EMS VCS 3 - Description

Description

The VCS3 has three oscillators (in reality, the first 2 oscillators are normal oscillators and the 3rd an LFO or Low Frequency Oscillator), a noise generator, two input amplifiers, a ring modulator, a 18dB/octave (pre-1974) or 24dB/octave (after 1974) voltage controlled low pass filter (VCF), a trapezoid envelope generator, joy-stick controller, voltage controlled spring reverb unit and 2 stereo output amplifiers. Unlike most modular synthesiser systems which use cables to link components together, the VCS3 uses a distinctive patch board matrix into which pins are inserted in order to connect its components together.

Keyboards controller

Although the VCS3 is often used for generating sound effects due to lack of built-in keyboard, there were external keyboard controllers for melodic play. The DK1 in 1969 was a earliest velocity sensitive monophonic keyboard for VCS3 with a extra VCO and VCA. Later it was extended for duophonic play, as DK2, in 1972. Also in 1972, Synthi AKS was released, and its digital sequencer with a touch-sensitive flat keyboard, KS sequencer, and its mechanical keyboard version, DKS, were also released.

Related models

The VCS3's basic design was reused by EMS in many other of their own products, most notably in the EMS Synthi 100 (1971), and the Synthi A (1971) and AKS (1972) (essentially a VCS3 housed in a plastic briefcase). The AKS also has a sequencer built into the keyboard in the lid.

Also an earlier agent of EMS in the United States, Ionic Industries in the Morristown, Tennessee, have released portable-keyboard version of VCS3 clone. The Ionic Performer in 1973 was designed based on VCS3's circuit, replaced patch board matrix with over hundred of push-buttons, and added built-in keyboard and effects units.

• EMS Synthi A (1971),
  also called Portabella

• EMS Synthi AKS (1972)

• EMS Synthi 100 (1971),
  formerly Digitana, also called The Delaware