Sequential

P
re-release, the Take
5 was rumoured to
be a cheap
Prophet-5; then
when the first
models arrived, we
heard that it was a
Sequential in Novation clothing, the
first product to arise from the
purchase of Sequential by the
Focusrite group, which also own
Novation. The truth is, it’s none, and
all of the above…
Take 5 has analogue ingredients
with digital controls and effects. With
Sequential in a Novation case, but it
actually feels very much like a
four-figure synth – very solid and well
made. There’s a mix of incremental
pots, easy to turn for distinct
parameters like BPM, effect type,
arpeggiator and octave, and
continuous controllers for options like
envelope and filter parameters. These
are somewhat stiffer, but I’d expect
them to loosen over time.
There’s a fabulous large Filter
Cutoff dial in the centre of the synth
which demands, and will receive, full
attention. Pressing down some of the
buttons – for preset selection, for
example – does press the whole front
panel down a little too much in my
book, but otherwise this feels like a
high class synth. Looks-wise it
reminds me more of an Access Virus
or, more obviously perhaps, a
Novation Peak and I’d certainly put it
up there with either in terms of
attitude and feel.
Take 5 is definitely a modern
synth albeit with classic ingredients.
The 5-note polyphony will surely lead
to a 10-note or expansion option.
Then there are the two VCOs and a
its name, five notes of polyphony, two
analogue VCOs and a Prophet-5 style
filter, you can understand the
comparisons with the latest Rev 4 of
Sequential’s classic Prophet-5 line.
But Take 5 grabs that greatness and
is unconstrained by any reputation, so
it’s doing what the heck it likes with
it, creating a synth very much for the
2020s rather than emulating one
from the late ’70s. It really is its own
synth, then, and for a very decent
price all things considered.
I certainly wouldn’t have had a
problem if Take 5 indeed was a cheap
THE PROS & CONS
+
Fantastic, compact
design and build
In-depth modulation
features, sequencer
and arpeggiator give
it a modern feel
Neat Low Split
feature allows you to
extend the
keyboard range
Quality Prophet-5
ingredients allowed
to blossom with
newer features
-
Five voices will not
be enough for some
Sequential Take 5 | Reviews
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