Showing posts sorted by date for query VCS3. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query VCS3. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Sunday, March 01, 2026
RING SM Sounds - A Ring Modulator/Sub-bass Generator & CP-3 Mixer for #eurorack
video upload by AJH Synth Official
"Playing around with the RING SM from AJH Synth. This is a hugely useful module, combining a 3-way all-analogue Ring Modulator, a -1 and -2 octave sub-bass generator, and 5-channel Moog CP-3 based mixer.
This is a real ring mod, as opposed to the more common, simpler and cheaper circuits found in many synths, such as the Odyssey, which often used CMOS chips to mimic the same behaviour. The authentic vintage circuit recreated in the RING SM is based on the Ring Mod of the EMS Synthi/VCS3, and has a hugely thick, rich tone.
The Sub Bass generator derives shaped square waves at 1 or 2 octaves below the pitch on an incoming VCO. This shaped squares are slightly curved at the edges, almost a cross between a square and a sine wave, which produces a much better balance of harmonic content and warmth/fatness than the common, purely square or sine sub basses found on most synths and modules, resulting in thicker yet more musical sub-octaves. Additionally, the 'Double' feature can generate an octave above the incoming triangle or sine wave.
The CP-3 mixers saturates as you'd expect from this classic vintage design, with soft clipping, and a boosted gain level on input channel 5."
Saturday, February 21, 2026
EMS VCS3 Cornwall Modifications
video upload by Rhythmicons
"Some of you might want to get your VCS3 modded. This is part one in a series of videos showing the ones that I have added to mine. Shown is the Voltage Controlled Waveshaper and the Variable Oscillator Sync."
Friday, February 20, 2026
EMS Universal Sequencer Playlist
video uploads by analogia pl
A few of these have been featured on the site before. You can use the player controls to skip around.
Playlist:
1. EMS Synthi with Universal Sequencer and RSF Kobol #emssynthi #rsfkobol #rolandph830
It’s a tune done on the Synthi and EMS Universal Sequencer with some help from RSF Kobol processed by Roland PH-830 phaser.2. 2 x EMS Universal Sequencer with Roland MC-202 #emssynthi #emsuniversalsequencer #mc202
Universal Sequencer is playing a sequence on the Synthi and the 202 - that’s why it’s called “universal” as both sequence and real time layers have CV/gate outputs. No effects other than spring reverb on the Synthi.
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Self Playing Patches by BENGE
video upload by Memetune Studio
"This series of studies explores an idea that Benge has been working on over the past year or so, namely that of Cybersynthesis. This involves programming self-contained patches on various modular systems which, once set in motion, will produce dynamic, evolving soundscapes, sometimes purely abstract in nature, at other times veering towards the more melodious
Many different methods were deployed in the patches, depending on the system being used, but normally multiple sequencer and switching devices were combined to give varying degrees of control over long time periods, often without repetition
Other things like random control signals and semi-random events were combined with the sequencers and switching units to bring variation to the performances the machines were making
The key idea at the heart of Cybernetics is the concept of bringing control to chaotic processes. To do this, some kind of feedback loop would ideally be established that can monitor and limit events that might otherwise spin out of control. The Serge and Modcan systems featured here each have various comparator circuits that can, to a certain extent, achieve this highly advanced synthesis feature
In the absence of such sensor paths, it is sometimes possible to use audio or voltage mixers and feedback chains to set various parameters to be on the very edge of chaotic behaviour, an approach used in many of the patches on display here
Other techniques such as the quantisation of voltages and the forcing of notes to play within certain predetermined musical scales were also employed in some of the pieces, which is another way of taming chaotic elements into into a more musical realm
Overall, a wholly experimental approach was applied to the various setups, with the intention of providing an insight into how these machines can behave. Of course, each system has an almost limitless depth to the complexity of patches available, and each track on the album provides just a single snapshot of each instrument used. But hopefully it provides an interesting glimpse into the wonders that these self-playing systems can achieve
Tracklist:
01 - Buchla 100 and EMS VCS3
02 - Serge Paperface
03 - Modcan A-Series
04 - ARP 2500
05 - Buchla 200 and DK Synergy
06 - Serge and LW Comparator
07 - Moog Modular 3C
08 - Roland Discrete System
09 - Buchla 200
MORE INFO HERE:
https://modular-station.com/modulisme...
