Experimenting with EMS VCS3 MkII

Experimenting and discovering new and different sounds on an EMS VCS3 mkII synthi.

The rhythmical pattern is created with the noise generator into envelope section. The "Off" control is round at about 1, so the envelope section is opening and closing very quickly. Osc 1 is then set relatively low creating a "click" sound that I managed to tune/sync with the envelope section so it happens once every three times the envelope opens.

Osc 3 is controlling the filter frequency. By adjusting the response, it self oscillates to create some nice effects/sounds. The square wave of osc3 is controlling the reverb mix.

The outputs of the reverb mix are fed to the the main outputs separately which lets it feedback on itself which can be adjusted with the level/mix controls.

Osc 2 is controlled by the DK2 keyboard, set to cv and is fed into input 1 of the synthi. The input amplifier had to be adjusted to tune the keyboard! At 0, every note on the keyboard sounds the same pitch and at 100 the intervals between each key are much greater than a semitone! The range of the keyboard can then be adjusted with the oscillator control. - And this only makes it mono phonic! The whole process can be done again with a second input amplifier and another oscillator. More practice is needed on that one at present as it takes me about half an hour to set that up!

Thanks for your interest

Category:

Music

Tags:

• EMS
• VCS3
• Synthi
• mkII
• Electronic
• Music
• Studios
• Putney
• Synthesizer
• Vintage
• analogue
• DK2

[stomachlining]

good description... I've used the CV input #1 to make each half step on the dk1 = to a whole step & CV input #2 to make each half step = to a minor 3rd. Lots of flute-like overtones

[nuggetonline]

@stomachlining Thanks for the post, thats an interesting idea, I'll try that out!

- Before I had it restored, I had little hope for the keyboard! A lot of the connections were faulty and what did work seemed useless and impossible!

I had input 1 modified to a ten-turn-pot to try to make it easier to tune. Also had the oscillators stabilised.

Really glad they got the keyboard all sorted out - It's a great addition to an amazing instrument!

Have you got any mods on yours?

[stomachlining]

@nuggetonline no, but I suffer from mod-envy