# Prophet VS

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The **Prophet VS** was a hybrid 8-voice synthesizer manufactured by [Sequential Circuits](/source/Sequential_Circuits) and released in 1986. It is notable for being the first synthesizer to use [vector synthesis](/source/Vector_synthesis) to structure its sound, using a joystick arranged in a "diamond" pattern for oscillator mixing.[1][2][3] Its distinctive sound comes from mixing four 12-bit digital single-cycle waves per voice, which are then fed into analog CEM3379/3389 signal processors for filtering and amplification.[1]

## Features and architecture

### Sound generation

The VS has 8 voices, each one featuring up to four digital oscillators. Each oscillator is chosen from a table of 0-126 12-bit single cycle waveforms, with the 127th selection being a noise generator.[1][4]

Waves 32–126 are programmed into the firmware EPROMs and cannot be externally modified. However, waves 0-31 are the user wave space and can be overwritten with custom samples utilizing the MIDI [sample dump standard](/source/MIDI#sample_dump_standard).[1] Another unique characteristic of the VS is that the user waves can be manually edited with the onboard wave editor, mixing up to 4 waves into a single one or adjusting individual harmonics similarly to [additive synthesis](/source/Additive_synthesis).[4]

Each voice has a CEM3379/3389 analog signal processor which gives voltage control over the filter, amplifier, and panning. Modulation of panning [CV](/source/Control_voltage) utilizing the modulation matrix can create lush moving stereo patterns.[1][4]

### Hardware

The VS uses an 8 MHz [Motorola 68000](/source/Motorola_68000) as the main processor, along with two 27256 [EPROMs](/source/EPROM) for the operating firmware. Besides the usual [7400](/source/7400-series_integrated_circuits) & [4000](/source/4000-series_integrated_circuits) series logic chips, there are several unique or hard-to-find parts[5]

- **I-625 Voice Chip[6] x4** – Each unit uses these for Waves A-D. 8 digital oscillators plus noise generator. These are unique to the VS.
- **68B01 Keyboard Controller** – Scans the mechanical keyboard and calculates velocity values. Also used in the [Prophet 2000](/source/Prophet_2000).
- **CEM5510 x4** – 8-channel high-speed [sample and hold](/source/Sample_and_hold). Used to fake VCAs for oscillator mixing. These are unique to the VS.
- **CEM5530[7] x2** – 30-channel sample and hold. Used to fake VCAs for voice mixing.[8] This is a common point of failure, and several aftermarket replacements are available. Also used in the [Studio 440](/source/Sequential_Circuits_Studio_440) and Keytek CTS-2000.
- **CEM3365[9] x2** – Dual DAC multiplier.
- **CEM3379[10] or CEM3389 x8** – Analog [VCF](/source/Voltage-controlled_filter), [VCA](/source/Voltage-controlled_amplifier), and voltage-controlled panning.

## Legacy

After Sequential was acquired and shut down by Yamaha in 1989, [Dave Smith](/source/Dave_Smith_(engineer)) and a handful of the development team moved to Korg, where they worked on developing the [Korg Wavestation](/source/Korg_Wavestation).[1][11] Yamaha then expanded upon the VS technology to create the [Yamaha SY22](/source/Yamaha_SY22) and SY35 in 1990, adding [FM synthesis](/source/FM_synthesis).[12]

In the 2020s, [Behringer](/source/Behringer) released two clones of the Prophet VS, a [eurorack](/source/Eurorack) synth engine called the "Victor" and a miniature version of the complete synth called the "Pro VS Mini".[13][14]

While modernizing the appearance of the joystick for all following vector based instruments, functionally the "diamond" layout has been followed ever since.[8]

## Notable users

- [John Carpenter](/source/John_Carpenter)[12][15]
- [Prince](/source/Prince_(musician))[16]
- [Trent Reznor](/source/Trent_Reznor)[12][17][18]
- [Rush](/source/Rush_(band))[19] – The VS Choir is featured prominently on the album *[Hold Your Fire](/source/Hold_Your_Fire)*.

## References

1. Alexander, Rob (November 2001). ["Sequential Prophet VS"](http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov01/articles/retroprophetvs.asp). *[Sound on Sound](/source/Sound_on_Sound)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160201191246/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov01/articles/retroprophetvs.asp) 1 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine.

1. Jungleib, Stanley (November 1986). ["Introduction to Vector Synthesis"](http://www.seersystems.com/jungleib/archive/1986/86%20INTRO%20VECTOR%20EM%20ART.jpg). *[Electronic Musician](/source/Electronic_Musician)*. pp. 53–54. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070927053947/http://www.seersystems.com/jungleib/archive/1986/86%20INTRO%20VECTOR%20EM%20ART.jpg) 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine.

