VCS3 Clone - Anyone here own or have access to an original?

[vout]

Hi, (Bit of a long post this, sorry) I am in the process of building an EMS VCS3 clone. The primary objective is to build something that looks like an original VCS3 Mk I. I am not replicating the original circuitry, but I aim to reproduce the appearance and functionality, if not the exact sound, as far as possible. I have produced panel designs and sourced all panel components, including vernier dials, knobs, meter and joystick (but not the patchbay yet!) and other parts - speakers, PSU, spring reverb etc. The wooden cabinet will be made of 3/4" Teak (this is very similar to the original Afromosia and I happen to have a nice piece that is ideal) And this is where my problem lies. I cannot find anywhere the correct dimensions for the wooden case. There are many pictures of VCS3s online, but it is practically impossible to obtain accurate measurements from a photograph, no matter how good, though it is possible to see how the cabinet is constructed.
So, I want to ask here - is there anyone reading this who either owns or has access to a VCS3 and can measure the casing as accurately as possible (including the angles of the sloping parts), also the visible size of the control panels (I believe they are 16"x12" for the upper and 16"x10" for the lower, but I cannot be sure). I hope someone here can help, please either reply here or pm me. Thanks in advance and Happy New Year!

Cheers, vout

[v-un-v]

Hi Vout

I'm a keen VCS3 lover too But I don't own one. I've had a few chances, but prices kept on rising. (fwiw, I was offered one back in 1983 for £50 , but I was too young to afford it, even at £50! My dad wouldn't pay for it either because it was only monophonic )

Good luck with the clone. Please keep us informed about how you get on. Jurgen Haible has also built a clone. Jurgen is here at electro-music.com.

Perhaps you would also want a Schulte Phasing A clone to go with your synthi? remember- instant Autobahn!

btw, I always thought that a vc comb filter would be an ideal replacement for the spring reverb, or at least having an option to switch to either.

[amnesia]

i can help you with exact Synthi face if you need

[yusynth]

You may also find interesting things at my site :

http://yusynth.net/VCS3

This project of mine is still in stalled status because of my bigger ongoing modular project but I am supposed to resume the XVCS3 project this year 2008...

[vout]

Hi v-un-v, thanks for the encouragement. Yes, the reason I am doing this project is that I have lusted after a VCS3 for as long as I can remember, hoping that an affordable one would come my way, but It never happened, so..

I actually intend to build two identical enclosures - one will house the VCS3 look-a-like, the other will house a series of additional modules, including a sequencer (possibly the KLEE, haven't decided yet), additional modulation sources, including a Fritz chaos circuit, an analogue phaser and analogue delay (I have these last two). It will also have a patchbay and joystick control. We will see.

Both Jürgen Haible and Steve Thomas Synthi clones have been inspirational, but I think that Yves Usson's project is much closer to my own, there is much useful information on his site.

I intend to document the 'build' (it has not really started yet, mainly planning/preparation at the moment) and make the information available (as long as no-one objects - I know that EMS are still in business, don't want to infringe any IP)

As for a £50 VCS3 - Pshaww! I know someone who sold a midi Oscar for £15 in the early nineties! Of course, she only told me about it some time later, I nearly strangled her..

Cheers, vout

[vout]

Hi amnesia, thank you for the offer of help. I would very much like to receive any information relating to the design of the EMS synths, even though I am building a VCS3 look-a-like, the Synthi has a lot in common with it.

Cheers, vout

[vout]

Hi Yves, Thank you for your reply, I am very pleased to hear that your project is alive and well, I found your site to be very informative and tantalising! but I had feared the project was abandoned as there had been no updates for a while. Now I look forward to seeing more of your clone. Dare I ask if you have the information I need and are prepared to share it?

Cheers, vout

[yusynth]

Yes, there has been a big pause in the XVCS3 project because of my big YUSYNTH modular project. But now that the YUSYNTH Modular is quite complete I will restart my XVCS3 project.

It is my intention to share all useful information about it as I did for my other project.

I will probably redraw the front panel with a better design tool.

