EMS VCS 3#Synthi A
{{short description|Synthesizer model}}
{{More citations needed|reason=inline citations are lacking for several notable users of VCS3 throughout article.|date=August 2024}}
{{use dmy dates|cs1-dates=ly|date=June 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2022}}
The VCS 3 (or VCS3; an initialism for Voltage Controlled Studio, version #3) is a portable analogue synthesizer with a flexible modular voice architecture introduced by Electronic Music Studios (EMS) in 1969.
{{cite web
| title = VCS3 (aka The Putney) – The Products
| url = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#vcs3
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#vcs3
| archive-date=2013-10-31
| publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
}}
EMS released the product under various names. Logos printed at the console's front left (see photos) say "V.C.S. 3" on the most widely sold version; "The Putney (VCS 3)" on the earlier version; and "The Synthi (VCS 3) II" on the later version "Synthi VCS 3 II".
{{cite web
| title = Synthi VCS3 II – The Products
| url = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#vcs3ii
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#vcs3ii
| archive-date=2013-10-31
| publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
}}
History
{{multiple image |align=right |direction=horizontal
|header = VCS 3 variations
|caption1 = Synthi VCS 3 with logo:
"The Putney (VCS 3)"
|image1 = EMS_Putney_VCS_3.jpg |width1=150
|caption2 = Synthi VCS 3 II with logo:
"The Synthi (VCS 3) II"
|image2 = EMS_at_MIM_Synthesizer.jpg |width2=156
}}
The VCS 3 was created in 1969 by Peter Zinovieff's EMS company. The electronics were designed largely by David Cockerell, and its distinctive appearance was the work of electronic composer Tristram Cary. It was one of the first portable commercially available synthesizers, in the sense that it was housed entirely in a small wooden case, unlike synths from American manufacturers such as Moog Music, ARP and Buchla, which had large cabinets and could take up entire rooms.
The VCS 3 cost just under £330 in 1969. Some people found it unsatisfactory as a melodic instrument due to its inherent tuning instability.{{cite journal |last=Reid |first=Gordon |date=November 2000 |title=All About EMS, Part 1 |journal=Sound on Sound |url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov00/articles/retrozone.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303173436/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov00/articles/retrozone.htm |archive-date=2016-03-03}} This arose from the instrument's reliance on the then current method of exponential conversion of voltage to oscillator frequency—an approach that other companies also implemented with fewer tuning issues. However, the VCS 3 was renowned as an extremely powerful generator of electronic effects and processor of external sounds for its cost.{{according to whom|date=May 2013}}
The first album recorded using only the VCS 3 was The Unusual Classical Synthesizer on Westminster Gold.{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/krakatack/unusualstuff |title=unusualstuff - krakatack |website=Sites.google.com |access-date=2020-04-12}}
The VCS 3 was popular among progressive rock bands, and was used on recordings by Franco Battiato, The Moody Blues, The Alan Parsons Project, Jean-Michel Jarre, Todd Rundgren, Hawkwind, Curved Air, Brian Eno (with Roxy Music and as a solo artist or collaborator), King Crimson, The Who, Gong, and Pink Floyd, and many others. The VCS 3-generated bass sound at the beginning of Pink Floyd's "Welcome to the Machine" forms the foundation of the song, with its other parts heard in response. Two VCS 3s and a Sequencer 256 were featured in the 1978 film 'The Shout'.{{Cite web|url=https://pinelectronics.com/2007/07/31/ems-vcs-3-the-shout-1978/|title=EMS VCS 3 "The Shout" 1978 | Pin Electronics}}
Description
The VCS 3 has three oscillators (the first two normal voltage-controlled oscillators; the third a low-frequency oscillator), a noise generator, two input amplifiers, a ring modulator, 24 dB/octave low-pass voltage-controlled filter,{{citation needed|date=September 2011}} a trapezoid envelope generator, a joystick controller, a voltage-controlled spring reverb unit, and two voltage controlled output amplifiers. Unlike most modular synthesiser systems, which used cables to link components, the VCS 3 uses a distinctive patchboard matrix where pins are inserted to connect its components.
=Keyboards controller=
Image:EMS VCS 3 synthesizer (1969, SN 297) & DK-1 keyboard (1969), Musée de la Musique de Paris.jpg
Although the VCS 3 is often used for generating sound effects due to lack of a built-in keyboard, external keyboard controllers were available for melodic play. The DK1, produced in 1969, is an early velocity-sensitive monophonic keyboard for VCS 3 with an extra VCO and VCA.
