Prophet 10 rev 4: which one to get? Keyboard or module?

[zahush76]

I have the Moog Matriarch, UDO Super 6 and Behringer 2600.
I also have the Nord Stage 3 compact as my digital piano and daw controller. I like to have the option to play on it even when the computer is off, and it's a 73 key keyboard with aftertouch.

But i'm pretty set on getting the Prophet 10 rev 4. I'll need to sell my Nord to finance it, so here's my dilemma:
1. Get the full prophet 10 keyboard and use it as my main controller because i have no desk space left - but get the full deluxe experience of playing and programming a prophet.

or

2. Get a cheaper digital piano (like the new Numa x piano GT) that can double as a controller and settle for the Prophet 10 desktop module.
That would be the more "sensible" and "mature" route but my heart really goes for the full keyboard version. But then i'll give up having a normal controller and a digital piano at the ready.

What would you do?

[cryophonik]

I guess a major consideration is whether you want your main controller to have weighted action piano keys (digital piano) or semi-weighted synth keys (Prophet 10).

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Remember, the Prophet Rev 4 doesn't have octave transpose knobs. So if you want to use it as a controller, you'd be stuck switching octaves in your DAW versus pressing a button on a hardware controller. The thing is also HUGE. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but if that's going to be your primary controller, make absolutely sure you have the desk space for it. I do love that it's a giant self contained instrument, and honestly haven't used it as a controller, where I'm still using my awful System-8 [awful due to the velocity response on the black keys] as my primary controller. Could you do the Prophet module and something like an NI Komplete Kontrol? Those look like they'd make great primary controllers even if you don't want to deal with wrapping your plugins in the Komplete software.

[cryophonik]

Could you do the Prophet module and something like an NI Komplete Kontrol? Those look like they'd make great primary controllers even if you don't want to deal with wrapping your plugins in the Komplete software.

I have the KK 61 mk2 and it’s got a great keybed, but it’s also got some annoying limitations for a standalone controller. Most of them are related to control over hardware synths (e.g., not enough pages of controls, no NRPN support, limited options for the physical controls), but those would probably be moot if the Rev4 module is within arm’s reach and you’re only using the KK for the keyboard and mod/pitch wheels. The other major annoyance is that, to use the KK as a standalone controller via 5-pin MIDI, you have to disconnect USB, meaning that you have to then power it from a separate power supply (not included, of course) and that you can’t use it simultaneously or switch back and forth on the fly between USB and conventional MIDI control. It makes it a PITA if you want to use a hybrid hardware/computer setup. Novation has this figured out with their Remote line of controllers, but NI is still half-baked with the KK controllers as far as external hardware support goes.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Could you do the Prophet module and something like an NI Komplete Kontrol? Those look like they'd make great primary controllers even if you don't want to deal with wrapping your plugins in the Komplete software.

I have the KK 61 mk2 and it’s got a great keybed, but it’s also got some annoying limitations for a standalone controller. Most of them are related to control over hardware synths (e.g., not enough pages of controls, no NRPN support, limited options for the physical controls), but those would probably be moot if the Rev4 module is within arm’s reach and you’re only using the KK for the keyboard and mod/pitch wheels. The other major annoyance is that, to use the KK as a standalone controller via 5-pin MIDI, you have to disconnect USB, meaning that you have to then power it from a separate power supply (not included, of course) and that you can’t use it simultaneously or switch back and forth on the fly between USB and conventional MIDI control. It makes it a PITA if you want to use a hybrid hardware/computer setup. Novation has this figured out with their Remote line of controllers, but NI is still half-baked with the KK controllers as far as external hardware support goes.

Good call outs! Did you mean the Novation SL MK III series? Just looking at that, it looks like a Komplete Kontrol competitor, and a decent one if you can create mappings via a software editor then push those out to the unit, which appears to be the case. I wonder how the keybed action and velocity response is on those though. But feature-wise, that seems like a great option.

[cryophonik]

Good call outs! Did you mean the Novation SL MK III series? Just looking at that, it looks like a Komplete Kontrol competitor, and a decent one if you can create mappings via a software editor then push those out to the unit, which appears to be the case. I wonder how the keybed action and velocity response is on those though. But feature-wise, that seems like a great option.

