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NAMM 2017: Dave Smith Instruments' new monster synth - REV2

NAMM 2017: Dave Smith Instruments' new monster synth - REV2

A big announcement from Dave Smith Instruments! NAMM Show 2017 introduced us to the brand new analog polyphonic synthesizer REV2. Well, it’s mainly a deeply rethought Prophet ’08 which set a record of being commercially successful for 10 years.

Dave Smith Instruments REV2

Dave Smith Instruments REV2 is kind of a modern day Prophet ’08 but more affordable ($2000 for a 16-voice version vs $3000 for Prophet`08 which price has actually dropped down to $1500 recently). What makes us even more curious is its upcoming 8-voice version at the price of $1500 giving us more and at the cheaper price anyway.

At NAMM 2017 Dave Smith shared his thoughts on the new synth saying that they created a true monster. A good one, of course.

The new instrument maintains all the basic functions of the famous Prophet ’08. Though REV2 offers a double polyphony, expanded (also doubled) mod matrix, polyphonic step sequencer for each layer and other features. As a result we have one of the most powerful analog synthesizers since Alesis Andromeda considering the fact that its cost is more than twice lower than that of Modal 008. And Mr. Smith doesn’t rest on his laurels he still works to rest on them in the very far future.

DSI’s got something else to surprise: REV2 lets us use any of the Prophet ’08 libraries which makes sense because REV2 can sound quite like Prophet ’08 or as close to it as possible due to having a similar architecture, for instance, same DCOs and Curtis filters and doubles everything what a Prophet ‘08 fan has ever liked about it so much.

REV2 specs:

  • 16-voice polyphony, 2 DCOs
  • 5-octave keyboard with semi-weighted action, velocity, and aftertouch
  • Curtis low-pass filter per voice, selectable 2- and 4-pole operation (self-resonating in 4-pole mode)
  • selectable sawtooth, triangle, saw/triangle mix, and pulse waves (with pulse-width modulation)
  • ability to put each separate layer through different effects (as in Prophet '08) with further parameters modulation in the 8-slot mod matrix; there are reverb, delay (classic and BBD), chorus, phaser, distortion and ring mod
  • polyphonic step sequencer with up to 64 steps (6 notes per step); separate 16 x 4 gated step sequencer
  • ability to synchronize an arpeggiator to external MIDI clock
  • 52 knobs and 20 buttons enable deep and comprehensive editing with little to no menu diving

You may watch the demo of REV2 or the introduction from legendary Mr. Dave Smith himself.

Published: 16:25 21.01.2017
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