I always think of Todd Rundgren when I think of the VCS3 (The Putney). He had the first one in New York; David Gilmour visited him to check it out and subsequently bought one.
Wow, that's cool, to have been there! Yes, I realise I'm lucky to have one. I paid what I thought at the time was a lot of money for it about ten years ago. I also have an AKS. My first experience of these was in my Dad's college, they had a huge sound room with an AKS in it, plugged into massive tannoys.
It's like the theremin that didn't get the memo that it was supposed to be a theremin so it grew a bunch of buttons, dials and a lever-stick thingy and became this.
Despite these still being made ( like 4 a year by the looks of it ) they are rare , i did see one sell for under £8000 recently , worth it ? well if you have £8000 then maybe , they do way more than many videos show , very very large pallet of sound , its actually an amazing sound source for abstract loops , drums , pure raster noton stuff , microsound , incredible really.
Amazing sounds. Even if this machine is over 30 years old, it sounds so futuristic. By the way, the segment from 0:00 to 4:16 could fit well as an intro for a old school rave party!
Yes you can, if you have a keyboard that will interface with the instrument. EMS made such a keyboard back in the day, but it seems like most people made do without it. Or you could play melodies by sweeping the frequency controls on the oscillators back and forth, kinda like playing a slide whistle. And of course, there's the Synthi AKS, which is basically the same instrument, in a very James Bond style briefcase, with a built in touch keyboard and sequencer.
@TomZentra: That's only one side of the coin. Synthesizers like the VCS3 also were created to explore new ways of musical expression, not just mimic other instruments or make music in the classical sense. There's a reason why they are still popular, and it's not just nostalgia... :)
best synth ever... somebody needs to remake these in a rack model with midi and recall. I'm waiting. I think it really needs to be reissued, it's time.
@rimefrostkitten I guess. Simeon from Silver Apples controls his synths by turning nobs for pitch and pressing buttons to play the sound with his knees, feet and elbows.
@DJGahann That's fine, but one can do much more for less money with modern hardware and software. Remember this… the goal of the VCS3 and other devices was to make music, not weird sounds. But in the days of the VCS3 and other primitive hardware designers were just learning what components were necessary to create and modulate waveforms appropriately.
Cool. I know this was all over "Dark Side of the Moon", but I wonder if that's it's also what I heard in the "NBC Mystery Movie" theme and maybe on the "Gallery" version of "I Believe in Music". Seems that theramin-like sounds were big back then.
@Alembic25 The vintage ones are very expensive. However, production of new ones resumed some years ago. I don't know if they are still being manufactured. Try searching the web. You really have to want one of these synths to buy one. They are extremely primitive. The novelty wears off very quickly.
@sirwatchalot I read somewhere that the VCS3 was marketed as the Putney for the US market; it might have just been the American distributor's choice to rename it here.
amazing machine.the sounds it can create are just unbelievable. a good friend of mine has the same synth. i like to go there to see what he creates on this synth. it's never the same. would like to own one these
@TomZentra are you kidding.... novelty.... yeah treat it like a novelty and get bored with it..... or follow it down the bottomless pit of inner space ...or let it take you on a journey to outer space... it is all up to you
Good Afternoon! A NUMBER OF THE GREATEST ROCK ALBUMS EVER RECORDED WOULD NOT BE AS GOOD AS THEY ARE TODAY IF WEREN'T FOR THE VCS3. THERE ARE SO MANY EXAMPLES I CAN'T LIST THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@yonskii Nothing really, it's just more 'hardcore' to rely solely on oscillators and modulators, rather than simply pressing everything at the tip of the finger on keys.
There is a guy named Glen Stegner who makes a couple of standalone analog softsynths and makes them available free for download. I made a video of a creation of mine made with his MiniMogue VA softsynth. There is also a link on where you can download your own free in the description. The title of my video is Analog Synthesizer by TheCuse13
With companies remaking the old classic synths like the Minimoog, ARP Odyssey and the Korg MS20, it would be great to see someone recreate the VCS3 but updated with a touch-button LED patchbay so it was programmable, and a delay instead of the spring reverb, it would sell like hot cakes!
