The amazing history of the EMS Synthi - Synth Stories
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- Опубликовано: 26 авг 2024
- Watch the full course here: www.sonicacade...
Our go-to vintage synth sensei King Unique tells the amazing story behind the formation of the first British synth company EMS and how its synths came world-renowned!
Now, Arturia has painstakingly emulated a legendary piece of hardware loved by the likes of Brian Eno, Pink Floyd, and Hawkwind by combining the Synthi AKS and VCS3 into one full-featured software instrument.
Known for its instability this synth could be made to sound in tune with quite a bit of hard work, but that wasn’t really what it was famous for - sound effects, drones, and psychedelic textures were what put this synth on the map.
If you own this plugin this is a must watch and if you don't, it's a fascinating insight into synth history and you'll probably want to get your hands on a copy by the end!
Seriously, check this one out!
Let us know what other synth histories you'd like to see us cover.
Hi, the EMS History is for sure a rollercoaster particularly with how the company was betrayed in the USA... Perhaps though you could add a mention of the Official EMS digital incarnation of the VCS3 ... " iVCS3 " ... this is available on iOS/iPadOS Devices and is currently being developed for MacOS. The app is a faithful recreation of the hardware with additional features and is personally endorsed by Peter Zinovief. The app also precedes the Arturia Synthi V by at least 5 years. If you'd like to know more, I'm happy to answer any questions. cheers.
ALL THE SYNTHS!!!
serge has an interesting history - as far as i understand, his circuits were a response to what buchla was making in the berkeley crowd. having art school kids build 4 panels for serge to sell and keep the 5th for themselves, will jackson playing for whales, kevin fortune, the oakland years, rex probe, sts, etc
Thanks for a great history of EMS story. Our Physics master at school arranged for a guy to bring in a VCS3 to the classroom when I was about 17. We were allowed to twiddle and I was gobsmacked. After returning from working in Switzerland as part of my Physics course I saved up enough money to buy an AKS after a Melody Maker small ad in 1974. A guy called Steve Deutsch (I think) sold me it from a music workshop in London for £650. I loved it and played it in a Sheffield Uni Advanced Music Group and performed with it at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1976. The need for a car forced the sale and it went to a good friend for what I paid for it. I wish I still had it!
Amazing story you have - and amazing memories !
The sound of the Synthi a will forever haunt me... between Hillage, ashra, klaus schulze etc... when Behringer finishes their copy I’ll be there waiting for it!
Is that on the cards for Behringer?
@@tonywaghorn3164 it’s been now for 3 years!
For me this synth will always remind me of Pink Floyd s Dark Side Of The Moon 🌚 album
FANTASTIC telling of the history of one of the greatest synths ever produced.
I have also watched the amazing documentary - What The Future Sounded Like - several times.
It was made here in Adelaide , where incidentally I once got a brief look at 3 original VCS3s that Tristram Cary brought over.
If you've ever wanted to own a VCS3, Behringer have just confirmed their VCS3 clone will be available in October 2021!
I think they've forgotten about it, they haven't mentioned it again at all since.
Back in 1973 I was 14 and read about the Synthi A in the NME. So smitten was I with the idea I wrote to EMS asking if they could let me have one on a ‘sale or return’ basis. Unsurprisingly they said no. Now, fifty years later, I am shortly to retire (late 2023, yay!), and my leaving present to myself will be the Erica Synths Syntrx 2. I would love a proper Synthi A, but my lump sum probably wouldn’t run to one- and the Syntrx will play very nicely with the 500 or so hp of modular gear I have. Unusually, I don’t have a pc, so a virtual VCS3 is out of the question- but if Behringer’s clone of it ever sees the light of day I’ll have one of those as well.
Coming to an EMOM night near you soon!
Behringer's have recently shown photos of their clone, so I think its coming soon.
Fantastic vid. Thanks. I owned an AKS for many years. In fact I was, briefly, the West Coast "representative" for EMSA (EMS-America), which was headquartered in Amherst, Mass. The AKS was my main "voice" in studio and performance. I loved it. Sadly, time, the second law of thermodynamics, the exponential rise and acceleration in the level of music technology in the subsequent decades eventually pushed my beloved AKS into the background and eventually I sold it to Tone Tweakers who, presumably, sold it to some lucky bastard after giving it their customary total refurbishment.
