June 30, 2026
by GForce Software
We speak with Robin Rimbaud (Scanner) about creating a four-track EP in a day, exploring the GForce Prophet~5’s authentic sound and much more.
When Robin Rimbaud (Scanner) downloaded the new GForce Prophet~5, his only intention was to have a quick play with the synth. Less than 24 hours later, he’d written an entire four-track EP. Aptly titled The Prophet, the EP was released at the end of June under his Scanner alias.
He is one of many artists across the musical spectrum who laud the sound of the original Sequential Prophet-5. While there have been several attempts to capture its analogue sound within the software domain, our recent launch of the GForce Software Prophet~5 is the first to be officially endorsed by Sequential themselves.
We spoke with Robin about what makes the synth so special, how the plugin compares to the original, and how the EP came together so quickly. Want to try Prophet~5? Download the free demo now to hear it for yourself.
The Prophet-5’s Legacy and First Impressions
Robin shares his experience with the original hardware version of the Prophet-5, and underlines why it’s so popular among synth enthusiasts.
“I’ve got friends who have used them in their studios, but only on the rarest of occasions have I encountered the Prophet-5 myself. Its sound is part of Electronic music’s vocabulary, and it carries such a unique aura. I’ve always salivated at the thought of owning such a machine, but they are rare and costly.”
There’s no doubt that the synth’s esteemed reputation sets a high bar, but how did he feel Prophet~5 fared on first impression?
“It captures that distinctive Prophet character while remaining incredibly accessible.”
“It felt immediately musical, and seemed to reward even the smallest interaction. Within minutes, I found sounds that felt alive and inspiring, and ultimately made it onto The Prophet. It captures that distinctive Prophet character—the warmth, movement, and richness that have made it such a legendary instrument—while remaining incredibly accessible.”
Putting Prophet~5 to Work
When working with any new hardware or software instrument, Robin has a creative warm-up with a simple play session without any specific goals or intentions. He did the same with Prophet~5, but his initial voyages into the synth were particularly fruitful.
“The making of the opening track on this EP, Cities Down to the Last Radio, happened really naturally and took less than an hour. I wasn’t approaching it with the intention of making an EP – I was simply following the sounds and seeing where they led me. The title itself reflects the slightly nostalgic, radio-haunted quality that emerged from the music. It felt cinematic and evocative from the outset.”
How the Prophet~5 Lends Itself to a Fast Workflow
Working quickly is key to Robin’s way of working, and he praises the synth’s interface for facilitating that.
“Everything feels immediate and inviting; there’s no fumbling around.”
“It encourages experimentation without getting in the way. Everything feels immediate and inviting; there’s no fumbling around. Rather than spending time navigating menus, I could focus entirely on listening and responding. That direct connection between idea and result is invaluable.”
Social Media’s Contribution to The Prophet
Robin took to social media to share his fresh creation, which became the EP’s first track, Cities Down to the Last Radio. In doing so, he leveraged one of social media’s many uses for artists – crowdsourcing real-time feedback on musical ideas.
“I’m enthusiastic about new creative tools, and first impressions are valuable, so I thought it would be fun to share the first track on social media. People started asking whether the track would be released, and I realised it might be worth pursuing something larger. As the piece had its own atmosphere and narrative, I decided to extend the project by exploring the plugin further.”
Creating Textural Range
Armed with a motive to make his first Prophet~5 sketch an official release, Robin committed himself to further developing the project. Three more tracks emerged, each showcasing a diverse spectrum of tonal and timbral qualities.
“During my first day with the synth, one of the surprises was how broad the sonic palette proved to be. The original Prophet-5 is often associated with certain classic sounds, but there’s tremendous depth that perhaps some people aren’t aware of!”
He was able to move between delicate, pure tones, right through to grittier and more saturated sounds. This auditory contrast is particularly noticeable in the EP’s second track, Auguries in Polyphonic Blue.
“The challenge wasn’t finding variety in the sounds; it was deciding when to stop exploring. Given that I had deadlines for other projects, I vowed to limit my experimentation and finish this project within one day.”
Processing the Prophet~5 Sound
One advantage of software emulations of hardware synths, such as Prophet~5, is the inclusion of built-in effects. For this EP, Robin allowed the synth to speak for itself, but utilised the plugin’s time-based effects to create a sense of space.
“While the core identity of each track comes from Prophet~5, the built-in effects were certainly useful for shaping environments around the sounds, particularly delays and spatial treatments.”
Again, he opted to apply minimal additional processing to the final recordings so that the synth’s unmistakable character could take the spotlight.
“I tried to remain respectful of the instrument itself as I wasn’t interested in disguising the source material. I used minor processing to carve out competing frequencies, then I ran it all through an SSL desk emulation with some subtle saturation.”
Prophet~5’s Place in Robin’s Workflow
For many artists, starting new musical ideas can be a tremendous hurdle. Having only used Prophet~5 for a short while, Robin has already identified that it’s an excellent source of musical inspiration.
“It consistently generates ideas that feel worth pursuing.”
“Some instruments are specialists, while others seem capable of inspiring entire pieces of music. Prophet~5 falls into the latter category. Whether it’s a simple melodic motif, a textured drone, or a harmonic foundation, it consistently generates ideas that feel worth pursuing.”
He echoes this sentiment with the rest of the GForce Software lineup, too.
“The entire suite of GForce instruments has played a key role in many of my projects.”
“To be honest, the entire suite of GForce instruments has played a key role in many of my projects, and Prophet~5 happily joins the lineup. In terms of practicality, it can even fit into my shoulder bag when travelling!”
“Boards of Scanner”
When Robin first shared his early Prophet~5 sketches to social media, the caption contained a cheeky nod to one of his many musical influences. He believes inspiration is less about reproducing someone’s sound, and more about understanding what makes their work resonate.
“With Boards of Canada, it’s not simply the synthesiser choices; it’s the sense of memory and atmosphere as well as that rather unsettling emotional ambiguity that they create. The “Boards of Scanner” comment was very much tongue-in-cheek, but it acknowledges how certain instruments carry cultural associations. I try to absorb those influences and then filter them through my own experiences and sensibilities.”
What Else is Robin Working On?
As somewhat of a polymath, Robin’s naturally working on several creative projects across a variety of formats and media. From recordings and installations to collaborations and commissions, he shares some of the main creative pursuits that are consuming his time.
“I’m currently finishing up the biggest project I’ve ever undertaken – a new surround sound installation with over 40 speakers, which will be a permanent fixture in a new London museum. Separate to that, I’ve been commissioned to compose a new score for a designer for Paris Fashion Week this year.”
He also shares news on some upcoming releases, as well as what motivates him creatively.
“Recording-wise, I have a new album coming out on DiN in September, which is a collaboration with British composer Ian Boddy. I also have a new double LP soundtrack of an exhibition in Turin, Italy, and a special edition 7” single, amongst other releases.
“As always, curiosity tends to be the driving force behind whatever comes next. And, of course, a little bit of fun too!”
Thanks to Robin for sharing his thoughts on Prophet~5, and for giving us an insight into his creative process. You can keep up with Robin and his Scanner project via his website, Instagram, or Bandcamp.
Want to hear the first Prophet-5 plugin to be officially endorsed by Sequential?
