⭕ UP FOR SALE IS THE TRULY HISTORIC EMS (Electronic Music Studios) VCS3 MODULAR SYNTHESIZER MADE IN ENGLAND CIRCA 1972/1973. THIS HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR BY A RECORDING STUDIO FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THIS IS A RARE MUSEUM-CALIBER PIECE - IT WAS THE FIRST AFFORDABLE MODULAR SYNTH. THIS WAS ONE OF TWO OF THESE UNITS THAT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED NEW BY OBERLIN COLLEGE DIRECTLY FROM EMS. PURCHASED BY PRODUCER FROM THE COLLEGE IN 1993. SCARCE TO SAY THE LEAST.
TOTALLY ORIGINAL AND UN-RESTORED - MECHANICALLY SOUND. SOUNDS AMAZING.
A FEW NOTES: COSMETICALLY WE WILL SAY THAT THIS UNIT IS IN DECENT CONDITION. THERE ARE PLENTY OF SIGNS OF ITS AGE - SCUFFS AND CHIPS IN THE WOOD; SOME SCRAPES AND DISCOLORATION/FADING ON THE FACE; THE SILK SCREENING IS WORN OFF. THERE IS ONE KNOB MISSING. BUT OVERALL IT STILL LOOKS PRETTY , ALL ORIGINAL, AND A NICE EXAMPLE OF THIS HISTORIC SYNTH.
HERE IS WHAT VINTAGESYNTH.COM HAD TO SAY ABOUT THIS VERY SPECIAL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT:
The VCS3 (nicknamed the Putney) is an analog monosynth housed in a distinctive angled wooden case, a truly classic synth. EMS (Electronic Music Studios) was created in England back in 1969. The VCS3 was one of their first synths and it is still a great, unique, funky little unit.
It has three oscillators, and a unique matrix-based patch system. Instead of patch wires, the VCS3 uses a patchbay grid in which the synth components are laid out, and signal routing is accomplished by placing small pins into the appropriate slots. The VCS3 was, in actuality, a modular type synthesizer reduced down to an extremely portable size.

It generates familiar sci-fi sounds and other truly analog sounds. Unfortunately, the oscillators tend to drift out of tune. Theres a Noise Generator, 2 Input Amplifiers, 1 Ring Modulator, 1 Voltage Controlled Low Pass Filter (VCF), 1 Trapezoid Envelope Generator, Joy-Stick Controller, Voltage Controlled Spring Reverb unit and 2 Stereo Output Amplifiers.

Additionally, the VCS3 was also sold in a plastic brief-case and called the Synthi A. The major Synthi 100 system was based on three VCS3s strung together. Some ultra-rare commercially unavailable synths EMS made include the VCS4 in 1969 which was basically 2 VCS3s plus a keyboard. And the Synthi Keyboard 1 of 1970 was just a VCS3 with a mini 29-note keyboard.