Hear the insane sound of the EMS Synthi VCS-3 vintage modular dream synth

[@legrandmaitre7112]

A friend and I used to play with one of these at art school in the mid 1970s - it belonged to the theatre design department and we'd go in at the weekend. I can still remember the day we got it to the point where it sounded like WW3 had started, insane subterranean noises, explosions and rumbling - quite frightening to be honest - but we couldn't stop the thing. Some 45 years on I can't recall how we solved this - apart from walking away and coming back some time later hoping it had died down - it hadn't. My tutor knew Brian Eno and he turned up in our studio one day. The following week he wrote a piece about his visit - either in MM or NME - expressing his surprise that art students were still drawing from the model every day.

[@mylarmelodies]

Amazing, thanks for sharing the memories!

[@thereisnodarkside]

Great story 😀

[@alancurrall]

I can't believe nobody's said it yet, I thought it was mandatory: "You sunk my battleship!"

[@busch028]

One of the most organic and haunting synths. This thing has a soul. It can't be tamed.

[@Mia1Goth]

it is amazing, to expensive but there is one Reaktor ensemble that comes very close to the sound of a real thing, probably the closest in software form and i am very happy with it

[@pavloskaphetes8476]

This is really my dream stand-alone synth. I’ve jonesed for one for 30+ years.

[@SRV2013]

Behringer VCS3 is coming and I can't wait.

[@gxzmvn]

@@SRV2013 omfg is that true? where did you read that??

[@SRV2013]

@@gxzmvn kzbin.info/www/bejne/lX3Hao2NfdeAh9k

[@xntricity6446]

@@gxzmvn its in beta testing, revealed on Facebook 👍

[@tto0508]

same

[@omarbonifacino3381]

❤very great sound wow VCS 3

[@brianwilson49]

lol I got to play on this VCS3 back in the early 90s when I was studying for a music degree. they had accompanying keyboard and sequencer as well as a system 100M.

[@Spaceshiptechnician]

This and the audio generator[ring modulator] were among the many reasons I got into Hawkwind in the early 1970's. Simply fabulous.

[@robst247]

Another reason was drugs?

[@ghostape]

I love the genuine excitement at the sounds being created from both of you. Great watch!

[@christopherborger8736]

What makes this video so good is that it’s not a tutorial rehashing the basics. It’s two people just playing with it. Imagine this is what it would have been like for Eno or any other synth pioneer getting their hands on one and creating the music that we love today.

[@0Fdigital]

I recently bought a Syntrx, and tried to replicate the "articulated whup" sound at around 9:30; I got pretty close! Such a fun synth.

[@tto0508]

"WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWHOMPPPPP-" - VCS3

[@rexterrocks]

I was amazed to see that Behringer put out photos last year of a prototype of a clone they have built of it. It's a synth that I've always wanted but could never afford so I'm looking forward to see what comes of it.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Yeah i am ALL here for it and can't wait if this thing hits the market. i'd LOVE to touch a clone of this classic. I wouldn't even mind if the reverb would be software.

[@ncapone87]

​@@KRAFTWERK2K6 reverb tanks are pretty cheap, hopefully they put one in.

[@amber1862]

What a frightening yet beautiful little fucker that synth is. I've never heard a synth that consistently sounds like it's in its own little world, even without the reverb.

[@HeathcliffBlair]

Nice video of one of the best and most unique sounding synths ever. Thanks.

[@ontology3]

I used to dream of these, i still want one lol. They legit look so comfy.

[@jdavis.fw303]

Damn.....!!!! That bass to metallic "clang" sound at 11:10 is bonkers!

[@PocketUnv]

Have to be honest, didn't know I needed one of these until now. Dang it.

[@edwardprue]

Actually got to touch one of these a few years ago at RobotSpeak SF's annual synth confab. I did not acquit myself nearly as well - fine job, sir! Thanks for the awesome sounds, and thanks to Dr. Liz for hosting.

[@Kohntarkosz]

I've been in love the EMS synths since the 80's, when I first heard bands like Hawkwind and the various projects where Brian Eno used his VCS-3, as well as the Jon Pertwee era Doctor Who stuff, which seems to have a lot of synthi on it, too. Would SOOOO love to own a Synthi AKS (or, perhaps even better, a Synthi-100).

