Originally opened in Oakland in 2013, the Vintage Synthesizer Museum (VSM), owned by Lance Hill, is a self-funded public access studio holding some of the world’s rarest analog machines, modern synthetic materials and bizarre effects, according to their website.
According to Hill, VSM is set up so patrons can play the instruments the moment they step inside.
“The way everything’s hooked up [is set up] to be as simple and immediate as possible, so as to not hinder creativity,” Hill said.
Hill said all of the synths feed into sub mixers and combine into one central recording interface. Hill said there are MIDI-capable units that use Bluetooth transmitters for low-latency computer control.
Hill said while growing up in the ’80s, he was obsessed with the sound of the synthesizer. Hill said he listened to and was influenced by Howard Jones, Thomas Dolby and Tears for Fears, and his favorite band was Duran Duran.
“When I didn’t have a synthesizer, and I was younger, I wanted one. I wanted to make weird sounds that I couldn’t make with a guitar or other conventional means,” Hill said. “I have always been chasing an alien space for my mind to inhabit.”
According to Hill, he has been buying and selling obscure instruments on Craigslist for a long time.
“I was bartending so I had some money for the first time, so I could purchase instruments,” Hill said. “If didn’t like it, I’d just sell it and I hopefully [wouldn’t] lose any money.”
Hill said he began his collection in earnest when he bought 15 synths at a great price, which he then put in his rehearsal space, adding to his existing collection of three. Hill said his friends would come over and play the synthesizers.
Hill said when he was younger, he went over to a friend’s house and found out his friend owned a Jupiter-8 synthesizer, but kept it sealed in a box.
“I would have rather just not even seen it. That was just torture,” Hill said. “Here’s this holy grail synth I’ve been reading about for years. I was super excited to check it out, not just look at it in someone’s closet.”
Hill said this sparked another idea for him, to create a space where people could come in and try all of the synths that they could imagine.
“Say you’ve read about some guitar pedal, and in theory the writings about it make it seem cool,” Hill said. “Yet there’s no information about it online and no demos of it on YouTube. There’s nowhere to go and no way to test it out.”
According to Hill, visitors to VSM can treat the space as an interactive museum and test out synthesizers, or book the space for studio time. Hill said visitors have the option of doing a DIY recording session with or without an in-house sound engineer.
Hill said the museum has hosted community workshops and Synthesizer Sound Baths, which offer an opportunity to relax and enjoy the harmony of over 40 synthesizers at once.
According to Hill, musicians come to his museum to test out synths they might buy. Hill said Damon Albarn of The Gorillaz visited VSM with his nephew to play with the instruments.
Shags Chamberlin is a musician who has worked with Ariel Pink, Charli XCX and Mac Demarco. Chamberlin said he has frequented VSM.
“I love the place. I mean it’s paradise,” Chamberlin said. “If you’re into music, synthesizers or just having fun, this is a little wonderland for your imagination. It’s amazing.”
Chamberlin said he met Hill before Hill moved to Highland Park. Chamberlin said he and his friends encouraged Hill to move to the Highland Park area.
“[We met] through the band Pearl & the Oysters. I was DJing at Gold Line, and they were just hanging out, and they brought him,” Chamberlin said. “[Hill] said, ‘I’m trying to find a location in LA, where’s good?'”
According to Hill, the move from the Bay Area to Highland Park has been good for business. Hill said a large portion of his clients before the move were already traveling from LA.
According to Chamberlin, VSM brings attention from beyond the local community.
“[Hill is] a legend of a guy. He’s fully dedicated all his time and money to putting all this cool stuff together,” Chamberlin said. “People from all over the country, all over the world, come to check this place out.”
Electronic musician Franck Martin said he is a regular at the VSM. According to Martin, the museum is beneficial for those who come in with a clear idea of what they want to do and those who just want to explore the possibilities of what Hill has available.
“Everything is set up extremely well for you to test out your creativity and explore what is right for you,” Martin said.
According to Hill, he sees the VSM as an inspiration factory.
“The [synthesizer] is special in the way it holds raw sound aspects that you can sculpt,” Hill said. “It’s essentially a source of infinite possibilities.”
Contact Marco Zapien at mzapien@oxy.edu
