Prophet 2000 | Sequential Sampling from 1985

The Sequential Prophet 2000 sampler from 1985. 12 bit glorious sound, analog filter and amp, a very strange and complicated mapping structure makes it all quite bizarre.
Both an image of the "null disk" as well as a scan of the article can be obtained with me, for the right compensation. Send me an email.

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There does exist several software editors for this sampler so you don't HAVE to use the sampler itself to do the editing. However, I get the most satisfaction, inspiration and reward by using the sampler itself. That's why I don't care much for software editors for any synth or gear.
Both the "Prophet 2012" software and SampleWrench lets' you import/export samples so Google them if that's your thing.

There are many great features I don't go through here, like the arpeggiator, stack mode and way to manipulate the samples, like changing the start point of a sample based on velocity.
Also, the historical fact that the Prophet 2000 (as well as the Six-Trak) made great use of MIDI mode #4 where it became multi timbral and completely overrode the need for any mapping. The MIDI mode #4 was a big thing in 1985 and left many much more expensive samplers in the dust in terms of multi timbrality.

The "null disk" I use in this tutorial is made following the Paul Wiffen Prophet 200 clinic from Keyboard Magazine Oct' 1987.

Find my music here:

Find my patches and sample packs through these links:

[EverettDudgeon]

Just added a bunch of Prophet 2000 samples into my Prophet X. Absolutely fantastic sounding. Thank you so much for the inspiration Espen!

[poobens]

Espen! You created a time machine and sent me back to my childhood, comfortable, safe and warm. Blessings for all you do!!

[JFDN]

The P2000 IS insanely GOOD one of my fav with Mirage and E3

[muzixco]

I had one of these, sold it for 3x what I paid for it, including a good size floppy disk sound library. I don't regret it, it went to someone who would use it way more than I did. It did sound great, very warm and had a cool arpeggiator.

Insane melody and vibe if intro you're playing. It's so 80s and that bass is amazing, keep it coming

[AndersEngerJensen]

And now everyone's gonna sell their 2000s for a million dollars... only problem: Nobody's gonna buy them because of the complexity, so good luck with that! ^_^
Wicked beat though! Almost so I wanna do a remix now. :D

[HANGINGOUTWITHAUDIOPHILES]

Great sound. I did a nitty on the podcast comparing it to other samplers (sp1200, mpc60 etc ) I noticed it’s sound is VERY close to the mpc60. Obviously the mpc doesn’t have the filters though

[andrew]

Thank you, Espen. Firstly for showing how insanely good this sampler sounds and also for inspiring me to carry on restoring my own Prophet 2000. Order going out for new rear switches and the main potentiometer this week I think. Seriously consider more RAM and USB Floppy emulator too.

[spankenheim]

I can't watch this without a bit of bitter taste in my mouth. I bought my Prophet 2000 shortly before Sequential Circuits went out of business. I could have bought a mint condition used Oberheim Matrix 12 for the same money. I bought the Prophet, Sequential went out of business and a few months later you could buy a brand new Prophet 2000 for less money than I still owed on my Prophet 2000. Sigh. I still have the P2000 but it doesn't get much use. The last sample editor I had for it ran on an Atari ST.

[EverettDudgeon]

Used by

John Carpenter and Allan Howarth on -Big Trouble In Little China, Prince Of Darkness and They Live.
Mark Isham-The Hitcher
Chuck Cirino-Chopping Mall, Deathstalker II and Return of Swamp Thing.

[eaglechildkeys]

Aesthetically it looks more like something fresh from the early 90's than 1985 this model. Great job again Espen ;-)) Cheers!

[AnalogFlava]

This is dope espen, one of your most funky beats! Reminds me at times of a b side to candy girl or something 😊

[CJtheCynic]

I really need to get mine refurbished.

[Rockgi]

Espen,
Thank You for these fantastic videos.
Missing '80 so much.

[TheNAPSince]

It was sold in Japan for ¥980, 000 ($4, 900) (converted at the 1985 exchange rate). This is equivalent to ¥1, 150, 000 ($10, 620) today.

[thedomitabletraveler]

The interface makes the DX7 look like a JP8000. Great sound though. I might stick with a W-30 though because I don't have that much patience lol

[christinedanielleanderson]

Thank you Espen, for this wonderful video. I have a P2000 in mint condition with the additional RAM pack and the original floppy drive. I use it for both sampling (some great sounds to be had when sampling and playing with the filters), and as a MIDI controller with my DAW. Seriously good machine with a lovely feel to the keyboard. I do also have the P2012 interface software that makes programming it a little easier (although not too easy, where's the fun in that 😉).

[Cincinnatijames]

I have a pair of 2000s and a 2002. I absolutely love the sound.

[midimoog]

Somehow, we knew this review was coming ;-)
Actually Espen had shown it as a table and a MIDI keyboard for the Tööro.
Analog-ish patches with low bit grit sounded great and seemed like an attractive combination (though beware, it could be Espen Kraft magic again). It was also a great match with the Valhalla reverb = Great demo.

[sivabala]

This was the best sampler in terms of sound quality. Alan Wilder was really good with this but also complained about the OS. Was used a lot on Black Celebration