Vintage Synth Explorer

Electronic Music Studios (EMS) • VCS3

The VCS3 (nicknamed the Putney) is an analog monosynth housed in a distinctive angled wooden case, a truly classic synth. EMS (Electronic Music Studios) was created in England back in 1969. The VCS3 was one of their first synths and it is still a great, unique, funky little unit! Pictured above is the Mark I model. Pictured is another unit with the small wood-cased DK2 voltage-control keyboard required to play the VCS3.

It has three oscillators, and a unique matrix-based patch system. Instead of patch wires, the VCS3 uses a patchbay grid in which the synth components are laid out, and signal routing is accomplished by placing small pins into the appropriate slots. The VCS3 was, in actuality, a modular type synthesizer reduced down to an extremely portable size.

It generates familiar sci-fi sounds (Dr. Who) and other truly analog sounds. Unfortunately, the oscillators tend to drift out of tune. There's a Noise Generator, 2 Input Amplifiers, 1 Ring Modulator, 1 Voltage Controlled Low Pass Filter (VCF), 1 Trapezoid Envelope Generator, Joy-Stick Controller, Voltage Controlled Spring Reverb unit and 2 Stereo Output Amplifiers.

Additonally, the VCS3 was also sold in a plastic breif-case and called the Synthi A. The major Synthi 100 system was based on three VCS3's strung together. Some ultra-rare commercially unavailable synths EMS made include the VCS4 in 1969 which was basically 2 VCS3's plus a keyboard. And the Synthi Keyboard 1 of 1970 was just a VCS3 with a mini 29-note keyboard.

Many of these EMS synth's have been used by Brian Eno, Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd, Stereolab, Yes, Aphex Twin, Autechre, Jean-Michel Jarre, Astral Projection, Klaus Schulze, Depeche Mode, Vince Clarke, Add N to (X), The Who, Todd Rundgren, Recoil, Freddy Fresh, and many more.

VISITOR COMMENTS

Comments page 5 of 5

Click here to add a comment

Your Name:

Email Address:

Image verification:

Message:

Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

Tyler

Posted 62 days ago

I would really love to play and own one of these beautiful synths!!! please add Coil to the list! Some of the best example of this and many other analog synths has been demonstrated on many of Coil's records.

johnny esp

Posted 129 days ago

As Mike said, to hear the full potential of the VCS3, you must listen to "On The Run" from "Dark Side Of The Moon". Spectacular use of the ring modulator. Also, just for kicks, check out the live concert version of this on You Tube. I was at this show when the airplane flew right over my head and crashed into the stage. Flames & smoke where awesome. Oh yeah, the acid I took definately made it 10 times more intense!

Talebox

Posted 222 days ago

I'm willing to buy one of these in Europe/America/Australia/Asia

If you have one and are selling, ask for offer. talebox.tv (@) gmail.com

Serge

Posted 301 days ago

Sorry about the bad link here's the good one:
http://www.lespac.com/search/detail. php?a=8297245

Serge

Posted 301 days ago

One for sale here:
http://www.lespac.com/search/detail .php?PHPSESSID=64c43885da4a371432163bb44 4d28cae&infst=RK_8297245%3B&cp=0 &region=&num_reg_ori=20&gr=0 &majalerte=&a=8297245&o=%2Fs earch%2Findex.php&r=178&liste_vi lle=&listcmp=&parindex=0&pag e=1&total=1&nbrpages=1&visit e_recherche=&categorie_titre=&id cookie=0594b43ea4cfd301f171058d3a405e74& amp;zc=0&zg=0&priorite=&orde rby=distance&mots=8297245&distan cemax=0&agemax=0&liste_region=&a mp;catgr=C0-&prix_de=0&prix_a=0& amp;annee_de=0&annee_a=0&type=0& amp;etat=0&no_region_de=0&no_reg ion_a=&no_region=&prio=

<54321>