Synthesiser programming and recording, design and concept: Benge (B D Edwards)
Made at Memetune Studios, England
(c)+(p) 2025 Memetune Recordings
Special thanks to Philippe Petit at Modulisme (modular-station.com/modulisme) for his continued support"
Friday, February 13, 2026
Songlines (soundscape) for Arp 2600, VCS3 and Gong
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: ARP, EMS, MATRIXSYNTH Members
LABELS/MORE: ARP, EMS, MATRIXSYNTH Members
Saturday, February 07, 2026
New From Hinton Instruments
via Hinton Instruments
New MIDI Modules
01 February 2026
Our range of 3U professional MIDI controlled analogue modules continues to expand with four new products. These are all in an advanced development stage and the order of release will be according to interest and demand. For further information please use the contact form.
With many 3U modules now using MIDI they may be directly connected with internal cables or brought out to panel connectors. Maximum flexibility for connector types, position in case, and routing is provided by Molex KK 0.1" headers on the pcbs.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, Hinton Instruments, New Modules, News
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, Hinton Instruments, New Modules, News
Friday, January 30, 2026
Semiqiuncentennial Tension
video upload by Rhythmicons
"An EMS VCS3 does a throbbing drone. The Moog Model 10 is sequenced by a synthesizers dotcom q960/q119 with a little help from the Mos-Lab envelope.
The Serge comprised of licensed circuits by Elby Designs, Catgirl Synth, all lovingly paneled and assembled by Rich at Lower West Side Studios of Canada. There is a Buchla clone of a Source of Uncertainty module assembled and paneled by Jason Fry of Free State FX that is randomizing various parts of an M401 Multimode (Arp 1047 clone) also built by LWSS.
From the 401, the audio heads to the Analog Craftsman Gristleizer. The result is a little rhythmic bubbling.
The title is a nod to Tricky’s Pre-millennium Tension album but nevertheless reflective of the current zeitgeist.
But hey, no sirens this time!
In the meantime I crave my own."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Buchla, Catgirl, Elby Designs, EMS, Free State FX, Lower West Side Studio, MOOG, MOS-LAB, Serge, synthesizers.com
LABELS/MORE: Buchla, Catgirl, Elby Designs, EMS, Free State FX, Lower West Side Studio, MOOG, MOS-LAB, Serge, synthesizers.com
Thursday, January 22, 2026
SWITCHTRIX ELECTRONICS KS SEQUENCER WITH INTERFACE/ARP ODYSSEY
video upload by SWITCHTRIX ELECTRONICS
"Our recreation of the classic KS sequencer using the output interface to connect to an ARP ODYSSEY.
This allows the KS to connect to 1V/oct synths or MK1 EMS Synthi/VCS3
For more info contact
mail@switchtrix.co.uk"
Red version in previous posts here.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: ARP, EMS, Korg, Switchtrix
LABELS/MORE: ARP, EMS, Korg, Switchtrix
Monday, January 19, 2026
EMS VCS3 Mk1 with EMS Universal Sequencer. #emsvcs3 #emssynthi #emsuniversalsequencer
video upload by analogia pl
"No effects, just plain VCS3. Fun fact: this is instrument used to belong to great composer Alvin Curran."
Friday, January 09, 2026
Distortion Spectrum for VCS3, Arp 2600, Moog Voyager, Mellotron and Percussion
video upload by R. Reger
"Most of the instruments on this track were run through a Fairfield Circuitry 20% More Slew Limiting Distortion pedal, which facilitates an enormous range of distortion options, from the familiar to the very unfamiliar."
Monday, January 05, 2026
Making a sawtooth and sine from a triangle wave - converting waves the opposite way as usual .
video upload by organfairy
"I switch it on at 4:35 and run it with a sequencer at 5:25.
After having made the 'classical' sine wave generator • Analog sine wave generator [video below] and the 'sort of digital' sine wave generator • Synthesizing waveforms with a frequency di... [posted here] a couple of months ago, I thought I should do a sine wave the third way - if not for other reasons it could be to say that I have done a sine wave trilogy: Start with a triangle and convert it to a sine wave.
This is a method that was often used commercially. If a function generator has both triangle and sine it is often made this way, and the XR2206 component that is often found on cheap tone generator kits works this way internally. I am not sure about the EMS VCS3 but I have a suspecion that OSCILLATOR 1 is also based on this idea as it can make saw and sine at the same time.
