Synthorama - Museum für Synthesizer

The Synthorama is a museum for electronic musical instruments. On around 400 square meters, it presents 360 mostly analog synthesizers and 60 rhythm instruments from 10 countries. The collection does not include organs. The instruments on display provide a good overview of the history of music over the last 80 years or so. The oldest instrument from 1931 is a "Theremin" from the RCA company, developed in 1920 by the Russian inventor Lev Sergeivitch Termen. It is one of the actual early precursors of today's synthesizers, as they increasingly graced music stages in the 1960s, made popular by the rock band Emerson Lake & Palmer, among others.

Well-known manufacturer names such as "Moog", "ARP", "Buchla" or "EML" as pioneers, but also "Oberheim" and "Sequential" form a solid basis in the collection of American synthesizers, which awaits visitors on the first floor. The basement is dedicated to European and Japanese instruments. Here, too, the development of synthesizers, which began early in the 1970s, can be traced as it took its course outside the USA. Among the Europeans, well-known brands such as the German-English co-production "EMS", the Italian cult synthesizer "Elka Synthex" or the French "RSF Kobol" can be heard, but lesser-known brands from the former GDR, the Czech Republic, Russia, Estonia or Sweden can also be found.

The fact that the Japanese were also involved in the manufacture of synthesizers at this time can be seen in the sometimes monumental instruments from "Korg", but also in the great variety from the "Roland" and "Yamaha" camps.

Also in the basement, the most curious rhythm machines from the most diverse

brands from the last 40 years. The collection ends in the 1980s, because with the advent of the legendary digital synthesizer DX-7 from "Yamaha" in 1983, the first model with a standard MIDI interface, analogue synthesizers quickly disappeared and most American manufacturers also ceased production.

Throughout the museum, visitors have the opportunity, with a few exceptions, to try out the instruments themselves and enjoy the sounds they produce. However, they must bring their own headphones and have plenty of time to spare. Guided tours are also offered at no extra cost.  

Opening hours:
The museum is open every first Saturday of the month from 10.00 to 16.00. It is also possible, especially for groups, to gain access to the museum outside these times by prior arrangement.
The museum is closed in January.
Please note that smoking is prohibited throughout the building.

Prices:
The entrance fee per person and day is SFr. 14.- (students SFr. 10.-), for groups of 8 persons or more SFr. 10.- each (students SFr. 7.50). It is not permitted to sample or save sounds in any way as part of the regular admission price.

Miscellaneous:
In addition to the exhibition, the Synthorama also offers a repair service for synthesizers.

How to get there:
The Synthorama is located in Luterbach, 4 km from Solothurn and can be easily reached by train (Luterbach-Attisholz station), car (A5 highway, exit 33, Solothurn Ost), bicycle, skateboard or on foot (coordinates: 7° 35' 15.3" E, 47° 12' 55.7" N).


Note: This text was translated by machine translation software and not by a human translator. It may contain translation errors.