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After a great deal of trepidation I am selling my prized EMS VCS3 MK1 with a modified EMS DK2 by Jeff at Analog Labs in NYC. I recently had a pro synth tech fully restore and calibrate both the synth and keyboard from parts from Robin Wood in the UK at EMS.

I am not offering return and your payment must clear my bank before I will ship the purchased items to a verifiable address in the US. If you are in Canada or elsewhere, you must speak with me before purchasing. Please contact me if you have ANY questions for the obvious reasons. 

The VCS3 (nicknamed the Putney) is an analog monosynth housed in a distinctive angled wooden case, a truly classic synth. EMS (Electronic Music Studios) was created in England back in 1969. The VCS3 was one of their first synths and it is still a great, unique, funky little unit! Pictured above is the Mark I model. Pictured above is my unit with the small wood-cased DK2 voltage-control keyboard required to play the VCS3 modified by Jeff at Analog Lab in NYC.

It has three oscillators, and a unique matrix-based patch system. Instead of patch wires, the VCS3 uses a patchbay grid in which the synth components are laid out, and signal routing is accomplished by placing small pins into the appropriate slots. The VCS3 was, in actuality, a modular type synthesizer reduced down to an extremely portable size.

It generates familiar sci-fi sounds (Dr. Who) and other truly analog sounds. Unfortunately, the oscillators tend to drift out of tune. There's a Noise Generator, 2 Input Amplifiers, 1 Ring Modulator, 1 Voltage Controlled Low Pass Filter (VCF), 1 Trapezoid Envelope Generator, Joy-Stick Controller, Voltage Controlled Spring Reverb unit and 2 Stereo Output Amplifiers.

Many of these EMS synth's have been used by Brian Eno, Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd, Stereolab, Yes, Aphex Twin, Autechre, Jean-Michel Jarre, Astral Projection, Klaus Schulze, Depeche Mode, Vince Clarke, Add N to (X), The Who, Todd Rundgren, Recoil, Freddy Fresh, John Paul Jones and many more

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Listed7 years ago
ConditionGood (Used)
Good condition items function properly but may exhibit some wear and tear.Learn more
Brand
Model
  • VCS3 MK1 "PUTNEY" AND DK2 Modified by Analog Lab
Finish
  • Tan / Brown
Year
  • 1969-1971
Made In
  • United Kingdom

Gear Garage

Marshfield, WI, United States
Sales:13
Joined Reverb:2017

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