# iVCS3 — Official EMS VCS3 emulator

> Official EMS VCS3 synthesizer emulator for music creation and sound design. (iPhone/iPad app by apeSoft.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ivcs3/id665703927 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [apeSoft](https://appshunter.io/developer/464660782)
- Category: Music, Education
- Price: $19.99 with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 206 App Store ratings · 192 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 105 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2014-03-06
- Data updated: 2026-08-30
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ivcs3/id665703927/reviews.md

## What is iVCS3?

iVCS3
Official EMS VCS3 emulator

The VCS3 was created in 1969 by Peter Zinovieff's EMS company. The electronics were largely designed by David Cockerell and the machine's distinctive visual appearance was the work of electronic composer Tristram Cary. The VCS3 was more or less the first portable commercially available synthesizer—portable in the sense that the VCS 3 was housed entirely in a small, wooden case.
The VCS3 was quite popular among progressive rock bands and was used on recordings by The Alan Parsons Project, Jean Michel Jarre, Hawkwind, Brian Eno (with Roxy Music), King Crimson, The Who, Gong, and Pink Floyd, among many others. Well-known examples of its use are on The Who track "Won't Get Fooled Again" (as an external sound processor, in this case with Pete Townshend running the signal of a Lowrey Organ through the VCS3's filter and low frequency oscillators) on Who's Next. Pink Floyd's "On the Run" (from The Dark Side of the Moon) made use of its oscillators, filter and noise generator, as well as the sequencer. Their song Welcome to the Machine also used the VCS3. The bassy throb at the beginning of the recording formed the foundation of the song, with the other parts being recorded in response. The VCS3 was also a staple at the BBC’s Radiophonic Workshop, and was a regular (and most frightening) sound generator for the Dr Who TV series. Many fo the monsters and atmoshere;s created for the show came directly from the VCS3. 

Description

The VCS3 has three oscillators (in reality, the first 2 oscillators are normal oscillators and the 3rd an LFO or Low Frequency Oscillator), a noise generator, two input amplifiers, a ring modulator, a 18dB/octave (pre-1974) or 24dB/octave (after 1974) voltage controlled low pass filter (VCF), a trapezoid envelope generator, joy-stick controller, voltage controlled spring reverb unit and 2 stereo output amplifiers. Unlike most modular synthesizer systems which use cables to link components together, the VCS3 uses a distinctive patch board matrix into which pins are inserted in order to connect its components together.
Keyboards controller

DK1 keyboard controller

Although the VCS3 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 VCS3 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.

(See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VCS3)

## Key features

- Official EMS VCS3 emulation
- Three oscillators (2 VCOs, 1 LFO)
- Noise generator
- Voltage controlled low pass filter (VCF)
- Patch board matrix
- Joy-stick controller
- Voltage controlled spring reverb

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: $19.99.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Red Sky Lullaby - 180 Presets | Free | one-time |
| Singe Difficile by RUST(i)K | Free | one-time |
| RUMBLE | Free | one-time |
| OLD GRIT - COLLECTION | Free | one-time |
| JEC 2018 Iconic PinkFloyd | Free | one-time |
| JEC EMS-50 | Free | one-time |
| SINAPSYA - Under The Dust | $2.99 | one-time |
| LALA - Sonic Pleasures | $3.99 | one-time |
| Essential EMS Modifications | $6.99 | one-time |
| JEC Mega Bank | $4.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of iVCS3?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Faithful recreation of the original
- 👍 Powerful and versatile sound
- 🎨 Gorgeous vintage interface
- 💡 Additional features beyond the original
- 🎛️ Excellent integration with MIDI and other apps

**Cons**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🤔 Steep learning curve
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate the matrix

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Presets not loading
- Crashes on iOS 15.04
- Sampler not functioning properly

**Most requested features**

- Mac compatibility
- Improved preset management
- Expanded sampling capabilities

## Recent user reviews (10 of 192)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ivcs3/id665703927/reviews.md

### 5/5 — The Real Deal

*2025-09-21*

Having owned and used both a VCS-3 and an AKS for many years back in the ‘70s I can confirm that this app is a stunningly accurate replica of the original instruments. 
It has some additional features. For example, used in AUM, you can add additional control modules (like LFOs) and apply them to just about every control on the APP’s panels.

### 5/5 — Mac compatibility now available.

*2025-08-23*

The update sounds great on iPad, but mentioned Mac compatibility doesn’t seem to be available. Really hope this is added soon.

Update: Mac compatibility now working - fantastic!

