I had the pleasure of fiddling with a new clone version built into a flight case recently. The only thing missing was the internal spring reverb (Well, I didn't find it anyway). The old VCS3 spring could be induced to do interesting things with a bit of phsyical resonance. You can't be me, I'm taken
(You'll need a VST host to use it.)
The VCS3 had a bigger cousin:
which was sold to universities and TV companies. The BBC had one. It did most of the sound effects for Blake's Seven.
Those panels at the front are the patch matrix, which has thousands of holes.
You'd have no trouble at all getting a modern laptop to copy all of the features of a Synthi 100. You could do it in Reaktor without even blinking - or near offer, because the envelopes on the VCS3/Synthi 100 are a little eccentric by modern standards.
Once upon a time I met the designer of the VCS3 - he said it had been built using some very minimal circuits 'because it was cheap.'
In the late 60s and early 70s, EMS, which was the home of the VCS3, had the the most advanced computer music studio on the planet.
You could do everything they're talking about there on a laptop too. But it would take a little longer, and most people don't seem to bother.
Any clips you can offer us?--I'd never heard of it before, but yeah--synthesised timbres make up an ever-expanding field. I remember this one from way back--(song starts at 00:11)
Don't fight forces, use them R. Buckminster Fuller.
Jean-Michel Jarre: Aero (08:04)
Kraftwerk: Trans Europe Express (04:01) (Yea, I had to take this one...) *Traitor*, n. A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.
Pete played around a lot with his VCS3, and he lent it to me to get to know also. But I don't recall it getting used much in released recordings - more as a kicker-off of ideas. The rest of the band were a little suspicious of what the technology might do for their roles. And they were right to be wary. There were enormous synching probems later live on stage which threatened the life of Mr Who sound, Bob 'Plum' Pridden
You can see photos, by my oldest chum Chris Morphet, of Pete's Tickenham 'home' studios featuring the VCS3 here. I spent many happy hours in that studio. You can't be me, I'm taken
Have several VCS3s Life should consist in at least fifty percent pure waste of time, and the rest doing what you please.
