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analoghell

analoghell

TONTO & Stevie Wonder

Video thumbnail for TONTO & Stevie Wonder by analoghell

TONTO & Stevie Wonder

analoghell

analoghell

Video thumbnail for TONTO -- The Coolest Modular Synthesizer Ever Video Demo by symphorobot

TONTO -- The Coolest Modular Synthesizer Ever Video Demo

symphorobot

symphorobot

Video thumbnail for The Greatest Synth in History | T.O.N.T.O by Anthony Marinelli Music

The Greatest Synth in History | T.O.N.T.O

Anthony Marinelli Music

Anthony Marinelli Music

Video thumbnail for Meet TONTO, the machine behind Stevie Wonder's Superstition by CBC News

Meet TONTO, the machine behind Stevie Wonder's Superstition

CBC News

CBC News

Video thumbnail for Producing Stevie Wonder & the Synth that Changed Music | Robert Margouleff Story by Anthony Marinelli Music

Producing Stevie Wonder & the Synth that Changed Music | Robert Margouleff Story

Anthony Marinelli Music

Anthony Marinelli Music

Video thumbnail for Playing With… TONTO, the World’s Largest Synthesizer | Red Bull Music Academy by Red Bull Music Academy

Playing With… TONTO, the World’s Largest Synthesizer | Red Bull Music Academy

Red Bull Music Academy

Red Bull Music Academy

Video thumbnail for Malcolm Cecil on Creating TONTO by National Music Centre

Malcolm Cecil on Creating TONTO

National Music Centre

National Music Centre

Video thumbnail for TONTO Performs "Superstition" by National Music Centre

TONTO Performs "Superstition"

National Music Centre

National Music Centre

Reviews

Critic Reviews

TONTO: The 50-Year Saga of the Synth Heard on Stevie Wonder Classics

rollingstone.com

TONTO's legacy as the world's largest synthesizer is undeniable, serving as the backbone for Stevie Wonder's iconic sound. Its innovative design allowed for unprecedented musical experimentation, yielding timeless hits. However, the instrument’s story is marred by legal disputes and the eventual fallout from its groundbreaking collaborations. While TONTO's restoration heralds a new chapter, its unpredictable nature raises concerns about reliability. Nonetheless, its return to the spotlight in a living museum promises to inspire future generations of artists, proving that despite its challenges, TONTO remains a captivating symbol of musical innovation.

positive

TONTO – The Greatest Synth in History – Synthtopia

synthtopia.com

While T.O.N.T.O. is hailed as a groundbreaking synthesizer that redefined music production, the review also highlights significant drawbacks. Its massive size and complex patching system can be daunting, making it less accessible for modern musicians. Additionally, the focus on its historical significance overshadows practical usability today. Enthusiasts will appreciate its legendary status and innovative design, but the synthesis journey may feel overwhelming for newcomers. Ultimately, T.O.N.T.O. remains a titan of electronic music history, yet its impracticalities may deter some from truly embracing it.

negative

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Andrew Huang uses TONTO Synthesizer

Andrew Huang

Singer, Guitarist

First Of October

...
Verified via Splice

Used for some of the samples on Space Slime, as specified in the product description.

Many of the sounds were made with his collection of boutique, analog, and modular synths, as well as some iconic vintage pieces he has had access to such as TONTO (used by Stevie Wonder) and the actual ARP 2500 that played the famous alien message in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

See how Stevie Wonder uses TONTO Synthesizer

Stevie Wonder

Singer, Drummer

U.S.A. for Africa

...
Verified via Photo

Per these archival photos, plus this Rolling Stone piece, and this documentary on Youtube, Stevie utilized TONTO for a string of albums, beginning with 1972's Music of My Mind

See how Mark Mothersbaugh uses TONTO Synthesizer

Mark Mothersbaugh

Singer, Guitarist

Devo

...
Verified via Photo

TONTO was set up in the basement of Mark's Mutato Muzika studio starting in the mid-1990s.

Album Usage

The TONTO Synthesizer has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use TONTO Synthesizer, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

ARP 2500
ARP 2500 Modular Synthesizers
1

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Community setups

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  • Added to Equipboard on by

    pkennethk
    pkennethk

    Gear IQ 26711