Sequential Circuits Prophet-10

The Sequential Circuits Prophet-10 is a polyphonic analogue synthesizer released in 1981, succeeding the Prophet-5. A newer version of the Prophet-10, the Rev 4, was released in 2021 with a single keyboard. The one discussed here is the original Prophet-10 with two keyboards. Essentially it was two Prophet-5's stacked into one synthesizer.

The Prophet-10 synth played a significant role in Tony Banks' sound throughout the 1980s. His first use of the Prophet-10 was on the Abacab album in 1981 for a lot of the pad and organ sounds, replacing the Hammond T-102 organ. His stage rig for the tour included both this synth and the Prophet-5: the latter only for "Who Dunnit", and the Prophet-10 for most other songs. In the end, he stuck to the Prophet-10 for its bigger sound, which he continued to use for subsequent projects until We Can't Dance in 1991.

Effects-wise, Tony was using an MXR Phase 100 for organ sounds on the Prophet to mimic the swirling sound of a rotating Leslie on the Hammond. It was also thickened with an MXR Stereo Chorus pedal.

Tony also liked the Prophet-10's drone function, which he utilised to great effect recording of "Mama" and "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight".

Quotes on the Prophet-10
"'I also had a Prophet 5 which I switched to a Prophet 10 and still use. The 10 had the advantage that you could get big sounds out of it by combining four oscillators at the same time. You can get organ-type sounds. I know it's easier to use an organ, but I was trying to keep the number of instruments on stage to a minimum, and you could get organ sounds as well as big synthesiser sounds out of it.' (Electronics & Music Maker, July 1986)"