### 5/5 — Lil Woodryc

*2025-03-24, version 3.5.1*

This plug-in is absolutely nuts

Eight different effects to play 

around with and even a 

bit crusher functionality sound 

design possibilities are endless

good for lofi textures in sound

### 5/5 — EMS VCS Emulator

*2025-03-21*

I’ve used this secret sauce Monster Emulator for approximately 2.5 years now Still there’s nothing close to the raw power and versatility that you can run on an iOS device . Once you channel it through  a Universal Audio NEVE  strip plug in or a Fairchild  and an Eventide  ? What larks

### 2/5 — Keyboard disappears

*2025-02-14*

Love mostly all about this app, but the keyboard shows up when loading the app and then flies out of frame and can't be brought back which makes it hard to play - left with drones and the sequenzer its still nice, but an bugfix update would be amazing

### 5/5 — Terrible

*2024-12-02*

Avec un Theremine ….Genial !
Mapping midi facile et fiable .
Un grand merci

### 5/5 — Benchmark for emulation

*2024-11-27, version 3.5.1*

This is a wonderful example of engineering software built for purpose - so many features to uncover in here, excellent integration to network and Bluetooth MIDI including fine 14-bit controllers, AUv3/DAW integration, Ableton, accelerometers, LFO automation on all parameters, audio sharing apps too! With so many vintage instruments out there still to be emulated and this should be the reference of how it’s done! Great work

### 5/5 — So unique

*2024-11-19*

I love this app not only does it have all the components of the VCS; it’s beautifully laid out. There are not many synths that allow external inputs and user supplied samples including the ability to record them directly, as nd sequencer. I wish it were also available as a native mac app. I’d buy it in a heartbeat!

### 5/5 — Stellar!

*2024-08-31*

Being a lifelong pink floyd and Richard Wright fanatic,this is the closest most will come to obtaining an instrument that Richard used. The sound is amazing and it works great. Took years to write this review lol but well deserved!

### 5/5 — Indescrivibile!

*2024-07-20, version 3.5.1*

Ho comprato un iPad Pro esclusivamente per poter usare questo meraviglioso sintetizzatore. 
Talmente al di sopra degli altri che tentare un paragone è estremamente imbarazzante (per gli altri 😀). Il suono è cosi complesso, organico e vivo che non si può proprio descrivere. 
Per chi non lo sapesse questo synth fu ampiamente usato anche dal grande Maestro Franco Battiato in alcuni suoi album. 
Non parliamo poi della gentilezza e professionalità dello sviluppatore che ha risolto dopo pochissimi giorni un piccolo difetto grafico abbastanza fastidioso. 
Anche questo è veramente un qualcosa di raro. 
 Meraviglioso !! 👏🏻👏🏻

## Frequently asked questions about iVCS3

### What is the iVCS3 app?

The iVCS3 app is an official emulator of the EMS VCS3, a groundbreaking portable analog synthesizer released in 1969. It allows users to experience the unique sonic capabilities of this historic instrument on their mobile devices.

### What are the key features of the iVCS3 emulator?

The app features three oscillators (two standard and one LFO), a noise generator, a voltage-controlled low-pass filter, a patch board matrix for connecting modules, a joystick controller, and a voltage-controlled spring reverb. It aims to replicate the original hardware's functionality.

### Is the iVCS3 app free to use?

The application is free to download and use, but it offers in-app purchases. These purchases likely unlock additional features, presets, or functionalities beyond the core emulation.

### What kind of music can I create with the iVCS3?

The VCS3 was famously used by progressive rock bands and for sound effects in TV shows. You can use the iVCS3 to create a wide range of sounds, from experimental textures and atmospheric soundscapes to the distinctive electronic sounds characteristic of the 1970s.

### Can I connect a keyboard to the iVCS3?

While the original VCS3 lacked a built-in keyboard, external controllers like the DK1 and DK2 were available. The app description mentions keyboard controllers and sequencers associated with the VCS3, suggesting potential compatibility or emulation of these features.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.6.3 — 2026-04-10

RESTORE PURCHASED works for OS 26

### 3.6.2 — 2026-03-30

Fixed restore purchased in iOS 26

### 3.6.1 — 2025-09-20

Updated to the latest iOS SDK
Fixed a potential issue where the keyboard could unexpectedly disappear

### 3.6 — 2025-08-22

+ Available per macOS (Designed for iPad)
+ Improved stability
+ Updated to the latest iOS SDK
+ Updated dependencies
+ Fixed various bugs

### 3.5.1 — 2024-07-14

Maintenance Updates
Latest iOS SDK Update
Fixed an issue causing the app to crash when double tap two knobs  together

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## More apps by apeSoft

- [iDensity](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idensity/id464660779)
- [iPulsaret](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ipulsaret/id565880268)
- [Stria](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stria/id625740515)
- [Sparkle - Cross-Synthesis](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sparkle-cross-synthesis/id818477094)
- [SOLO  Nr.19](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solo-nr19/id884781236)

All apps by apeSoft: https://appshunter.io/developer/464660782

## Related topics

[ivcs3](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ivcs3) · [apesoft](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/apesoft)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-30.*