Thanks for the excellent comparisons! I am glad I got my Syntrx. I hope you do your Part III, it’s been educational trying to patch along with your demos. Cheers!
you can send the meter column back into the Vcs3 . It's just reversed in polarity. So anything in there can be sent back input the vcs3 via meter to high input.
Would love to see a three way match between the vintage EMS VCS3, Erica Syntrx II and Analogue Solutions Ample! EMS VCS3 prices are sky high nuts right now.
Nothing sounds like the EMS, it’s got its own thing entirely. I love those earlier German albums that used them. Cyborg I believe is a good example. Never been the type that wants to simply mimic acoustic instruments with a synth or follow along to basic sequencer patterns, that’s the direct opposite of the whole principle to me. Def prefer the Tudor or Stockhausen type direction with electronic music. EMS forged its own direction and was innovative from the start. Just wish there was a reasonable way the rest of us could use them. Cheers!
I certainly have ‘sufficient interest’ in this. Enjoyed part 1 and also enjoyed this. I hope to see part 3 and hopefully also see the EMS Synthi E in action. Keep up the good work 👍
Would love to own any of these VCS3 versions, it just a dynamic environment with all 3 of them, similar controls but different tech under the lid. I have a IOS version that I enjoy playing it’s such a crunchy noise makers toolbox and also really gets some beautiful more melodic sounds to boot. I’m gonna keep saving up for a real Buchla Easel though, for the same reasons oddly enough.
I used the IOS version too for a while too - it is definitely the cheapest alternative and not at all bad for what it is. Grab the Easel though - you won't regret that!
The patch on the VCS3 starting at about 11 minutes was perfect - that is what I want played at my funeral! I know Erica took inspiration from the synthi, but did not set out to clone it, but if they brought out a dirty version, with more of the raw quality of the EMS, I would pick that over the current syntrx version. Still, I am saving pennies and seriously contemplating the syntrx. Thank you again for these comparisons, and I would love to see part 3.
Cheers, Please feel free to use the sample at 11 min at your funeral ;-) But seriously, Syntrx can get very dirty if you want it too - just overdrive the inputs and gain staging a little and it starts to get there.
Syntrx is 2800US, I saw a Putney for 25k on reverb too Its kind of a no brainer if money is an object. That Putney is gorgeous though 😍. The Syntrx is pretty great 👍.
Thats a good point. The gain staging in each part of the patch is very critical to the sound with a Synthi and Syntrx. It is unique to have the gain output for each stage rather than the more traditional input stage attenuation (and you even also get a 3 value input attenuation via the patch matrix). I've been experimenting more closely with this issue and it is far more critical than I originally expected - especially with the reverb.
@@Allinaire Thanks. I'm waiting for Behringer's version and I'm looking into the VCS3's way of "handling" a keyboard. Appears to be kinda difficult as the sequencer from the Synthi AKS (you know: the one in a attache case w/ a keayboard/sequencer in the lid) could be used separate from the keyboard. That is: the sequencer would play a sequence on oscillator 1 and you could play a solo over that w/ the keyboard on osc. 2! How nice was that, eh?
We are on the same page there! No doubt that the Syntrx (and the VCS3/Synthi) are great for those type of patches. But I'm getting some wonderfully fat mono/duo synth sounds out of it too when paired with a keyboard and sequencer.
Why are all demos of the VCS3, AKS and now the SYNTRX filled with random noise type patches? My understanding of these instruments is what Jarre used them for on Equinoxe part II and IV - incredibly musical control of both tempo and pitch - in realtime and as sequence like patterns. It seems nobody else know how to use, or tame, these instruments in such ways. Bewildering to me.
I guess a lot of people also like using Synthi's (and equivalent) for non-melodic type work, it does lend itself to that and I, and many others, are a big fan of that. Check out my other videos for both melodic and non melodic examples in my work. I have found, however, that the Syntrx with its midi and cv inputs do allow it to be used easily and very well as a 'traditional' synthesiser, and as you say it is perfectly capable to use in that way. But each to their own I say, we all have different and equally valid tastes in music (or even random noise).
EMS VCS - this is musical instrument with surround sound, deep and musical; but what we see next to him, - a toy with a thin rasping sound, blurry sound, like noise from a portable radio
Yeah, I guess we will have to agree to disagree on that one. It's true they are not the same but both have their own character and I believe both have an excellent sound palette. Given most people are unlikely ever to own an original VCS then I'll happily take the Syntrx as a alternative option.
Read Behringer is making a clone of vcs3. Cant wait
Impressive sounds! Thanks for this thorough comparison.
Thanks for the excellent comparisons! I am glad I got my Syntrx. I hope you do your Part III, it’s been educational trying to patch along with your demos. Cheers!
Thanks, appreciate your comment.
you can send the meter column back into the Vcs3 . It's just reversed in polarity. So anything in there can be sent back input the vcs3 via meter to high input.
Would love to see a three way match between the vintage EMS VCS3, Erica Syntrx II and Analogue Solutions Ample! EMS VCS3 prices are sky high nuts right now.
What I like about the Putney is you can feel it trying.
Thats a great description of it actually!
Thanks for these Syntrx videos, please do a Part 3 :)
Already working on some patches for Part 3 - may take a while though....
