EMS VCS3 [Vintage]

Overview

One of the very first synths created, in the late 1960s, by England-based Electronic Music Studios.

The highly portable modular synth featured a three octave keyboard, monophonic sound, noise generator, two input amps, one ring mod, one voltage controlled low-pass filter and spring reverb unit, one trapezoid envelope generator, joystick controller, and two stereo output amps.

Artists to have used these synths include Brian Eno, Pink Floyd, Stereolab, Yes, Aphex Twins, Tangerine Dream, Jean-Michel Jarre, Astral Projection, Depeche Mode, The Who and Recoil.

Specifications

Company: Electronic Music Studios (EMS)
Year First Produced: 1969
Produced Until: 1994
Polyphony: Monophonic
Oscillators: 3 VCOs (subtractive/FM analog synthesis)
LFO: Yes
Filter: Low Pass VCF
VCA: Trapezoid waveshape Envelope generator
Keyboard: No
Memory: No
Control: CV/Gate

Links

• Vintage Synth Explorer
• EMS VCS 3 @ Wikipedia
• Synthtopia
• EMS VCS3 Videos @ YouTube
• Electronic Music Studios Home Page
• EMS Synth Range 1969-1979 @ EMS Home Page