Indeed it’s these other-worldy sounds that make the odd real sound (Koto, 216, and UpFrontBrass, 302) initially sound out of place. FreewayDrivin (111) is perhaps Sequential’s arpeggiated take on Autobahn (grab that Filter dial again) Gnarly Tenths (115) really demonstrates extreme aftertouch, a clean lead that becomes filtered and filthy the harder you press. Others worth auditioning include AnalogFM (106), a sound that perhaps not surprisingly morphs between an analogue lead and electric FM piano – and is far better than how we’ve described it. Many presets are tied to the arpeggiator for obvious impact that will have you reaching for the Filter Cutoff dial to increase the drama. There are eight banks of 16 Factory sounds accessed with a dual-button combination to access the bank and then each of the 16 sounds within it assigned to its own button. You can’t avoid Take 5’s roots as you go through its factory presets – it boots up with one called 80s Cal Dreamin, a big fat, clean lead straight from that decade – but the synth very much drags you forward beyond that. (Image credit: Future) Sequential Take 5: Performance and verdict ![]() There’s certainly more flexibility and depth available, which handily brings us to said sounds… While P5 has the quite glorious Poly Mod feature where you can introduce simple but dramatic modulation in an instant – one of my favourite features of the synth – Take 5 has more modulation options that will cover that, albeit perhaps not so easily and quickly to implement. In terms of additions, Take 5 has two LFOs (P5 has one), a feature-packed arpeggiator, a 64-step polyphonic sequencer, two DADSR envelopes, an FM switch for classic bells and whistles, an extra Overdrive control and two effects generators, one a reverb, one a multi-effect with chorus, delay, ring mod and more. ![]() While the filter on Take 5 is the same as the 4-pole analogue, self-oscillating resonant filter from the Prophet-5 Rev 4, and both synths feature a Vintage knob to introduce more unstable analogue elements to your sound, the similarities between the two synths start to dwindle from here on in as you discover Take 5’s many other features. 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. 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. There’s a fabulous large Filter Cutoff dial in the centre of the synth which demands, and will receive, full attention. These are somewhat stiffer, but I’d expect them to loosen over time. 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. We certainly wouldn’t have had a problem if Take 5 indeed was a cheap Sequential in a Novation case, but it actually feels very much like a four-figure synth – very solid and well made. It really is its own synth, then, and for a very decent price, all things considered. ![]() 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. With 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. Take 5 has analogue ingredients with digital controls and effects.
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