Nothing sounds like the EMS, it’s got its own thing entirely. I love those earlier German albums that used them. Cyborg I believe is a good example. Never been the type that wants to simply mimic acoustic instruments with a synth or follow along to basic sequencer patterns, that’s the direct opposite of the whole principle to me. Def prefer the Tudor or Stockhausen type direction with electronic music. EMS forged its own direction and was innovative from the start. Just wish there was a reasonable way the rest of us could use them. Cheers!
Got to agree with on most points - and though the Syntrex is different in sound I believe it is a worthy contender.
behringer Synthi is almost on the door my bros....
I love the endless possibilities. I'm still puzzles as to how Jean Michel Jarre created the VCS3 effects in Equinoxe 4.
Yes to part 3!
11:40 is what we ALL came here for .
I certainly have ‘sufficient interest’ in this.
Enjoyed part 1 and also enjoyed this.
I hope to see part 3 and hopefully also see the EMS Synthi E in action.
Keep up the good work 👍
Thanks - hopefully we will get there with Part 3.
Would love to own any of these VCS3 versions, it just a dynamic environment with all 3 of them, similar controls but different tech under the lid. I have a IOS version that I enjoy playing it’s such a crunchy noise makers toolbox and also really gets some beautiful more melodic sounds to boot.
I’m gonna keep saving up for a real Buchla Easel though, for the same reasons oddly enough.
I used the IOS version too for a while too - it is definitely the cheapest alternative and not at all bad for what it is.
Grab the Easel though - you won't regret that!
Allinaire
Hoping sometime late summer on the Easel.
Hello, thanks for this video. I was wondering if you are still planning to release part 3?
Cheers, yes still possible - but life and other priorities got in the way.
I may try and get a Syntrx 2 and do a 'Part 3' including that.
i love your "noisy" patch! :)
Me also. These machines are just Wonderful, from another time/planet…..🎹🎛🎧
The patch on the VCS3 starting at about 11 minutes was perfect - that is what I want played at my funeral!
I know Erica took inspiration from the synthi, but did not set out to clone it, but if they brought out a dirty version, with more of the raw quality of the EMS, I would pick that over the current syntrx version. Still, I am saving pennies and seriously contemplating the syntrx. Thank you again for these comparisons, and I would love to see part 3.
Cheers, Please feel free to use the sample at 11 min at your funeral ;-)
But seriously, Syntrx can get very dirty if you want it too - just overdrive the inputs and gain staging a little and it starts to get there.
@@Allinaire Thanks for permission to play the patch :) , also, thanks for the info that you can push the sound harder.
To my ears the VCS sounds more raw. The Syntrx is softer sounding. All subjective though.
Does it provide babel fish? Sounds like it.
Syntrx is 2800US, I saw a Putney for 25k on reverb too Its kind of a no brainer if money is an object. That Putney is gorgeous though 😍. The Syntrx is pretty great 👍.
Totally agree with you. Both are damn good in my book. But Syntrx is by far the best value for money these days..
I think you need to overload the filter with input gain to get that saturation.
Thats a good point. The gain staging in each part of the patch is very critical to the sound with a Synthi and Syntrx. It is unique to have the gain output for each stage rather than the more traditional input stage attenuation (and you even also get a 3 value input attenuation via the patch matrix).
I've been experimenting more closely with this issue and it is far more critical than I originally expected - especially with the reverb.
Was is possible to play your VCS3 Putney with the DK1 keyboard? Or was that only possible with later VCS3 models?
I believe it IS possible to use the DK1 keyboard to control the Putney. I don't own that and have not tried it myself.
@@Allinaire Thanks. I'm waiting for Behringer's version and I'm looking into the VCS3's way of "handling" a keyboard. Appears to be kinda difficult as the sequencer from the Synthi AKS (you know: the one in a attache case w/ a keayboard/sequencer in the lid) could be used separate from the keyboard. That is: the sequencer would play a sequence on oscillator 1 and you could play a solo over that w/ the keyboard on osc. 2! How nice was that, eh?
You know it’s gonna be good when it has a “noise patch warning” 🙃
We are on the same page there! No doubt that the Syntrx (and the VCS3/Synthi) are great for those type of patches. But I'm getting some wonderfully fat mono/duo synth sounds out of it too when paired with a keyboard and sequencer.
Why are all demos of the VCS3, AKS and now the SYNTRX filled with random noise type patches? My understanding of these instruments is what Jarre used them for on Equinoxe part II and IV - incredibly musical control of both tempo and pitch - in realtime and as sequence like patterns. It seems nobody else know how to use, or tame, these instruments in such ways. Bewildering to me.
I guess a lot of people also like using Synthi's (and equivalent) for non-melodic type work, it does lend itself to that and I, and many others, are a big fan of that. Check out my other videos for both melodic and non melodic examples in my work.
I have found, however, that the Syntrx with its midi and cv inputs do allow it to be used easily and very well as a 'traditional' synthesiser, and as you say it is perfectly capable to use in that way.
But each to their own I say, we all have different and equally valid tastes in music (or even random noise).
EMS VCS - this is musical instrument with surround sound, deep and musical; but what we see next to him, - a toy with a thin rasping sound, blurry sound, like noise from a portable radio
Yeah, I guess we will have to agree to disagree on that one. It's true they are not the same but both have their own character and I believe both have an excellent sound palette. Given most people are unlikely ever to own an original VCS then I'll happily take the Syntrx as a alternative option.