This is your Prophet on pot…
I have mentioned before that my main synthesizer is the Dave Smith Instruments Prophet ’08. I use it as my “goto” sound source, and also as my MIDI controller for my software instruments. I think it sounds amazing, especially recorded through high quality preamps. I love it so much, that I’ve even expanded my studio with a Mopho, which is just an amazing bass synth machine, the most easy to manipulate and creative I’ve ever owned.
Dave Smith just expanded the Prophet ’08 line again, this time with the Prophet ’08 PE edition. The PE stands for Pot(entiometer) edition.
Dave Smith Instruments Prophet '08
Visually, the PE edition seems identical to the standard, “RE” (rotary encoder) edition. For those who aren’t clear about the difference between encoders and potentiometers (hereafter called “pots), here’s a very quick summary:
Endless rotary encoders spin endlessly (surprised, eh?). This makes them great for “universal” applications. For example, if you want to use your P08 as your MIDI controller for software instruments, for example, rotary encoders are great. Since there is no “beginning” and “end” point, they can be used to send messages to control any value. The knob can control the cutoff frequency of the P08 when playing a P08 sound, then to switch between waveform selections in a software synth, etc.
The disadvantage is that there is no “end” to let you know when you’ve reached a maximum value. In the example above, controlling waveform type, there really is no end, so this isn’t a problem. But with filter cutoff, there’s no physical feedback when you’ve reached the maximum cutoff value—you can keep spinning the knob, but you won’t be changing values anymore.
Pots have only about a 270-degree arc, so they have a “beginning” (full counter clockwise) and an “end” (full clockwise). This is fantastic for, as above, filter cutoff. When you reach the maximum value (full clockwise), the knob will physically stop turning. This is a great physical feedback, and really lends itself to live performance. As you already can see, however, the disadvantage of not being endless is that it makes the knob less suited to control other instrument parameters that aren’t endless.
Dave Smith generally does things very thoughtfully, and the P08 PE version comes with a mix of pots (38) and encoders (14) so it seems like the best of both worlds. You’ll have pots for a more “traditional” control of parameters that will benefit from it, and encoders for control of parameters without min/max values. From the listed prices, it seems like there’s about a $100 street price premium for the PE version, but for those who want pots, this isn’t much to ask at all.
My gut feeling is that this was a smart move. DSI’s press release says that this was done due to popular demand, and I believe it. A lot of synthesists prefer pots to encoders. Does this make me want to sell my P08 and get a P08 PE? Not sure if it’s worth replacing an existing P08 for the PE version, but if I were getting a new Prophet 08 right now, I might very well buy the PE version.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I believe that as the decades roll on, the Prophet ’08 will earn it’s place as a “classic” analog synthesizer, and the P08 Pot Edition is just another step in that path.