Dave Smith, whose Prophet-5 synthesizer powered '80s pop, dies at 72

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Dave Smith, whose Prophet-5 synthesizer powered ’80s pop, dies at 72

washingtonpost.com
Dave Smith, whose Prophet-5 synthesizer powered ’80s pop, dies at 72
He also helped create the MIDI electronic system that allowed drum machines, keyboards, sequencers — an entire orchestra of machines — to talk to one

Link to tweet

[Bongo Prophet]

1. This was a very big deal at the time, and made great things possible on small budgets

Rest in power, you Prophet maker you.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. Not That Small A Budget

I had an Oberheim OB-8. That & the P5 were pretty much the same price.
I spent $3,600 on the OB, in 1984.
One's budget could not be that small.
No, it wasn't in the price tier of the Fairlight, Synclavier, or Prism. (Those were 6 figures). But, they weren't cheap.
My other polysynth was a Korg Polysix. Even that was nearly 2 grand.
I had an 8 voice sampler & a Chowning FM piano. Those 4 instruments were >$10,000.
Never had a Prophet. Played a couple. Great instrument & definitely rugged. So, was the OB but I was moving it in a flight case.
I just liked the sound character of the OB, better. But, I had a P5, I'm sure I would have had no complaints.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

2. Born in SF, went to Cal, and lived in St. Helena at the time of his passing

Dave Smith was my kinda guy.