The photo posted on the web resembles a photoshop version and does not seem real.
Of course, it is not possible to talk about all manufacturers without exception, but I think most of them use early reviews for a future product. This critical information allows them to conduct market research in the real environment of consumers. I understand that it is not easy to prevent the leakage of information about a future product. There is a huge interest to the products of such manufacturers as ACCESS, NORD, MOOG, ELEKTRON and others in the world of electronic music. Such companies are not giants in the industry; every mistake can be a death sentence. It is very important to create a product that becomes competitive. Producers are immersed in the world of music marketing often have a misconception about the real size of the market. In reality, the market is not very large. The level of competition is incredibly high.
What is known about the future novelty by Sequential:
OSCILLATORS
- 2 analog VCOs per voice
- Continuously variable wave shape (sine, sawtooth, variable-width pulse) per oscillator
- Hard sync: oscillator 1 syncs to oscillator 2
- Square wave sub-octave generator (oscillator 1) per voice
- Keyboard tracking on/off for each oscillator
- Front-panel FM (frequency modulation)
MIXER
- Oscillator 1 amount
- Oscillator 1 sub-octave amount
- Oscillator 2 amount
- White noise amount
LOW-PASS FILTER
- Four-pole, resonant, analog low-pass filter per voice, based on Prophet 5 Rev 4 design
- Filter can be driven into self-oscillation with the Resonance control
- Bi-polar filter envelope amount
ENVELOPES
- 2 5-stage envelope generators (ADSR + delay) with variable routing (filter, amplifier, gate)
- Velocity modulation of each envelope amount
- Envelopes freely assignable to multiple modulation destinations
LOW FREQUENCY OSCILLATOR
- Five wave shapes: triangle, sawtooth, reverse sawtooth, square, and random (sample and hold)
- Clock sync (internal or external MIDI clock)
- Freely assignable to multiple modulation destinations
DIGITAL EFFECTS
- One dedicated reverb with damping, pre-delay, decay and tone
- One multi-effect with stereo delay, BBD delay, tape delay, chorus, flanger, phaser, ring mod, vintage rotating speaker, distortion, high-pass filter
- Dedicated Overdrive effect
VINTAGE KNOB
- Recreates the characteristics of vintage synthesisers by introducing micro-fluctuations in oscillators, filter, and envelopes per voice.
AFTERTOUCH
- Source: channel (mono) aftertouch with bi-polar amount
- Aftertouch freely assignable to multiple modulation destinations
ARPEGGIATOR
- Up, down, up+down, random, assign modes
- Syncs to MIDI clock
- Re-latching arpeggiation
SEQUENCER
- Polyphonic step sequencer with up to 64 steps with ties and rests
PERFORMANCE CONTROLS
- Full-sized, semi-weighted, 3.5-octave premium Fatar keyboard with velocity and aftertouch
- Spring-loaded pitch wheel with selectable range per program with independently adjustable upper and lower pitch wheel range transpose controls
- Low-split mode creates two independent performance zones with different octave ranges
- Hold switch latches held notes on
- Polyphonic glide (portamento)
- Unison (monophonic) mode with configurable voice count, from one to all five voices, and key modes
- Factory switch: when off, the front panel is live; what you see is what you hear
PATCH MEMORY
- 128 user and 128 factory
IN/OUT
- 1 MIDI In, 1 MIDI Out, and 1 MIDI Thru port
- USB port for bidirectional MIDI communication
- 1 Sustain/foot-switch input
- 1 Expression pedal input
- Main stereo output (2 x 1/4″ phone jack)
- Headphone out (stereo 1/4″ phone jack)
POWER
- IEC AC power inlet for internal power supply
- Operates worldwide on voltages between 100 and 240 volts at 50 to 60 Hz; 14 watts maximum power consumption
SPECS
- 3.5-octave, semi-weighted keyboard
- 25″ L x 12.75″ W x 4.4″ H (63.5 cm x 32.4 cm x 11.2 cm)
- Weight: 17 lbs (7.7 kg)
Conclusions
The combination that is presented on various resources as a future novelty in the specification is not revolutionary. I have not seen a breakthrough in technology. All old blocks are used. Time will tell whether such a regrouping will give the desired effect. Every newborn instrument has its own life, fans and deniers. I love Dave Smith products. And to be honest, I'm waiting for a revolution, just now, when this talented engineer has become part of a large concern and I hope he got access to additional resources. Looking forward to a real new instrument. In the meantime, I am watching the increased number of REV 2 and PRO 3 offers on the market. It's good! The world does not stand still! Dear Dave, please don't stop!
Kokow