Event overview
Join us for a day of talks and discussion about, and performances with, the EMS VCS4 Live Performance Module - this event will be live-streamed & limited seating is available.
This is a key element of Goldsmiths’ new modular synthesizer suite at the Electronic Music Studios in the Department of Music, where it is available for use by our music students, researchers and visiting artists. The VCS4 was built by the world-renowned Electronic Music Studios Ltd (EMS) company which was founded in London by Peter Zinovieff more than 50 years ago and was one of a number of synthesisers used in the 1970s by pioneers of British electronic music. Due to strict Covid-measures, this event will allow 50 ticket holders in person at Goldsmiths - please book your free ticket via eventbrite, or watch online on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP4Tg_E0cCQ
Full programme for VCS4:2022 on our Facebook event page (https://fb.me/e/1zu3oKfG9). The day will take place at Goldsmiths Cinema in the Richard Hoggart Building. This can accommodate a live audience of up to 50 people and we will be live-streaming the day as well - see direct link at top of page.
The VCS4 was built for Harrison Birtwistle’s performance of Medusa at South Bank in 1970. It was moved to the EMS studio in Putney before it was taken to the Royal College of Music by composer Tristram Cary. It was subsequently owned by Simon Desorgher, a former RCM student. The VCS4 was restored to functional order in 2006 by Robin Wood at EMS and acquired by Goldsmiths in 2019. Additional restoration and repair work has since been carried out by Steven Thomas of Digitana Electronics.
The VCS4 is based on two EMS VCS3 synthesisers – a portable analogue synthesiser developed in 1969. These were widely used by such luminaries as Delia Derbyshire, the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, Brian Eno, Hawkwind, Pink Floyd, Robert Fripp and Aphex Twin. The VCS3’s in the VCS4 have been heavily modified and incorporated into a base station featuring keyboard, external audio input mixer, and signal processing inside a wooden cabinet). It is a completely unique instrument. A second, but very different, VCS4 model is owned by Matt Black of Coldcut.
The VCS4 was acquired for the Department by research associate Dr James Bulley with support from the Goldsmiths Friends and Alumni Fund.
For more detailed information on the VCS4 at Goldsmiths see:
https://www.gold.ac.uk/ems/resourcesie/
Dates & times
| Date | Time | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Jun 2022 | 2:00pm - 8:00pm |
Accessibility
If you are attending an event and need the College to help with any mobility requirements you may have, please contact the event organiser in advance to ensure we can accommodate your needs.