That filter, combined with the multi turn knobs and patch matrix is all I really need! Everything else is icing on the most glorious cake that’s ever been invented..
There is a guy who makes free software standalone analog synthesizers that come with a functional keyboard. I made a video of some of the stuff I have done on it and a link to where you can get it.
The beginning sounds like some concerts of Tangerine Dream in 1974 (for example part two of their concert in Reims (ua-cam.com/video/2sK0MIuz104/v-deo.html ) or their concert in Sheffield (ua-cam.com/video/eeKtPRItmq8/v-deo.html )).
can these sounds be recorded digitally for computer software editing? anyone? I want to make a digital film using a synth like a XILS 3 for all the sound effects and music.
ha! my old VCS3.. i always wondered where it ended up! email me for some more comprehensive history (if you dont already know..the last owner(s) may of told you...Peace.
"Welcome......to the Machine!!!"""
You're into and appreciate lots of great things like the VCS3.
OMG i have seen some videos with Medeski Martin and Wood from your UA-cam channel!
I always think of Todd Rundgren when I think of the VCS3 (The Putney). He had the first one in New York; David Gilmour visited him to check it out and subsequently bought one.
I think of klaus schulze, tim Blake and Manuel Gottsching, who used it to most fantastic effect that is always refreshing to the mind.
This is amazing. The VCS3 has held out for so long and it still well known and well respected, just as it was in the early 70's. very cool! :)
These timbres are thoroughly naughty! Thank you for sharing.
I love your setup, the mix of the wavetable digital synths with the analog modular. Very cool.
mine is one of the first 10 made dated 1968 on back of it. this synth was also behind lots of motown songs. during that time
Wow, that's cool, to have been there! Yes, I realise I'm lucky to have one. I paid what I thought at the time was a lot of money for it about ten years ago. I also have an AKS. My first experience of these was in my Dad's college, they had a huge sound room with an AKS in it, plugged into massive tannoys.
it even makes dog barking sounds!
4:11
Wow. That’s an awesome looking instrument. The pegboard effects bank and joystick controller make this thing stand out from others.
It's like the theremin that didn't get the memo that it was supposed to be a theremin so it grew a bunch of buttons, dials and a lever-stick thingy and became this.
Ans it's way more beautiful this way!
Despite these still being made ( like 4 a year by the looks of it ) they are rare , i did see one sell for under £8000 recently , worth it ? well if you have £8000 then maybe , they do way more than many videos show , very very large pallet of sound , its actually an amazing sound source for abstract loops , drums , pure raster noton stuff , microsound , incredible really.
When you were a kid you couldn't dream the toys would get better and better as you got older!
Amazing sounds. Even if this machine is over 30 years old, it sounds so futuristic. By the way, the segment from 0:00 to 4:16 could fit well as an intro for a old school rave party!
Yes you can, if you have a keyboard that will interface with the instrument. EMS made such a keyboard back in the day, but it seems like most people made do without it. Or you could play melodies by sweeping the frequency controls on the oscillators back and forth, kinda like playing a slide whistle. And of course, there's the Synthi AKS, which is basically the same instrument, in a very James Bond style briefcase, with a built in touch keyboard and sequencer.
pink floyd - welcome to the machine
+Patriot1389 on the run :) françois de roubaix used one too, t'was rare then
A bonkers machine, thanks for posting!
Ben in Melksham
@TomZentra: That's only one side of the coin. Synthesizers like the VCS3 also were created to explore new ways of musical expression, not just mimic other instruments or make music in the classical sense. There's a reason why they are still popular, and it's not just nostalgia... :)
best synth ever... somebody needs to remake these in a rack model with midi and recall. I'm waiting. I think it really needs to be reissued, it's time.
Well... not really best if you want to play an actual MELODY or something...
oh, so beautiful sounds!!!
A great synth! I had the wonderful experience of playing one and recording something with it!
@rimefrostkitten I guess. Simeon from Silver Apples controls his synths by turning nobs for pitch and pressing buttons to play the sound with his knees, feet and elbows.
