The VCS 3, an initialism for Voltage Controlled Studio, version #3, is a portable analog synthesiser with a flexible semi-modular voice architecture, introduced by Electronic Music Studios (London) Limited (EMS) in 1969.
Although the VCS 3 is often used for generating sound effects due to lack of built-in keyboard, there were external keyboard controllers for melodic play. The DK1 in 1969 was an early velocity sensitive monophonic keyboard for VCS 3 with an extra VCO and VCA.
Later it was extended for duophonic play, as DK2, in 1972.
Also in 1972, Synthi AKS was released, and its digital sequencer with a touch-sensitive flat keyboard, KS sequencer and its mechanical keyboard version, DKS, were also released.
Who used it?
Jean-Michel Jarre - The Oxygene 2 Sound Effect is made with the EMS VCS 3.
Delia Derbyshire:
She was one of the most important early adopters of the EMS VCS3, using it prominently on her White Noise album An Electric Storm and even persuading the BBC to buy a few units for the Radiophonic Workshop.
It’s hardly surprising, as she was a close friend of EMS founder Peter Zinovieff and the machine had been designed by occasional Doctor Who composer (and EMS co-founder) Tristram Carey.