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.

hugo280

May 17, 2011 @ 11:56 am

This is a video of my VCS3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUSANnHho0Y

jon

January 26, 2011 @ 4:35 pm

We used this synth on our cover of "mad world". It runs through various parts of the whole track, but is most prominent in the breakdown after the first chorus - sounds like someone rubbing their fingers over a blown up balloon. Was a highlight of the recording session! listen here:
www.myspace.com/blackbirdhum

antonio lara

November 27, 2010 @ 3:11 am

Fantastic sound ! Renaissance used to in Prologue Album Raja Khan music played byFrancis Monkman.

sergeeo

April 12, 2010 @ 9:50 am

You can watch a very interesting documentary about EMS here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtktHPCoYgw&feature=related

rafu

March 23, 2010 @ 8:25 am

There were a lot of groups using EMS synths in the middle of the 70's. All the germans such as PopolVuh, AgitationFree, Can, Shültze, TangerineDream, frenchy JM Jarre, Pierre Henry and all your best english groups, PinkFloyd, Genesis, KingCrimson etc.
A wonderful sound hard to repeat due to unexpectable behaviours using the matrix.

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