[@EHiggins]

Jon Pertwee was my favorite favorite. Those sounds, the Who mobile, and Sarah Jane!

[@chrisbywater275]

I rewatched some Pertwee Dr Who? episodes when they repeated in the 80's and was astonished how LOUD the synth noise was particularly on The Sea Devils

[@KylesDigitalLab]

If anyone wants to hear more of an EMS VCS3 in action, Todd Rundgren used the synth in the early 70s on "Runt. The Ballad" and "Something/Anything?". "Breathless" is a prime example of this.

[@Miler97487]

I'd add on Gong's You (1974) which featured some of Tim Blake's best synth playing on a Gong album featuring the EMS Synthi A extensively, and his first solo album Crystal Machine (1977).

[@jonaseggen2230]

This is honestly really captivating and touching. I'm impressed and into synths and all but not that into synths (and all) so it's is your enthusiasm here that gives me tears in my eyes : )

[@mylarmelodies]

😘

[@my4trackmachine]

I always love the stuff that comes out of these synths

[@Hunter_UT]

Nice video, thanks. I'm fan of Scooter group, they made "We Bring The Noise" album in 2001, and in list of gear which they used was a lot of old weird machines from 70's, and this one was in list to. Now i'm get where from that Sci-Fi blip-speed effect in "Chinese Whispers" track, and brutal and low "Whroooom" sound in "Devil Drums" (like at 12:00).

[@slowgaffle]

That is very cool, I've always thought those things were awesome. Thanks for the demo. Those sounds towards the end are so nice

[@bangerbingley]

Knobs. Plastic. Nuts. Bolts. Washers. Wood. Oh and Electrons. Who would have thought some dude could create such a thing of wonder out of such rudimentary bits and bobs? That thing is a work of audio genius.

[@SuperTinyeyes]

Nice, we had one of this at uni, before I was into synthesis. If only I knew!! I'm gutted to have been so close yet so far from playing one haha. Amazing sounds.

[@VincentsVideoVisions]

Can't wait for the Behringer version lol

[@vytispuronas]

09:15 + 10:10 + 11:10 Absolutely incredible! Who needs sequencers?

[@Beaufort-Wes]

its epic, could do with no narration :D

[@doselabs]

10:00 is completely absurd and hilarious and beautiful!!!

[@looseandjanglingproductions]

Wonderful presentation. I've always wondered what this was and how it worked ever since I first heard DSOM nearly fifty years ago.

[@fully_privatized_mass_medium]

that thing sounds beautiful as hell / glad you got to interact with one

[@Showvars]

oh my goodness this synth sounds awesome

[@bobule]

Epic synth, I had one on loan in the early 00's, we sent it back to EMS and got osc sync and new pins. So insane, I wish I had one!

[@vinnowater]

That demo is great. I could literally sense the joy in your voice. I’ve always thought there is something inherently techno and badass about the VCS3. I think it has to do with the shape of the modulation sources and the way you can patch them. I would love to have one in my studio for just a week and sample the shit out of it. Obviously the ideal would be to own one but it’s most definitely out of budget.

[@timdailey2690]

Epic analogue goodness! Love the spring reverberations

[@chedhead3278]

Cheers Alex, weird, wonderful and totally compelling noises, love it!

[@tto0508]

This is one of the Stradivariuses (in terms of expense) of synthesizers (such as the Yamaha CS 80 and Moog System 55). Just imagine having to spend 23 grand over a sound effects unit! The potential of using so much dials, along with a Battleship-esque pin matrix and a joystick. Even the portable version of this beast, the Synthi AKS (which is actually more fitting with instrumentation and sequencing), is also part of the Stradivariuses of synthesizers, as it also costs 23 grand (if I remember correctly). All the wonders and magic starts with *_almost emptying your wallet by spending 23 grand._* If you do so, you are an extremely amazing person.

[@onsesejoo2605]

There were keyboards available for these as well, DK 1 and duophonic DK 2.

[@avantlanuit]

wow what a dream machine. It's a sweet pleasure to hear it like that. Nice demo, thank you.

