Introduction

This museum outlines synthesizer capabilities and architectual relationships via the galleries and manufacturing relationships via the Timeline. To further study architectual differences, we have published a matrix of notable components (e.g. ICs) of each synthesizer in our collection.

Please browse through our museum (navigate via the synthesizer manufacturer links to the right). It is organized by family, which is defined as models with a similar architecture (often compatible patches). To see when synthesizers of different eras were manufactured, refer to the Timeline (navigate via the era links to the left). We also have samples of many of the intruments in the museum.

At a minimum, we require manuals for all synthesizers in the museum, so if you have a manual (or better yet a synthesizer) you want to donate, please contact us.

Our sister store offers samples of some of the instruments found on this site.

We thank Synthony Museum and Vintage Synth Explorer for usage of their pics. Additionally, we thank Synthony Museum for providing most of the MSRP info and Vintage Synth Explorer for providing many of the release dates we were not able to confirm from manufacturer sources (e.g. manuals and websites).

What's New ...

Museum Move (Feb 14, 2013)

We are overhauling/moving the museum this year, giving it a new look and some new features. For a sneak peak, see the new Akai AX Family. This site will remain as-is for the foreseeable future, but all new additions/updates will go to the new site. Let us know what you think by emailing web@synthark.org.

Ensoniq Gallery (Jan 1, 2013)

The Ensoniq Gallery has been expanded to include the EPS Family, VFX Family, SQ Family, and TS Family.

News Archive

Future Plans (for new website) ...

Five Year Plan (i.e. 2013-2018)

• Add articles:
• Additive synths (Kawai K5/K5000, Synclavier, DSS-1, FZ-1, etc)
• Synclavier
• Prophet VS
• Casio CZ and VZ, once VZ sampling is complete
• FM synths (Yamaha DX, Korg DS-8/707, Elka EK-44), once DS8 sampling is complete
• Roland hybrid synth (Juno, JX, and Super Jupiter lines) article, once our sampling project concludes on the Super Jupiter, Super JX, and Alpha Juno
• Add Galleries:
• EML, Kurzweil, Rhodes
• Digital modeling synth (Access, Alesis, Novation, Waldorf)
• European synth (e.g. EMS, EDP/OSC, PPG, RSF, Clavia, General Music).
• High-end and obscure synths/samplers (e.g. Fairlight, Con Brio).
• Expand Galleries:
• Arp (Omni, Pro-Soloist, Explorer, Little Brother, Solina String Ensemble, Avatar, Pro/DGX, Quartet)
• Akai (S700, X-7000, X-3700S, MPC)
• EMU (Ultra Proteus, Carnaval, Orbit, Planet Phatt).
• Ensoniq MR-61, KT-76, ASR-X, E Prime, Fizmo, Halo, ZR-76
• Oberheim (DPX-1).
• Crumar string synths (Crumar/Univox Stringman, Multiman/Orchestrator, CPB-1/2, Performer, T1-3, Stratus, Trilogy, Composer).
• Roland string synths (RS202, Promars).
• Add related sound modules as they are acquired and hardware is compared (e.g. Roland SC, MT-32, Yamaha MU).
• Find a physical location to house the museum (currently looking in the Knoxville and Orlando areas).

Ten Year Plan (i.e. 2018-2023)

• Expand Galleries (maintaining 20 year historical lag).:
• Akai S2000 and derivitives
• Emu Proteus 2000 and derivitives.
• Access, Alesis, Novation, Waldorf, Korg, Roland, Yamaha galleries as necessary

FAQ

Q: Can I buy your synth XYZ?

A: Being a museum, our collection is not for sale.

Q: How can I help?

A: Donate old synths, manuals, industry rags (e.g. Keyboard, Electronic Musician, Sound on Sound), manufacturer literature.

Q: Can you fix my synth?

A: While the museum does not repair synths, our sister store SynthArk.com does.

Q: Where do you get the information posted?

A: Unless posted otherwise (see "References" section at the bottom of each page), all data is extracted from the manufacturer manual and/or the sythesizer itself (we have at least one synth from most families posted).

Q: Why doesn't the museum have more recent instruments?

A: We plan to stay about 20 years behind current releases in the spirit of a "museum".

Q: Why doesn't the museum contain EMS, Siel, etc.

A: While we plan to add them eventually, we base most of our research on synthesizers from our collection and manuals, which are hard to find for these intruments.

Q: Why is the museum missing modular synthesizers (e.g. Moog 55, Roland System-100)?

A: A primary focus of the museum is to compare synthesizer features, which isn't useful with a modular, since they are so customizable.

Q: Why doesn't the museum include pianos (e.g. Roland MKS-10, RD-1000), string ensembles, organs, controllers, drum machines, etc?

A: The museum is focused on programable synthesizers. Although, it does cover other variants, when lineage to a synthesizer family is established or projects permit.

Q: Why doesn't the museum include Russian synths (e.g. Aelita, Formanta, Polivoks)

A: Due to relative inaccessibility of the synths and manuals, we do not plan on including them, but information can be found at the Museum of Soviet Synthesizers.

Q: How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

A: That depends on many variables, including type of wood, season, health of woodchuck and availability of ice cream.