EMS Synthi Hi-Fli - The Coolest Guitar Pedal Ever?

video upload by foleytronics fx repair

"EMS Synthi Hi-Fli with Dan:" The Rarest Guitar Effect Ever: EMS Synthi Hi-Fli

EMS Synthi AKS

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"Serial Number 45595.KS has just returned from a full service/overhaul and calibration by our favourite EMS specialist and sounding great.

It's had a full overhaul and been thoroughly tested for reliable operation. A rare chance to buy an excellent fully serviced and functioning example of this iconic synth. See photo of service invoice for more detail on work completed. Comes complete with brand new mains and umbilical cables.

This synth has lived a life - from the outside it appears to be quite scruffy, but open up the Spartanite case and internally it's surprisingly clean. It was originally owned by Hackney Downs School and was security marked to deter light-fingered pupils (why did my school not have a Synthi?).

The face and outer case have the school name engraved/branded: the former to the left of the meter, the latter near the handle. Externally the case is quite rough with marks/scuffs to the black plastic and rust to the chromed catches and handle, but it still has the original name plate and is complete. Internally, aside from the engraving, it's very clean."

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Maciek Polak "Remaining exercises For Synthi AKS Solo"

video uploads 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!"

CV/gate for EMS Synthi or VCS3 = instant MIDI fun

video upload by analogia pl

"This is one of many videos I've been uploading on IG that feature Papa's CV/gate card - an absolutely indispensable tool for any EMS owner. Add a MIDI-CV converter and you're now in MIDI heaven.

What's happening in this video: CVs and gate are supplied from 2oh2 - Tubbutec modded Roland MC-202. I'm sending CV on channel 1 of 2oh2 to oscillator 1 of the Synthi and another CV channel of the 2oh2 to oscillator 2. Gate comes from channel 1 of the 2oh2.

You can order the CV/gate card here: https://www.portabellabz.be/cvgate.html"

EMS Synthi vs. RSF Kobol (aka England vs. France)

video upload by analogia pl

"This is one of many sound studies I’ve called England vs. France, which will eventually be released as an album. I’ve used EMS synths for over two decades, but my life changed after I came into possession of the Kobol — one of the least popular, yet absolutely fascinating, monosynths."

EMS Synthi AKS with Vocoder 1000

video upload by analogia pl

RSF Kobol with TR-606 & Additional Demos

video upload by analogia pl

RSF Kobol demo clips


EMS Synthi vs. RSF Kobol

EMS SYNTHI AKS Jams

video uploads by analogia pl

1. EMS Synthi AKS jam

A jam from a few years back. I wonder where the VCS3 was at the time as the KS sequencer that I’m playing sits on top of the TKS that’s for the VCS3.

2. Electro-acoustic jam on Synthi AKS

I think I’m banging on the keyboard so much because dynamics channel was patched that day and the harder I pressed the louder output signal was.

3. EMS Synthi AKS and TR-909 jam #emssynthiaks #rolandtr909

The jam comes from the time when I realized that there actually is a way to sync a drum machine to Synthi AKS sequencer - you just have to hit PLAY every time drum machine starts new bar. It becomes fiddly when you have to play the keyboard at the same time.

4. EMS Synthi and EMS 8 Octave Filter Bank #emssynthi #synthiaks #emsvcs3 #ems8ofb

EMS Synthi plus some live piano loops processes by EMS 8 Octave Filter Bank.

5. EMS Synthi AKS jam #emssynthiaks #synthiaks

From 2018. I was using Boss RV-6 reverb stomp box that really went along very well with the AKS.

EMS Synthi A & Prestopatch Battle

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

Two separate listings.

Prestopatch Battle via this Reverb listing

"Original EMS Battle Prestopatch.

This thing is very rare and cool as heck."

EMS SYNTHI via via this Reverb listing

"This is a beautiful cream faced EMS Synthi A in fantastic condition. The case hardware shows some age and there is some mild scuffing on the bottom back of the ABS plastic part of the case but nothing that stands out. All mods built and installed by Robin Wood at EMS. Since I have owned it, it’s been kept in a padded case (included, see photos) in my climate controlled studio. The panel, pins, jacks, pots, guts, etc. are as good as new.

Aesthetics: There are labels applied by EMS that indicate the mods/expansions. As mentioned above, the metal case hardware shows some age, I took pictures of everything to be clear on aesthetics.

The mild scuffing on the ABS is not really noticeable to the eye but you can feel it if you run your hand over it.

I have included images of the pages in the manual that explain all of the mods and how they function. This is an amazing Synthi A that is 100% functional and clean with extras that add new dimensions to this classic beast."

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EMS Synthi A stolen from Synthorama

Some unfortunate news sent my way vis Swissdoc. Apparently someone has stolen an EMS Synthi from the Swiss synth museum Synthorama. You might recall the video walkthrough just posted here yesterday.