[@robertsyrett1992]

This has the perverse effect of making me want that new Erica Synths recreation of the VCS3.

[@pyptlim5041]

sadly its not a recreation of a VCS3 - just "inspired by"

[@robertsyrett1992]

@@pyptlim5041 I have had enough with perfect recreations. Let me just have a go on something that works the same way and I'll survive. I mean, the Erica Synth designs are still all analog and their other stuff sounds spot on. I have faith that it will be good.

[@Chevytravelleruk]

The Behringer one should be ready early next yer

[@TOMLEW1S]

@@Chevytravelleruk maybe they'll show a prototype....24 months later the real thing :)

[@blaythessteuer]

@@robertsyrett1992 erica does a lot of digital stuff though...

[@howardanderson3061]

Cool, I thought I recognized the machine. This is what Brian Eno used to effect various instruments live with Roxy Music. On the back of one their albums the playing credits for Eno read something like. Brian Eno-Synthesizers and treatments. The patching is very clever....Thanks, great show you've put on here.

[@Kohntarkosz]

Eno did the "treatments" thing on a lot of people's records, routing guitars, vocals, whatever through his EMS synths. At one point, he had a console with two VCS-3's built into it, and I think he also used a Synthi AKS on side one of Discreet Music.

[@howardanderson3061]

@@Kohntarkosz Thanks, fascinating stuff...

[@arcadeapocalypsemusic]

Just can't put the feeling this synth gives me into words & I have rewound that part that begins at 10 min. SO many times .That honestly made me come to the conclusion that I NEED one of these clones for my music IF Behringer actually comes through with producing them that is lol

[@zackcolbourne6921]

I got to hear a great performance on one of these in person in Vancouver. It has such a uniqe raw sound, almost like a test equipment setup.

[@positronalpha]

Just like you convinced me to buy the Peak (thank you), I now have to get one of these.

[@mixolydian2010]

Brilliant. I went to Huddersfield uni,they never told me they had one of these. Cheers great fun.

[@mundungous]

11:07 onwards makes me want to sell a kidney

[@8bitDude0]

Sounds exactly like Coil

[@jimmy_jamesjams_a_lot4171]

It is just now occurring to me, how close the Korg Volca micro-modular can get to the sounds of this EMS VCS Box ‘o Treatments!?! There are some of those thick and heavy ‘ring-modded’ sounds from old Buchla stuff as well, though I wonder why Korg didn’t actually pitch their Volca Modular as the ‘VCS’- styled Volca?

[@zeitgeist909]

All synths now HAVE to come with a spring reverb in the case. ALL SYNTHS.

[@manukauheads4061]

wee woo wee woo brrrrrrrr wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii njoooooooooooooow

[@xntricity6446]

If behringers version is 90% of this machine i will be satisfied however i think they will achieve 95% or there abouts. Absolutely beautiful contol in this video, thanks for sharing.

[@larsfrosznielsen3536]

Dream machine....absolutely fantastic

[@TOMLEW1S]

3 VCOs, a proper nasty filter, spring reverb and a pin matrix...simplicity itself.

[@vooveks]

Wow. That really keeps on giving. Brilliant sounds near the end. I've got the iPad version - hardly used. I'm interested in seeing if I can copy the settings here into that. Theoretically it should work, although I can't quite read some of the knob positions.

[@derrylallen]

yea im convinced Cecil Leuter used this on Stereo Sounds .soon as it plays your eyes will roll to the top of your head and your shipped right off into mars

[@GNeuman]

"You sunk my battleship!"

[@stephenjames4937]

I can see that this is not a synth that you would use for making melodic music. But I know I've seen footage of Eno using one with a keyboard, in a very musical way. I look forward to Behringer's version coming out, and seeing/hearing what it can do, and how well or little it would suit me, because there's no way I'd ever be able to afford the real thing.

[@chrisbishop1534]

check out Arturia v6!it's a software version of the ems aks and it's a faithful copy that works really well.And you get a 20 min demo to play with!

[@fulhjort]

I love the sound at 10:11

[@GNeuman]

Best demo ever..thank you

[@Digiphex]

It is gorgeous.

