Building The Cloney, A Replica Of The Rare EMS VCS 3 Synthesizer
LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER -in his latest video, host Sam Battle discusses his experience building The Cloney Project, an unofficial DIY replica of the classic EMS VCS 3 synthesizer.
Battle shows the process of building his Cloney, shares some audio demos and discusses some of the problems that he still has to fix on his build.
The Cloney is a full-size clone of the original VCS 3 design, which was originally introduced in 1969. The developer is discussing another round of kits on the project Facebook page, with the cost expected to be around $2,500.
The original VCS 3 is technically still available from Electronic Music Studios (EMS), which says it’s “the world’s longest established synthesizer manufacturer.” The official VCS 3 is priced at £5950. EMS is a very small manufacturer, though, and has a backlog of years. One buyer has related waiting a full decade to get their VCS 3.
Other alternatives include the Erica Synths Syntrx, which is a modern design, inspired by the VCS 3. It’s a more capable synth than the original, with improved synthesis capabilities and patch memory. Jean-Michel Jarre – a long-time user of the original VCS 3 – has called the Syntrx II “an instant classic.”
And Behringer is working on an unofficial copy of the VCS 3. There’s no telling when it will actually be available, though. Behringer originally announced plans for their VCS 3 copy eight years ago.
Watch the video, and share your thoughts on the The Cloney Project in the comments!
