EMS VCS 3
An early portable analog synthesizer from England, known for its matrix patching and use in progressive rock
Overview
The EMS VCS 3 is an analog synthesizer from Electronic Music Studios (EMS) in England, first produced in 1969. It is one of the earliest portable synthesizers. The design is modular, built around a matrix patching system that lets you route signals without patch cables. Pink Floyd and The Who used it heavily. Pink Floyd's "On the Run" from *The Dark Side of the Moon* is the best-known example.
Specifications
| Product type | analog synthesizer |
| Country of origin | England |
| Oscillators | three — two VCOs and a LFO, plus a noise generator |
| Original price | just under £330 in 1969 |
Design
The VCS 3 makes its connections by inserting pins into a grid. That is more compact than a pile of modular patch cables, and just as flexible. The design favors portability and hands-on experimenting, and the modular architecture is what lets you build custom sounds.
Context
The Synthi A came after the VCS 3. It debuted in May 1971 as a self-contained desktop version of the earlier machine. The later Synthi AKS is a different instrument, since it added a digital sequencer. The VCS 3 became a staple of progressive rock and experimental music, in live and studio settings alike.
Market
Original units now go for upwards of $20,000. Verified listings show prices between $22,000 and $26,000 for well-preserved models from the early 1970s. Rare versions with keyboards or modifications exist, and a prototype is held in a museum collection.
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