Editing EMS VCS 3 (section)

==Description==

The VCS 3 has three oscillators (the first two normal [[voltage-controlled oscillator]]s; the third a [[low-frequency oscillator]]), a [[noise generator]], two input amplifiers, a [[ring modulator]], 24&nbsp;dB/octave low-pass [[voltage-controlled filter]],{{citation needed|date=September 2011}} a trapezoid [[envelope generator]], a joystick controller, a voltage-controlled [[spring reverb]] unit, and two voltage controlled output amplifiers. Unlike most [[modular synthesiser]] systems, which used cables to link components, the VCS 3 uses a distinctive patchboard matrix where pins are inserted to connect its components.

===Keyboards controller===
[[Image:EMS VCS 3 synthesizer (1969, SN 297) & DK-1 keyboard (1969), Musée de la Musique de Paris.jpg|thumb|'''DK1 keyboard controller''' (front) <br/>connected to VCS 3 (rear)]]

Although the VCS 3 is often used for generating [[sound effect]]s due to lack of a built-in [[musical keyboard|keyboard]], external keyboard controllers were available for melodic play. The ''DK1,'' produced in 1969, is an early velocity-sensitive monophonic keyboard for VCS 3 with an extra [[Voltage-controlled oscillator|VCO]] and [[Voltage-controlled amplifier|VCA]].<ref name="dk1" group="#">
{{cite web
 | title     = DK1 (aka The Cricklewood) – The Products
 | url       = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#dk1
 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#dk1
 | archive-date=2013-10-31
 | publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
}}</ref> In 1972 it was extended for [[Polyphony and monophony in instruments#Duophonic|duophonic]] play as ''DK2''.<ref name=dk2 group="#">
{{cite web
 | title     = DK2 – The Products
 | url       = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#dk2
 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#dk2
 | archive-date=2013-10-31
 | publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
}}</ref>  Also in 1972, the [[EMS Synthi AKS|Synthi AKS]] was released, as well as a digital [[music sequencer|sequencer]] with a [[touch-sensitive]] flat keyboard, the ''KS sequencer'',<ref name=ks group="#">
{{cite web
 | title     = KS – The Products
 | url       = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#ks
 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#ks
 | archive-date=2013-10-31
 | publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
}}</ref> and its mechanical keyboard version, ''DKS.''<ref name=dks group="#">
{{cite web
 | title     = DKS – The Products
 | url       = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#dks
 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#dks
 | archive-date=2013-10-31
 | publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
}}</ref>

===Related models===
The VCS 3's basic design was reused by EMS in many other of their own products,{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}} most notably the [[EMS Synthi 100]] (1971),<ref name=synthi100 group="#">{{cite web
 |title = Synthi 100 (formerly Digitana, aka the Delaware) – The Products
 |url = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#synthi100
 |publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
 |access-date = 2011-09-30 
 |archive-date = 2013-10-31 
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#synthi100
 |url-status = dead
 }}</ref> the [[Synthi A]] (1971),<ref name=synthia group="#">
{{cite web
 | title     = Synthi A (formerly Portabella) – The Products
 | url       = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#synthia
 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#synthia
 | archive-date=2013-10-31
 | publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
}}</ref> and [[EMS Synthi AKS|AKS]] (1972, essentially a VCS 3 in a plastic briefcase). The AKS also has a [[music sequencer|sequencer]] built into the keyboard's lid.<ref name=synthiaks group="#">
{{cite web
 | title     = Synthi AKS – The Products
 | url       = http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#synthiaks
 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131031040324/http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#synthiaks
 | archive-date=2013-10-31
 | publisher = Electronic Music Studios (Cornwall)
}}</ref>

A former agent of EMS in the [[United States]], Ionic Industries in Morristown, New Jersey, released a portable-keyboard VCS 3 clone in 1973. The ''Ionic Performer'', whose circuitry is based on the VCS 3's, replaced the patchboard matrix with over 100 [[push-button]]s, and added a built-in keyboard and [[effects unit]]s.<ref name=ionic>
{{cite web
 | author    = Dennis Bathory-Kitsz
 | title     = Killer – My Ionic "Performer" Synth (from Ionic Industories, made by Alfred Mayer)
 | url       = http://www.maltedmedia.com/people/bathory/killer.html
}}</ref>

<div style="margin-left:1em;"><gallery>
File:EMS A.jpg|[[EMS Synthi A]] (1971), <br/>also called ''Portabella''<ref name=synthia group="#"/>
File:EMS Synthi AKS.jpg|[[EMS Synthi AKS]] (1972)<ref name=synthiaks group="#"/>
File:EMS Synthi 100.jpg|[[EMS Synthi 100]] (1971), <br/>formerly ''Digitana'', also called ''The Delaware''<ref name=synthi100 group="#"/>
</gallery></div>

====Synthi A====
[[Image:SynthiAKSStack.jpg|thumb|EMS SynthiA (top) as used on stage by a [[progressive rock]] band; underneath are an EMS DK keyboard controller, [[Solina String Ensemble]], [[Optigan]], and an M400 [[Mellotron]]]]
[[Image:EMS Synthi A.jpg|thumb|upright|EMS Synthi A]]
{{main|EMS Synthi A|EMS Synthi AKS}}

The '''EMS Synthi A''' has the same electronics as the VCS 3, but was rehoused in a Spartanite briefcase. Instead of routing signals using [[patch cable]]s, like [[Moog synthesizer|Moog]] products, it uses a [[patch matrix]] with resistive pins. The 2700 ohm resistors soldered inside each pin vary in tolerance, indicated by different colours: red pins have 1% tolerance, white have 5%, and green pins are attenuating pins with a resistance of 68,000 ohms.

The later Synthi AKS incorporated an early digital 256 event KS (Keyboard Sequencer) [[Music sequencer|sequencer]] in the lid, with input provided by a capacitance-sensitive [[Buchla]]-style keyboard.

Perhaps its most prominent use is in  the introduction to [[The Alan Parsons Project]]'s ''I Robot.'' (1977). VCS 3 synthesisers were also used alongside a traditional chamber music ensemble for the soundtrack to the BBC's ''[[Life on Earth (TV series)|Life On Earth]]'' nature documentary series, composed by [[Edward Williams (composer)|Edward Williams]].<ref>Power, Mike. '[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/nov/02/david-attenborough-life-on-earth-soundtrack Release of Life On Earth soundtrack delivers music as pioneering as the show]', in ''The Guardian'', 2 November 2009</ref>

Along with [[Klaus Schulze]] and [[Tangerine Dream]], other frequent users of the instrument include [[Cabaret Voltaire (band)|Cabaret Voltaire]], [[Tim Blake]] & [[Miquette Giraudy]] of [[Gong (band)|Gong]], [[Richard Pinhas]] of [[Heldon]], [[Merzbow]], [[Thomas Lehn]], [[Cor Fuhler]] and [[Alva Noto]].