Published
Thu, Sep 13, 2018, 18:32
- The world's largest polyphonic analog synth will be on display.
The National Music Centre in Calgary will host a week focusing on the TONTO synthesizer from November 14th through 18th.
TONTO, or The Original New Timbral Orchestra, is a legendary synthesizer built in the early '70s. It remains the largest polyphonic analog synth in the world, consisting of several Oberheim models, two ARP 2600s, two Moog Series III, Serge modules and many other custom modules, along with sequencers and MIDI control. In the '70s it was used on most of Stevie Wonder's classic albums as well as records by the likes of Quincy Jones, The Isley Brothers, Weather Report and Gil Scott-Heron.
TONTO creator Malcolm Cecil sold the synthesizer to Calgary's National Music Centre in 2013, where it was refurbished and restored by NMC employee John Leimseider. Now, the Centre is putting TONTO on display with a week of events that will include a performance from members A Tribe Called Red using TONTO, along with lectures and demonstrations from Cecil and select film screenings.
The events will coincide with the annual Alberta Electronic Music Conference happening in Calgary the same week.
For the full schedule of TONTO week events, check out the National Music Centre website.
Watch a promo video for TONTO week.
Photo: Chad Schroter-Gillespie