I do start with making a sawtooth wave though. I have not seen this method used before, but I doubt that I am the first to have done it.
The music is sort of a mood composition where I focused more on the mood and the sound construction than the melody, which is rather unusual for me as I consider myself a melody focused music tinkerer. Whatever it is I made it on my Roland D-20."
Analog sine wave generator
video upload by organfairy
"I test run it at 4:15
After making that "somewhere in the swampy wasteland between analog and digital sine wave generator" last week, I decided to try and make a classical analog sine wave generator - just for the fun of it.
Sine wave generators are sort of an interesting thing: They are basically just an amplifier connected back to front through a filter, but the amplifier needs to be regulated in some way, otherwise the sinewave will get distorted to a point where it is often more a square wave.
This sine wave generator is not controllable from a keyboard like the other one I made, so it is more for modulation purposes or maybe if I one day take up the obscure art of musique concrete.
The musique ridicule that I play during the video is something I fumbled together playing my Korg Rhythm 55, Elka X-1000, and Roland D-20."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: DIY, organfairy, oscilloscopes
LABELS/MORE: DIY, organfairy, oscilloscopes
Sunday, January 04, 2026
VCS3 sequence processed with Synthi Hi-FLi
video upload by Digitana Electronics
"A basic sequence being played on a VCS3 and processed with one of the re-release Synthi Hi-FLi's which has been modded to add hi level audio input and also external cv control of phase shifting. Some delay is also added.
The sequence has to be 'punchy' enough to trigger the attack/decay detector on the Hi-FLi (which a plucked guitar string would normally achieve). I am not using the external cv control of the phase shifting in this demo..just slow sine wave modulation selection. Treble boost has a huge effect on the sound as does sub octave. Fuzz tends to soften things."
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Benge electronic album Orgoustic Plus 30
video upload by Memetune Studio
"There is a new Benge album out today!
It's 30 years since I released my first album. This is a a kind of follow up
In 1995, I decided to set up a small home studio and record an album, using a combination of acoustic and electronic instruments. The result was my debut solo record Electro-Orgoustic Music, which was also the first release on my label Expanding Records
It was the beginning of a lifelong journey, a sonic adventure in which I explored my musical passions, combining old and new equipment, trying to discover my own unique voice with these fascinating instruments. I have followed my instincts and expanded my toolbox, but kept true to my original vision: to surround myself with inspirational tools and live amongst them, using them daily in my work and play
Here, I present to you an album made 30 years on from that debut recording, using a similar cast of instrumental characters, in fact many of the same ones which appeared on the first album
This album was made on the following equipment (asterisk denotes an appearance on the 1995 album):
Moog Modular 3C*
Arp 2500
Buchla 200
EMS VCS3*
Serge Modular
AKAI S950* / S5000 and AX73
Minimoog*
Yamaha CS40M
Korg Lambda
Baby Grand Piano*
Double Bass*
Clarinet*
Drums, Cymbals, Percussions*
Lexicon 224X and PrimeTime-95
AMS RMX16, Quantec QRS
Neve 88D Mixing Console"
Friday, December 19, 2025
Pits Playground & Perfect Pads 2 - Soundsets for Waldorf Iridium & Quantum synthesizer.
video upload by WaldorfMusicChannel
"https://waldorfmusic.com/produkt/soun...
With loving attention to detail, Pit created 69 patches that showcase the extensive synthesis capabilities of the Iridium/Quantum family. The sound set combines analogue warmth with digital precision. Special emphasis was placed on the interaction between playing and sound generation: thanks to extensive modulation routings, an organic flow is created that makes playing inspiring and lively. Ideal for losing yourself completely in the sound.
The sound palette includes Moog-style leads and basses, assertive brass and poly synths, PPG and Prophet VS-style wavetable sounds, as well as digital pads and atmospheric textures. Pre-made sequences, arpeggios and overloaded effects have been deliberately omitted. Instead, you get dynamically playable instruments that enrich your musical expression.
A real playground for lovers of ‘real’ synthesizer sounds.
Pit is a real synthesizer freak. He discovered his love for synthesizers and electronic music back in the early 80s. His collection includes legendary synthesizers such as the EMC Rehberg VCS3, Oberheim OB8, Minimoog and Memorymoog, to name but a few. And of course an Iridium Keyboard."
