Once again in April 2022, a visit to Schneiders Laden in Berlin turned out to be exactly what I needed. I’ve come to love these little “petit fugues”—a perfect escape into the world of sound and synthesis. It all starts with a bike ride from Friedrichshain, down Revaler Strasse, crossing the Oberbaumbrücke, and following the S-Bahn past Görlitzer Bahnhof until I finally arrive at Kottbusser Tor.
Kotti, as Berliners call it, carries its own peculiar atmosphere. A mix of raw energy, police patrols, and people navigating life on the fringes, it’s never dull but often carries a heavy undertone. This time, due to Covid restrictions, I had scheduled an appointment, though in true Berlin fashion, I slipped in behind someone already ringing the bell. A few determined knocks on the door, and I was let in—entering Schneiders Laden always feels like stepping into sacred territory, a holy hall of synthesizers.
I took my time, absorbing the atmosphere, scanning the walls filled with modular racks and boutique synths. I was particularly curious about the SFF Kick Entity v2 and the Kraken Snare Module—both stunning-sounding pieces of gear. The only catch? Many of the synths on display aren’t actually for sale, so I’ve learned to temper my excitement until I confirm availability.
After a while, I struck up a conversation with one of the staff members, who turned out to be Jako Jako—a fantastic electronic artist known for her live techno sets. If you haven’t checked out her music yet, I highly recommend it. Our conversation flowed naturally, and she invited me to the Schneiders Laden Coffee Bar, a small back room where the office is also located. There’s a little stage with a drum set and some other instruments, a cozy space where sound and ideas intermingle.
Next to the stage, I noticed a filter bank mounted on a stand—a WLK filter bank, a modern take on the legendary SND filter bank. (If you’re not familiar with SND, they are worth researching.) One of the Schneiders Laden team explained that the mono version is closer to the original design, but I got to try the stereo version. Even though the loop being played through it wasn’t exactly my taste and the monitoring setup was less than ideal, it didn’t matter—when something is good, it’s good. And this filter bank? Definitely good.
As always, my visit to Schneiders Laden was more than just a shopping trip. It’s not about having the best gear or the most polished retail experience—it’s about passion. The place still feels lived in, still run by people who love what they do. That authenticity is rare, and it’s what keeps me coming back.
Recently, Schneiders Laden moved to a new location in Neukölln, and while I was curious to see the new space, I have to admit—it didn’t quite have the same magic. The new store is housed in a former music school, with old teaching rooms converted into exhibition spaces. Most of it is in the basement, making it feel narrow and a bit claustrophobic. On top of that, the staff seemed a bit distant that day, though maybe I just caught them at the wrong moment. I didn’t end up buying anything, and to be honest, nothing there truly caught my interest.
I can’t help but miss the old space, with its unique charm and that unmistakable energy. It was more than just a store; it was a meeting place, a hub of inspiration. I’m not sure if the new Schneiders Laden will ever feel the same to me, but I’ll keep searching for that feeling—the perfect mix of discovery, passion, and sound.
