Is this the Best Prophet 5 Plugin Ever?

A look at Softube's Model 80, a software recreation of the might Prophet 5 by Sequential Circuits.

NOTE: Due to some issues with panning of the sound I've re-uploaded this video in mono.

[davidwiesjahn]

Thank you very much for doing those patch comparisons!

[bonchbonch]

You can quantize the filter in Repro using the mod matrix. Sonically, I've been able to match the sound of Model 80 patches using Repro's alternate filter modes. I'm having fun combining the Model 80 modules with other vintage synths in Modular to make an alternate reality Diva. If Modular support and Pro-One emulation aren't considerations, then I think workflow and effects are the primary differentiators between the two.

[damo]

Love the track you're playing at the end. Track breakdown video in the future maybe?

[drewnorth]

I think the Softube synths are great. I just wish they’d get back on the NKS support train. I’m not aware of any of their new synths, anything newer than modular, being nks compatible. U-he stuff is, and that makes it a bit more useful to me. I have both repro and model 80 now, and the nks support will keep me reaching for repro

[mir-dr]

I think the Model 80 sounds more like analog oscillators to me, like more raw power. When you demo the resonance on the filter it’s like the filter is struggling to constrain almost wild oscillators. Feels more raw to me, very nice. Reading your list of features at the end put me off though, I’m not sure I need a second aging knob. 😂

[hardoff]

I'm normally tone deaf to these sort of comparisons, but for every single sound you played side by side, the Softube was way more analogue sounding. It has much more presence, a bit of grit, more rounded silky sound in the mid range. I'm really impressed.

[craigsavage]

How do these stand up against the arturia version?? 😮

[DG-ssgc]

What is meant by “classic prophet V “
Do you mean earlier revisions ? They sound so different .

[GeoffModulate]

I've got Repro so I'm not sure I'll buy the Softube version as I think there is so little in it. But I did buy the model 84 and I think it's definitely got something over the Cherry DCO106. It's just that extra 4-5% of 'something'. Magic? Analogishness?? (Is that even a word? It should be...lets make it a word).

[eddievanheinous]

The Model 80 sounds really good, and they seem to have figured out how to get a bit more analog-y juice in there, but in a mix of an actual song you would barely hear it if at all. Probably a great buy if you don't have Repro, but redundant otherwise.

[sub-jec-tiv]

I use Softube Modular.. so having the ability to use the Prophet 5 filter in Modular is major. And you don’t get that in Repro. My first task is going to be modifying my external stereo FX filter (i have a Moog and a Juno version). Prophet stereo filtering with LFO, here we come.

[jno]

I hope Softube will upgrade to 10 voices like the Prophet 10. Please.

[wallisliss]

So having played a real Prophet, at the time they were 'it'. Then came the digitals in the eighties on and I left the Prophet for DX, M1 and on and on. You see, we are talking about your TASTE in sound. Frankly I would take a Moog Voyager over a Prophet. I would take a Waldorf over a PPG, because that's what MY ears prefer. I like the color green and you like red. Good for us both.

[X-]

I've seen multiple Softube plugins being compared to actual hardware and for me they are the best

[YoungNino]

I have a SH-101, and the Tal Bassline not only sounds ALMOST as good ( it doesn't have quite as much punch and bite) BUT, the VST does make richer low notes if you truly are trying to get rich deep bass.

[kristianborisov]

Thank you for the review! I maybe missed it though: what is the final verdict, does it sound better than Repro in the part they overlap? Also interesting thoughts on Deepmind - I have similar impressions that Diva and Repro can sound better than it with some patch types, also Steinberg Padshop too can sound creamier, but I still like Deepmind's sound, and as I have two Deepminds with a lot of third-party libraries bought, wondering whether it's worth keeping them or focus on soft synths entirely, as I am also limited in space. Have you tried different 3d-party libraries like the ones from Analog Audio, Ultimate Patches, GEOSynths - they all have extremely good programming and show the Deepmind in a different light?

[LocaliLLocano]

I have a prophet 10 v4. When I’m too lazy to turn it on I use the arturia prophet to play some ideas out.

[SaturnVoyager]

sorry but the differences are not tiny. The Softube emulation sounds better in several aspects, specially the low end, although I personally didn´t like it, probably it´s not for me, but for example the minimoog emulation or the Model 84 are superb, my favorites

[theandroids]

is it better than the Arturia version?

[jmoffitt]

Both sound great but model 80 does sound slightly more analog. Doubt you would notice in a mix. I got a Behringer pro 800 and been blown away with it. With that said you seem very comfortable with your workflow and I see no reason to change it.