{{cite web
| title = DK1 (aka The Cricklewood) – The Products
| url = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#dk1
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#dk1
| archive-date=2013-10-31
| publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
}} In 1972 it was extended for duophonic play as DK2.
{{cite web
| title = DK2 – The Products
| url = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#dk2
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#dk2
| archive-date=2013-10-31
| publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
}} Also in 1972, the Synthi AKS was released, as well as a digital sequencer with a touch-sensitive flat keyboard, the KS sequencer,
{{cite web
| title = KS – The Products
| url = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#ks
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#ks
| archive-date=2013-10-31
| publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
}} and its mechanical keyboard version, DKS.
{{cite web
| title = DKS – The Products
| url = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#dks
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#dks
| archive-date=2013-10-31
| publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
}}
=Related models=
The VCS 3's basic design was reused by EMS in many other of their own products,{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}} most notably the EMS Synthi 100 (1971),{{cite web
|title = Synthi 100 (formerly Digitana, aka the Delaware) – The Products
|url = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#synthi100
|publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
|access-date = 2011-09-30
|archive-date = 2013-10-31
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#synthi100
|url-status = dead
}} the Synthi A (1971),
{{cite web
| title = Synthi A (formerly Portabella) – The Products
| url = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#synthia
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#synthia
| archive-date=2013-10-31
| publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
}} and AKS (1972, essentially a VCS 3 in a plastic briefcase). The AKS also has a sequencer built into the keyboard's lid.
{{cite web
| title = Synthi AKS – The Products
| url = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#synthiaks
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#synthiaks
| archive-date=2013-10-31
| publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
}}
A former agent of EMS in the United States, Ionic Industries in Morristown, New Jersey, released a portable-keyboard VCS 3 clone in 1973. The Ionic Performer, whose circuitry is based on the VCS 3's, replaced the patchboard matrix with over 100 push-buttons, and added a built-in keyboard and effects units.
{{cite web
| author = Dennis Bathory-Kitsz
| title = Killer – My Ionic "Performer" Synth (from Ionic Industories, made by Alfred Mayer)
| url = http://www.maltedmedia.com/people/bathory/killer.html
}}
File:EMS A.jpg|EMS Synthi A (1971),
also called Portabella
File:EMS Synthi AKS.jpg|EMS Synthi AKS (1972)
File:EMS Synthi 100.jpg|EMS Synthi 100 (1971),
formerly Digitana, also called The Delaware
==Synthi A==
Image:SynthiAKSStack.jpg band; underneath are an EMS DK keyboard controller, Solina String Ensemble, Optigan, and an M400 Mellotron]]
{{main|EMS Synthi A|EMS Synthi AKS}}
The EMS Synthi A has the same electronics as the VCS 3, but was rehoused in a Spartanite briefcase. Instead of routing signals using patch cables, like Moog products, it uses a patch matrix with resistive pins. The 2700 ohm resistors soldered inside each pin vary in tolerance, indicated by different colours: red pins have 1% tolerance, white have 5%, and green pins are attenuating pins with a resistance of 68,000 ohms.
The later Synthi AKS incorporated an early digital 256 event KS (Keyboard Sequencer) sequencer in the lid, with input provided by a capacitance-sensitive Buchla-style keyboard.
Perhaps its most prominent use is in the introduction to The Alan Parsons Project's I Robot. (1977). VCS 3 synthesisers were also used alongside a traditional chamber music ensemble for the soundtrack to the BBC's Life On Earth nature documentary series, composed by Edward Williams.Power, Mike. '[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/nov/02/david-attenborough-life-on-earth-soundtrack Release of Life On Earth soundtrack delivers music as pioneering as the show]', in The Guardian, 2 November 2009
Along with Klaus Schulze and Tangerine Dream, other frequent users of the instrument include Cabaret Voltaire, Tim Blake & Miquette Giraudy of Gong, Richard Pinhas of Heldon, Merzbow, Thomas Lehn, Cor Fuhler and Alva Noto.
Development
The original VCS No.1 was a hand-built rack-mount unit with two oscillators, one filter and one envelope, designed by Cockerell before the formation of EMS. When a benefactor, Don Banks, asked Zinovieff for a synthesiser, Zinovieff and Cockerell decided to work together on an instrument that was small and portable but powerful and flexible.
