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, John Paul Jones and many more.

Roughneck1313

March 13, 2010 @ 6:16 am

For me, the greatest exponent of the VCS3 is Del Dettmar of Hawkwind. His huge walls of weirdness are all over the Space Ritual album. Apparently he had little formal training on keyboard and simply produced huge textures which fused with the heads down guitar grinding perfectly. Stand out track is Master Of The Universe off Space Ritual.

russell

March 12, 2010 @ 12:46 pm

Has anyone ever seen one of the prototype Synthi P's?
Apparently four were made. They have a more squared off silver half suitcase and improved electronics. I guess they are in a bank vault somewhere. Would be good to see some pics though.

Wintermute

December 16, 2009 @ 6:26 pm

It's in the new Portishead video "Chase the Tear"...

samoka

December 15, 2009 @ 7:52 am

well well
French composer Roger Roger and his friend musician Nardini used these on many obscure libraries between the end of 1967 and all the 1980 to produce the best early synth music:from experimentation to easy lounge!
Listen to Roger "Chattamooga choo choo" from 1976 on jaycee records uk!

Tyler

September 20, 2009 @ 4:05 am

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.

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