In terms of audio recordings, it thus fulfils a similar function to the Swiss National Library in the field of literature.

[2][3] The institution is a member of the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) and the Audio Engineering Society (AES).

As early as 1972, Robert Wyler, who was responsible for special collections in the Swiss National Library, suggested that a sound archives should be set up for Switzerland.

Hans-Rudolf Dürrenmatt, head of the music department at the Central Library in Solothurn, also called for a sound archives in 1976.

In 1980, a working group of the Federal Office of Culture presented a report on the planned Swiss National Sound Archives, which also contained a draft of a deed of foundation.

[8][9] In 2001, the Swiss National Sound Archives moved to the Centro San Carlo.

In 2018 it received, for example, the sound archive of the Tonhalle Zurich, the collection of George Mathys on jazz in French-speaking Switzerland and the collection of all previous recordings of the festival Stubete am See in Zurich, which is dedicated to Swiss folk music.