Notable users
- BBC Radiophonic Workshop{{cite web |last1=Rawlins |first1=Sarah |title=The Birth of the Radiophonic Workshop |url=https://blog.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/birth-of-radiophonic-workshop/ |website=National Science and Media Museum blog |publisher=National Science and Media Museum |access-date=12 August 2024 |date=31 March 2021}}
- Brian Eno{{cite web |title=How Brian Eno Created "Discreet Music" {{!}} Reverb Machine |url=https://reverbmachine.com/blog/deconstructing-brian-enos-discreet-music/ |website=reverbmachine.com |access-date=9 October 2022 |date=3 September 2019}}
- Howie B on U2's Pop{{cite web|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_articles/jul97/flood_u2.html|title=Flood & Howie B: Producing U2's Pop|work=Sound On Sound|date=July 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607055529/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_articles/jul97/flood_u2.html|archive-date=7 June 2015}}
- Jean-Michel Jarre{{cite web |title=Three Questions With Jean-Michel Jarre |url=https://www.synthhistory.com/post/three-questions-with-jean-michel-jarre |website=Synth History |access-date=12 August 2024 |language=en |date=20 October 2022 |quote=EMS VCS 3, my first synth ever, still working and present on each of my albums as a ritual.}}
- Merzbow on Door Open at 8 AM{{cite AV media notes |title=Door Open at 8 AM |url=https://masamiakitamerzbow.bandcamp.com/album/door-open-at-8-am-remastered-bonus-tracks |website=Bandcamp |access-date=2 October 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=EMS Synthesizers: Brits en eigenzinnig |url=https://www.interface.nl/nieuws/artikel/2-23490/ems-synthesizers |website=interface.nl |access-date=4 October 2024 |language=nl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004220412/https://www.interface.nl/nieuws/artikel/2-23490/ems-synthesizers |archive-date=4 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=Silent Modular Wars!! |url=https://merzbow.net/blog/ems-set-dommune/ |website=merzbow.net |access-date=4 October 2024 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004221518/https://merzbow.net/blog/ems-set-dommune/ |archive-date=4 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=A short conversation with the legendary noise artist, Merzbow |author=Miron Ghiu |date=26 February 2018 |website=blackrhinoradio.com |url=https://blackrhinoradio.com/interviews/a-short-conversation-with-the-legendary-noise-artist-merzbow |access-date=4 October 2024 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004221423/https://blackrhinoradio.com/interviews/a-short-conversation-with-the-legendary-noise-artist-merzbow |archive-date=4 October 2024}}
- Pete Townshend{{cite web |title=Three Questions With Pete Townshend |url=https://www.synthhistory.com/post/three-questions-with-pete-townshend |website=Synth History |access-date=12 August 2024 |language=en |date=27 April 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Marks |first1=Ben |title=Rise of the Synthesizer: How an Electronics Whiz Kid Gave the 1980s Its Signature Sound |url=https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/rise-of-the-synthesizer/ |publisher=Collectors Weekly |access-date=12 August 2024 |language=en |date=1 October 2015}}
- Pink Floyd on Obscured by Clouds (1972), The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), and Wish You Were Here (1975){{cite AV media notes |title=The Dark Side Of The Moon |url={{Discogs master|10362|type=album|pure_url=yes}}|last=The|first=Pink Floyd|date=1973}}: {{smaller|1=“DAVID GILMOUR Vocals, Guitars, VCS3 / NICK MASON Percussion, Tape Effects / RICHARD WRIGHT Keyboards, Vocals, VCS3 / ROGER WATERS Bass Guitar, Vocals, VCS3, Tape Effects”}}.
- King Crimson on Lizard (1970) and Earthbound (1972){{cite news |last1=Logan |first1=Nick |title=KING CRIMSON — biggest one man band in business |url=https://geirmykl.wordpress.com/2021/06/14/article-about-king-crimson-from-new-musical-express-june-6-1970/ |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=New Musical Express |date=6 June 1970}}Sleeve notes for Earthbound.
