Sequential Take 5, worth it? 

Okay, $1300, I might be able to swing that. Now, where do I buy me some talent? 😃

Is that talent comes with the package too

This is the best, most helpful review of the Take 5 that I've come across. I love the sounds you're getting and your playing extraordinary. I'm sold.

As an addition to my earlier comment - folks, if you have the Take 5, the soundpack offered here is superb. If you're into that fat and retro vibe that's illustrated here (and in his other videos) you won't be disappointed. Of special note are the mappings Matt included with the Mod Wheel and Pitch Wheel. So many sonic surprises. And, most of all, they are inspiring and make you want to play! I buy a lot of soundbanks because I'm not much of a programmer, and this one gets a big thumbs up. Matt, I would be a return buyer if you decide to create more banks for the Take5 . Please!

Masterful programming and playing, wonderful sounding synth for not much money at all. What an amazing synth designer Dave Smith was.

Your note about the effects section and its effect on the sound quality is the kind of thing I really want out of a review but rarely get. Since it’s so hard to go into a store and try something for most people, even before the pandemic, this is badly needed. Well done indeed.

You had me at "...pink and white noise" (wiiiiiish wooooosh) "Beautiful!" 😂

Really useful review; mine arrived today, and I find Matt's comments spot-on. I also really like sine waves - just add some reverb and they instantly sound fab.

Algorithm is always the same: 1) I see Matt Johnson featuring a new synth 2) I buy that synth

Matt, thank you for showing how to appreciate the quality of sound not for the sake of gear , but always in the purpose of making things musical. btw, I don’t even play keys

Hi ! Finally Matt did a review on this synthesizer, great ! Ordered it a month ago, now I have to wait a couple of months, there is a big demand for it :))

You are the best and I really listen to all your advice brother....long live The Boogie!!

These reviews are excellent, especially the parts where you mention it to be lacking a bit in low/mid's, effects messing things up a bit. Requires a pro's ear to make this out I guess. Could an UAD Neve 1081 plugin make up for the lack in low/mid's ? Also some of the below comments might have been fixed in the latest firmware update : Sequential has announced a firmware update for the Take 5 synthesizer that expands patch storage, adds new synthesis options and more. Here’s what’s new in Take 5 firmware v1.0.0.10: New Feature: Additional 8 Banks of program locations. Banks 9-G can be accessed holding the bank button and pressing numeric button 9-16. New Feature: Envelope repeat for envelopes 1 and/or 2. Accessed in the prog-level parameters menu. New Feature: Alternate tuning per patch. Accessed in the prog-level parameters menu. New Feature: Oscillator 2 filter bypass mode. Accessed in the prog-level parameters menu. New Feature: Sequencer start/stop from foot pedal. Accessed in global foot function parameter. New Feature: Vintage added as a mod destination. New Feature: LFO 1 and 2 slew rate. Accessed in prog-level parameters menu. New Feature: LFO rate displayed on-screen when frequency updated and LFO sync active.

Thanks for putting time and effort into this one. Awesome and inspirational, as always. Much appreciated!

I feel like this is the guy you’d meet in a dream from the 80’s and grant you some kinda Analog superpowers!

I had wished Sequential would have made a poly of their just fantastic Pro 3 which is quite a monophonic synth with very deep programmability and incredible sound. You can program many types of sounds with the Pro 3 so to be able to play the Pro with say 5-6 voices would be fantastic. I know it would have to be much higher priced so I understand that that may have been considered when not producing my dream synth.

just love sitting there listening to matt

Hello Matt. the video is very interesting. In my opinion the T5 is enhanced because it stands up to comparison with the beautiful red keyboard with which it duets. Continuous switching from one keyboard to the other would highlight any shortcomings of the T5. Instead our little champion sounds great. I have recently owned one and before him I got the Pro3. Unfortunately, I am an amateur who has recently entered this wonderful world and I still have a lot to learn. Greetings from Italy.

13:52 - Dearly beloved We are gathered here today to get through this thing called life Electric word, life It means forever and that's a mighty long time But I'm here to tell you there's something else The afterworld…

You rule man, I listened to jamiroquai alot during the 90ties and I feel the feel of your feel. You know your stuff, thanks for sharing!

I think I'm finally at the point where expect my polysynths to have at least a 4 octave keyboard from C to C. Lately I keep encountering synths that are polyphonic, but have keyboards like a monosynth, such as this one. Why the 3 1/2 octave F-C keyboard? Would it have really cost that much more to have filled in those bottom 5 keys?

Love that jam at the start Matt

Great walk through, nice to hear your honest and candid opinion about it. You make it sound so much better than I thought it was when I first heard it. It is definitely a lot of bang for the bucks. I only wish they'd made a module w/o keyboard, because I haven't got the space for this one. Oh, and I need to remember the expression "pony"! :D

Wow those are some really gorgeous sounds dude

Great video, as always. Now let’s have Matt on a Matriarch please :)

I'd love to see you make a review of the Tempest. I never know what to think of it when watching demos. Sometimes I love it and sometimes I hate it. Thanks for this video anyway!!!

