Sequential Pro 3 Synthesizer Coming To 2020 NAMM Show

At the 2020 NAMM Show, Sequential is introducing the Pro 3 synthesizer.

The Sequential Pro 3 synthesizer is a hybrid analog/digital synth that features 2 VCOs, a wavetable oscillator, three filter options, three LFOs, loopable envelopes, a step sequencer and more.

Here’s what they have to say about it:

A Three-Generation Legacy

The Sequential Pro 1 and Pro 2 mono synths achieved nearly legendary status in their time. So it was only natural that we build on their strengths with an even more worthy successor. Enter the Pro 3, Sequential’s 2-VCO + wavetable mono/paraphonic synth – a new benchmark for raw sonic power and unrivalled versatility.

The Power of 3

The Pro 3 boasts three oscillators, three vintage filters, three LFOs, four loopable envelopes, a massive 32-slot mod matrix, and an 16 x 16 x 4 sequencer. Throw in dual digital effects and four control voltage ins and outs, and you’ve got a hugely powerful instrument that’s as exciting to program as it is to play.

A Next-Generation Classic

The Pro 3 is a hybrid of solid, old-school analog synthesis paired with versatile digital technology. Its two voltage controlled oscillators provide warmth and presence while its third wavetable oscillator provides digital edge and grit. With 32 tables of 16 waves each and wave morphing, tonal possibilities are immense. Tuned feedback with grunge, and analog distortion deliver industrial-grade nastiness on demand.

Three Filters Based on Vintage Designs

At the heart of the Pro 3’s ballsy sound are its vintage-style filters. Filter 1 is a 4-pole lowpass design based on the Prophet-6 filter. Filter 2 is a classic transistor ladder filter with optional resonance compensation to preserve its low-end punch. Filter 3 is a classic 2-pole, state-variable design based on the OB-6 filter that can be continuously varied between lowpass, notch, and high-pass operation, with an optional band-pass mode. An additional Drive control provides still more punch when you really want to get down and dirty.

Expressive Sequencing

Possibly the Pro 3’s most powerful performance tool is its sequencer. With 16 tracks, 16 steps, and 4 phrases, it features both real-time and step input, ratcheting, variable gate and sequence lengths, multiple playback modes, and paraphonic operation. It also syncs to MIDI clock and external audio input, and inputs/outputs control voltages. In addition to notes, sequence tracks can control any parameter in the 132-destination modulation matrix.

Plays Well with Modulars

The Pro 3’s flexible architecture opens the door to not only processing external audio, but also to interfacing with modular synths through its 4 rear-panel control voltage inputs/outputs and a dedicated gate output. Control voltages can be assigned and routed from within the modulation matrix and can run at audio rates for extreme modulation effects. Some of the many parameters that can be sent to the CV outputs include oscillators, LFOs, envelopes, and sequencer tracks, allowing the Pro 3 to become the central hub of a modular or multisynth setup.

Effects, Envelopes, LFOs, an Arpeggiator, and Extreme Modulation

The Pro 3’s Effects section provides delays, reverbs, time-domain effects such as chorus/phasing/flanging and more. There are four loopable five-stage envelope generators, three syncable LFOs with slew and phase offset, a full-featured arpeggiator, and a 32-slot modulation matrix with dozens of modulation sources and over a hundred destinations.

Monophonic and Paraphonic Operation

The Pro 3 was designed to be a super-powerful monosynth, but it is also a versatile 3-voice paraphonic synth. This makes playing 3-note chords not only possible, but with creative use of effects and some per-oscillator modulation, mind-blowingly expressive.
Put all of this sonic power in a three-octave, semi-weighted keyboard with velocity and channel aftertouch, add backlit pitch and mod wheels and a location-sensitive touch slider, and you’ve got one of the most inspiring synths ever made.

Features:

  • Two analog, voltage-controlled oscillators
  • One DSP-based digital oscillator
  • Analog oscillators produce three classic wave shapes: (triangle, saw, pulse) with variable shape modulation/pulse width on each
  • Digital oscillator produce 32 digital wavetables of 16 waves each with wave morphing, plus classic wave shapes (sine, triangle, saw, variable-width pulse) and super saw
  • Digital oscillator 3 can function as an LFO for complex wavetable-based modulation
  • White noise generator
  • Hard sync, per-oscillator Glide, Oscillator Slop
  • 3-voice paraphonic mode with individually-gated envelopes per oscillator
  • Three classic filter types
  • Filter 1 is a 4-pole, 24 dB per-octave, Prophet-6 low-pass filter
  • Filter 2 is a classic, 4-pole, 24 dB per-octave, transistor ladder filter with optional resonance compensation
  • Filter 3 is a 2-pole, 12 db per-octave, OB-6 state-variable filter. It can be continuously varied between low-pass, notch, and high-pass operation, with an optional band-pass mode.
  • Three syncable LFOs with phase offset and slew per LFO
  • Five waveshapes: triangle, saw, reverse saw, square, and S&H
  • Four ADSR envelopes with delay (Filter, VCA, and two Auxiliary envelopes)
  • Envelopes freely assignable to multiple modulation destinations
  • All envelopes can repeat/loop
  • Tuned feedback with Grunge for extra-aggressive tonal destruction
  • Programmable analog distortion

Audio Demo:

The Sequential Pro 3 is available to pre-order now for $1599 USD.

18 thoughts on “Sequential Pro 3 Synthesizer Coming To 2020 NAMM Show”

  1. So it’s a Pro2 with one less oscillator, half an octave smaller and one quarter the mod matrix. And the development is via…..?

    2. “So it’s a Pro2 with one less oscillator”

      I don’t get this. 4 DSP in the 2, 1 DSP + 2 Analog oscillators in the 3.

      New filter options,

      If you’re not going to look at the actual spec sheets, why the rush to complain?

      As with the question about whether one can use all the waveforms at once, i’m more interested in how the parts all fit together and gel than the checkboxes.

  2. Does anyone know if the three analog waveforms can all be used at the same time? That is a great feature of the older Sequential units.

  3. For those wondering how similar it is to a Pro 2, it’s somewhat similar, but with two analog oscillators/one digital to the Pro 2’s four digital oscillators (which sound great anyway). The Pro 2’s digital oscillators are identical, and all of them have wavetables (and FM). This has three filters, and the Pro 2 has two; they’ve added a ladder filter. Not sure what they’ve done with effects here; the Pro two had multiple delays, including a bucket brigade. In any case, if this is even remotely like a Pro 2, it will be a beast.

    1. as a pro2 owner i entirely agree. The pro2 oscillators (though not everyones favorite) are unique, and don’t sound like the Sequential VCO’s in the P6 – also i use the character effects a lot! I believe the Pro3 and pro2 can both live on with their own legacies.

  6. It looks like it’s from Novation. But I bet it doesn’t come with Oxford Oscillators. Maybe (because it’s from California) it comes with Stanford Oscillators???

  7. The version with the wooden side cheeks and hinge looks nice!

    Was hoping they would do a small multi-timbre instrument this year, more grove box than another big performance syth. People that like this kind of instrument are getting way to spoiled by Dave 🙂

  10. Wished it had a P6 filter besides the OB6 one a samplie oscillator loadable via MIDI sysex using a USB 2.0 interface (MIDI sample standard) then here would be at least one company left to keep supporting that MIDI standard. Not sure this or Nord Wave 2, not analog but 48 voices and 4 parts. 2020.. the year of digital waves ? Thank you,next… Roland, Yamaha ?

    1. From what I’ve seen, it appears to have the p6 filter, the ob6 filter, and a “classic ladder filter” but it’s unclear if try can all be used at the same time.

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