Sequential Circuits T-8 (ca. 1983–1984)
Not much is firmly documented about the Sequential Circuits T-8, but what the period press says is consistent. Mix (February 1983, p.64) described the new T-8 as a touch-sensitive, eight-voice programmable polyphonic synthesizer with a 76-note keyboard. A year later, Craig Anderton reviewed it under its other badge, the Prophet-T8. He pointed out that on a guitar or piano, playing harder changes both loudness and timbre, while most synthesizers offered little if any dynamic response - but the T8 had the kind of keyboard action many players had been longing for since the advent of the synthesizer (Modern Recording, May 1984, p.45). That same review listed the price at $5,895, which Anderton noted was well beyond the means of most musicians.
Exact production years and full specifications are not established in the surviving record. The T-8 shows up in period press from early 1983 through 1984. A 1987 studio roundup in Recording Engineer (June 1987, p.110) still listed a Sequential Circuits Prophet T-8 among a Santa Ana studio's keyboards, next to an Oberheim Expander and an E-mu Emulator.
What is known from period sources:
- Touch-sensitive, eight-voice programmable polyphonic synthesizer
- 76-note keyboard
- Also badged as the Prophet-T8
- List price: $5,895 (1984)
If you own a T-8 or have documentation - a manual, service sheet, or further period reviews - the Archive would welcome a contribution to fill in the gaps.
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