Great review. The piece at 12:30 reminds me of Super Mario 64 "Water Theme" (Dire Dire Docks level).

Such a beautiful synth - I was so pleased to hear such warmth and VCO creaminess after giving up on my REV2. (another beauty, but just felt chilly to my ears) Mr. Johnson...always look forward to hearing your playing, regardless of the synth you're showcasing! You've done a nice job here, I bought the soundpack...

Love the retro 80's intro. Would love it if you did a retro 80's album!

Just like Katsunori Ujiie, Matt could play a carrot with a teaspoon and make it sound like an 80s sunset and rollerskates

You: How many features does this Synth have? Matt: Yes

I know it's a bit of an older synth, but it would be fun to see you do a Rev2 video. Per voice, it's 4 LFOs and 8 note polyphony (stackable or split), a dedicated auxiliary envelope and a more comprehensive mod matrix. It would be fun to see you do some sound design on that.

BRILLIANT REVIEW! Thank you Matt. You created magical sounds from the Take 5. Looking forward to your preset pack. Cheers!

I felt exactly the same when I plugged in my Pro3 recently but like you once I had a few of my own sounds programmed in wouldn't want to be without it now. Nice to see this demo

i was wondering how the voice spread will sound on other destinations since it's a poly modulation, thank you for that!

Great video! Thanks for sharing! May I ask, with all these poly synths, how often do you find yourself returning to the Moog One?

I'm so glad that I asked you about this synth earlier this week. A great synth or keyboard will cause you to make all kinds of faces and the Sequential Prophet 6 had me looking like The Joker if he were playing in the Squid Games. The Take 5 however had me looking like Batman after he'd smoked out with Snoop Dogg. In other words... I'm going with the Prophet 6. Thank you Matt for your review and for your honesty 🙏

Of course this synth is worth it in the hands of MJ. Matt can make a D Beam sound worth it...

Yeah Matt, agree on the gig usefulness where the 5 polyphony doesn’t harm its playability. I just think Prophet 10 and I’m not interested tbh.

I'm not hearing some soul with this synthesizer.

Just fantastic sound design once again.

Thanks for the review, as a previous owner of most Davesmith Synths(renamed to sequential now) , The raw sounding always lifeless and plastic and harsh im a bad way, maybe the mopho and prophet08 were okay other than that, their raw sound( without effects) is lifeless but of course its only my perspective maybe others see it good!

the best moments starts at 13:13 :) I was waiting for this bass) thanks for the video! good job!

Hey Matt! Can you make a review of the Sequential Pro 3, or at least give your thoughts about it. Another request: your chords masterclass :)

The mod matrix is typical Sequential technology known from the Prophet X and Rev 2 for years - nothing new, let alone spectacular so far. But those Prophets have 2 or 1 extra aux envelopes, which helps a lot. What I don‘t like is the basic sound of the T5. As you said: it lacks the organic warmth (of a P5/10/6 and even of the Rev 2); it‘s not breathing.

Nice review and sounds Matt. The criticism of the effects has also been levelled at the Pro3 which I just bought. Hopefully this is an area where being part of a larger corporation can help Sequential in the long run.

i'm saving for the P10 module. i have the modulations in the Rev2 and Pro 3. if i didn't already have those, this would be an option for sure. i don't feel like this is anywhere close to a prophet 5. it doesn't have that prophet 5 drip.

There are lots of videos out there on this Syjth but this video alone made me go out and buy the Take 5 which arrived today - Thanks Matt :)

I think he likes it!

Always some nice vibes with you

Damn the vintage vibe sounds amazing

I just noticed that the letter E on the word TAKE on the logo is exactly like the Elka Logo.. ripoff? reminder? influenced by?

Honestly seeing a bit more complex mod matrix stuff really makes this synth a hell of a lot more interesting to me, good stuff!

Great video, of course, you can make a VST from 1995 sound amazing. But this synth sounds great. BTW, I'll trade you a Take 5 for your Jupiter-8 ;)

Best synth explanations/demonstrations on youtube, love how you explain sound character ❤

I wonder if the name is inspired by the classic Jazz song titled Take 5

I have to say that from all of Matt's videos on synths I've seen so far (and I've seen almost all of them), here he seemed least enthusiastic about it. Take from this what you will.

For that name, alone, I won't buy this thing. What were Sequential thinking?! Cheesy, indeed! I'm keeping my Nord 2x.

The only review than give me the idea of what is Take 5 and how to think musically on every patch. I'm thinking to buy one for me to pair with my Korg Minilogue XD. I love also the great OB6 that for now I can't afford due to the crying wallet. Thanks Matt, have a great life ;)

Did I hear some Prince and then Jan Hammer vibes starting around 14:20?

Sounds that are beyond what I usually hear? That sounds like synthesis to me. Interface and useful tweakability should be considered. Was the name "Modulation Station" taken? "MOD-STAT"? I like that one. "TAKE 5" is already immortalized by Dave Brubeck.

Woah! I get total The Midnight vibes here!

I love honesty

Sounds fantastic sir

Does it sound the same as the Pro 3? Is it all the same circuitry but just a poly version? How would it compare to a rev 2?

