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Description

Experience the magic of retro synthesis with the Korg Trident, a timeless piece of music history. First crafted in 1980, this 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer offers an unmatched nostalgic tone that has touched the hearts of musicians for decades. The Trident boasts independent sections for Strings, Brass, and Synth, allowing you to split sections across the 61-note keyboard. Complementing its unique sound palette, the Korg Trident is fitted with onboard delay vibrato and flanger effects, adding depth and color to your musical creations.

Key Features:

  • 8 voice polyphony, capable of playing eight notes simultaneously
  • 61-note keyboard, providing a wide range of octave options
  • Independent sections for Strings, Brass, and Synth, offering a unique trio of sound categories
  • Onboard delay vibrato and flanger effects, adding distinctive tonal variations
  • CV Inputs for filter cutoff and trigger, allowing for advanced sound modulation
  • Expression Inputs for each section volume and overall volume, providing detailed volume control
  • Mono discrete section outputs and mono overall mix outputs (high and low), ensuring versatile connectivity options

Product specs

Brand Korg
Model Trident
Finish Black
Year 1980
Categories Analog Synths, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital Analog
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Synth Action
Number of Keys 61 Keys
Polyphony 8 Voices

FAQs

What type of synthesis does the Korg Trident use?

The Korg Trident is an analog synthesizer, known for its rich and warm sound characteristic of vintage analog gear.

How many voices of polyphony does the Korg Trident have?

The Korg Trident offers 8 voices of polyphony, allowing for complex chordal textures and layered soundscapes.

What is the keyboard action of the Korg Trident?

The Korg Trident features a synth action keyboard with 61 full-size keys, providing a smooth and responsive playing experience.

Is the Korg Trident suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Korg Trident is well-suited for live performances due to its robust build and versatile sound capabilities, making it a favorite among live musicians.

What are the standout features of the Korg Trident's sound engine?

The Korg Trident's sound engine is notable for its lush analog strings, powerful brass sounds, and a dedicated synthesizer section, offering a wide range of sonic possibilities.

WilliamSalmela

WilliamSalmela

Farewell Trident (Korg Trident Mk I)

Video thumbnail for Farewell Trident (Korg Trident Mk I) by WilliamSalmela

Farewell Trident (Korg Trident Mk I)

WilliamSalmela

WilliamSalmela

Video thumbnail for KORG TRIDENT - Synth Review, Sounds & Demo | Vintage Analog Synthesizer by synth4ever

KORG TRIDENT - Synth Review, Sounds & Demo | Vintage Analog Synthesizer

synth4ever

synth4ever

Video thumbnail for Korg Trident - 1980 Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer by Perfect Circuit

Korg Trident - 1980 Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer

Perfect Circuit

Perfect Circuit

Video thumbnail for Is It Worth It?: Korg Trident by Alamo Music Sound Lab

Is It Worth It?: Korg Trident

Alamo Music Sound Lab

Alamo Music Sound Lab

Video thumbnail for Korg Trident by rimela

Korg Trident

rimela

rimela

Video thumbnail for Korg Trident - like you never heard it by Henry Hurt

Korg Trident - like you never heard it

Henry Hurt

Henry Hurt

Reviews

PROS

  • MKI version acclaimed for superior sound

  • 8 voice poly synth offers rich layering

  • Exceptional string sounds surpassing Yamaha SK and Moog Opus

  • Unique brass section with its own paraphonic filter

  • Outperforms modern analog poly synths in sound quality

  • Tri-timbral capability with top-notch in-synth Flanger effect

  • Versatile with beautiful strings and two oscillator synth for various sounds

  • Preferred choice for brasses and synth chords

  • Can be midified for modern connectivity

CONS

  • Patch memory limited to the synth section only

  • Memory does not retain split sections or settings

  • Midi implementation does not support split settings

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Korg Trident.

