The Story of Sequential and Its Innovations

Sequential is a company that has been making waves in the music industry with its innovative approach to synthesizers. Founded in 2015, Sequential was born from the vision of Dave Smith, a legendary synthesizer designer.

Sequential's first product, the Prophet-6, was a direct descendant of the classic Prophet-5, which was released in the 1980s. This iconic synthesizer was known for its rich, analog sound.

The Prophet-6 brought back that same warmth and character, but with modern features and a sleek, compact design. It was a huge hit among musicians and producers.

Sequential's commitment to preserving the past while innovating for the future has earned it a loyal following in the music community.

Sequential Circuits was founded in 1974 by Dave Smith, who released the Model 600 Analog Sequencer, a 16-step sequencer using analog control voltages.

Dave Smith was the founder of Sequential Circuits and inventor of the polyphonic synthesizer, the Prophet 5.

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The Prophet-5, released in 1977, was an instant hit, thanks to its microprocessors, which allowed for the storage of presets, and its incredible sound, featuring two oscillators per voice, a four-pole resonant lowpass filter, and a unique poly-mod section.

The five-voice Prophet-5 soon became the synth to have, appearing on popular records across genres, from pop and rock to soul, funk, and hip-hop.

In 1981, Sequential broke the Prophet-5 out into a monophonic synth and called it the Pro-One, a two-oscillator synth that was a monster for bass and found its way into plenty of live rigs.

The Pro-One was a significant departure from the Prophet-5, but still maintained the high quality sound that Sequential Circuits was known for.

The Prophet-600, released in 1983, was the first MIDI synth, thanks to Dave Smith's work on the MIDI specification with Roland.

Sequential Circuits took the MIDI specification and put it in the Prophet-600, making it an affordable analogue poly that was recognized as a major innovation in music technology.

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The Prophet synthesizers are a legendary series of instruments that revolutionized the music industry. Sequential Circuits' Prophet-5, released in 1977, was the first fully programmable polyphonic synthesizer.

It had 5 voices of polyphony and each voice had 2 VCOs, a VCF with ADSR, and a VCA with ADSR. The Prophet-5 was a market leader and industry standard, used by musicians such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Dr Dre.

The Prophet-5 was controlled by a Z-80 microcomputer that managed keyboard scanning, voice assignment, sound preset storage, and oscillator calibration. This feature allowed for precise sound reproduction and recall.

The Polymod section, designed by John Bowen, was instrumental in creating the Prophet-5 factory presets and played a role in MIDI's early development. This section was a key factor in the Prophet-5's success.

Here's a brief overview of the Prophet-5's revisions:

Sequential Circuits was formed in 1974 by Dave Smith, who initially focused on building analog sequencers.

Dave Smith's interest in electronic circuitry and microprocessors led him to study the analog sequencers designed by Moog and Buchla.

He released the Model 600 Analog Sequencer, a 16-step sequencer using analog control voltages, which marked the beginning of Sequential Circuits as a business.

The Model 600 was closely followed by the digitally controlled Model 800, released in 1975.

Sequential Circuits' early products were not just synthesizers, but also included the Model 600 and Model 800 sequencers, which showcased Dave Smith's innovative approach to music production.

These early sequencers were designed by Dave Smith, a computer software and electrical engineer, who brought a unique perspective to music technology.

Sequential was founded by Dave Smith and John Bowen was the very first official Moog clinician, who played a crucial role in the development of the Prophet 5.

John Bowen helped convince Dave to develop a polyphonic synthesizer, which became the Prophet 5, and also worked on designing the Model 700 Sequencer and the Model 800 Programmer.

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Karl Hirano, a Yamaha engineer, worked on the DX7 and helped with communication between the Japanese MIDI organization and the International MIDI Association and the MIDI Manufacturers Association in the early days of MIDI.

Karl Hirano was also instrumental in helping to found the Dave Smith Division (DSD) of Yamaha when Sequential Circuits went out of business in 1987, and later "traded" from Yamaha to Korg when the DSD was closed in 1988.

Dave Smith, a legendary instrument designer and Grammy-winner, founded Sequential Circuits in 1974. He is credited with inventing the polyphonic synthesizer, the Prophet 5.

Sequential Circuits was a pioneer in the music industry, releasing many innovative instruments and drum machines over the next 10 years. The company's products were used by musicians such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Dr Dre, and by film composers like John Carpenter.

Dave Smith designed the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, the world's first fully-programmable polyphonic synth, in 1977. This instrument was the first to use a microprocessor and store sounds in patch memory.

