Editing EMS Synthi AKS

{{Short description|Synthesizer model}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2022}}
[[Image:EMS Synthi AKS (opened).jpg|right|200px]]
The '''EMS Synthi A''' and the '''EMS Synthi AKS''' are portable modular [[analog circuit|analog]] [[Synthesizer|synthesisers]] made by [[Electronic Music Studios (London) Ltd|EMS]] of England. The Synthi A model debuted in May 1971, and then Synthi AKS model appeared in March 1972 a with a built-in [[Musical keyboard|keyboard]] and [[Music sequencer|sequencer]]. The EMS Synthi models are notable for its patch [[pin matrix]], its functions and internal design are similar to the [[VCS 3]] [[synthesizer|synthesiser]], also made by EMS. EMS is still run by Robin Wood in Cornwall, and in addition to continuing to build and sell new units, the company repairs and refurbishes EMS equipment.

When launched in 1972, the Synthi AKS retailed for around £450.  An optional three octave (37 note) monophonic keyboard, the DK1 Dynamic Keyboard, was made available for it. Later on, the DK2 (Dynamic Keyboard 2) was released, allowing independent control of two oscillators, and thus enabling the player to play two notes together. The Synthi instruments were used widely in [[progressive rock]] and [[electronic music]]. 

As with the VCS3, a Synthi AKS was worth considerably more than its original price by the late 1970s. In 2020, the average price for a Synthi AKS in good condition was around US$20,000 on the international market.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

==Use==
The Synthi AKS has been used extensively by [[Brian Eno]] in his [[art rock]] and [[Ambient music|ambient]] albums. He particularly made prominent use of its [[Signal chain|signal-chain editing]] capability in order to add colour to his own voice as well as [[Robert Fripp]] and [[Phil Manzanera|Phil Manzanera's]] guitar work. His early band, [[Roxy Music]], supposedly requested that he join them after watching him tinker with the Synthi AKS for only a few minutes.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}}

[[Tangerine Dream]] used several Synthi AKS's throughout the early 1970s.

[[Jean-Michel Jarre]] featured the Synthi AKS on his albums ''[[Oxygène]]'' and ''[[Équinoxe]]'', as well as on ''[[Oxygène: New Master Recording|Oxygène: Live in Your Living Room]]''.

[[Pink Floyd]] used the synthesiser to create the electronic [[riff]] of the track "[[On the Run (instrumental)|On the Run]]" and to play the solo of "[[Any Colour You Like]]", both from the 1973 album ''[[The Dark Side of the Moon]]''. (The band was reported to use an [[EMS VCS 3]] synthesizer although it actually was a Synthi).{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}}

[[Jorge Antunes (composer)|Jorge Antunes]] used Synthi A throughout the early 1970s with his ensemble GEMUNB ''[[Grupo de Experimentação Musical da Universidade de Brasília]]''.

[[Czesław Niemen]] in 1975 used Synthi AKS in recording of his album ''[[Katharsis (Czesław Niemen album)|Katharsis]]''.

Tone Generator Aka Dom Guerin AKS synthesizer on  [[SPK (band)]] Information Overload Unit & subsequent tours of US & England.

[[Klaus Schulze]] and [[Pete Namlook]] refer to Synthi AKS in the name of their collaboration album ''[[Klaus Schulze#"The Dark Side of the Moog"|The Dark Side of the Moog VIII: Careful With the AKS, Peter]]''.

[[Kraftwerk]]'s [[Florian Schneider]] used one to process his flute on early albums including [[Radio-Activity]] in 1974.

In 1980, American pop band [[The Bongos]] used the Synthi AKS on both sides of their debut single "Telephoto Lens" b/w "Glow in the Dark", played by Dennis Kelley. In 2010, lead singer [[Richard Barone]] again used the Synthi on his album ''Glow'', produced by [[Tony Visconti]]. It is featured prominently on the song "Yet Another Midnight".
[[File:Tony Visconti and Richard Barone.jpg|thumb|Producer Tony Visconti and artist Richard Barone in the studio with the EMS Synthi AKS]]

In 2013, a Japanese artist [[Yoshio Machida]] made an album "Music from the SYNTHI".<ref>{{cite web| url=http://baskaru.com/karu29.htm | title="Music from the SYNTHI"}}</ref> This album was made by only Synthi AKS.

[[Image:Thomas Lehn.JPG|thumb|130px|[[Thomas Lehn]] playing [[EMS Synthi A|Synthi A]] & DK keyboard]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Notable EMS Synthi AKS users==
*[[Alessandro Cortini]]
*[[Alien Sex Fiend]]
*[[Andy Whitmore]] (Greystoke Studios)
*[[Aphex Twin]]
*[[Boom Boom Satellites]] (It was only used during the production of their R&S label debut EP"4 A Moment of Silence" and their major 1st album "Joyride".)
*[[Brian Eno]]
*[[David Gilmour]] (Abbey Road Studios)
*[[Mark Mothersbaugh]]
*[[Richard Wright (musician)|Richard Wright]] (Abbey Road Studios) 
*[[Goodiepal]]
* Tone Generator of [[SPK (band)]]

==External links==
*[http://www.emssynthesisers.co.uk/ EMS's homepage]
*[http://www.burningimage.net/synthesisers/EMS/ Info on EMS units (AKS in particular)]

[[Category:EMS synthesizers|Synthi AKS]]