1. Jenkins, Mark (July 1986). ["Sequential's Prophet VS..."](https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/sequentials-prophet-vs/1617). *[Sound on Sound](/source/Sound_on_Sound)*. pp. 26–28.

1. Mills, Tony (August 1986). ["Sequential Prophet VS"](https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/sequential-prophet-vs/11087). *[International Musician and Recording World](/source/International_Musician_and_Recording_World)*. pp. 104–107.

1. ["Sequential Circuits Synthesizers"](https://winecountrysequential.com/page15.html)

1. ["SequentialCircuits.com"](https://www.sequentialcircuits.com/prophetvsparts.html). *www.sequentialcircuits.com*. Retrieved 2025-08-26.

1. ["30 Channel sample & hold - Preliminary"](http://www.retrosynth.com/docs/pvs/5530.pdf). January 1987. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20030310025527/http://www.retrosynth.com:80/docs/pvs/5530.pdf) 2003-03-10 at the Wayback Machine.

1. [""The Story of the Prophet VS - from the VS WaveWrangler User Guide, 1991""](https://learningmodular.com/the-story-of-the-prophet-vs/). 30 January 1991.

1. ["CEM3365 Fast Dual DAC Multiplier"](http://www.synfo.nl/datasheets/CEM3365.pdf). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141214024737/http://www.synfo.nl/datasheets/CEM3365.pdf) 2014-12-14 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["CEM3378/3379 Voltage Controlled Signal Processors"](http://www.buchty.net/ensoniq/files/cem3379.pdf). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20000831163424/http://www.buchty.net:80/ensoniq/files/cem3379.pdf) 2000-08-31 at the Wayback Machine.

1. Reid, Gordon (November 2002). ["The History Of Korg"](https://www.soundonsound.com/music-business/history-korg-part-2). *[Sound on Sound](/source/Sound_on_Sound)*

1. [""Blast from the past: Sequential Circuits Prophet VS""](https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/blast-from-the-past-sequential-circuits-prophet-vs-619031). *[Computer Music](/source/Computer_Music_(magazine))*. 27 April 2015.

1. ["Behringer introduces Victor Eurorack module with a PRO-VS Mini engine"](https://musictech.com/news/gear/behringer-victor-module-eurorack-pro-vs-mini-engine/). *MusicTech*. Retrieved 2025-04-16.

1. Anatomy, Synth (2024-12-13). ["Behringer Pro VS Mini 2.0, hybrid vector synth now with more voices, new FXs, and more"](https://synthanatomy.com/2024/12/behringer-pro-vs-mini-2-0-hybrid-vector-synth-now-with-more-voices-new-fx-and-more.html). *SYNTH ANATOMY*. Retrieved 2025-04-16.

1. Tingen, Paul (July 2016). ["John Carpenter"](https://www.soundonsound.com/people/john-carpenter). *[Sound on Sound](/source/Sound_on_Sound)*

1. Tudahl, Duane (November 2021). *Prince and the Parade and Sign O the Times Era Studio Session: 1985 and 1986*. [Rowman & Littlefield](/source/Rowman_%26_Littlefield). ISBN 9781538144510.

1. Rule, Greg (1 March 1994). ["Trent Reznor"](https://www.theninhotline.com/archives/articles/display/548). *[Keyboard Magazine](/source/Keyboard_Magazine)*

1. Hanson, Robert (1 May 2005). ["Trent Reznor sheds the excesses of the past..."](https://www.theninhotline.net/archives/articles/display/55). *[Remix Magazine](/source/Remix_Magazine)*

1. Secret, Jack (July 1997). [""Rush's Live Midi Secrets Revealed""](http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19970700eq.htm). *[EQ Magazine](/source/EQ_Magazine)*

## External links

- [The Prophet VS at Sound On Sound](https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/sequential-prophet-vs-retrozone)
- [Prophet VS Information](https://shalebridgetech.com/prophet_vs/vs.html)

## Further reading

- "Introduction to Vector Synthesis" – [Stanley Jungleib](/source/Stanley_Jungleib), *[Electronic Musician](/source/Electronic_Musician)* November 1986 [p.53](https://web.archive.org/web/20070927053947/http://www.seersystems.com/jungleib/archive/1986/86%20INTRO%20VECTOR%20EM%20ART.jpg), [p.54](https://web.archive.org/web/20070927053945/http://www.seersystems.com/jungleib/archive/1986/86%20INTRO%20VECTOR%20EM%20ART%202.jpg)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Prophet VS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophet_VS) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophet_VS?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.