MOTM

A few years ago I was able to spend an afternoon with a VCS3 and was
amazed at the huge variety of sounds I could coax from it.  Since then
I've heard them used in various places and the fascination remains.

Then, I heard that EMS is still active and manufacturing both the VCS3
and Synthi A.  Hmmmm, now that I'm no longer a starving student these
are now within reach... but then my MOTM addiction took hold and I
realized that I could probably get pretty close with some more modules.

So I'd like to ask the other list members that may have had exposure to
the VCS3 about the "special" characteristics of this beast.  I don't
think it will be as easier as putting a spring reverb beside a few
oscillators and filters.

How close do you think an MOTM system can get?  Paul will be glad to
hear that I'd rather send the $2500-$3000 to him to expand my MOTM than
wait a year for a VCS3 :^)

Graham


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At 8:26 PM -0800 11/27/2001, Graham Hunter wrote:
>A few years ago I was able to spend an afternoon with a VCS3 and was
>amazed at the huge variety of sounds I could coax from it.  Since then
>I've heard them used in various places and the fascination remains.
>
>Then, I heard that EMS is still active and manufacturing both the VCS3
>and Synthi A.  Hmmmm, now that I'm no longer a starving student these
>are now within reach... but then my MOTM addiction took hold and I
>realized that I could probably get pretty close with some more modules.
>
>So I'd like to ask the other list members that may have had exposure to
>the VCS3 about the "special" characteristics of this beast.  I don't
>think it will be as easier as putting a spring reverb beside a few
>oscillators and filters.
>
>How close do you think an MOTM system can get?  Paul will be glad to
>hear that I'd rather send the $2500-$3000 to him to expand my MOTM than
>wait a year for a VCS3 :^)

I've been thinking about the same thing, I saw a performance recently 
by Konk Pack, a German/English free improv trio. Their synth player, 
Thomas Lehn, used just a Synthi, and did some amazing stuff. I've 
thought about putting together a similar portable system.
-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dave Trenkel                                New and Improv Music
http://www.newandimprov.com         improv@...
                 Now Available: Minus: Dark Lit
"This is music all-consuming in its beauty and power"
                                -Jake TenPas OSU Daily Barometer
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Catching up on some old posts...]

I think the "special" characteristics of the VCS3 are not so much from the
oscillators and filter but from the unique interface and packaging.  Consequently,
it is possible to get the "sound" from other modules but the UI will be very
different.  Here are a few of the features that contribute to the uniqueness of the
instrument.

- Joystick and trigger button (I haven't played one with a keyboard so the
limitation causes you to think about sounds that are not driven by a keyboard.)

- Patch matrix.  This is sometimes the source of "happy accidents" as you get the
patches wrong.  There are also some interactions when plugging pins into the matrix
that would make Paul S. wretch but they can make for creative opportunities if you
are open to them.

- The rather unique trapezoid functions - an EG that I don't think I can quite
describe.

- Continuous waveshape on the oscillators

- Hot signals that can overload, if desired.

So, I think you can get some of the "sounds" of a VCS3 with MOTM modules but you
won't be able to get the character and the UI on anything else.  I think the only
other synth that comes close these days is the Wiard with the dual joysticks and
unique modules but it is still a very different beast!  Whether a VCS3 is worth the
price and the wait or find one used, is entirely up to you...

   Eric

--- Graham Hunter <pacific202@...> wrote:
> A few years ago I was able to spend an afternoon with a VCS3 and was
> amazed at the huge variety of sounds I could coax from it.  Since then
> I've heard them used in various places and the fascination remains.
> 
> Then, I heard that EMS is still active and manufacturing both the VCS3
> and Synthi A.  Hmmmm, now that I'm no longer a starving student these
> are now within reach... but then my MOTM addiction took hold and I
> realized that I could probably get pretty close with some more modules.
> 
> So I'd like to ask the other list members that may have had exposure to
> the VCS3 about the "special" characteristics of this beast.  I don't
> think it will be as easier as putting a spring reverb beside a few
> oscillators and filters.
> 
> How close do you think an MOTM system can get?  Paul will be glad to
> hear that I'd rather send the $2500-$3000 to him to expand my MOTM than
> wait a year for a VCS3 :^)
> 
> Graham
> 
> 
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