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.

Jack Floyd

August 17, 2011 @ 3:20 pm

Family's Poli Palmer used the VCS3 to process his vibraphone's sound. It set up the standard keyboard sound of Family for the time he stayed with them and the result can be heard on A Song For Me, Anyway, Fearless and Bandstand.

Crium Délirium

August 8, 2011 @ 8:28 am

"Crium Delirium" the psychedelic french band use Putney VCS3 since the end of 1971 to 1975. Could you give the reference number for this instrument bought in december 1971 in England by mister Lionel Magal for "A.C.I.D." (association 1901) for eDF. Thanks a lot

zandurian 7

July 10, 2011 @ 11:45 pm

@jon - Now up to $6776.00 with 31 bidders so yes, some value revisions needed.

Jon

July 8, 2011 @ 9:08 pm

there's one on eBay right now that's been bid up to $6,300 (with three days left!) so the estimated value listed here ($1500-$3000) might need to be revised just a little...

Tweeker

June 9, 2011 @ 3:37 pm

I had an early Putney, with a later DK2 keyboard.
I used to take a fan-heater to gigs, to blow into the back of it, to achieve a usable operating temperature.
Selling it was the worst thing i ever did!

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