--- title: "iVCS3 - Reviews, Revenue and Downloads in United States | Apple App Store" description: "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 appearanc" --- # iVCS3 — United States > Official EMS VCS3 emulator ![iVCS3 App Icon](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple211/v4/66/ce/ed/66ceedb1-bb93-a496-60ad-37aa972f7d10/AppIcon-0-0-1x_U007emarketing-0-8-0-85-220.png/434x0w.png) **Developer:** [Alessandro Petrolati](https://apptail.io/developer/alessandro-petrolati-LFd) (Italy) **Category:** Music **Rating:** 4.9/5 (205 ratings) **Price:** Free **Bundle ID:** com.densitygs.iVCS3 **Store:** Apple App Store **Country:** United States **Version:** 3.6.3 (released 2026-04-10) **Original Release:** 2014-03-06 **Languages:** English **App Store Link:** [Download on Apple App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/app/id665703927) **AppTail Page:** [https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/united-states](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/united-states) ## iVCS3 Description 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) ## iVCS3 Screenshots - [Screenshot 1](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple113/v4/68/eb/fb/68ebfbe8-c4c2-8053-acca-87306336a2c3/mzl.widwbqky.png/960x640.png) - [Screenshot 2](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple113/v4/4d/b8/0c/4db80c84-437a-dfe9-424e-cde35a9f48cc/mzl.wemzfsxi.png/960x640.png) - [Screenshot 3](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple113/v4/35/53/f2/3553f2b5-2783-29bb-8896-d55e352a0044/mzl.tqiwmcan.png/960x640.png) - [Screenshot 4](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple113/v4/66/6e/53/666e5314-c65e-a18e-fbfa-1b809013516e/mzl.nyhqagkk.png/960x640.png) - [Screenshot 5](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple123/v4/f9/30/e2/f930e28b-b2dc-b61c-9e79-5a57e9da11e0/mzl.zzilmvpi.png/960x640.png) ## iVCS3 Rating Breakdown in United States - 5 stars: 190 (93%) - 4 stars: 8 (4%) - 3 stars: 3 (1%) - 2 stars: 1 (0%) - 1 stars: 3 (1%) ## iVCS3 Reviews in United States ### ***** "So unique" 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! -- DrMemory99, 2024-11-19 ### ***** "Stellar!" 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! -- The endless river 420, 2024-08-31 ### *---- "No longer works!" After several updates it has become impossible to select any presets. All purchases are now inaccessible!!! Just blank pages when navigating to a set pf presets. Same problem iOS 16 & 17. -- Reviewer4Apps, 2024-03-15 ### ***** "Love it!" Please make available on all Apple Silicon. Would LOVE to use this on a desktop or laptop! -- Fetaltrevor, 2023-12-01 ### ***** "Every nun needs a Synthi" Holy wow. This is a gorgeous emulator of a weird and wonderful synthesizer. I discovered this while browsing through the Trunk Records online catalogue, and now it’s my favorite app by a lot. Made with love by and for music nerds. -- Thackmaster, 2022-02-10 ### ***** "This is a classic app that keeps on giving-growing!" From the start I was excited to have access to such an incredibly rare synthesizer experience as the hardware version of this model is next to impossible to find even in a synth Mueseum! But the roster of artist who have used this is as long and thick as an old phone book! The icing on the cake is apesoft and especially James Edward Cosby continuing to support and build upon this synth with updates and presets that customize and help any sound designer and synth musicians from newbie analog programmers to the geniuses that understand the deep complexity of the real wires and patches of CV and modulation “electronic goodies” that make this such a special secret weapon to any kit! Roger Waters was the artist famous for saying “there are lots of electronic goodies made available for us to be bothered with....and we will be bothered!” From the documentary “Pink Floyd - Live at Pompeii” when Roger was positively inspired creatively when he says ‘bothered’ in a most noble way ....with parts of the film showcasing Roger programming and playing this very synth in what would become “The Darkside of the Moon” album of all time! When I saw this strange synth I never realized how rare it was but since technology has made it possible with programming and development by apesoft and James Edward Cosby (Jim Cosby)! This is after many years of surprise and intrigue oh and much joy in sound design playing this instrument that I finally wrote a good review in honor of yet another addition in “captivity” to blow my mind yet again! So this review is well past due and much deserved! Bravo! Bravo! And Bravo, indeed! -- djcarpediem, 2020-11-26 ### ***-- "Great synth, but the matrix..." I like this synth but I don’t like the matrix, so I hardly ever use it. You can zoom in on the matrix but still it’s difficult to see where you need to put the pins. I always trace them by hovering with my finger. Basically the farther the hole from the labels, the harder it is to see which two items it connects. Don’t get me wrong, the holes are big enough for the finger, so when you tap on the one you intend to put the pin into, there’s no problem there, it’s precise. But to visually find where you need to put the pin is a challenge and always takes too long. Looking up and left a few times, and ultimately ending up having to hoover my finger over the holes to visualize the signal flow. It’s a bad design, humans need visual queues. Take Factory (by Sugarbytes) for example, it's got about the same