In 1971 EMS (Electronic Music Studios) released two versions of this portable three-oscillator synthesizer, the Synthi A and the AKS (pictured). Both were miniaturized repackagings of EMS’s earlier VCS3 unit, but the AKS took things a step further with its included monophonic digital sequencer and 30-note touch pad keyboard. The bit that looks like a Battleship grid in the middle is actually used to route signal to various parts of the unit by sticking pins in the appropriate holes.
Unfortunately, due to a tendency for the occilators to drift out of tune, they only found limited success. Perhaps the greatest contribution of the Synthi A and AKS came in the techniques discovered by EMS’s engineers, who two years later were to launch the Synthi 100, a desk-sized synth that had (essentially) three VCS3 units crammed into its frame.
The only fully working model known of the Synthi 100 is owned by Jack Dangers of Meat Beat Manifesto, although EMS still offers to build custom units to order if you’ve got the cash. (Thanks, Clint!)
Electronic Music Studios (EMS) Synthi A / AKS / 100 [VintageSynth]