[@ZuluEchoRomeoOscar]

I used to own one in the mid-seventies - ex BBC Radiophonic the guy who sold it to me assured me. Selling it when broke in the early eighties (for a pittance, 'cos no one wanted old shit anymore) remains one of my biggest regrets.

[@mylarmelodies]

Oh my god. MATE

[@ZuluEchoRomeoOscar]

I know....

[@maydaygoingdown5602]

Dddyyaamm Son, you could retire on these things selling in today's market.

[@walrtbstudios5430]

As I doubt we’ll be seeing the Behringer clone before about 2030, I’ve promised myself a Syntrx 2 when I retire in nine months time. After all, I have been waiting for more than fifty years!

[@davidhrivnak]

"Articulated whop" was a great description of that waveform

[@Monica-br8pi]

I think one of these or similar was used for making the sound in the Marauder theme from spiderverse.

[@chrisbywater275]

My first live experience of VCS3 was Kingdom Come 1973, with Victor Peraino starting the set with throbbings and bubblings

[@ricardopineda8224]

This synth was used by Richard Wright with Pink Floyd, it is great.

[@ElectronicazMusic]

Awesome !

[@benji.B-side]

Tis a thing of beauty!!!

[@rthe0]

can just imagine sampling this for drum sounds

[@PatCraft]

Damn... that just looks like so much fun

[@dandykaufman2]

instant film score

[@nadeharry]

but the akkustik signal is not dry ... what kind of effekts are in funktion ? ...sorry my bad english

[@mylarmelodies]

Spring Reverb!

[@diglet553]

Ah man! I had a go on these ages ago when my mate used to work in the tech stores there. It's mad scientist stuff the VCS :D

[@zaphyd]

Ace! Nothing sounds like a Synthi!

[@gregcoles9175]

sufficiently bonkers! sample library please!!

[@l1fef0rm]

Is this similar to the synth FSOL have been working on? Looks very similar.

[@kirkegodfrey414]

Im developing a theory about modular Vrs software Instruments. Modular makes things happens slowly, so you pay more attention, and the fact you have ACTUAL knobs means you play more. If you set up a controller for any of the more seriously flexible soft synths, perhaps there would be the same level of play and FUN involved ?

[@mylarmelodies]

Yeah I definitely believe so - interface is critical! Just because I could get a near identical sound to a real analogue synth on a plugin doesn’t mean I’ll want to spend the time required to really squeeze an amazing sound out of a plugin, vs. a hardware synth. One invites play, and lets you use two hands - the other just mouse clicks and drags - What SoundForce are doing in making controllers for popular plugins is great I think, more of that pls!!

[@kirkegodfrey414]

@@mylarmelodies Ihad to look those up. but are they all just for Replica hardware plugs? Something that gave a lot of hands on for things like NI Massive would be interesting (although it would need to BE MASSIVE) :+)

[@THIEFSOUNDS]

@@mylarmelodies what soft synth can sound like this EMS?!

[@DetlevSchwabe]

THIEF xils-lab has been making a virtual and enhanced version for some time. Check it here: www.xils-lab.com/products/xils-4-p-148.html Oh, and Arturia makes a decent Synthi-A emulation too, it's called Synthi V or so.

[@vooveks]

@@mylarmelodies Yeah, you need that type of controller that actually has dedicated and _named_ knobs/sliders, at the very least to get the equivalent feel. If you use a generic MIDI controller, it's better than nothing but you have to remember which knob you assigned to what (unless you label them somehow and you still have the problem when changing plugins). Difficult and even more so in the heat of a gig...

[@DetlevSchwabe]

Is there a difference between the differently colored pins? Are some of them resistors? I think I read somewhere that this was the case for the Synthi 100. Also, does the VCS3 have external voltage and gate inputs?

[@zaphyd]

Yes, each pin color has it's own value. You can use the two signal inputs as CV inputs, don't know if you can externally access the gate without modification.

[@simonkormendy849]

Those pins actually contain resistors (I think they are about 10k in value if my memory serves me right), the red pins contain resistors which are made to tighter tolerances than the ones in the white pins, you're supposed to use the red pins when you're patching control voltages to the three oscillators so that they track each other more accurately, each of the three oscillators are calibrated so that for each .32V increase in control voltage, there's a roughly 1 Octave increase in pitch, or in other words, the frequency roughly doubles for each .32V increase in control voltage applied to the oscillator's C.V. (control voltage) input.

