Editing EMS VCS 3 (section)

====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]].