Sequential
American synthesizer brand known for the Prophet family and for helping establish MIDI.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Sequential is an American electronic musical-instrument brand whose origins date to Sequential Circuits, founded by engineer Dave Smith in San Francisco in 1974. The company became one of the most influential synthesizer manufacturers of the late 1970s and 1980s, combining microprocessor technology with analog sound generation and user-programmable patch memory. Its best-known instrument, the Prophet-5, introduced a practical form of fully programmable polyphonic synthesis to a broad professional market and helped establish the synthesizer as a repeatable, performance-ready instrument rather than a device whose sounds had to be rebuilt manually with cables and control settings. Sequential’s early products included analog and digital sequencers, synthesizer programmers, and the Model 800 microprocessor-controlled sequencer. These products reflected Smith’s interest in applying emerging microprocessor technology to electronic instruments. The company’s major breakthrough came with the Prophet-5, demonstrated in 1978. Its ability to store and recall sounds made it attractive to recording artists, touring musicians, producers, and composers. The Prophet-5 became a defining instrument of late-1970s and 1980s electronic music and was followed by products including the Prophet-10, the Pro-One monophonic synthesizer, the Prophet 600, and the Drumtraks drum machine. Sequential also played a central role in the development of Musical Instrument Digital Interface, or MIDI. In 1981, Smith and Sequential engineer Chet Wood worked with Roland and other Japanese manufacturers on a common protocol for synchronizing electronic instruments from different companies. MIDI was publicly introduced in 1983 and became a foundational standard for keyboards, synthesizers, drum machines, computers, and studio equipment. Smith and Roland founder Ikutaro Kakehashi later received Technical Grammy Awards for their contributions. The original company struggled during the rapid transition toward computer-based audio and digital sampling. Its final product, the Prophet 3000 sampler, appeared in 1987 in very limited quantities, after which Sequential Circuits ceased operations. Yamaha acquired the company and its intellectual property, but did not continue releasing products under the Sequential name. Dave Smith subsequently worked at Korg and later founded Dave Smith Instruments in 2002, returning to hardware synthesis with products such as the Evolver and Prophet '08. In 2015, Yamaha returned the Sequential Circuits trademark to Smith. Dave Smith Instruments subsequently resumed using the Sequential identity, releasing instruments including the Prophet-6 and Prophet-X. On the fortieth anniversary of the original Prophet-5 in 2018, Dave Smith Instruments formally rebranded as Sequential. The company announced a modern reissue of the Prophet-5 in 2020 and was acquired by British audio technology group Focusrite in 2021. Sequential remains associated with premium analog, hybrid, and digital synthesizers, while its historical importance extends beyond individual products to the development of programmable synthesis and interoperable electronic-instrument control.
History
Sequential began in 1974 when engineer Dave Smith founded Sequential Circuits in San Francisco. Smith initially developed electronic sequencers and programming tools for existing synthesizers, including instruments associated with Moog and ARP. The company’s early products included an analog sequencer, a digital sequencer, the Model 700 Programmer, and the microprocessor-controlled Model 800. These products established a technical direction centered on combining digital control with analog and digital sound-generation hardware. Smith believed that microprocessors could make synthesizers easier to program and more consistent in performance. When established manufacturers did not bring such an instrument to market, he left his full-time microprocessor job and began developing the Prophet-5. Demonstrated in early 1978 and shipped later that year, it was the first fully programmable polyphonic synthesizer. Its patch-memory system allowed musicians to save and recall sounds, replacing much of the uncertainty associated with manually rebuilding settings. The Prophet-5 became a major commercial and cultural success and was used across popular music, studio production, film scoring, and television. Sequential expanded the Prophet line with the larger Prophet-10 and the smaller Pro-One. The Prophet-10 offered greater keyboard capacity but developed a reputation for reliability problems, while the Pro-One provided a more accessible monophonic format and achieved a strong following. In 1981 and 1982, Sequential became involved in efforts to solve the problem of communication between electronic instruments made by different manufacturers. Smith and Chet Wood worked with Roland and representatives of Yamaha, Korg, and Kawai to develop a shared interface protocol. The resulting Musical Instrument Digital Interface standard, introduced publicly in the early 1980s, became one of the most important technical foundations of electronic music production. Sequential continued to introduce