Robert Margouleff: Shaping Sounds with Stevie Wonder, DEVO, TONTO & More

Inside the world of sonic innovation, few names carry the weight of Robert Margouleff. A Grammy-winning producer, engineer, and electronic music pioneer, Margouleff’s career has bridged the gap between avant-garde technology and global pop success. In our April 2026 Zoom-based conversation, we discussed his forthcoming memoir, **Shaping Sounds (available May 19, 2026 via Jawbone Press**), and a career that redefined the possibilities of recorded music.

From Great Neck to The Factory

Margouleff’s journey began with his Long Island roots in Great Neck. His early days were marked by a rebellious spirit that eventually led him to Andy Warhol’s Factory, where he produced the iconic film Ciao! Manhattan starring Edie Sedgwick. It was during this period that Margouleff discovered the Moog synthesizer, a moment that would fundamentally alter his trajectory.

The TONTO Era and Stevie WonderThis discovery led to a historic partnership with Malcolm Cecil and the creation of TONTO (The Original New Timbral Orchestra), the world’s largest analog synthesizer. Together, Margouleff and Cecil used TONTO to help unleash the genius of Stevie Wonder during his “classic period.” Their work on four landmark albums — Music Of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, and Fulfillingness’ First Finale — fused electronic innovation with soul and funk, creating a sonic landscape that continues to influence artists today.

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DEVO and The Professional Landscape

Beyond his work with Wonder, Margouleff was instrumental in producing DEVO’s Freedom of Choice, collaborating closely with Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald V. Casale. (You can check out our previous Paltrocast conversation with Gerald V. Casale **here**).

Our conversation also touched on his time at legendary facilities like The Record Plant and Electric Lady, as well as his connection to other quiet architects of sound like Donn Landee. Despite the technological hurdles of earlier decades, Margouleff’s transition from analog pioneer to an advocate for immersive audio — and his contemporary thoughts on AI — showcases a mind that has never stopped looking forward.

The Human Element

Shaping Sounds is more than a technical manual; it is a candid personal history. Margouleff reflects on navigating a less open era as a gay, Jewish youth from New York, guided by a commitment to humanism and racial progress. This spirit is evident in his work with artists like Billy Preston (read more about the recent Preston documentary **here) and The Isley Brothers**.

To close our session, we presented a question from composer Victor Magro: What is Robert’s all-time favorite synthesizer? The answer — and the full interview — can be found within the interview video embedded above.

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