@DJGahann That's fine, but one can do much more for less money with modern hardware and software. Remember this… the goal of the VCS3 and other devices was to make music, not weird sounds. But in the days of the VCS3 and other primitive hardware designers were just learning what components were necessary to create and modulate waveforms appropriately.
Cool. I know this was all over "Dark Side of the Moon", but I wonder if that's it's also what I heard in the "NBC Mystery Movie" theme and maybe on the "Gallery" version of "I Believe in Music". Seems that theramin-like sounds were big back then.
this would make a good soundtrack to a NAVY movie, as it sounds like two ships communicating to each other via pings & such. good job.
@Alembic25 The vintage ones are very expensive. However, production of new ones resumed some years ago. I don't know if they are still being manufactured. Try searching the web. You really have to want one of these synths to buy one. They are extremely primitive. The novelty wears off very quickly.
Probably the best Vcs3 reference video on UA-cam! Thanks for posting.
Craziest synth ever!
0:01 This sounds like the ending of I Want You (She's So Heavy) by The Beatles
@sirwatchalot I read somewhere that the VCS3 was marketed as the Putney for the US market; it might have just been the American distributor's choice to rename it here.
Beautiful machine, I hope you have good locks on your doors!
I just bought a new VCS3..... In the App Store £10.... Closest I'll ever get
Thought I'd let you know there are rumours of a behringers clone....
@@nimachatrizeh5766 The Behringer clone may be called the VCX3. I want one.
@@astrophonix should be out within the year
@@devinthierault The Behringer VCS3 will be out in October 2021! I'm getting one!
@@rozzgrey801 YESSSS
The real shift in music. The previous wasn't that mystic, and the rockers from the 70s did it well!
ahhhhhh 0:32 onward is the wind from the instrumental side of the album "Heroes" by David Bowie!!! Him and Eno used a VCS3 on that album extensively.
amazing machine.the sounds it can create are just unbelievable. a good friend of mine has the same synth. i like to go there to see what he creates on this synth. it's never the same. would like to own one these
I want one. Fucking awesome. Reminds me of a Drone Commander, which I am going to buy as soon as possible. Those things are cool too.
Well Pete did use other synths like the ARP 2500.... But for WGFA he used a Lowrey organ, in which he fed into the EMS VCS3.
Machine to torture the sound. Great demo. Thanks for posting
Weapon of choice by Hawkwind back in the day !
Thanks, if you're interested, there's a really nice hi def version on vimeo, also you can download it. cj.
reflections supremes. lots of stevie wonder songs. as a matter of fact theres a vcs3 at the museum. i would say close to a hundred motown songs
that dog barking at 4.10 made me chuckle. Wondering if it confused that sound as a cat cry lol
:D
lol, and I thought this was outside my window.
It speaks to me. ...Lost pirates in space. Blue caverns with fog..
when I win the Lottery, this is up there!!
Your lottery ticket might be a winner 🏆 behringer will release one of these for a nice price 👍 an expensive lottery ticket but hey
Holy shit 6:34-7:30 sounds amazing!
...c'e' sempre qualcuno che si sta preparando..."notare" la scena finale suono / VU meter ...fantastica...
Even though I am not a big fan of synthesizers, I'll admit that these models are the cooler ones not relying on keyboards.
fucking awesome.. i could only wish to have one.. would love to get some of those tones on my upcoming album
still love it!!
No other synth (even very complex and modular ones...) can sound like a VCS3 (or AKS).
True, the electric sound you can obtain with this synths is unbeatable.
Thank god for that.
@TomZentra are you kidding.... novelty.... yeah treat it like a novelty and get bored with it..... or follow it down the bottomless pit of inner space ...or let it take you on a journey to outer space... it is all up to you
fantastic... you can make the ' Jarre - oxygene 2 spacial sounds '?
+Riva Lima Certainly can
When I met Todd Rundgren,he called his a Putney..is this English slang for the VCS3?
The VCS3 was designed by David Cockrell, Tristram Cary and Peter Zinovieff in Peter's EMS studio based in Putney, London.
Love it ❤
@mcw55cb4 Good heavens! Looks like I'm going to have to get 6 numbers tonight before I get one of them then!
