Dr. Who Daleks on the Ems Vcs3 and Moog Model 10

video upload by Rhythmicons

A Metallic Choir (soundscape) for VCS3, Arp 2600 and Percussion

video upload by R. Reger

"Original piece for analogue synths and percussion."

EMS Synthi VCS Field Trial

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via this eBay listing

"EMS VCS3 field trial by Studio Sound. Four large pages, b/w, Used, Good condition, 1971 vintage original, no punch holes, no writing, no highlights, no tears, no stamp. No returns, no refunds. Time keeps on slipping into the future."

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Assembling An EXACT Replica of the Priceless EMS VCS3. The Cloney Project

video upload by LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER

"Time to build this beast! samples/livestreams and the mentionned longer videos are available here, which also supports the creation of these vid! not at all possible without it :D thanks. www.patreon.com/lookmumnocomputer"

LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER EMS posts

EMS VCS 3 Putney The Cloney Project SN 018

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via this Reverb listing

"This is an assembled EMS VCS 3 clone from the DIY Cloney Project :

This unit is number #018

The 3 PCB cards were recently serviced and retuned by Matt, the funder of the Cloney Project.

It sounds perfectly, exactly as intended.

Cosmetically i's in great condition, some scratches on the right panel and a visible nick in the wood on the front side below the pandl.

I've been moving away from synths for a while and sadly I need to part with it. I bought it a few years ago considering this would probably be my only chance to ever own and plan a VCS3. Turned out it actually was :) and now it's ready for a new home.

Hours of fun. This machine has a soul. It's unique."

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2 x VCS3's Plugged into My Synthesizer to Make Some Fat Drones - Asbestos Dunes

video upload by LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER

"Playing International drone day in show canterbury tomorrow! check below for more info! Download Song Here :- / 129132777"

1971 Vintage EMS VCS3 Synthesizer

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via this Reverb listing

"EMS VCS 3 II

A beautiful and original synth built in 1971

This is in incredible condition considering its age

Fully working condition with no issues"

Pic of the inside below.

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The Unsettled Mind: Settled (soundscape) for Arp 2600, VCS3 and Tibetan Bell.

video upload by R. Reger

EMS VCS3 1970’s w/ Cricklewood Keyboard

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via this Reverb listing

"A true vintage collector’s piece. The EMS VCS3 aka “The Putney” has been used by Brian Eno, Jean-Michel Jarre, Pink Floyd, The Who etc.

This is an extremely clean example with minimal wear and tear. The unit has been wrapped in plastic and stored for decades. Recently unearthed, it was taken to a tech who replaced all electrolytic capacitors, rebuilt the power supply, and got the reverb in working order. This synth is also a very low serial number. Also included in the sale is the rare Cricklewood keyboard."

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EMS VCS3 Restoration with DK-1 Keyboard

video upload by Synthesizer Keith

"This video is a deep dive into the restoration of an EMS VCS3 and DK-1 keyboard. And yes, that is Alex Lifeson's [Rush] signature.

00:00 Play In
00:09 Introduction
01:20 VCS3 Demo/Assessment
06:43 Initial Repairs
09:37 Meter Repair
17:51 Power Supply and Amplifier Chips
22:00 Keyboard Assessment
23:30 The Keyboard Comes Alive!
26:30 Keyboard signals In Depth
28:25 Issues With The Trigger
31:27 Keyboard Sample & Hold
35:22 Keyboard and VCS3 Pitch Tracking and Velocity
38:10 Parts Graveyard
38:57 Alex Lifeson's Signature and Other Markings
41:23 Play Out"

EMS Synthi VCS3 Mark II Putney Spec Sheet

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via this eBay listing

Additional Tone Tweakers Listings

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Batch of EMS brochures, technical documentation, photographs and advertisements + chrome sticker

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via this Reverb listing

"Batch of EMS brochures, technical documentation, photographs and advertisements + chrome sticker

EMS Synthi users brochure - The book of sounds by David Stevens

Rare set of 2 reference books - EMS Vocom & Musys documentation by Peter Zinovieff & Peter Grogono

Rare A3 double page EMS Synthi synthesizers range In colour glossy paper

Synthi 100 - Synthi AKS - Synthi VCS3 - Synthi Sequencer - Synthi Hi-fli - Modules...

