"Rare EMS Synthi AKS: A Unique Piece of Synth History
These synths are almost impossible to come by and hold a significant piece of electronic music history within their quirky exterior.
This one's been taken care of, and despite a small crack on the shell (which you can check out in the photos), it's seriously in fine fettle - always ready to add that certain something to your music that only a Synthi can.
And it's not just the Synthi itself - this rarity also comes with a Digitana Synthi Matrix Interface. An impressive device that cranks up the gear's flexibility, letting you delve further into soundscapes unique to the Synthi universe.
Forget mass-produced, vanilla synths. The EMS Synthi AKS is anything but ordinary. So, if you're in the market for a unique, hard-to-come-by piece of synth history, then this could be the one for you. Drop a line if you're interested - I'm sure this won't hang about for long!"
"Testing the new Dual High Pass Filter rack FX built under license from E.M.S (Cornwall) by Digitana Electronics and Portabellabz. This filter was originally found in the E.M.S Synthi 100 synthesizer. The unit has the exact same form factor as classic E.M.S rack effects modules from the 1970s.
"This is a new 19” rack module built under license from EMS (Cornwall) by Digitana Electronics (UK/Italy) and PORTABELLABZ (Belgium). It is a 100% faithful reproduction of the Dual High Pass Filter (DHPF) section found on early versions of the legendary EMS Synthi 100 synthesiser. An original spare ‘Mk1’ DHPF PCB from a Synthi 100 was kindly loaned by Robin at EMS and then faithfully reconstructed using the same trace artwork/layouts, via modern PCB design software. The PCBs are very high quality with ENS gold plated card edge contacts and traces. The same components as found in the original circuit are used throughout.
The DHPF rack case was deliberately chosen to be the same design as those found in the classic EMS rack instruments from the 1970s such as the Random Voltage Generator, Pitch to Voltage Converter, Octave Filter Bank etc. These were created in CAD from original engineering drawings kindly made available by Robin at EMS. The 1U high chassis is formed from 3mm silver anodised front/rear panels which are connected by solid aluminium side blocks and then 2mm anodised aluminium top/bottom covers. This allows the rack to be safely mounted in standard 19” rack enclosures. The panel graphics use anodic digital printing technology which is far more resistant to wear than silk screened graphics. Original control knobs/coloured inserts/jack sockets made by Cliff Plastics are also used to meticulously maintain authentic EMS design.
An optional beautiful wood rack sleeve is available with the exact same design as found in vintage units. These are made from Afrormosia hardwood (now on the protected species list) just like the original. The wood is ethically sourced from existing historical stock.
Inside the DHPF, the only change compared to 1970s rack modules has been to use a modern (and safer) switch mode PSU. This also has the advantage of allowing a wider range of operating mains voltages (from 98v–220v AC).
The Synthi 100 was designed by David Cockerell and the high pass filter design itself is rather unusual compared to other high high pass filters found in synthesisers. It has CV control of frequency cutoff but also has a response control which can control feedback of the output, creating a resonant peak that at extremes pushes the filter into self-oscillation. The use of diode ‘strings’ in the CV control section of frequency is quite unusual and is reminiscent of the same principle he used in his (later) Synthi Hi-Fli design, although there the filters sections are used to phase shift the input signal.
The high pass filter is capable of easily removing the fundamental in any audio passed through and then the first harmonic as the cutoff frequency is increased. By increasing also the response, the higher frequencies are boosted in a mix and eventually the filter will self-oscillate.
The two filters in the module are identical and a central three-way toggle switch has positions series, off and parallel."
"EMS AKS serial 482 (1999) with KS serial 45265. All in brandnew condition. got it new 2012 from Mr. Rehberg, EMS-Germany All Elektrolytic Capacitors have been renewed in 2020. Everything works as new. The Synth also has got the PWM Modification directly installed by EMS. AKS Keyboard and Synthi look brandnew. Original invoice available. You wont find any better offer. Included are: EMS AKS serial. 482, KS serial 45265 Digitana AKS MIDI Interface Digitana AKS CV Interface Digitana AKS Breakout Box extra PWM Cables, extra pins new Flightcase for the EMS AKS Synth foldable Stand for the Synth Power Cable & KS cable"
"ask.audio blogs about the 2017 recovery of a rare, one-of-a-kind EMS Synthi KB1 synthesizer, a model that never made it into production. This one was made for the band YES in 1971. Digitana Electronics obtained the synth and was looking to document some music history.