Good Afternoon!
A NUMBER OF THE GREATEST ROCK ALBUMS EVER RECORDED WOULD NOT BE AS GOOD AS THEY ARE TODAY IF WEREN'T FOR THE VCS3. THERE ARE SO MANY EXAMPLES I CAN'T LIST THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can't even FIND one of these for sale online right now.
there is clones
there is a software version, also the last time I looked, you could still buy a new one.
Thos machine is a priceless producti of mankind. Why these were never Re-Vamped like Moog I will never know.
Superb noise generator at an unreal price, say no more....
Used by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.
@yonskii Nothing really, it's just more 'hardcore' to rely solely on oscillators and modulators, rather than simply pressing everything at the tip of the finger on keys.
it seems like basically a tone generator without a keyboard.
@rimefrostkitten What's wrong with keyboards? Its just a piano.
4:12 is that a springer reverb?
I like the fact that you don't have to scroll through umpteen LCD screen settings to get cool sounds and effects-
Welcome to the machine!!
6:55 Plug-in diodes? Looks like sort of a crude ROM.
There is a guy named Glen Stegner who makes a couple of standalone analog softsynths and makes them available free for download. I made a video of a creation of mine made with his MiniMogue VA softsynth. There is also a link on where you can download your own free in the description. The title of my video is Analog Synthesizer by TheCuse13
With companies remaking the old classic synths like the Minimoog, ARP Odyssey and the Korg MS20, it would be great to see someone recreate the VCS3 but updated with a touch-button LED patchbay so it was programmable, and a delay instead of the spring reverb, it would sell like hot cakes!
I would want that spring reverb! I can buy a used delay pedal on ebay for cheap. Spring reverb on this seems distinctive.
@@michaelbauers8800 also a spring reverb is more expensive than a delay
That filter, combined with the multi turn knobs and patch matrix is all I really need! Everything else is icing on the most glorious cake that’s ever been invented..
The EMS VCS 3 is a sexy thing!!!!!! I want one...
When I was 14 I used to tweak my synths just like him and being late for school :D
This is the Machine Tangerine Dream starts at first
There is a guy who makes free software standalone analog synthesizers that come with a functional keyboard. I made a video of some of the stuff I have done on it and a link to where you can get it.
What songs did Mike use this SYNTH?
Amazing!!!!
You've made this sound heavenly, have you recorded anything on this yet?
Wow, the joystick was amazing for the 2112 intro. That was with an ARP though, right?
The beginning sounds like some concerts of Tangerine Dream in 1974 (for example part two of their concert in Reims (ua-cam.com/video/2sK0MIuz104/v-deo.html
) or their concert in Sheffield (ua-cam.com/video/eeKtPRItmq8/v-deo.html )).
È il macchinario comprato da Franco Battiato quando incominciò a fare musica sperimentale elettronica attorno al 1970.
I love EMS!!!!!
And Pete didn't used one of those in the music, he used another synth :P
Yes Guv, EMS were based in Putney for a while....
how much does one of these cost?
can these sounds be recorded digitally for computer software editing? anyone? I want to make a digital film using a synth like a XILS 3 for all the sound effects and music.
The Suitcase (3:32) FUTURE SOUND OF LONDON
Is that the new machine or an old one? I hear EMS still makes them...
sounds from tomorrow.... machines from yesterday
all i think about when i see one of these things is brian eno
The legend
Ok! YOU build me a Synthi 100, & on that day.. Satan will be skating to work!
I wouldn’t put a VC3S on a wobbly stand my friend. Please place it on the table!
4:49 the sound is great
love this
ha! my old VCS3.. i always wondered where it ended up! email me for some more comprehensive history (if you dont already know..the last owner(s) may of told you...Peace.
WAAH-ooh!
electronic Grazing (Part 1) EMS PIANO FUTURE SOUND OF LONDON
that needle is gonna break
Hey, I have an idea, ship it to my house !
Great, thanks.
I have it for the iPhone sheesh talk about not mattering. That shit is as nasty as the real thing I’m NOT complaining. But can’t beat the original tho
i want one..where can i get?