MusicRadar Verdict
This is another impressive and utterly engaging synth from Cherry Audio, providing access to a classic that most of us would never have the opportunity to own. Cherry has even included the original Prophet-5/-10 patches, making it as close as possible to the real deal.
Pros
- +
Faithful recreation of the Sequential Circuits Prophet-10.
- +
500 patches onboard, including the original Prophet-5 & -10 patches.
- +
Up to 16-note polyphony.
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Flexible layer architecture.
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Onboard sequencer and large effects section.
Cons
- -
We’re going to struggle here!
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Cherry Audio P-10: What is it?
If you like a soft synth (and who doesn’t), you’ll be aware of the buzz that Cherry Audio has created around the industry over the last few years. The brand is responsible for re-engineering some of the lesser addressed-synth classics, but with total authority and style, and at a price that is affordable for all of us.
Its latest contender is a software incarnation of the mythical Prophet-10 (or P-10 to its friends). It’s fair to say that back in the late ’70s and early ’80s, the P-10 was a troubled soul. Sequential Circuits (SCI) had no end of reliability issues with this larger format synth, from its problematic beginning to its tortured end. This explains why original P-10s are rarer than hen’s teeth, even if you can find one that works reliably. This makes the proposition of a software version incredibly appealing, particularly when engineered by the clever folks at Cherry.
Cherry Audio P-10: Performance
One feature that we have always liked about Cherry’s products, is the inclusion of a standalone version, with a fully scalable GUI. This means that you can blow it up to full size on your computer screen, and get lost in the synth itself. You cannot help but be impressed by the quality of the graphics. The detailing is just tremendous, from the accuracy of the original SCI fonts, through to the slight mottling of the casework. The graphic has a 3D quality, that just makes it such a pleasure to use.
Going manual
Cherry has engineered the P-10 to operate as the 2-manual version of the instrument, and not the doomed Rev.1 that provided a single keyboard, and was identical to the Prophet-5 in layout.
Apart from looking like the analogue beast that it is, this also creates a degree of creative freedom and flexibility, as the upper and lower manuals can operate individually and multitimbrally, or as a split or layered stack. With a full 16-note polyphony, this means that even the largest of synth pads will not be running out of voices any time soon.
The initial architecture of the P-10 is pretty much what you would expect; two VCOs feed the filter section, to create that immediate lushness associated with Prophets. Cherry has been really careful here, by modelling both the behaviour of the Curtis-based 3340 oscillator chips, and the 3320 filter, which is the classic 24dB/oct low-pass design.
While we didn’t have an original P-10 to compare, we did have a Pro-One and Prophet-10 Rev.4, and we can report that the accuracy of the modelling is quite spectacular. In tune with the recent Sequential reissues of the Prophet, the P-10 offers a Drift control, to engineer a degree of analogue style behaviour. This certainly seems to work in an impressive way, as we noted through our continual return to a patch that we were building, and the subtle deviation with each revisit.
All Poly-Mod cons
One of the most useful facets that we continually wanted to explore, was the extensive nature of the modulation routings. The P-10 is equipped with two full ADSR envelope generators, both of which provide a dedicated velocity amount control. These form part of the modulation scenario, along with the LFO section. All the favourites are included, such as oscillator sync and the SCI Poly-Mod, which as any Prophet aficionado will know, are an important part of the Prophet legacy. It’s also possible to engineer modulation control through aftertouch, with simple control of the amount, so if your keyboard technique creates too much liveliness, you can tone it down very easily, from a dedicated pot.
Sequencer stacks
On the bottom left-hand side of the panel, there is an intuitive sequencer section. This allows the instant programming and repetition of note-based loops, up to 128 steps. It’s great fun and leaves you free to explore the sound control panel, while your sequence plays out.
There is also great capacity within the dual-manual side of the plugin, allowing you to operate the P-10 in its traditional guise, as two Prophet-5s in one unit. This will be great for anyone wanting to use it in a live environment, where a little bit of clever keyboard zoning can provide you with timbral flexibility.
Get yourself effected
Cherry is always very generous with its supply of effects on its plugin synthesizers, but it has taken things to another level with the P-10. When you flick to the effects section, you are treated to a similarly styled panel, which hosts some great sounding effects. Phaser, chorus, delay and reverb are all available, along with Distortion, which was so impressive to our ears, it became something of a must-use!
With so much GUI real estate available here, this is also where you will find an arpeggiator. This is modelled on original synth traditions, and is incredibly good fun to use. It is of course sync-able to your DAW’s tempo.
Cherry Audio P-10: Verdict
It possibly won’t come as an enormous surprise to learn that in tune with everything else that Cherry Audio touches, this is an extraordinarily impressive sounding plugin. It is exceptionally authentic, with a reverence toward the original SCI units, while also providing sonic depths in a production-ready format. We had an awful lot of fun running this plugin alongside our other SCI/Sequential hardware, and stopped even wondering if it sounded authentic, purely because it is so impressive.
Given that you would probably not want to ever consider purchasing an original (the exorbitant vintage pricing being out of reach for us mortals) this is an exceptionally affordable option, but don’t be fooled by the price! Sonically, it is the analogue behemoth that it always was.
MusicRadar verdict: This is another impressive and utterly engaging synth from Cherry Audio, providing access to a classic that most of us would never have the opportunity to own. Cherry has even included the original Prophet-5/-10 patches, making it as close as possible to the real deal.
Cherry Audio P-10: The web says
"All in all, the Cherry Audio P-10 is a beautiful, powerful Synthesizer plugin with lots of possibilities."
Synth Anatomy
Cherry Audio P-10: Hands-on demos
Cherry Audio
The Sampleist
Prod By ThatGuyFace
CatSynth TV
Cherry Audio P-10: Specifications
- KEY FEATURES: 2 x VCOs per voice. Accurate model of original 24db/oct Prophet filter. 2 x ADSR envelopes with Velocity control. Onboard sequencer and arpeggiator. Comprehensive modulation routings. Extensive effects section. 500 professionally programmed presets onboard.
- CONTACT: Cherry Audio
- Buy from Plugin Boutique
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