[v-un-v]

Vout, you know what, its just occurred to me that Jen's Synthetone SX1000 has the VCS3's knobs attached to it. I've got one here. The knobs are identical (AFAICT).

You could buy an SX1000 for £100 or whatever they go for these days, pinch all the knobs off it and re-sell it

real synthi-clone knobs for nowt!

[Luka]

you can buy the knobs from cliffs

[vout]

Hi all, Thanks for the suggestions - I already have a complete set of panel components, including all the correct knobs (original plain black ones as on the VCS3 Mk I), pots, switches etc, its just the case dimensions that I really need just now as I want to get this as close to an original as possible.

Cheers, vout

[Ricko]

When I checked with Cliff earlier in 2007 they had only a very limited supply in one country only, and no knobs at all with aluminium inserts.

The K1 and K2 knobs were pretty cheap anyway. (There are some knobs in production that look a little like them, but not cheap.)

[mono-poly]

I need some MK1 knobs.
Cliff selss those with the silver inlays?

[derekrevell]

O.K. Here are some measurements.

Width 43cm Height 44cm Depth 42mm.

The top and lower panels are actually recessed into 2.5mm wide by 3mm deep slots cut into the wood.

So the aluminium panels sizes are actually larger than you see.

Don't forget the top wooden panel slopes away at about 12.5 degs, as does the front panel. this top wooden panel was designed like this, so musicians didn't stand their beer, wine and cigarette's on the top of the instrument.

Best regards Derek Revell

[neandrewthal]

[Peake]

"You could buy an SX1000 for £100 or whatever they go for these days, pinch all the knobs off it and re-sell it."

I'll bet that you could build one for less, especially the filter:

http://www.freeinfosociety.com/electronics/schemview.php?id=1096

Sorry to distract from the thread. This is an excellent site for schemos if you haven't been there before.

[vout]

Hi, thanks for the input everyone - I recently bought a set of knobs from a JEN 1000, they look like Cliff knobs, but there are noticable differences in design and quality when directly compared with original Cliff K1's. I have an E&MM Spectrum synth with Cliff knobs and the difference is clear. I think JEN or someone must have copied the Cliff design, though it's possible that there were variations in the Cliff knobs if they were made at different times/locations.

I haven't actually started the VCS3 project yet (got sidetracked with a KLEE and a x0xb0x - but 90% of the parts are here and it is next on the list!

Cheers, vout

[sneakthief]

yes, the jen knobs are pretty cheap and the coloured metal plates fall off easily.

re. cloning a jen: not as easy as you might think because it uses a custom Italian SGS M110 DCO chip, which is both expensive and hard to find. i think the Siel Cruise also used this dco.

however, there's a project that clones this chip using an Atmel microcontroller: http://www.milton.arachsys.com/nj71/forums.html?menu=2&submenu=4&subsubmenu=1

[v-un-v]

Clone a Jen??? what are you mad??!?

Why on earth would anyone want to do a thing like that??

fwiw, I've got a Jen SX1000 and its CRAP!! (I was keeping it for the keyboard, which is its only nice part....fatar??)

How about cloning a Moog Sonic Six? The Sonic has two vclfo's feeding two vco's, independently, or together. The Jen otoh, has err.... a triangle osc for well....vibrato....zzzzzzzzz

[Peake]

[v-un-v]

[blue hell]

Yes they look great ... and the one I toyed with once for a couple of hours sounded great as well, but I thought it to be a bit limited for this age

[Peake]

Sound is everything.

Tactile interface is second.

EMS win big in both categories. I won't allow this to turn into a thread-jacking for the sake of the OP. Good luck on the project, I know that there are several who can help you do it right!

[v-un-v]

Indeed;- don't let's hijack this thread...., but I do think that interface is just as important as sound! :p In fact, I spent many hours many years ago talking to Graham Hinton about this, and apparently Peter Zinovieff was obsessed with cleanliness of front panel design- hence the reason the ain't a single patchcord in sight on the synthi's front panel! (just how nerdy can one get?? )


What I'd really like to know is, who is gonna PM me a copy of the original VCS3 service manual then?? (with schematics and board layouts then? hehe )

[v-un-v]