- Todd Rundgren{{cite web |title=Todd Rundgren |url=https://jazzrocksoul.com/artists/todd-rundgren/ |website=Jazz Rock Soul |date=30 March 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Zanca |first1=Nick |title=The Wizard Speaks: An Interview With Todd Rundgren |url=https://reverb.com/news/interview-todd-rundgren |publisher=Reverb.com |access-date=12 August 2024 |date=23 November 2022}}
- Tangerine Dream{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bzKUEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA131 | isbn=9781009041591 | title=The Cambridge Companion to Krautrock | date=27 October 2022 | publisher=Cambridge University Press }}
References
{{reflist}}
Bibliography
- {{cite web |last=Hinton |first=Graham |date=December 2002 |title=EMS: The Inside Story |publisher=Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall) |url=http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsstory.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521015858/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsstory.html |archive-date=2013-05-21 |url-status=dead |access-date=2011-09-30}}
- {{cite web
| last = Hinton | first=Graham
| date = December 2002
| title = A Guide to the EMS Product Range - 1969 to 1979
| url = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html
| publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
| url-status = dead
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html
| archive-date=2013-10-31
}}
- {{cite journal
| last = Reid |first = Gordon
| date = November 2000
| title = All About EMS, Part 1
| url = http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov00/articles/retrozone.htm
| journal = Sound on Sound
| url-status = dead
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303173436/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov00/articles/retrozone.htm
| archive-date=2016-03-03
}}
- {{cite journal |ref={{sfnref|Reid Dec. 2000}}
| last = Reid |first = Gordon
| date = December 2000
| title = All About EMS, Part 2
| url = http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec00/articles/retrozone.asp
| journal = Sound on Sound
| url-status = dead
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110908053257/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec00/articles/retrozone.asp
| archive-date=2011-09-08
}}
;Models
{{reflist|group="#"}}
Further reading
- {{cite magazine|title=Retro: VCS3|page=55|magazine=Future Music|issue=63|date=November 1997|publisher=Future Publishing|issn=0967-0378|oclc=1032779031}}
External links
=Official=
- http://emssynthesisers.co.uk/
- {{cite web|title=An advertisement for the company, "every nun needs a Synthi" |url=http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/snaps/everynun.jpg |publisher=Electronic Music Studios (London), Ltd |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717010956/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/snaps/everynun.jpg |archive-date=2012-07-17 }}
- {{cite web |title=EMS Home |url=http://www.emsrehberg.de/ |publisher=EMS Rehberg (Germany)}}
=Articles=
- {{cite web |title=EMS VCS3 in the 1970s, part 1 |url=https://musicaficionado.blog/2020/09/02/ems-vcs3-in-the-1970s-part-1/ |website=The Music Aficionado |access-date=13 August 2024 |date=2 September 2020}}
- {{cite web |title=EMS VCS3 in the 1970s, part 2 |url=https://musicaficionado.blog/2020/10/14/ems-vcs3-in-the-1970s-part-2/ |website=The Music Aficionado |access-date=13 August 2024 |date=14 October 2020}}
=Modification and resources=
- {{cite web |author=Graham Hinton |title=A Guide to EMS VCS3 & Synthi A/AKS Modifications & Servicing |url=http://www.hinton-instruments.co.uk/ems/emsmods.html |publisher=Hinton Instruments}}
- {{cite web |title=Information on the EMS synthi A, KS and VCS3 |url=http://www.burningimage.net/synthesisers/EMS/ }}
=Software emulation=
- {{cite web |title=XILS 3, 4 and Vocoder 5000 |url=https://www.xils-lab.com/products/synthesizers-c-60.html }} — A VST simulation of a VCS3/VCS4 with Synthi Sequencer, and Vocoder 5000 by XILS-lab
- {{cite web |title=Synthi Avs Plug-In |url=http://www.emsrehberg.de/SYNTHI__s/SYNTHI_Avs_plugin/synthi_avs_plugin.html |publisher=EMS Rehberg}} — A (commercial) VST simulation of a VCS3/Synthi A by EMS Rehberg
- {{cite web |title=Cynthia |url=https://freevstplugins.net/cynthia/ }} — A free VST based on the architecture of VCS3/Synthi A by Ninecows
- {{cite web |title=iVCS3 |url=http://www.alessandro-petrolati.it }} — Official EMS iOS emulator by apeSoft, with preface by Peter Zinovieff ({{smaller|1=[https://i1.wp.com/www.apesoft.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/zinovieff-preface.png screen shot]}})
=EMS Synthi A=
- {{cite web
| url = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/
| title = EMS' homepage (last updated August 1998)
| location = Cornwall | publisher = Electronic Music Studios
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131125155112/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/
| archive-date = 2013-11-25
}}
- {{cite AV media
| url = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/snaps/everynun.jpg
| title = "Every Nun Needs a Synthi"
| medium = ad
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120717010956/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/snaps/everynun.jpg
| archive-date = 2012-07-17
}}
- {{cite web
| date =
| title = VCS3 & Synthi A Modifications
| url = http://www.hinton-instruments.co.uk/ems/emsmods.html
| publisher = Hinton Instruments
}} (last updated 2013-12-14)
- {{cite web
| url = http://www.emsrehberg.de/SYNTHI__s/SYNTHI_Avs_plugin/synthi_avs_plugin.html
| title = Synthi A-VS plugin
| publisher = EMS Rehberg | location = Germany
}} — A commercial VST simulation of a Synthi A by German EMS
- [https://freevstplugins.net/cynthia/ A freeware VST simulation of a Synthi A]
- [http://www.thesynthi.de/ The EMS SYNTHI BLOG]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ems VCS3}}