Perfect Pads 2 - Soundset for Waldorf Iridium & Quantum synthesizer.
video upload by WaldorfMusicChannel
"https://waldorfmusic.com/produkt/soun...
The second edition of the Perfect Pads collection, this time with 34 brand new meticulously crafted pad patches for the wonderful Iridium & Quantum synthesizer.
This pack makes use of the various native sound engines of the Iridium/Quantum, which are blended with high-quality recordings of some of the fantastic analog pad synths like the OB-X8 and ISE-NIN.
The result is another highly usable pack of presets with some of the widest and warmest pads available on the Iridium & Quantum, immediately usable for many different music genres or a great starting point for further tweaking."
Saturday, December 06, 2025
EMS Documentary Clips & Interviews
video uploads by Ektoplasmic Interzone
Update: video 8. w/ Liz Parker added.
Playlist:
1. Zinovieff featured on "Tomorrows World" (1968) - Clip from BBC Program
2. Zinovieff from BBC's "New Horizons" (1971)
3. Rise and Fall of EMS London - Zinovieff interview
4. EMS Studio London - Peter describes the challenges of the electronic studio
5. Peter and Robin at EMS Oxfordshire Studio
6. Malcolm Clarke demonstrates Synthi 100
7. VCS3 Waves and Harmonics
8. Liz Parker demonstrates Synthi 100 Radiophonic
And a massive playlist from Ektoplasmic Interzone featuring additional videos:
Electronic Music Studios (EMS) London Ltd Synthi
You can use the player controls to skip around. Click the drop down on the trop right of the player to scroll through titles.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: documentaries, EMS, exclusive, exclusive2025, Interviews, oscilloscopes, Updates
LABELS/MORE: documentaries, EMS, exclusive, exclusive2025, Interviews, oscilloscopes, Updates
Thursday, November 27, 2025
Analogue Systems (Part 1): About EMS
video upload by Stromkult
"This is the first part in a series of videos featuring the UK modular stalwarts Analogue Systems originally published in 2015. It was filmed during a visit of Andreas Schneider to Cornwall, where Analogue System's Bob Williams and Steve Gay reside and have built AS modules since the 1990s. After recently stumbling upon these videos again, we talked to Andreas and thought it would be nice to republish them and make them available on YouTube for the first time ever.
While Bob has since retired, Steve continues to craft modules with the same exceptional audio quality in South Cornwall. The video goes into the direct historical connection between Analogue Systems and EMS (of Synthi fame). Steve - who once worked for EMS and received exclusive license from EMS' Robin Wood to reproduce some of the VCS3 circuits - explains how this heritage has shaped the character of Analogue Systems and resulted in modules like the RS-510e Trapezoid Generator."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Analogue Systems, EMS, eurorack, Interviews
LABELS/MORE: Analogue Systems, EMS, eurorack, Interviews
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Maciek Polak "Remaining exercises For Synthi AKS Solo" - Master 31
video upload by analogia pl
"In 2016 and 2017, while working on the debut album for my band Pin Park, I recorded a few hundred tracks. Around 200 survived the first cut, and that number was eventually trimmed down to 50. These recordings were literally rescued by Marcin Bociński from legatomastering.pl after I had forgotten about them for quite some time.
The setup I used was extremely limited: an EMS Synthi AKS (occasionally a VCS3), an EMS Vocoder 100, and three Boss pedals (looper, reverb, and distortion). Everything was recorded onto a low-quality Zoom device running through a substandard mixer. Each track was captured in a single take with no overdubs, which meant there was no real possibility for mixing. Marcin’s mastering work was nothing short of amazing, bringing these raw recordings to life.
In 2018, Apekwolf Records released 14 of these tracks. The remaining 36 were never made available—until now. Enjoy!"
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
“Chain Reaction” Brainwaves controlling a Buchla Morphagene CV/MIDI setup & INA GRM Tools Atelier 🧠✨
video upload by Stephano Gavilanes
"Biofeedback exploration using brainwaves via the BI1 Brainterface to control a hybrid CV/MIDI Buchla setup with the Fake Noise - Morphagene, Magnetic Freak - Gaussian, and five instances of INA GRM Tools 'Atelier' via MIDI👌🏽
Original sample sounds produced with an EMS VCS3, a Buchla 200 system, and later processed with Atelier. Timpani type percussion extracted from my track “Maestro” which was created by accident with only a 212 Dodecamodule and a Folktek Resonant Garden as a feedback patch, loaded into Morphagene.
