Dave Smith, every bit as much a pioneer in the development of the modern synthesizer as Bob Moog, was responsable for the development of the first polyphonic and microprocessor-controlled synthesizer, the Prophet 5. Dave was later a key player in the creation of the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) specification, and in fact Dave coined the acronym "MIDI" back in 1981. Since the NAMM show in 1983 MIDI has still survived as the primary communications protocal between electronic musical instruments.

Currently Dave is designing unique hardware instruments; analog and analog/digital hybrid synths such as the Evolver, Poly Evolver, and most recently the Prophet '08 and Mopho synthesizers.