Much like the issues Elektron had with the DT and early MkII’s, early in the Rev2 release they had lots of issues, which are resolved now. One way to be sure your looking at a newer Rev2 is that it’ll be marked “Sequential”.
But as you know, these days we’re all beta testers at the mercy of builders.
I really can’t. That’s why I have three.
Depeche used a lot of Rolands System 700. So a Roland System 8 will get you a long way there.
I think OMD as well used Rolands. Not sure what New Order and The Cure used.
Polysynths:
1980-81 ARP Omni 2
1981-82 ARP Quadra
1982-83 Sequential Prophet 5
1983 Oberheim OB-X
1984-89 Octave Plateau Voyetra 8
1989 - ? Roland D50
1990s Kurzweil K2000
but supplemented by Emulator sample library and string synths in the 80s and Roland romplers in the 90s.
I don’t think you need to try to replicate what individual bands were using for your purposes.
I am really looking forward to trying out the new Roland Jupiter-X/m and Roland Fantom series for 80s sounds. Like that I can get the vintage Roland drum and synth tones in one keyboard synth and layer these polyphonically as well. Would love one of these along with a Dave Smith Prophet and perhaps Elektron Digitone for FM and Access Virus TI2 if they ever update it.
Played the x-m today. Very nice hardware, they actually designed it years ago but only decided to finish it recently. The keys on the x-m are very tiny though. Sounds good, oddly has built in speakers.
I think for a grab and go synth it could be great to have the drums and polyphony and light weight but I am also looking at a Prophet, Virus or Nord A1 Lead.
I have a prophet. Get a prophet 
my head spins over so many prophet models- rev2, X, XL, OB6, Prophet 6 and not sure which one to get? Guess need to head to a real synth store and try them all out along with the new roland synths.
I agree my friend, gotta test em.
bummer that they quit production of the Prophet 12 keyboard that looked like the most promising one they made. I like the sounds of the OB6 the best from samples heard online but need hands on time.
Rev 2 is flippin awesome, I’d check that out
I like the layout of the discontinued Prophet 12. Perfect Circuit carries all the high end synths. Need to make a trip down there to test them out.
I’m gonna have to agree with @mpiecora here. Prophet is where it’s at. I went for a Rev2, after some careful thought and some experience with Sequential gear in general. Friggin’ thing gets more awesome by the day.
In fact, since I’ve had some experience with some of the Smith boards, here’s my very brief breakdown of the ones I know something about:
Prophet 6 - for vintage sound, can’t be beat. So thick, that multitracking requies enough scuplting to take some of its charm away. A typical band or solo synth. Lacking in modulation, which makes it more a player’s board, less a designer’s.
OB-6 - same as Prophet 6, but with the Oberheim character. Tougher and rawer in character.
Prophet 12 - a sound designer’s dream. Both the module and the board is extremely well thought out. Can sound like anything, except for hands down, truly thick analogue. The difference might not matter in most contexts, but where it does, it shows. Most of the time, who cares? It can go to places a pure VCO synth never can.
Rev2 - in character, a lovely in between of the Prophet 12 and the Prophet 6. In terms of sound design and interface, it’s fantastic. If you know your way around subtractive, you’ll learn this one in five minutes. Amazing modulation capacity, combined with a pretty clever gate sequencer. The poly sequencer ain’t bad either.
Prophet X - not sure what to make of this one. Quality is superb. Samples mixed with classic oscillators is a cool concept. In reality, though, I found this one came closer to boards like Kronos and Motif, just because. The filters compensate, of course. But in terms of why I should ever get this one, if I could ever afford it (which I never will), I haven’t found a reason yet.
Tempest - the odd guy out. So funky, so cool, so flexible. Yet, anything you do with it requires more labour than usually should be necessary. Granted, it’s groovy that you can abuse parameters where others have put a lid on and created safety zones to find sweet spots faster. But it’s cooler in theory than in practice.
Don’t forget the Moog The Source.
Mono, but it pretty much carried Blue Monday with that juicy bass line.
As for polys, they used those Saltonseas (arranger/performer I think) for a while. It was the AnalogKeys of the early 80’s.
I only listed polysynths in line with the OP’s request. If we list bass synths then Yamaha FM machines were used for a large part of the 80s.
“Solina”? Those were the string synths that I alluded to.
sounds like either the Prophet 6 or OB6 would fit my needs best for a cover band keyboard synth to play new wave and classic rock tunes. I have my Elektron Analog 4 for experimentation and Moog Sub 37. Love the Microkorg but it is a royal PITA to program quickly and keybed too small. Would prefer aftertouch and a nice FATAR type board for playing keys. I think that pairing a Prophet or OB6 with a Roland Jupiter X would be best of both worlds to get the Roland drum kits and sounds and the classic Oberheim/Sequential vibe.
Oh, for sure. As a synth for that purpose, it’s perfect.