The following is via the curator of Synthorama, Martin Hollinger aka Airböurne (creator of the modular synth by the same name), on the Sequencer.de forum (translated via Google):

"Hello everyone

I finally managed to register on the forum. I'm the owner of the Synthorama and, due to a current event, I'd like to give you a brief update on the museum.

The Synthorama has been around for 25 years and serves to introduce synthesizers to a musically interested public. Almost all instruments can be played and tested here.

But you all already know that ;-)

Unfortunately, there are also people who misuse the museum. Since its inception, there have been four thefts, the fourth on August 2, 2025.

The first was about 15 years ago, when someone stole around 10 modules from one of my Moog modular systems while it was unattended and then filled the "holes" with other modules or even front panels. I didn't notice this for a long time because it wasn't that obvious.

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EMS -Synthi E 1975 Vintage Modular Synthesiser demonstration

video upload by Richard Scott

"Just renovated by the excellent Constantin at Portabellabz. It recently came into my position after sitting in a cupboard unheard for decades. It is weird cranky, and the controllers are uh, unpredictable but it certainly has some charm. This is just recorded on my phone using the Synthi's internal speaker. It even runs on batteries,though I haven't tried it yet"

Playing the Syntrx - Carlo Mezzanotte

video upload by carlomezz

"(testo italiano in basso)
A few quick patches on the Erica Synths Syntrx, a powerful analog monosynth. Here I used the original version, not the Syntrx II which came sometime later.
Based in Riga, Latvia, Erica Synths teamed up with engineers from Riga Technical University to design a modern instrument based on the EMS VCS3/Synthi from the early Seventies, keeping the same overall structure with a few additions. They also kept the patchboard matrix, but replacing the original pins with a digital system with patch memory.

Qualche rapido patch sull'Erica Synths Syntrx, un potente monosynth analogico. Qui ho usato la versione originale, non il Syntrx II uscito qualche tempo dopo.Con sede a Riga, in Lettonia, Erica Synths ha collaborato con gli ingegneri del Politecnico di Riga per progettare uno strumento moderno basato sull'EMS VCS3/Synthi dei primi anni Settanta, mantenendone la struttura generale con alcune aggiunte. Hanno anche mantenuto il sistema di modulazioni a matrice, sostituendo i pin originali con un sistema digitale dotato di memorie."

POLYGENE II - First Look

video upload by LA Priest

"Sound recorded directly from the back of the synth (No added effects / eq / reverb etc)."


"POLYGENE II is an all analog polyphonic synthesizer with two halves. One half is all-transistor class A from signal source through audio path two output, the other half is identical except it uses analog chips to generate dynamic customisable waveforms.

Inspired by the earliest polysynths of the 1970s, it is fully polyphonic (all 24 notes can be played at the same time), can be tuned to any scale or tuning, is multi-timbral and completely touch sensitive.

Touching any part of the synthesizer bridges connections in the circuitry and creates a unique sound.

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How do you feel about modifying vintage synths?

video upload by Soundgas

"How do you feel about modifying vintage synths?

Just got my EMS Synthi AKS back from a thorough overhaul and with a stack of mods added (it’d already had some historic and less than pretty ones installed).

People often ask whether modifying a synth like this affects value. While there’s no denying it can feel sacrilegious when you’re talking about an exceptionally well preserved example, I am 100% for anything that means old gear will get used more.

One of the worst things you can do with old gear is put it on a shelf and not use it. We regularly get contacted by collectors (or people who no longer use their now valuable vintage synths) expecting top prices for their precious instruments which come ‘serviced’ and ‘working perfectly - last time I used it’. A little digging usually reveals this to have been a decade or more ago and the service work is ancient history.

So if modding that classic synth means you’ll play it more and enjoy it, that to me is a no brainer.

I understand that this puts us at odds with many vintage synth collectors, but the majority of our customers - who want to use them (shock horror) for making music - seem to agree.

What do you think? Modify old gear or not?"

EMS VCS3 MKII

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via this Reverb listing

"Every Baby Needs a SYNTHI"

"EMS Synthi VCS-3 mk2 (Cornwall)

KS Keyboard unit not incl.

All tested and serviced all performing and works great. Comes with Eu type psu."

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EMS Rehberg Synthi Logik *overhauled & calibrated*

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via this Reverb listing

"This is the rare Rehberg version of the legendary EMS Synthi. It has been professionally serviced and calibrated and is in excellent condition."

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Original EMS Synthi A AKS VCS3 Germon Owners Manual, Handbook, 2nd Edition 1980

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via this Reverb listing

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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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EMS Synthi AKS

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via this Reverb listing

Pic of the boards below.

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EMS Synthi VCS-3 II Cornwall 70's

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video uploads by holdontoentropy

via this Reverb listing

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