Dave Smith Instruments Announced Prophet Rev2 Desktop Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer

At the NAMM 2017, the US-based company Dave Smith Instruments published the Rev2, the next generation of the great Prophet analog polyphonic Synthesizer. Today, Dave Smith announced the Prophet Rev2 desktop analog poly synth with the same features but without keys. Same as the keys version, the desktop comes also with a 8 and 16 poly version. Great news in my opinion because they demonstrate now well that hardware analog poly synths can be more affordable.

Dave Smith Instruments is excited to announce a desktop module version of our popular Prophet Rev2 analog synthesizer in October. Like the keyboard version, it features two DCOs per voice, Curtis filters, plus two types of sequencers, digital effects, and other enhancements designed to make it even more powerful that its predecessor, the now-retired Prophet ’08.

As Dave Smith explained: “In the three months since its release, the Prophet Rev2 keyboard has been embraced by the music community in a very big way; it’s already appearing on a significant number of recordings and major stage tours.” Added Smith: “With 16 voices to stack and split, it not only sounds huge, but it has an incredible range of sounds available.”

The essence of the Prophet Rev2’s sound comes from two DCOs per voice with four waveshapes (sawtooth, triangle, sawtooth + triangle, and pulse), a sub-octave generator, and a 2/4 pole low-pass, resonant Curtis filter per voice. These are the same filters used not only in the Prophet ’08, but also in many classic instruments of the ’70s and ’80s. A new feature unique to the Prophet Rev2 is waveshape modulation. You can vary the “pulse width” of any of the four waveforms by manually dialing in a desired waveshape width or by using an LFO or other modulation source for continuously shifting timbre.

An effects section provides reverb, delays (standard and BBD), chorus, phase shifter, ring modulation, and distortion. In stacked or split voice mode, you can apply a different effect to each layer. Effects parameters can be modulated through the mod matrix, which is twice as extensive as its predecessor, with 8 individual slots and many more sources/destinations.

The new polyphonic step sequencer allows up to 64 steps and up to 6 notes per step. A different sequence can be created for each layer when working in stacked or split voice mode. The sequencer also functions as a modulation source, allowing you to create up to 4 different 16-step sequences for complex modulation. Sequences allow ties and rests, and can sync to an external MIDI clock. The arpeggiator features note repeats, re-latching, and can be synced to external MIDI clock, as well. Other improvments include a premium-quality, five-octave, semi-weighted keyboard with velocity and channel aftertouch, an integrated power supply, USB support, and a crisp OLED display.

“Apart from its awesome sound, a big part of the Rev2’s appeal is its ease of use, so we made sure that the desktop version retained all of the same front panel controls as the keyboard version. Whether you go for the keyboard or the desktop, the Rev2 is an amazing synth and an incredible musical workhorse” said Dave Smith.