Yeah, I have the SL mk1 (25-key) that I use as a dedicated controller for my h/w synths and it's dead easy to create templates with the legacy editor. It also has a nice Fatar keybed (as does the ReMOTE SL mk2 series, which I've also owned). I've never owned the mk3, but I do know that they replaced the Fatar keybed with a cheaper one, which is the main reason I haven't replaced my KK with it. I've never seen a mk3 in a store, so I can't speak for it, but I'm pretty particular about keybeds, so I personally wouldn't risk buying one without playing one first.

Novation also has a new editor called "Components" that seems to get a lot of complaints from SL mk3 owners. I've used it with my Bass Station II to update firmware and save/load patches and it's fine, but it might be a different story when you're trying to create templates, assign CCs/NRPNs, etc. for a SL mk3.

[AnX]

Personally, I wouldn't spend a penny on anything DS made after the 80's

[zahush76]

Personally, I wouldn't spend a penny on anything DS made after the 80's

Why? This synth specifically seems like a very solid premium instrument, built from top notch materials, sounds great, tactile.
What's your main concern or criticism?

[zahush76]

Could you do the Prophet module and something like an NI Komplete Kontrol?

Thought about the option. It's a good one (i've had KK before) but there are two reservations:

1. Buying a $1000 controller (if i'm getting a controller then i prefer 73 key or higher) which makes no sounds still leaves me without some sort of digital piano. So now i can't play piano when not connected to a daw and also not enjoy the full Prophet experience
I should mention i have Komplete Ultimate 13 collectors edition so if i'll consider just a controller then the KK will probably be it. But i also need something i could always just power up and play.

2. When spending this kind of money on a synth i dreamed about since i was a teen-ager - i think it'd better be the full thing. Both ergonomically and emotionally. Seems like if i'll get the module i'll regret not getting the full keyboard version with the full sized keys and the big knobs.

[lfm]

Playing piano on something toyish after having Nord Stage 3 I think will be a disappointment too.
- moneys lost on selling it will be quite a bit too

I've seen Prophet 10 here for sale, and this is a small country like sweden.

A second tier for Nord Stage 3 and look for second hand Prophet 10, maybe.
There is Prophet 10, just unpacked and 6 months old, for about $1500 off from new in Malmö, sweden
https://vend.se/604173-prophet-10-rev-4-ny

There are surely more on eBay or something when you saved up a bit more.

I looked at the Take 5 for a bit, which is very affordable and more modern features and stereo and effects and stuff. So you could go for Take 5 right now and be rather pleased, I think.

There are comparisons on youtube, and think Starsky Carr might have one too.

[Azbest]

If I had a dilemma like this, I'd go for a keyboard Prophet 6 actually. Way more options.

[zahush76]

If I had a dilemma like this, I'd go for a keyboard Prophet 6 actually. Way more options.

I hear ya, but my situation is different in a couple of ways.
First, that would be my 3rd keyboard in the setup (matriarch and udo super 6 - both of which are 4 octave synths), and since this is going to also double as a controller i need it to be a 5 octave keyboard. So the prophet 6 isn't going to fulfil that.

Secondly, to my ears there's a sonic difference between the prophet 6 and prophet 5/10. The P10 is THAT sound i've been chasing for 3 decades. Also the experience of playing a full sized Prophet in the classic sense with a full 5 octave keyboard, big chunky spaced out knobs - isn't the same compared to the relatively crammed interface of the P6.

[vitocorleone123]

Personally, I wouldn't spend a penny on anything DS made after the 80's

Good thing there is no “DS” brand anymore then!

Personally, I think you’re missing out. But it’s your money. I was happy to buy a Sequential synth.

[Azbest]

Personally, I wouldn't spend a penny on anything DS made after the 80's

Good thing there is no “DS” brand anymore then!

Personally, I think you’re missing out. But it’s your money. I was happy to buy a Sequential synth.

Sequential's instruments sound great, but for the price the build quality is questionable. The OB-6 desktop I used to have had a couple knobs almost as wobbly as the MS20 mini. These are premium synths, so I expected better in this department.

[trusampler]

I have the Prophet 10 Keyboard version, it's a delightful KB, one of the best for aftertouch and it's super expressive vs. any other synths I've tried, I've had some good ones come in here over the years. I use a Roland Fantom 7 as my Main Controller and it's great, but the P10 puts me in a completely different mood when I play it.