MIDI-enabled products, including the Prophet 600 and Drumtraks. However, the company later encountered financial and strategic difficulties. It invested in computer audio at a time when the market was not yet mature enough to support the expenditure. According to Smith’s later account, the company was too small and undercapitalized, and its resources were depleted before it could return its full attention to professional musical instruments. Sequential’s final product, the Prophet 3000 digital sampler, was released in 1987 in very limited numbers. The company then went out of business. Yamaha purchased Sequential Circuits and its assets, but did not maintain an ongoing product line under the Sequential name. The operation was ultimately shut down, and Smith and other members of the development team later worked at Korg. Smith eventually returned to independent hardware design. In 2002 he founded Dave Smith Instruments, whose early products included the Evolver synthesizer. The company later introduced the Prophet '08, an eight-voice analog synthesizer designed to make the Prophet concept more affordable for contemporary musicians. A major turning point came in 2015, when Yamaha returned the Sequential Circuits trademark to Smith. The gesture was encouraged by Ikutaro Kakehashi, who viewed the restoration of the name as consistent with the cooperative spirit behind MIDI. Dave Smith Instruments then used the revived identity for new products, including the Prophet-6 and Prophet-X. In 2018, on the fortieth anniversary of the Prophet-5, Dave Smith Instruments formally became Sequential. The company announced a modern Prophet-5 reissue in 2020 and joined Focusrite’s audio portfolio through an acquisition completed in 2021. Smith remained an important creative figure until his death in 2022. The Sequential brand continues under Focusrite ownership, drawing on both its historic instruments and its modern synthesizer development program.
- 2021
Focusrite acquisition
[1]Focusrite acquires Sequential and incorporates the synthesizer company into its broader audio-technology group.
- 2018
Dave Smith Instruments becomes Sequential
[1]The company rebrands as Sequential on the fortieth anniversary of the Prophet-5.
- 2015
Sequential trademark returns to Smith
[1]Yamaha returns the Sequential Circuits brand rights to Dave Smith, allowing the identity to be revived.
- 2002
Dave Smith Instruments is founded
[1]Dave Smith returns to hardware instrument development with a new company, whose first product is the Evolver synthesizer.
- 1987
Original company closes
[1]The Prophet 3000 becomes Sequential Circuits’ final product before the company ceases operations.
- 1984
Drumtraks launches
[1]Sequential releases Drumtraks, an early drum machine offering MIDI control.
- 1982
Prophet 600 becomes an early MIDI synthesizer
[1]Sequential releases the Prophet 600, one of the first synthesizers equipped for MIDI connectivity.
- 1981
Sequential participates in MIDI development
[1]Dave Smith and Chet Wood work with Roland and other manufacturers on a common standard for synchronizing electronic instruments.
- 1978
Prophet-5 launches
[1]Sequential releases the Prophet-5, widely recognized as the first fully programmable polyphonic synthesizer.
- 1975
Model 800 microprocessor sequencer
[1]Sequential introduces the Model 800, an early product using a microprocessor to control and program sequencing functions.
Products and positioning
Premium, historically significant synthesizer brand focused on expressive analog and hybrid instruments, hands-on control, programmable sound design, and professional studio and performance use.
Polyphonic analog synthesizer · 1978
Prophet-5
The Prophet-5 was Sequential’s breakthrough instrument and one of the most influential synthesizers in music history. Its defining feature was programmable patch memory, which let performers store and recall sounds using microprocessor control. This made polyphonic analog synthesis substantially more practical in studios and on stage. The instrument became strongly associated with pop, electronic music, film scoring, and professional keyboard performance.
Polyphonic analog synthesizer
Prophet-10
The Prophet-10 expanded the Prophet concept with two keyboards and greater performance capacity than the Prophet-5. Although ambitious and influential, the original model was less commercially successful and became known for reliability concerns. It represents Sequential’s attempt to move its programmable polyphonic architecture into a larger flagship instrument.
Monophonic analog synthesizer
Pro-One
The Pro-One was a compact monophonic synthesizer that adapted much of the Prophet-5’s design philosophy to a smaller and more affordable format. It combined analog sound generation with sequencing and performance controls, making it useful for bass lines, leads, and studio experimentation. The instrument developed a lasting reputation among electronic musicians and synthesizer enthusiasts.
Polyphonic analog synthesizer · 1982
Prophet 600
The Prophet 600 was a six-voice analog synthesizer and one of the earliest commercial instruments to support MIDI. It extended Sequential’s programmable polyphonic approach while helping demonstrate how keyboards and electronic instruments could communicate through a common digital interface.