EMS Synthi Sequencer 256 - Genuine technical documentation

EMS VOCODER Rare advertising postcard in chrome plastic / carte postale chromée"

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EMS VCS3 Aggression

video upload by Rhythmicons

TMP-3-03 Vintage Synth TV Series from Benge

video upload by Memetune Studio

00:00 Opening Titles
00:17 Introduction
01:27 Switched On 80s
16:14 Synthesiser Club
19:48 Commercial Break
23:57 Patching Today
35:04 Little Black Boxes
38:53 Video Lab
44:22 Outro

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Episode three of the third series of the TV program from Benge, made at his Memetune Electronic Music Studio

The series explores his passion for vintage synthesiser instruments and studio gear and how he uses them in his productions and collaborations

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

It is divided into the following sections:

SWITCHED ON 80s - This third series takes an in-depth look into six classic 80s synthesisers, selected because of their interesting and unique attributes

SYNTHESISER CLUB - A short musical demonstration of a synthesiser classic or three, concentrating on 'families' of synths

COMMERCIAL BREAK - Some shameless Memetune shilling

PATCHING TODAY - A deep-dive into vintage modular systems and how to set up a patch on them, starting from scratch, this time using Cybersynthesis techniques to bring an element of surprise to the patches

LITTLE BLACK BOXES - A further look at some classic rack mount studio gear of the 80s and 90s

VIDEO LAB - A look at old video equipment and how to create experimental visuals, concentrating on a specific device in each episode

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

In THIS episode:

SWITCHED ON 80s - A detailed presentation on FM synthesis and its history, looking at the DK Synergy (as used on the Tron soundtrack), but mainly the Yamaha DX series of synths

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Nuremberg Wunderzeichen, 1561 C.E. EMS VCS3

video upload by Rhythmicons

"Upon learning that my new EMS VCS3 (Cornwall) was SN#1561, I looked up that year and learned that in Nuremberg, on Apr 14th, 1561, there was a report of a celestial phenomenon that was supposedly experienced by the townsfolk. This is an interpretive soundpainting performed entirely on the VCS3.

The primary source document is known as the Nuremberg Broadsheet. It was written and illustrated by Hans Glaser and translated by Isle Von Jacobi. The text describes an arial battle which ufologists have claimed is evidence of visitation by aliens. The primary source reads as follows:

'In the morning of April 14, 1561, at daybreak, between 4 and 5 a.m., a dreadful apparition occurred on the sun, and then this was seen in Nuremberg in the city, before the gates and in the country – by many men and women. At first there appeared in the middle of the sun two blood-red semi-circular arcs, just like the moon in its last quarter. And in the sun, above and below and on both sides, the color was blood, there stood a round ball of partly dull, partly black ferrous color. Likewise there stood on both sides and as a torus about the sun such blood-red ones and other balls in large number, about three in a line and four in a square, also some alone. In between these globes there were visible a few blood-red crosses, between which there were blood-red strips, becoming thicker to the rear and in the front malleable like the rods of reed-grass, which were intermingled, among them two big rods, one on the right, the other to the left, and within the small and big rods there were three, also four and more globes. These all started to fight among themselves, so that the globes, which were first in the sun, flew out to the ones standing on both sides, thereafter, the globes standing outside the sun, in the small and large rods, flew into the sun. Besides the globes flew back and forth among themselves and fought vehemently with each other for over an hour. And when the conflict in and again out of the sun was most intense, they became fatigued to such an extent that they all, as said above, fell from the sun down upon the earth 'as if they all burned' and they then wasted away on the earth with immense smoke. After all this there was something like a black spear, very long and thick, sighted; the shaft pointed to the east, the point pointed west. Whatever such signs mean, God alone knows. Although we have seen, shortly one after another, many kinds of signs on the heaven, which are sent to us by the almighty God, to bring us to repentance, we still are, unfortunately, so ungrateful that we despise such high signs and miracles of God. Or we speak of them with ridicule and discard them to the wind, in order that God may send us a frightening punishment on account of our ungratefulness. After all, the God-fearing will by no means discard these signs, but will take it to heart as a warning of their merciful Father in heaven, will mend their lives and faithfully beg God, that He may avert His wrath, including the well-deserved punishment, on us, so that we may temporarily here and perpetually there, live as his children. For it, may God grant us his help, Amen. By Hanns Glaser, letter-painter of Nurnberg.'"

