page 58 0vvv vvvv Program Number, 0 – 127 1111 0111 End of Exclusive (EOX) The Prophet '08 will respond by sending out the Program Data in the format described below in Program Data Dump. Request Program Edit Buffer Dump Status Description...
  • Page 59 Program Data Dump Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0000 0001 DSI ID 0010 0011 Prophet '08 ID 0000 0010 Program Data 0000 00vv Bank Number, 0 – 1 0vvv vvvv Program Number, 0 – 127 0vvv vvvv 439 bytes in “packed MS bit” format (see page 54.)

  • Page 60: Packed Data Format

    Packed Data Format Data is packed in 8 byte “packets”, with the MS bit stripped from 7 parameter bytes, and packed into an eighth byte, which is sent at the start of the 8 byte packet. Example: Input Data Packed MIDI data 1 A7 A6 A5 A4 A3 A2 A1 A0 00 G7 F7 E7 D7 C7 B7 A7 2 B7 B6 B5 B4 B3 B2 B1 B0...

  • Page 61: Hidden Functions

    Hidden Functions Hold the P switch and hit the +/Y switch to set the Program to a basic ROGRAM patch, with most parameters set to zero. It does not save the sound in the current program; it only changes all the parameters. If you hold the E B switch while in Stack or Split, the E AYER...
  • Page 64 1210 Cabrillo Hwy N Half Moon Bay, CA 94019-1449 www.DaveSmithInstruments.com...

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