iVCS3 3.5

The iVCS3 is an official EMS VCS3 emulator that recreates the iconic synthesizer originally created by Peter Zinovieff's EMS company in 1969. Designed by David Cockerell and with a distinctive visual appearance by Tristram Cary, the VCS3 was one of the first portable synthesizers available commercially.

With its unique sound, the VCS3 quickly gained popularity among progressive rock bands, featuring prominently in recordings by The Alan Parsons Project, Jean Michel Jarre, Hawkwind, Brian Eno (with Roxy Music), King Crimson, The Who, Gong, and Pink Floyd, among others. Notable examples include The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again," where Pete Townshend used the VCS3 as an external sound processor, and Pink Floyd's "On the Run," which utilized the VCS3's oscillators, filter, and noise generator.

Aside from its usage in music, the VCS3 was also a staple at the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop and contributed to creating unique sounds for the TV series Doctor Who.

Description

The iVCS3 faithfully replicates the original VCS3's features. It includes three oscillators (two normal oscillators and one LFO), a noise generator, two input amplifiers, a ring modulator, an 18dB/octave (pre-1974) or 24dB/octave (after 1974) voltage-controlled low-pass filter (VCF), a trapezoid envelope generator, a joy-stick controller, a voltage-controlled spring reverb unit, and two stereo output amplifiers.

Unlike other modular synthesizer systems that use cables for connections, the VCS3 utilizes a patch board matrix with pins to connect its components together.

Keyboard Controller

While the VCS3 does not have a built-in keyboard, there were external keyboard controllers available for melodic play. In 1969, the DK1 keyboard controller was introduced, featuring velocity sensitivity and an additional VCO and VCA. It was later expanded into the DK2, offering duophonic play in 1972. The release of the Synthi AKS in the same year also provided a digital sequencer with a touch-sensitive flat keyboard (KS sequencer) and a mechanical keyboard version (DKS).

For more information, please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VCS3.