overall size of its matrix but it’s so clear to use. I look, and then tap to place the circle, without having to figure out which hole connects what. Glancing at the matrix, to figure out what’s going on in the patch... is not something I’m able to do in iCVS3, and that’s pretty much kills all the joy of using this synth for me. I get that it’s looks were modeled after hardware but that doesn’t change my experience using this app on (10.5”) iPad. Using this matrix is frustrating because there’s too much visual information to process/interpret for my mind, and there are no visual queues to help. Perhaps if a different “skin” for the matrix was available as an option, it would make things clearer. If you look at the screenshot of the matrix, try to visualize the connections. If you find it effortless or not a big deal, then I’m sure you’ll love this app as the rest of it is actually very well made. -- GadgetMojo, 2020-02-26 ### ****- "Yamaha MD-BT01" Still can't imagine, how do i can use it with Yamaha MD-BT01, effortless and with the full support of Core MIDI. -- Rakshitar, 2019-12-27 ### ***** "Dope A F" Title says it all. Makes wanna mill some nice spruce sides to affix to my iPad. This really,to me, makes any and every reason to own iPads. Really sounds monstrous through some choice plug ins via AUM then into a good P A. Thanks for the killer app and let’s get going on the CS-80 emulator! -- Mo Freeapps, 2019-09-12 ### *---- "Won’t open" I just got a iPad Pro 12.5 and the app won’t open then crashes over and over ☹️ why? -- Brokenhead57, 2019-07-17 ### ***** "Incredible!!!" It’s going on 2 years of use and this is still my favorite synth app. -- Joonie Greene, 2019-04-07 ### ***** "Keeps getting better." ApeSoft is keeps giving back to this already get Synth App. Thank You. -- richardj6, 2019-02-03 ### ***** "Thank you!!!" This is still one of the best ios music apps. I just had to write a review to give props to Apesoft for adding AUv3 support and pinch zoom in v3. Thank you! -- jayjayevans, 2019-02-01 ### ***** "Full AUv3!" My favorite iOS synth just got even better - thanks Ape for migrating this to full AUv3! Awesome!! -- Toneman182, 2019-02-01 ### **--- "Quit the pretension and fix the interface" Said all that needs saying -- Danhedonia, 2019-01-01 ### ***** "Best in my app collection!!" It’s been a go to since day one!! Thank you so much! -- Lyndon Amps, 2018-09-04 ### ****- "Wonderful, with issues" First, I love the sound of this synth! It is nostalgic while remaining useful. That said, I have some issues using it as an AUv3 plugin in Cubasis 2. No presets show up and there are no controls beyond a scant few. All I am left with is a never ending tone that can be selected by Cubasis’ keyboard. I hope there is a fix for this or one is in the works. As of now, I cannot use it as an AUv3 which was what I purchased it for. If this gets fixed, instant 5 star synth. -- Tilden Thorne, 2018-08-29 ### ***** "Affordable" The closest you’ll get to a real one for way cheaper . -- Renegade Rene, 2018-08-13 ### ***** "Favorite synth I own (I own them all...)" Truly is my favorite iOS synth, with the exception that the UI is super confusing. I know its a faithful recreation of the synth its modeled after, but I’d still like to see a few “modern” improvements to the UI/UX. Overall tho a 5 star synth for what the amazing sounds it can make. Highly recommend! -- _AGNDA_, 2018-06-16 ### ***** "Feels Like Vintage Hardware" IVCS3 really provides the sound and experience of playing a real vintage hardware synth. One of the best software emulations of an old analogue synth I have found on any platform. Sound quality is just fantastic and the possibilities of sound manipulation feel almost limitless. It is even unpredictable like old analogue hardware. Would love to see a polyphonic version but understand the adherence to the monophonic gem it emulates. Basses, leads and atmospheres are flat out stellar. -- Guycoolio, 2018-05-26 [View all iVCS3 reviews and detailed analytics on AppTail](https://apptail.io/account/signup?utm_campaign=ai-crawl&utm_content=reviews) ## iVCS3 In-App Purchases | Item | Price | |------|-------| | JEC Mega Bank | $4.99 | | LALA - Sonic Pleasures | $3.99 | | SINAPSYA - Under The Dust | $2.99 | | Essential EMS Modifications | $3.99 | ## iVCS3 Store Rankings | Chart | Country | Category | Rank | |-------|---------|----------|------| | Top Paid | Azerbaijan | Music | #247 | | Top Paid | Dominican Republic | Music | #315 | | Top Paid | Sweden | Music | #358 | | Top Paid | Romania | Music | #379 | | Top Paid | Russia | Music | #380 | | Top Paid | Italy | Music | #388 | | Top Paid | Czechia | Music | #392 | | Top Paid | Japan | Music | #420 | | Top Paid | France | Music | #432 | | Top Paid | Spain | Music | #441 | | Top Paid | Netherlands | Music | #465 | | Top Paid | Saudi Arabia | Music | #474 | | Top Paid | Hungary | Music | #476 | ## iVCS3 Available In - [United States](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/united-states) - [United