MIDI drum machine · 1984
Drumtraks
Drumtraks was a programmable drum machine introduced during Sequential’s early MIDI period. Its sequencing and MIDI-control capabilities made it suitable for synchronization with synthesizers and other electronic instruments, reflecting the company’s broader interest in integrated electronic performance systems.
Digital sampler · 1987
Prophet 3000
The Prophet 3000 was Sequential Circuits’ final product. It was a digital sampler released in 1987, but only a small number of units were produced before the company closed. The instrument illustrates Sequential’s attempt to compete in the emerging digital sampling and computer-audio market.
Hybrid synthesizer · 2002
Evolver
The Evolver was the first product from Dave Smith Instruments after Smith returned to hardware development. It combined analog and digital synthesis techniques and marked the beginning of the modern product lineage that eventually resumed the Sequential name.
Eight-voice analog synthesizer · 2008
Prophet '08
The Prophet '08 was designed as a relatively accessible eight-voice analog synthesizer. It revived the Prophet family for a new generation of musicians and helped establish Dave Smith Instruments as a significant modern manufacturer of analog keyboard instruments.
Polyphonic analog synthesizer · 2015
Prophet-6
The Prophet-6 was one of the first major instruments released after Yamaha returned the Sequential trademark to Dave Smith. It presented a contemporary interpretation of Sequential’s classic analog-polyphonic approach, with hands-on controls and a design aimed at professional studio and performance use.
Hybrid synthesizer · 2018
Prophet-X
The Prophet-X combined sample playback with digitally controlled oscillators and analog signal-processing elements. It represented Sequential’s move beyond purely analog architectures while retaining the brand’s emphasis on programmable sound design and direct physical control.
Brand decisions
2021
Acquisition by FocusriteM&ABackground
Sequential had developed into a recognized specialist synthesizer company with a strong historical brand and a modern product portfolio.
Action taken
Focusrite acquired Sequential and added it to its collection of music-production and audio-technology businesses.
Aftermath
Sequential continued as a synthesizer brand within the Focusrite Group, while founder Dave Smith remained associated with its legacy until his death in 2022.
2018
Rebranding as SequentialStrategyBackground
After recovering the historic Sequential trademark, Dave Smith Instruments sought to reconnect its modern product range with the legacy of Sequential Circuits and the Prophet family.
Action taken
Dave Smith Instruments changed its corporate brand to Sequential on the fortieth anniversary of the Prophet-5.
Aftermath
The Sequential name became the primary identity for Smith’s new generation of analog and hybrid synthesizers.
2015
Return of the Sequential trademarkOtherBackground
The Sequential Circuits identity remained associated with Dave Smith’s pioneering work, while the trademark was held by Yamaha after the original company’s closure.
Action taken
Yamaha returned the Sequential Circuits brand rights to Dave Smith in a goodwill gesture.
Aftermath
Dave Smith Instruments was able to revive the Sequential identity for new synthesizers, beginning with products such as the Prophet-6.
1987
Exit from the original Sequential Circuits businessStrategyBackground
Sequential had invested in computer audio and digital products while operating with limited capital. The market developed more slowly than expected, placing pressure on the company’s resources.
Action taken
The company released the Prophet 3000 in limited numbers and then ceased operations. Yamaha subsequently acquired the business and its brand assets.
Aftermath
Yamaha did not continue a substantial product line under the Sequential name, and the original company was shut down.
Recent events
- 2022
Dave Smith dies[1]
Leadership change · Other
Founder Dave Smith died on May 31, 2022. His legacy includes the Prophet family and a central role in the creation of MIDI.
- 2021
Focusrite acquires Sequential[1]
M&A
British audio technology group Focusrite acquired Sequential, adding the synthesizer brand to its portfolio of music-production and audio businesses.
- 2020
Sequential announces a new Prophet-5[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The company announced an updated reissue of the original Prophet-5 design, reconnecting its current product range with its most influential historical instrument.
- 2018
Dave Smith Instruments rebrands as Sequential[1]
Leadership change
Dave Smith Instruments adopted the Sequential name on the fortieth anniversary of the original Prophet-5.
- 2015
Yamaha returns Sequential Circuits trademark to Dave Smith[1]
Other
Yamaha returned the Sequential Circuits name and related brand rights to Dave Smith, enabling the former founder to revive the identity through Dave Smith Instruments.
- 2015
Sequential launches Prophet-6[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The Prophet-6 marked the return of the Sequential name to a major new synthesizer product following Yamaha’s transfer of the trademark.
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