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners report the Korg Trident often suffers from battery leak issues, requiring repairs and thorough cleaning to restore functionality.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The synth contains SSM filters and 3 independent sections (synth, brass, strings), which can be mixed for intricate soundscapes and rich, emotional tones.

    Source
  • MKI lacks real-time synth parameter editing in patch mode, while MKII allows it, enhancing live performance flexibility.

    Source
  • MKII offers more keyboard tracking options in the synth section (5 vs 3), providing greater expressive potential.

    Source
  • MKII is described as having a better PSU and heat sink, potentially increasing reliability and lifespan.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Korg Trident is likened to the Arp Quadra for its multi-section design, offering similar versatility in sound layering.

    Source
  • MKII is noted for using the same exploding battery as the Polysix, highlighting a shared maintenance issue.

    Source
  • Sound differences between MKI and MKII are attributed to filter implementation rather than VCO differences, offering distinct tonal characteristics.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The flanger effect is highlighted for creating cosmic, space-like soundscapes, elevating the Trident's potential for ambient music.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Vintage market trends show a significant price increase for the Trident, with prices reportedly doubling over recent years due to limited availability.

    Source

User experience

  • Despite limited modulation capabilities, the Trident is praised for its warm, organic sound, making it a favorite among synth enthusiasts seeking emotional depth.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Korg Trident

soundonsound.com

The Korg Trident is a unique vintage synth combining strings, polysynth, and brass sections, appreciated for its rich, layered sounds and versatility. While it excels at creating lush pads and phased strings, the absence of MIDI and occasional tuning quirks may deter some users. Its bulky design also poses challenges, but for those seeking a distinctive sonic palette, the Trident offers rewarding depth. Finding one in good condition can be a lengthy process, yet it remains an intriguing choice for synth enthusiasts willing to explore its capabilities.

Korg Trident - a classic 8-voice string synthesizer - GreatSynthesizers

greatsynthesizers.com

The Korg Trident is a classic 8-voice string synthesizer that, despite initially seeming uninspiring, reveals a vintage charm with its luxurious simplicity and strong character. Its flanger effect is a standout feature, adding depth to the otherwise limited sound palette. The Trident's strength lies in its clear design and nostalgic appeal, though it lacks modern synthesis features and flexibility. The Brass section is notably limited and the overall technology feels dated, but it delivers warm, vintage orchestral sounds that delight purists and those seeking simplicity in a complex tech world. While the MKII version offers some enhancements, the original Trident remains a plug-and-play favorite for those who appreciate its unique, old-school vibe. Overall, the Trident is positively regarded as a piece of synth history, ideal for creating distinct, vintage soundscapes.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
synthee

Fantastic sound and versatile

Fantastic sound and versatile. Beautiful strings. And a good two oscillator synth.

roisto_

Big poly from Korg

My goto synth when it comes to brasses and synth chords, and it's midified too.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Charlie Puth uses Korg Trident

Charlie Puth

Singer, Keyboardist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video titled "INSIDE: Charlie Puth Home Studio" by Caleb Simpson on YouTube, at the 0:32 timestamp, a Korg Trident polyphonic synthesizer can be seen positioned in the middle of a synth rack, directly above the Korg Triton Studio 88, confirming its use by Charlie Puth.

See how Tycho uses Korg Trident

Tycho

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Tycho

...
Verified via Photo

The Korg Trident is pictured at the bottom of this picture on Tyco's instagram page, and he states: "Pictured is every synth used to record Dive and Awake" (his first two albums).

See how DJ Premier uses Korg Trident

DJ Premier

Music Producer, DJ

Gang Starr

...
Verified via Photo

In this interview with SOS, Dj Premier talks about some of the keyboards in his modern approach to music, saying, "When I constructed tracks in the past, I usually started with the samples, and then added the drums. Now it is usually the reverse. I may begin with keying a rhythm into the MPC, or play around with a little melody on my keyboards. This may be my Korg Trident, or my Roland Fantom, or my Yamaha Motif — I just got it and I'm still experimenting with it, but it has some really cool sounds."