Ultra-rare Waldeck 70s US Synth

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via this VEMIA listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.

Pics of the inside below.

"One of the rarest synths ever - this one is serial number 7 out of about 10 that were built. They were designed in the late 70s by Steven Waldeck, professor at the Art Institute of Chicago. Although there are so few of them there is a good deal of information gathered at the excellent matrixsynth site: https://www.matrixsynth.com/2016/05/more-info-on-vintage-waldeck.html?m=1 We had this example imported from the USA with the aim of having Dani at Hideaway do her magic - but sadly she has too many other projects on the go, and could give no idea of how many hours it would take - and how economically viable it would be. She did check it for electrical safety: 'If it was a 240V piece I'd say it would need some serious attention to detail and most definitely grounded - at 120V, I would say at the very least it should be checked over properly and some addition of sleeving/insulating sheet of the mains wiring on the transformer, fuse and switch terminals.' Bear that in mind along with Mark Verbos' honest appraisal of another example from the matrixsynth page, and consider it a fascinating project, inspired by the VCS3 but definitely not a VCS3. Good for sound effects and weirdness, but not accurately pitched notes. Dani's general verdict as it stands: 'This was clearly intended to be aimed more at making sound effects than to be used as a well calibrated and stable musical instrument - the whole thing is extremely drifty with very narrow usable control ranges on the oscillators - there is a fair amount that doesn't work but I still had some fun making some sort of recording with it to mark the occasion.' https://soundcloud.com/hideaway-studio/1978-waldeck-on-the-waldeck/s-2j3HAUd60BE (corrected URL!)"

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VCS3 "Putney"

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via this VEMIA listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.

"Here's a Putney in beautiful working and cosmetic condition. Although invisible, the INPUT LEVEL Channel 2 pot has been replaced by a multi-turn pot. Silk-screening is complete and it comes with its power plug and cover. One of the best examples around..."

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EMS Putney s/n 377 and DK.1 s/n 2090

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via this VEMIA listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.

"This is the second and sadly last Putney / DK.1 combo to come to VEMIA from Cardiff University Electronic Music Studio - one of the first and biggest electronic music studios in the world, with six VCS3s and then a Synthi 100. Another of the VCS3s from the studio is the featured instrument in the Wikipedia article https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/EMS_VCS_3.jpg - note the exact same type of security tag and engraving (E M Studio). The Wikipedia one is s/n 143. This Putney / VCS3 is s/n 377. The DK.1 is s/n 2090. Cosmetic condition is very good for things that are over 50 years old. There is considerable wear to the top panel silk-screening, and a few minor marks in the woodwork, but otherwise everything is lovely. The silk-screening around the matrix is in excellent condition - much better than average - and the matrix itself is very good. As well as looking great, they are in perfect working order, thoroughly serviced in September 2024 by EMS expert Lucid. The servicing includes replacement of all noisy pots and a correct set of matrix pins, all proper spec and sourced from Robin Wood at EMS. (Total invoice just under £1K).
The extra switch on the DK.1 reverses the dynamic voltage from the keyboard - perhaps in response to Carlos' criticism about the voltage as originally designed being negative. Lucid suspects this is an original EMS mod (and is identical to the other Cardiff Uni model we auctioned in April). **Now with one of Robin Wood's excellent padded covers for the VCS3 - money very well spent indeed. ** Packing at VEMIA: 30GBP."

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EMS Synthi A with Robin Wood mods, mint

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via this VEMIA listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.

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SYNTHI VCS3

video upload by rimela

"Multitrack recording of the Switchtrix VCS3. All sounds are made with the VCS3, drums from the Korg Minipops 120 and a few stabs from the Roland RS-09.
Very special thanks to Emiel for lending me his VCS3."