TONTO – The Coolest Modular Synthesizer Ever?

In this awesome video, synth pioneer Malcolm Cecil shows you around TONTO (The Original New Timbral Orchestra).

Cecil, along with Robert Margouleff, made up TONTO’s Expanding Head Band.

The Expanding Head Band’s 1971 album Zero Time was extremely influential, both directly and indirectly. It pioneered electronic “head music” before more well-known synthesists made synth music popular in the mid-seventies.

Zero Time led to TONTO appearing on Stevie Wonder’s classic albums from the early 1970s, namely Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions and Fulfillingness’ First Finale. TONTO appeared on albums by The Isley Brothers, DEVO, Gil Scott-Heron, George Harrison, Jeff Beck, Steve Hillage, Billy Preston and others.

TONTO also made an appearance in the Brian Depalma ’74 horror-musical, Phantom of the Paradise.

9 thoughts on “TONTO – The Coolest Modular Synthesizer Ever?

  1. Modular really isn't my game, I mean I have messed with them and
    they aren't really for me…but I appreciate the talent it takes to
    program and route everything…

  2. There is also a posting on youtube about Stevie Wonder and TONTO. It is part of a eight part story of the history of Funk as well. Which is also on youtube.

  3. I first saw “Phantom Of The Paradise” on late night TV in 1983…cool flick, was really impressed by the TONTO, also saw it on an album cover. If anyone out there has one, I’d love to check it out!

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