See how Adam Granduciel uses Korg Trident

Adam Granduciel

Singer, Guitarist

The War on Drugs

...
Verified via Imgur

When releasing their highly acclaimed album, 'A Deeper Understanding', Adam decided to put what synths were used on each track in the Liner notes and Credits.

On the song 'Strangest Thing' the Korg Trident is credited to be used by Adam.

Adam can also be seen quoting the use of the synth in the Boston Globe article with him. That article can be found here: https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2017/09/20/war-drugs-adam-granduciel-sweats-every-detail-pursuit-perfection/Ul3jUYasSWOoblcy8D790K/story.html

The Credits with all the listed synths can be found here: https://www.discogs.com/The-War-On-Drugs-A-Deeper-Understanding/release/10756085

See how Air uses Korg Trident

Air

Music Producer

...
Verified via Facebook

can be seen in this post from May 19, 2016

See how Legowelt uses Korg Trident

Legowelt

Music Producer

...
Verified via Legowelt

On his official website, Legowelt describes the Korg Trident as visually striking, noting its wooden exterior, MS20-style knobs, and switches. However, he humorously critiques its functionality, calling it "supersexy but dumb as [expletive] on the inside."

See how Mathew Jonson uses Korg Trident

Mathew Jonson

Music Producer

Cobblestone Jazz

...
Verified via Photo

In his My Studio feature for Attack Magazine, Mathew Jonson writes:

"This is my Trident and OB-12. Both amazing for pads and ambient sounds. The OB-12 is totally buggy and can explode the speakers with just small changes in parameters so I don’t really let my friends use it. It is super powerful though, aside from all the glitches. The Trident is probably best described as majestic. Literally it sounds like the angels flying down from the sky."

See how Joe Zawinul uses Korg Trident

Joe Zawinul

Keyboardist

Weather Report

...
Verified via Soundonsound

"Zawinul did not stop at the Wurlitzer and Fender Rhodes electric pianos he used in the 1960s. By the late 1960s he was extending his sonic palette with effects like phase shifters, Echoplexes, wah-wahs and ring modulators, and when synthesizers came on the market he was among the first to buy one (the EMS Putney). The list of synthesizers he has used since then — among them the ARP 2600, Rhodes Chroma, Oberheim Four-voice and Eight-voice, ARP Quadra, Sequential Prophet 5 and Prophet T8, Korg Trident, Oberheim Xpander, Korg VC10 vocoder, Emu Emulator, Casio CZ101, Korg DW8000, DSS1, DSM1 and M1 — reads like a synth museum's treasure list."

See how Rostam Batmanglij uses Korg Trident

Rostam Batmanglij

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Dirty Projectors

...
Verified via Song Exploder

In this interview Rostam says he used a Korg Trident when making his song "Bike Dream"

See how William Orbit uses Korg Trident

William Orbit

Music Producer

Torch Song

...
Verified via Muzines

In this article, William Orbit mentions buying a Korg Trident synthesizer.

See how Weval uses Korg Trident

Weval

...
Verified via Photo

In a Facebook post, Weval shared a photo of themselves working in the studio with the caption, "Working overtime at this place:) can't wait to let you hear the album." The image shows a Korg Trident synthesizer, indicating its use in their album production process.

See how Andy McCluskey uses Korg Trident

Andy McCluskey

Singer, Guitarist

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

...
Verified via Omd

Korg Trident Mk II is included in Andy McCluskey's equipment list, published in a 1993 issue of Sound on Sound.

Album Usage

The Korg Trident has been featured on the following albums:

Used With

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

1 alternative for Korg Trident, curated by the Equipboard community.

Korg Trident MkII
Vintage or Discontinued newer

The subsequent version: http://www.vintagesynth.com/korg/trident.php

The Trident mkII version released in 1982 had doubled the memory (32 patches), an independent envelope generator for the VCF (filter) section and more.

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    Gear IQ 5227