Talk:Electronic Music Studios

Still around?
The links section lists the company's homepage here. But that webpage was last updated in 1998. In theory I could telephone them and find out what they are doing, their number is 01726 883 265, but that would be original research. I would have to phone them up, write about them on a website, and then link to that article in order for the information to be valid under Wikipedia's rules. -Ashley Pomeroy 22:25, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

VCS4 prototype
There is an error on this page, which is based on repeating an error on Graham Hinton's site, which is generally very good. He states that the VCS4 is "known to be in the United States", but this information is incorrect, and I don't know where he got this idea. I have tried to get this corrected on his site without success. In fact the VCS4 was sold to the Electronic Music Studio at the Royal College of Music, London, and subsequently sold to my colleague Simon Desorgher, and a few years ago it was overhauled by Robin Wood at EMS.

I know this because:

a - I was Tristram Cary's student at the RCM at the time EMS was setup, and later his teaching assistant, and I had a lot of contact with EMS and its activities. b- After Tristram left for Australia I became Professor-in-Charge of Studios at the RCM, so I was in charge when the VCS4 came to us. c - I collaborate regularly with Simon on the Colourscape Music Festivals and other activities presented by Eye Music Trust, of which we are both Directors.

The VCS4 is alive and well and living in South Croydon, London.

I could edit the page, but I am a novice Wikipedia editor and I need some hand holding. Do I simply change the text? Or should I include some of this background information?

Lawrence Casserley — Preceding unsigned comment added by Lcasserley (talk • contribs) 21:23, 10 December 2011 (UTC)


 * Hi! Is it in the original chassis, or in the wood case ? The wood case version seems to have been recently rebuilt by the Hammond Hire Company (Alpha Entek), and photographed at the headquarters of Ninja Tune (UK) in September 2011.  I agree the possibility of existence of VCS4 prototype in the UK, however I can't found reliable source on it.
 * IMO, in this case, probably we should describe both controversial. For example, as following:
 * The VCS4 ... was known to be in the United States[Hinton 2001]undefined or the United Kingdom[Your source or footnote] . ...  ...)
 * # references
 * --Clusternote (talk) 04:22, 11 December 2011 (UTC)
 * --Clusternote (talk) 04:22, 11 December 2011 (UTC)

These sites are interesting - an instrument like this was prototyped and seems to be known as "The other VCS4" (actually a repackaged VCS3 - one of several tried - it was replaced by the Synthi A). I think this must be where the confusion arises. I am pretty sure that EMS did not make an instrument like that (other than the prototype - is that what went to the US?). I am referring to the VCS4 that is pictured on Hinton's site (and he is clearly referring to that as "known to be in the USA"), consisting of two VCS3s mounted on a custom built wooden base, which contains a keyboard, octave filter bank, sub-harmonic generator and some additional switches and controls. The VCS3s are very early models with DIN connectors rather than 1/4inch jacks. They have been modified so that signals can be routed via the matrices between the VCS3s and to the processing in the base. Maybe we should try to resolve this confusion once and for all by referring to both these items. I could get some better photos of "our" VCS4 - maybe post them on my site with a description? Then this article can reference my site - is that the right way forward?

Thank you - Lawrence Lcasserley (talk) 12:48, 13 December 2011 (UTC)


 * Oh, it's my mistake. My previous post confused "VCS4" (1968) with "The other VCS4" (1971).
 * I think your suggestion is very interesting, and if some "reliable sources" were added (ex. papers, articles, pamphlets, news, or books referring VCS4 (in the UK)), it might be more helpful for Wikipedia project and its readers (including amateur historian and enthusiasts of electronic music).
 * --Clusternote (talk) 12:46, 16 December 2011 (UTC)
 * --Clusternote (talk) 12:46, 16 December 2011 (UTC)

Thanks for that - one of the problems with this is that AFAIK there is very little in the way of reliable resources about EMS. I will get on with documenting the VCS4 as soon as I can - at least that will be a first hand account by someone who has known the instrument almost from the beginning. I will also see if I can get any information from RobinWood that will be helpful.

Lawrence - Lcasserley (talk) 18:17, 16 December 2011 (UTC)

Perhaps some confusion with Brian Eno's custom-made dual synthi - https://www.matrixsynth.com/2017/04/roxy-musics-brian-enos-custom-dual-ems.html — Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.2.146.208 (talk) 10:38, 12 September 2018 (UTC)

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 * EMS Vocoder 5000 (clip) - The Doctor Who Experience - sound effect studio (reconstruction) - Cardiff Trip 111 (2015-04-06 11.30.20 by James Truepenny).jpg