EMS VCS3 The Putney Synthi FOR SALE #2
 Vintage Modular Analog Synthesizer with The Cricklewood Keyboard (V.C.S./KB) by Electronic Music Studios

 

 

 

   

 

GENERAL INFO: 

The VCS-3 (The Putney) modular synthesizer by Electronic Music Studios (London) Ltd. uses pins rather than patchcords to route signals and voltages.  This is the same synthesizer engine as the Synthi A and Synthi AKS.  It sounds like nothing else and is THE sound effects machine of choice by nearly everyone who owns one.  This synth has serious character and is perfect for creating deep organic sounds.  If I didnt know better Id swear it was ALIVE!  :)  Great for serious sound design, laser zaps, sweeps, growls, birds, blips, etc.  You can hear it all over recordings by groups like Pink Floyd, Hawkwind, Brian Eno, Vince Clarke, Tangerine Dream, Jean-Michel Jarre, Klaus Schulze, Sonic Boom, Yes, Alan Wilder, Sonic Boom and many other very influential musicians from the 70s to today.   Also used by the BBC Radiophonic Worshop on the Dr.Who soundtrack!  Features 3 oscillators, a resonant lowpass filter, ring modulator, 2 inputs for external signal processing (some people used the VCS3 only for this - it sounds great), noise source, output filters, envelope / trapezoid generator, beautiful spring reverb,  volt meter, joystick (a brilliant feature!) and I think thats about it.  Lets not forget the built in speakers!  This synth can be set to drone or you can use the automatic envelope feature so it triggers itself. You can also use the built in manual trigger button.  It can also be triggered from a MIDI to CV converter with some effort though most people use it for sound effects and processing.  Of course, this sale includes the Cricklewood keyboard so you can trigger  this VCS-3 from a proper keyboard.  The Cricklewood has dynamic touch sensitivity (aka velocity) and a built in oscillator which can be used as an audio or control voltage source.  


CONDITION:

 Our items are as described, which means no typical surprise post-sale repair bills or serious flaws typical of most vintage gear deals! 

These early VCS3s sound like nothing else.  Some people absolutely hated them when they came out because they can sound nasty and distorted.  We love them for exactly that reason!  This one's serial number's in the middle 300s.  Interestingly, the US distributor's name and address on this unit was removed (see photo).  We suspect this was due to the falling out EMS UK had with their early US distributor who basically stole the EMS design and incorporated it into their own keyboard based machine.  But that's another story we'll cover when we're ready to sell one of those. ;)  

This VCS3 is in really nice shape for a used item of its type and age.  We replaced the 3 oscillator tuning verniers so the result is great feeling new ones that dont slip like old ones often do.  :)  We also calibrated VCOs 1 and 2 so they track the keyboard together.   (VCO 3 was intended to be used as a low frequency oscillator and didn't offer the calibration options of the other 2 oscillators).   All functions have been thoroughly tested and are working and sounding great.  We didn't test every single patchpoint but the many we tested worked fine.  Not much can go wrong with a patchbay, it's quite a simple device, so we aren't anticipating any problems (we've actually never had a single patchbay problem in any of the many EMS products we've sold).  

The keyboard's internal oscillator tuning pot crackles a little at the very top and bottom of its range.  We would have cleaned it but it's a strange sealed pot and the crackles minor and doesn't effect function so we left it the way it is.  We doubt anyone else will care and most sellers wouldn't even bother to report this, but we believe in full disclosure for the most critical of customers.  

This sale will include a power cord, full set of pins (pictured) and a synth to keyboard connector cable.  It's possible the cables and or pins included won't be the same exact ones you see here (or actually maybe they're not visible in the photos) but if not, they'll be similar.  There are some scratches and dings here and there - what do you expect for a synth this old?  Also, some of the silver metal inserts from the tops of the knobs are missing.  This is purely cosmetic.  We think these knobs are still in production and easy to get, though at the time of writing this we haven't had a chance to look into this further.     This VCS is sure to make its next owner really happy! 

Don’t let our overly critical descriptions discourage you, check out the detailed photos above!

TERMS OF SALE
PRICE
CONTACT US email minime123@onebox.com

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