'We are pleased to announce that Digitana Electronics has acquired an important piece of E.M.S. history…the E.M.S. Synthi KB1 keyboard. Only one prototype was ever made, for the band YES in 1971.
'The synth never went into production. It has remained essentially unused for 46 years though Steve Howe (YES guitarist) did use it on a track in the first of his ‘homebrew’ demo recordings, some of which featured on the bands albums. We plan to release more photos and audio demos of this keyboard in the future so that E.M.S. fans everywhere can finally hear and find out more about this beautiful and historic instrument.'”
"EMS vcs 3 it comes with lots of mods done professionally at the factory in Cornwall,It is in mint condition and comes with all the associated leads for the mods Fully working in every way it’s like new,Also comes with 18 white pins ,8 Grey pins,4 red pins 30 in all Extra,Plus you get Digitana matrix interface,and Digitana Quad midi-cv, these two pieces add loads more options,The keyboard that goes with this Vcs3 Is on order been three years now Don’t know when it will come whoever buys this as the option of getting the keyboard , I also had a case made specially for it when I shipped it from UK to Malta. Better safe than sorry I will ship in case obviously adds to the Cost to shipping,"
"Legendary guitarist Charlie Burchill/Simple Minds runs through some of the signature effects of the iconic E.M.S. Synthi HiFLi FX unit, re-released under license to E.M.S. by Digitana Electronics. Huge thanks Charlie!"
"Includes very rare Synthi Matrix Interface by Digitana Electronics which connects to the Synthi via the Presto Patch connection.
Includes power cable, all patch pins plus a couple extra cables for modulation.
There were 3 mods done (one on each oscillator) which are factory mods and allow the user to modulate the "shape" of each oscillator. Apparently a tech who specializes in Synthis mentioned this Synthi is a "MKIII" with a reverb driver based on 741 + germanium transistors (great sounding), a 5-pole filter and a MC1496 ringmod.
The EMS Synthi A is one of the most classic legendary mono synths, and it really is worth every penny, it has such unique huge analog sound and can get a range of tones like no other synth. A must have for any serious collector or musician's studio. If you have been waiting for just the right Synthi, this is the one! Don't pass this legendary synth up!"
"EMS Synthi A --- In excellent condition!! Fully working and looks fantastic! Comes with full helping of patch pins, the Digitana Electronics Synthi Matrix Interface, 2 pin to mod jack cables and the power cable.
The 3 mods done(one on each oscillator) are factory mods and allow the user to modulate the "shape" of each oscillator. A tech who specializes in Synthis told me that this Synthi is a "MKIII" and that it has a reverb driver based on 741 + germanium transistors(great sounding), a 5-pole filter and a MC1496 ringmod."
Digitana Quad Midi-CV Interface for Synthi A(KS) / VCS3
Published on Aug 10, 2016
First the Quad Midi-CV Interface for Synthi A(KS) / VCS3. Below you'll find six SX-1 videos. Click here for previous posts on the Digitana SX-1. The SX-1 is meant to be an expander for the original EMS Synthi. It uses designs from Digitana, not EMS.
"4 channel Midi-CV module custom designed for E.M.S. Synthi A(KS) or VCS3 Synthesisers. In this small demo, using my VCS3, Osc1, Osc2 and Osc3 pitch (with invert option on) and Filter cutoff are being controlled via separate midi to cv channels."
"This EMS prototype is unique – there is only one made – for 'Yes' and Digitana just bought it from them or someone – it’s basically the Synthi A with another layout and minikeys. So it’s quite a modern approach – Microkorg-Style."
