minimoog vs ems vcs 3

godzilla · Post by **godzilla** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 3:23 am

has anyone used both i really want to hear someone’s opinion on which is the better. If you don't know what the vcs3 is it's a three oscillator synth that came out just before the original mini in 1969 and apparently they still make them but you have to order one. do a search for more information.

any thoughts would be appreciatedhttp://www.bluebay.be/images/gallery/mo ... 3%2015.JPG

this is an image of the front panel. they don't have keyboards built in, you need a controller. They're modular and use a pinboard pacthbay insted of cables http://www.bluebay.be/images/gallery/mo ... 3%2031.JPG

of course they don't have memory or midi like the voyager but as far as sonic capabilities i'm curious for a comparison

miditerranean · Post by **miditerranean** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 7:30 pm

The Minimoog is better for more musical, lead synth lines while the VCS3 makes a lot of sound effects noises... blips, bloops.

MisterModular · Post by **MisterModular** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 8:25 pm

The EMS VSC3/Synthi A series is great for odd sounds like Tukon4 says. It is also hard to get new. I don't know if they still make them or not. As you can see http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/ has not been updated since 1998. I do know that they are wonderful, quirky machines but also require a tech on hand to make repairs when they break down. Parts are also difficult to find for them from what I've heard. I had an idea to trade my Voyager for a Synthi A a few months ago after watching the making of "Dark side of the Moon". It really tempted me but I've since lost the desire to acquire one (for now). I did a bit of research and found my Voyager to be a lot less of a worry when it comes to maintenance.

Arpmoogscience · Post by **Arpmoogscience** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:31 pm

I own both, Mini and Synthi aks. I sold my mini to get a voyager recently
though. They both sound great but the Synthi has way more possibilities.
Accept for the superiour mini bass sounds i would say the Aks wins hands down. Listen to Tangerine Dreams (Phaedra) its all over it.
I think the only seriously rare parts in a synthi are in the ks(keyboard sequence) memory. Also Synthi begs to be moded. I had several done to mine by Robin Wood. I will go to my grave with it.

KazRemark · Post by **KazRemark** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 2:11 pm

I own both a Voyager and an EMS Rehberg Synthi-a (same as VCS-3). Both are great sounding synths with very different strengths that complement each other very nicely. The Moog is nice, because it is a lot more playable and predictable, and sounds much meatier. The EMS is nice, because it makes otherworldly sounds, has a nifty lilttle joystick, is incredibly easy to patch, and behaves very quirky. It goes in and out of tune, and if you make an interesting patch, make sure your sampling the output, because most of the time it won't sound the same five minutes later. You can still buy new VCS-3's and Synthi-a's from Ludwig Rehberg:

http://www.ems-rehberg.de/SYNTHI__s/synthi__s.html

I bought mine from Ludwig a few years ago. If your finances permit, get both. both the Moog and the EMS are the best mono synths ever made. All your friends will envy you. All the girls will want you. And your music will sound great.