The history of EMS has been a bit of a mystery to me. The basics were well known, but this vid digs down into the depths of the creative craziness that drove the train. Very informative AND entertaining at the same time. Keep up the good work. Peace.
I remember having seen the Suitcase AKS a lot in the early 2000s when looking up everything synthesizer related on the internet i could find. Always loved the "my first science kit" vibe it had. I always wondered how to even play the VCS3 without keys but saw how Klaus Schulze was using his AKS mostly for noisy generative patches and i realized the fascination for basically allowing an instrument to play itself. I'm soooo looking forward to Behringer's Clone of the "Battleship" VCS3.
More of these, please.
Fire Apple Red we are planning some more of these !
Managed to buy myself a full copy of Arturia Synthi V, it is pretty good, I'm still learning my way around it though.
A remarkable story. I was in that studio for a demo of the synth 100 back in the 1970"s with Robin Wood. I was a young lad at school and it had a lasting impression for the rest of my life.💗Bless Robin Wood.
wow - amazing to be there
Behringers VC5 copy looks amazing, it even has the spring reverb. I really can't wait for it, I've always wanted one. It can go next to my 2600 that I'd always wanted too.
I really wish Behringer would update us on the release date, it's been a year and no update.
@@djtall3090 They said it was due out last summer but all we've heard about is the mini one, I really hope it does happen.
What a great video. Incredibly informative and enjoyable.
Absolutely brilliant - thanks King Unique & Sonic Academy!
Excellent detailed history man, this is what I like. Love this stuff
Many thanks for this video. It was so much fun to watch. Especially as I am interested in synthis since Walter (Wendy) Carlos and Emerson Lake & Palmer. Although I learned a lot more of synthesizers in this video I didn't knew. I immediately will sit before my computer and fiddle aorund with some EMS PlugIns.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I had many happy hours playing the EMS VCS3 that belonged to Goldsmiths University, London.
Great vid. Will have to visit the Powerhouse again to see this stuff. Over 20 years ago since the last visit. The Arturia version is very good.
I've got the plug in. My crap PC can't stomach it. Great video.
RIP Peter Zinovieff :(
Brilliant video :-)
I love these histories, thank you. Any book suggestions on this topic?
I like this guy.. more fond-uncling !
I enjoyed the video and learning about the history of this 'sound generator'/instrument, very instresting and it made me feel alot better about jutifying the price tag of the ESM synthi v I just bought on impulse! It would be Great if you could make a follow up more in-depth tutorial vid after part2 tutorial, showing how to use the fuctions/ modulaters / sequencer / effects etc and using the routing system (patch matrix) to create sounds. example how to use the LFO sound source? as I can't see it on the synth. Thanks for the video.
Fonduncling! 😀😀😀 I have to use that! On second thoughts... 😀😀😀
dislike arturia for many reasons… but this was fantastic. well done & will be on the lookout for more!
I just got an mk1 synthi
Haha please don’t Fond Uncle me. Thank you for making this! It was fun to learn the history
It's a real shame that the original EMS company studio wasn't listed under British Heritage.
Wow! That girl at 3:27 is a 20th century version of the Mona Lisa, but waaay cuter!
The Unusual Classical Synthesizer record from 1971 was done entirely on the EMS VCS3 synth (with electric piano on the Beethoven piece). Listen to it at this link:
ruclips.net/video/5JhMMAJGQJU/видео.html
If when I said, "history" it sounded the same as you, I'd probably like it as well.
I’ve been fonduncled
“Look at the synthi 100” lol
King Unique, or 'king Unique?
Radiophonic workshop jean Michel jarre
AHAHHA Sample a fly screaming.
definty I know - insane
😷🙂
Stop it.
You know, this is boring, that's why you have so few views.
Ah gee thanks
@@sonicacademy I found it funny, interesting and highly entertaining
This is like calling an Italian film boring because you don’t speak Italian 😫 learn about synthesis and then it won’t be boring. Or don’t learn about synthesis but maybe don’t write rude comments on interesting videos that you don’t understand because of your own ignorance.
Managed to buy myself a full copy of Arturia Synthi V, it is pretty good, I'm still learning my way around it though.