Sequential used microprocessors to allow users to recall sounds instantly rather than having to recreate them manually.

Revision 2 was mass-produced in quantities over 1,000; this model was more robust, added cassette patch storage, and replaced the koa wood casing with walnut.

[1] Revision 3 replaced the Solid State Music (SSM) chipset with Curtis (CEM) chips, necessitating a major redesign.

Sequential later moved to a Braemar tape drive, which was more reliable and could store about four times as many sequencer events.

[2][6][7] Unlike its nearest competitor in the 1970s, the Yamaha CS-80, the Prophet-5 has patch memory, allowing users to store sounds rather than having to reprogram them manually.

[11] Kraftwerk used it on their 1981 "Computer World" Tour,[12] and Phil Collins used it on his 1981 single "In the Air Tonight".

[18][19] The Prophet-5 was widely used by 1980s synth pop acts such as Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Tears for Fears, Thompson Twins, Thomas Dolby, Devo, Eurythmics, Soft Cell, Vince Clarke and Pet Shop Boys.

[21] Other users include Giorgio Moroder,[20] Tony Banks,[22] Tangerine Dream,[20] Jean-Michel Jarre,[20] Dr. Dre,[9] Richard Wright of Pink Floyd,[23] Rick Wakeman,[24] Pendulum,[25] BT[26] and John Harrison.

It adds features including USB and MIDI connectivity, velocity and aftertouch sensitivity, polyphonic glide, and two sets of filters.

[6] Sequential also announced a new Prophet-10, initially released as a ten-voice single manual monotimbral version of the Rev 4.

[7] Bowen provided consultation for Native Instruments during the development of the Pro 5 software synthesizer emulation, released in 1999.

[28][36][37] Hardware clones include the upcoming Behringer Pro-16, and PikoPiko Factory's open-source Profree-4, released in 2022.