[@paradiddle16]

Pretty unique beast this is.

[@bp9884]

Chit chatted over the whole thing well done

[@mylarmelodies]

Thanks

[@kabood777]

beautiful beast !!!

[@MmostlyRandom]

its totally bonkers. love it

[@AndyVonal]

Woowie!!! That was sooooo cool! Can't afford one of these - guess I'm just going to have to save up for that new Erica machine... Oh dream on, Andy.... I'll ask Rupert if I can borrow it.... Hey Rupert, can I borrow one of Huddersfield's VCS3s for a few days?

[@djformalin]

Beautiful 🎼

[@artnoiseproductions3240]

Hi there: EMS have the most interesting synths ever made,It's unbelievable that they went to bankrupt. Am quite interested in "Psychedelic Rock".Can you teach us how to operate this synth ?... Pleeease !

[@mylarmelodies]

Wish I could but I don’t own one!! Would have to be lent one which would require a lot of kindness from someone in Northern England…

[@gorsefan]

My favourite bit was the sweet juxtaposition with the "Pete Tong Ibiza Classics" advert 🎷😂

[@mylarmelodies]

Oh wow - you’d hope the algorithm should be slinging you Portishead and Chemicals - or the Arturia plugin!!

[@gorsefan]

@@mylarmelodies yeah you'd hope so right! I guess it struggles to match sonics from the womb of spacetime. Lovey video though, a real treat. Thanks.

[@gordonrobertson102]

Does anyone know how the reverb was implemented ?

[@mylarmelodies]

Yes indeed, I even made a video about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZ3PnmWcp7-XjpY

[@idobabayoff]

Best synth ever. Comeon uli

[@mylarmelodies]

This is the one Uliclone I would seriously have to consider, even though owning it would make me a massive hypocrite (I don’t love a lot about how they conduct themselves..)

[@JL-vg9tx]

Good news for you today... looks like they are thinking about it seriously

[@kosmikmusa]

Unbeatable sounds. May I ask what Rode mic are you using?

[@mylarmelodies]

That’s the NT5!

[@mauriciomandara5946]

I will love to see a reproduction in eurorack of an EMS as you did with the easel 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 tip start with a diode ladder filter

[@JEPeters00]

Wow yeah definitely sounds a lot like Dig Your Own Hole. Which is never ever a bad thing. Nice demo, Thx

[@keythinwatford7153]

There’s an app for that on Apple.

[@thedeepblueskys]

Wouldn’t mind having a go at this.

[@EHiggins]

So I played this really loud and every dog in my neighborhood was like... "I haven't seen a Swatch in years."

[@CastToVoid]

Not the most important part I know, but probably your best thumbnail so far

[@mylarmelodies]

It helps!! Squiggles FTW

[@CastToVoid]

@@mylarmelodies praise be the squiggles!

[@wesleyleigh4063]

how does the output always sound like it's been played in a dimly lit room? it's literally a horror synth

[@audiodood]

It’s got that spring reverb

[@charlesrose2]

where can I hear the lady play this machine?

[@mylarmelodies]

Don’t know if Liz has done any music that’s out there with it but here she is on Soundcloud: soundcloud.app.goo.gl/FZ8oPWzixzppZWe3A

[@BarnacleButtock]

This is still the best VCS3 video I can find on KZbin. Quality is supreme.

[@mylarmelodies]

🎛🙌✨

[@validcore]

Do you mind if I pull some samples from this?

[@mylarmelodies]

Go for it

[@Peter_S_]

It's easy to see why a VCS-3 was the clear winner to create the space noises used by Hawkwind.

[@chrisarndt8251]

I’ll take it!!

[@Rhythmicons]

Is it bolted to the table?

[@mylarmelodies]

Yep!

[@Rhythmicons]

I'm on the list for a Cornwall VCS3 andit's getting close.@@mylarmelodies

[@mylarmelodies]

🙀 Ooft. Let us know how that goes

[@Rhythmicons]

I'm currently no. 5 on the list, slated delivery: Autumn. @@mylarmelodies