The Prophet-5 was a game-changer in the music industry, allowing users to produce "a standard package of familiar sounds" with ease. It became a market leader and industry standard, and was followed by the larger Prophet-10 and the smaller Pro-One.

Dave Smith was honored with a MIDI Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023, along with Bob Moog, Karl Hirano, and others who contributed to the early development of the music production ecosystem.

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Our company was founded by a group of passionate entrepreneurs who shared a vision of creating innovative solutions for a better world. They were led by the CEO, who has been instrumental in shaping the company's mission and values.

The CEO has a strong background in business and technology, having worked with several successful startups before joining our company. This experience has been invaluable in guiding the company's strategy and direction.

Our company has a diverse team of experts from various fields, including engineering, design, and marketing. They work together to develop and implement cutting-edge solutions that meet the needs of our customers.

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The company's headquarters is located in a vibrant city that offers a unique blend of culture, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This environment has been a major factor in the company's success and growth.

Our company is committed to giving back to the community through various initiatives and partnerships. These efforts have made a positive impact on the lives of many people and have helped to build a stronger, more compassionate society.

The company behind Pro Tools, Sequential, has a rich history. It was founded by Evan Brooks and Peter Gotcher, who initially made EPROMs for the Emu’s Drumulator.

Sequential expanded its product line to include the Sound Designer program for Macintosh, which was compatible with multiple sampling keyboards.

Dave Smith Instruments was rebranded as Sequential in 2018. This marked a significant change for the company.

Dave Smith, the founder of Dave Smith Instruments, passed away on May 31, 2022.

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Sequential Circuits, the company founded by Dave Smith, got its start in San Jose, California in the mid-1970s.

Dave Smith, a computer software and electrical engineer, combined his two passions, music and electronics, to create Sequential.

The company's early products were sequencers, with the first analogue model released in 1974, the Model 400, and a digital one in 1975, the Model 800.

The Programmer Model 700, released in 1976, was designed to work with popular synthesizers of the time, like the Moog Minimoog and ARP 2600.

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Sequential Circuits is a legendary brand in the music world, and their 50 Years of Sequential celebration is a big deal. David Abernethy, the author of The Prophet from Silicon Valley, has written a guest post about Sequential Circuits' history.

Sequential Circuits is known for their innovative approach to synthesizer design. The Prophet from Silicon Valley highlights the company's pioneering work in this field.

One of the most interesting aspects of Sequential Circuits' history is their use of hybrid analog technology. This approach combined the best of both analog and digital worlds to create unique and powerful sound.

The Prophet from Silicon Valley delves into the details of Sequential Circuits' design process, providing insight into the company's creative and technical decisions.

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Dave Smith started Sequential Circuits in San Jose in the mid-1970s.

He combined his interests in music and electronics to create the company, which would go on to produce innovative products.

The San Francisco Bay Area is well-known for being the incubator for high-profile technology companies, and Sequential Circuits is often forgotten in the grander scheme of things.

Sequential began with sequencers, first an analogue (1974's Model 400) and then a digital one (1975's Model 800), showcasing Dave's early focus on music technology.

Sequential's first products were designed for use with popular synthesizers of the time, such as the Moog Minimoog and ARP 2600.

The Programmer Model 700, released in 1976, featured eight memory slots for saving patches, but used discrete logic and not microprocessors.

Dave Smith would eventually make a big breakthrough with the use of microprocessors in his products.

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Sequential is a leading provider of advanced semiconductor solutions, particularly in the field of programmable logic devices. Their products are used in a wide range of applications, including aerospace, automotive, and industrial automation.

Their expertise in sequential logic design and implementation is unmatched, with a strong focus on delivering high-quality, low-power solutions. This expertise has enabled them to establish a strong presence in the industry.

Sequential's products are known for their high performance, low power consumption, and flexibility, making them an ideal choice for applications that require complex logic operations. Their devices are used in various industries, including consumer electronics and telecommunications.

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Sequential is a well-established company in the industry, with a history dating back to 1997. They have been around for over two decades, which is a testament to their stability and commitment to their work.

Sequential has a wide range of products, including drum machines, synthesizers, and controllers. Their products are designed to meet the needs of musicians and producers, offering a variety of features and options.

One of their most popular products is the Drumtraks, a drum machine that has been used by many famous artists. It's a powerful tool for creating beats and rhythms.

Sequential's products are known for their high quality and durability. They use only the best materials and design their products to last for years to come.

Their products are also highly customizable, allowing users to tailor them to their specific needs. This is a key feature that sets Sequential apart from other companies in the industry.