Kingdom](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/united-kingdom) - [Germany](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/germany) - [France](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/france) - [Italy](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/italy) - [Japan](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/japan) - [Australia](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/australia) - [Canada](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/canada) - [Sweden](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/sweden) - [Netherlands](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/netherlands) - [Spain](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/spain) - [Russia](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/russia) - [Switzerland](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/switzerland) - [Austria](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/austria) - [Argentina](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/argentina) - [China](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/china) - [Belgium](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/belgium) - [Poland](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/poland) - [Brazil](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/brazil) - [Ireland](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/ireland) - [Mexico](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/mexico) - [Greece](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/greece) - [Türkiye](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/turkey) - [Denmark](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/denmark) - [Chile](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/chile) - [Finland](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/finland) - [New Zealand](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/new-zealand) - [Colombia](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/colombia) - [Ukraine](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/ukraine) - [Slovakia](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/slovakia) - [Hungary](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/hungary) - [Philippines](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/philippines) - [Norway](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/norway) - [Bulgaria](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/bulgaria) - [Czechia](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/czechia) - [Cyprus](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/cyprus) - [Hong Kong SAR China](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/hong-kong) - [India](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/india) - [Malaysia](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/malaysia) - [Portugal](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/portugal) - [Singapore](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/singapore) - [Slovenia](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/slovenia) - [Thailand](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/thailand) - [Uzbekistan](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/uzbekistan) - [Vietnam](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/vietnam) - [Algeria](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/algeria) - [Nigeria](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/nigeria) - [United Arab Emirates](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/united-arab-emirates) - [Iceland](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/iceland) - [Nepal](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/nepal) - [Israel](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/israel) - [Peru](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/peru) - [Indonesia](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/indonesia) - [Pakistan](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/pakistan) - [Brunei](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/brunei) - [Taiwan](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/taiwan) - [Romania](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/romania) - [Bahrain](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/bahrain) - [Saudi Arabia](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/saudi-arabia) - [Egypt](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/egypt) - [Dominican Republic](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/dominican-republic) - [Azerbaijan](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/azerbaijan) - [Ecuador](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/ecuador) - [South Africa](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/south-africa) - [Tunisia](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/tunisia) - [South Korea](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/south-korea) - [Kuwait](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/kuwait) - [Kazakhstan](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/kazakhstan) - [Lebanon](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/lebanon) - [Lithuania](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/lithuania) - [Latvia](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/latvia) - [Belarus](https://apptail.io/app/ivcs3-DOXc/belarus) --- ## About AppTail [AppTail](https://apptail.io) is a mobile app intelligence platform providing app analytics, ASO (App Store Optimization) tools, keyword tracking, competitor analysis, revenue estimates, and review monitoring for iOS App Store apps. Track your app's performance, discover ranking keywords, monitor competitors, and analyze market trends. - [Search Apps](https://apptail.io) - [Top Charts](https://apptail.io/top-iphone-apps) - [Sign Up for Full Access](https://apptail.io/account/signup?utm_campaign=ai-crawl&utm_content=footer) *Data provided by [AppTail](https://apptail.io) - Mobile App Intelligence Platform*