The review I was hoping for! Have you played the korg prologue? If so how does this compare? Cheers mate, love the videos!

Thanks Matt. Your review and the way you used the Take5 in this video made me go out and buy one. It’s really fun and easy to program and achieve really nice, killer sounds that are actually usable in so many ways. Gonna buy your sounds this weekend. Cheers Matt. Love everything you do. ❤️🎶🕺🏻🚀👽🖖🏼

14:38 Wow man you Rock with this one, love the sound, is just the sound of the T5 or are other external effects on it.

Matt, thanks as always for your insight - we appreciate it so much. I’ve been saving up for a Prophet 6 and, since I believe you have both synths, I just thought I’d ask whether or not you think this lil guy could provide most of what I’m looking for in the prophet. Namely; VCO’s (which I think is really important for bass), the vintage knob, the curtis filter, and those sequential envelopes. I’m guessing you’d say the tone and character of both synths are very different, specifically in the lower mids? I’m just hesitant to spend so much on the 6 when the modulation possibilities are so limited.

Awesome demos. genuine, unbiased. Great content, thanks for sharing!

would like to see you make a review of the tempest...so many opinions of all direction out there

Does it play ABBA sounds? Just kidding.. great review!

1:10 Matt being too polite to say that the factory presets are a bit underwhelming.

16:37 love that. and boy id love a tempest

Please do Novation Summit. You are the best synthesizer review Guy on YT and my idol since 20 years back.

i dont think i got the right instrument mine doesnt make the same sounds

2:00 Sounds like “Manifest Destiny” Synth line my gosh You make magic happen that’s crazy 😮👏

That chord change at 2:27 got me like... 😩🥵💦

Great video, Matt!!! Many thanks for sharing. All the best.

It is in the right hand👍🏼

Lovely sounds and presentation. Subbed.

Good video, thou I find a BIT funny that title is worth it? and advertising the preset pack xD xD, I think answer is quite clear xD

Thanks for this Matt! Saw the announcement on your insta, raced over to youtube. I usually have no hope of affording the awesome synths you review, but this one has been on my list alongside the Deepmind 12D. Here's me thinking this is a cut down Prophet 5 in an uglier smaller package, but your honesty has totally cured my gas for this thing. Simple oldschool sounds is all I need. At this rate the Deepmind will do a similar job at a smaller price point. Thanks man! PS awesome playing as always

Great demo video!

hi matt, I always appreciate your videos/reviews because your productions sound so goddamn good. So I was wondering: you mention this synth lacking a bit in the mid-range and the drive sort of helping out with it. I'm looking to maybe getting one of these or a Rev2, and I see you never reviewed it (maybe because you already have so many synths already covering what the rev2 can do).. but have you actually played with one, and if so... would you say it also lacks a bit of mid-range? I know that for sure, the low-end of the Rev2 seems to be pretty meh compared to the Take 5... but the rev2 also doesnt have any sort of pre-filter drive.

Already have one and it's the bees knees.

Gorgeous! Sequential should package a QR code to this video in every Take 5 box

Is a 08 rev 2 a better option if portability isn’t an issue?

Oh man this is incredable! Super nice arrangement and warm analog feel!!!

Best music channel on YT.

For those contemplating will they purchase a Take 5 or P5, here is my conclusion. While T5 is a savage synth and has a superb modulation matrix I have compared sounds with the P5 and to my ears the P5 is a complete sound difficult to beat. To pay twice the price for a P5 desktop module is my plan now, my turning point was when I realised that P5 can be upgraded at a later date to a 10 voice and with new P10 firmware update to allow for dual sounds, it's a game changer. Of course I have to save hard earned cash in the meantime and wait out. The T5 would tie you over substantially if you need to save for a year or 2, or 3 and it will sell well when the time is right for the big purchase. A potential option for those torn between T5 and P5/P10. **Edit: 1 year on I decided to invest my money into a Novation Summit (Best of digital synths), Arturia labkey MkII 88 key (Best VST option) and stick with the Analog mono's I had (Moog Sub37, TD03,Roland Se-01) More than enough sound to inspire me.

it is very plaisante to have your opinions on some gear !! thank you :) :)

Beautiful playing at the end. I liked the morphing techniques you showed, Thanks. This synth seems very solid when you're playing it :)

Awesome stuff‼️👌

14:38 Matt having a Vangelis moment!

Excellent review and honest feedback Matt , great patches, I just ordered the P5 rev 4 and have tried all of Dave’s synths and this one is a good value for sure And some are asking if it would be a substitute for a P6 or rev 2 it sounds somewhere in the middle or more towards P6 at times , has that Dave smith sound ….

The smaller size is a huge benefit

On more great video from the real Master!!! Mr. Johnson, what do you think about Take 5 compared to the OB6, if the synth is just an additional gear with other main board? I mean, the sound quality, if is enough only 5 voices for the Pads and Synths, versatility, etc. Thank you very much!

Love seeing a bit of the more experimental MJ in this one. Great review!

the reverb sounds very 80s, kinda like it