Hope you enjoy it! 🤙🏼
Music composed and recorded by Stephano Gavilanes.© Copyright 2025. All rights reserved."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Buchla, eurorack, Gaussian, Make Noise, soundmachines
LABELS/MORE: Buchla, eurorack, Gaussian, Make Noise, soundmachines
Thursday, November 06, 2025
EMS Putney s/n 377 & D.K.1 -Cardiff Unit SN 377
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this Vemia listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
"I bought this lovely old VCS3 / DK combination in April's VEMIA. Apparently the last of Cardiff University's EMS gear after many years. I knew the top panel was a bit tatty - the photos were clear - but I didn't think it would matter much in use. Actually it did. The bottom panel was excellent (except for Cardiff Uni's incised name and the serial number - exactly like the other one sold on VEMIA and the one on the Wikipedia entry). The wood of the case was excellent. So the missing screenprint bits on the main panel actually got to be annoying. Luckily the brilliant Robin Wood and Lucid were able to work out a solution. Robin had a replica panel made and screenprinted, and Lucid did the painstaking job of installing it. The result is just beautiful and well worth the expense.
Unfortunately circumstances mean that I now need to sell it. Everything else is exactly as it was in the last auction, so I'll use the same photos from that, just adding some new ones of the beautiful new main panel. It will be in perfect working order, thanks to Lucid's expertise.
As of Oct 31 it is now back at VEMIA and will be shipped from there.
Packing 30GBP."
via this Vemia listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
"I bought this lovely old VCS3 / DK combination in April's VEMIA. Apparently the last of Cardiff University's EMS gear after many years. I knew the top panel was a bit tatty - the photos were clear - but I didn't think it would matter much in use. Actually it did. The bottom panel was excellent (except for Cardiff Uni's incised name and the serial number - exactly like the other one sold on VEMIA and the one on the Wikipedia entry). The wood of the case was excellent. So the missing screenprint bits on the main panel actually got to be annoying. Luckily the brilliant Robin Wood and Lucid were able to work out a solution. Robin had a replica panel made and screenprinted, and Lucid did the painstaking job of installing it. The result is just beautiful and well worth the expense.
Unfortunately circumstances mean that I now need to sell it. Everything else is exactly as it was in the last auction, so I'll use the same photos from that, just adding some new ones of the beautiful new main panel. It will be in perfect working order, thanks to Lucid's expertise.
As of Oct 31 it is now back at VEMIA and will be shipped from there.
Packing 30GBP."
Buchla 208e module / Music Easel
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this Vemia listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
Pic of the inside back below.
"Buchla / BEMI 208e rev3 module in like new condition. All is good working, better than from the factory. I installed NOS µA726 and (re)calibrated the oscillators tracking, they have similar range and track well, the CO over 4 octaves and the MO over 5 octaves. I scaled the AM so that it reaches full level with the slider all the way up (and not around mid-course like on many units, which twists the waverform and causes modulation at double frequency). I can install it in a powered boat for standalone use. I can do modifications such as stiffer pots, Rogan knobs, dedicated out for each LPG or the CO (to sync the VCS3 Card's oscillator and FM the MO), reverb mix CV input, noise generator... Happy to discuss this with the buyer."
via this Vemia listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
Pic of the inside back below.
"Buchla / BEMI 208e rev3 module in like new condition. All is good working, better than from the factory. I installed NOS µA726 and (re)calibrated the oscillators tracking, they have similar range and track well, the CO over 4 octaves and the MO over 5 octaves. I scaled the AM so that it reaches full level with the slider all the way up (and not around mid-course like on many units, which twists the waverform and causes modulation at double frequency). I can install it in a powered boat for standalone use. I can do modifications such as stiffer pots, Rogan knobs, dedicated out for each LPG or the CO (to sync the VCS3 Card's oscillator and FM the MO), reverb mix CV input, noise generator... Happy to discuss this with the buyer."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Auctions, Buchla, synth guts, VEMIA
LABELS/MORE: Auctions, Buchla, synth guts, VEMIA
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© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH









































