Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

Average Price: $480

Budget/Beginner

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

The Korg Trinity stands as a landmark in the world of synthesizers, blending advanced technology with intuitive design to inspire musicians of all levels. Known for its proprietary Access synth engine, the Trinity offers a vast array of sounds that range from lush pads to cutting-edge leads. This synthesizer was a breakthrough at its release, providing musicians with a comprehensive workstation that included sequencing, sampling, and a touch-responsive display.

The Trinity’s interface is straightforward and user-friendly, making it an ideal choice for both studio and stage. Its robust sound architecture allows for deep customization, ensuring that you can craft your unique sonic identity. With its powerful effects section, you can add depth and character to your compositions, whether you're performing live or recording in the studio. The Korg Trinity remains a reliable choice for musicians seeking a versatile and expressive synthesizer.

Key Features:

  • Proprietary Access synth engine for a wide range of sounds
  • Touch-responsive display for intuitive navigation
  • Built-in sequencer and sampler for comprehensive music production
  • Extensive effects section for sound enhancement
  • User-friendly interface suitable for beginners and professionals alike
  • Robust sound architecture for deep customization
  • Ideal for both studio and live performance

Product specs

Brand Korg
Model Trinity 61-Key 32-Voice Polyphonic Workstation
Finish Silver
Year 1995 - 1996
Made In Japan
Categories Workstation Keyboards
Analog / Digital Digital
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Semi-Weighted
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Number of Keys 61 Keys
Polyphony 32 Voices

FAQs

What type of synthesis does the Korg Trinity use?

The Korg Trinity utilizes digital synthesis, offering a versatile range of sounds suitable for various musical styles.

How many voices of polyphony does the Korg Trinity support?

The Korg Trinity supports 32 voices of polyphony, allowing for complex layering and rich sound textures.

Is the Korg Trinity suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Korg Trinity is equipped with 61 full-size, semi-weighted keys and comprehensive MIDI capabilities, making it suitable for live performances and studio use.

Does the Korg Trinity have MIDI connectivity?

The Korg Trinity features MIDI Input, MIDI Output, and MIDI Through, providing extensive connectivity options for integration with other MIDI-enabled devices.

What distinguishes the Korg Trinity from the Trinity Plus?

The Korg Trinity Plus includes the MOSS synthesis Prophecy expansion board, offering additional synthesis capabilities beyond the standard Trinity model.

michel darnelli

michel darnelli

Korg Trinity Demo

Video thumbnail for Korg Trinity Demo by michel darnelli

Korg Trinity Demo

michel darnelli

michel darnelli

Video thumbnail for Korg Trinity Demo - The Sound Of 1995 by Nismology5

Korg Trinity Demo - The Sound Of 1995

Nismology5

Nismology5

Video thumbnail for Korg Trinity: The 90s Silver Star! - Sound Profile by Speedy DTM

Korg Trinity: The 90s Silver Star! - Sound Profile

Speedy DTM

Speedy DTM

Video thumbnail for Korg Trinity - No talking demo by ADL-MusicLab

Korg Trinity - No talking demo

ADL-MusicLab

ADL-MusicLab

Video thumbnail for Korg Trinity - Space Ambient Soundset (50 presets) by LFOstore

Korg Trinity - Space Ambient Soundset (50 presets)

LFOstore

LFOstore

Video thumbnail for What is the KORG Trinity and is it any good?  A few answers and patches to help you decide! by Matt Wright Music

What is the KORG Trinity and is it any good? A few answers and patches to help you decide!

Matt Wright Music

Matt Wright Music

Reviews

PROS

  • Excellent keybed with aftertouch supports expressive playing

  • Integrated joystick+ribbon controllers enhance performance dynamics

  • Rich sound library within 32 MB of PCM ROM

  • Features a built-in monophonic synth engine (KORG Prophecy)

  • Multi-effects engine superior to later TR or Triton-LE series

  • Offers sub-outputs for advanced audio routing

  • First synth with a touch screen, described as bright and clear

  • 24-bit/48kHz sounds are rich and vibrant

  • Well-built with well laid controls and a semi-weighted Yamaha keybed

  • Unique space-ship look design adds aesthetic value

CONS

  • Dated appearance, including a slow B/W LCD touch screen

  • Floppy drive may require replacement with a USB emulator for modern use

Owner Insights

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

Setup and maintenance

  • Diagnostic mode can be accessed by holding 5 and Enter on the numpad during boot-up, useful for identifying issues like MIDI and battery errors.

    Source
  • Replacing the soldered-in battery with a battery holder simplifies future changes, as it allows the use of standard coin batteries without soldering.

    Source
  • When booting, the Trinity will display if it includes additional cards, which can expand its capabilities.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Installing a Gotek floppy emulator allows for USB key usage instead of traditional floppy disks, simplifying the process of loading sounds.

    Source
  • The MOSS board can be extracted from a Trinity and is compatible with Korg Triton or Triton Rack models, expanding their synthesis capabilities.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Latest OS versions, 2.41 and 3.12, differ only in supported addon cards: solo-trib and moss, respectively, and can be updated via factory disks.

    Source
  • The Trinity's touchscreen reliability is critical; issues may arise with age, impacting functionality and ease of use.

    Source
  • The MOSS board in the Trinity is essentially half of a Korg Z1, offering sought-after virtual analog synthesis capabilities from the late 90s.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Known for lush pads, the Trinity is favored by mid-90s metal bands like Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, making it ideal for recreating similar sounds.

    Source
  • Despite favoring newer synths, some users appreciate the Trinity for its retro sound, particularly its organ patches.

    Source
  • The Trinity with a MOSS board can replicate sounds found in high-end Korg models like OASYS, Kronos, and Nautilus, making it versatile for various musical styles.

    Source

User experience

  • Despite being bulky, the Korg Trinity is praised for its sound quality, making it a valuable find even with minor flaws.

    Source
  • Owners find Triton's hardware more robust than VSTs due to the unreplicated output OP-amp circuitry, leading to a thinner sound in VST versions.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Triton Extreme is noted for a bigger, warmer sound compared to the Trinity, with the Trinity sounding as if it has a layer of white noise.

    Source
  • Triton includes most sounds from Trinity and adds more, but some prefer Trinity's filter despite other Triton improvements.

    Source
  • While the Trinity's piano sounds may be outdated, its pad sounds remain highly valued, and its keyboard quality surpasses most modern controllers.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Korg Trinity Range: Part 1

soundonsound.com

The Korg Trinity is revered for its innovative design and exceptional sound quality, making it a standout in the world of music workstations. Its intuitive touch-screen interface and remarkable effects structure set new standards for ease of use and sound separation. While it's praised for its power and flexibility, the workstation's limitations include its 32-voice polyphony and just four outputs, which may be a drawback for studio use. Despite its high price point, the Trinity's groundbreaking features and high-quality sound make it a desirable choice for serious musicians. Korg has indeed redefined the workstation concept with this "gourmet meat and potatoes" offering.

positive

Korg Trinity

soundonsound.com

Korg's Trinity is a landmark in workstation evolution, boasting a cutting-edge touch-sensitive interface and a robust effects section, making multitimbral synthesis a reality. Its innovative design allows intuitive navigation and editing, providing a seamless user experience. The workstation's expansive effects capabilities and hard disk recording options further enhance its versatility, offering unprecedented flexibility for musicians. However, a few hardware limitations, like the choice of 48kHz sampling and the restricted outputs, slightly mar the experience. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Trinity stands as a powerful and forward-thinking tool in the music production arena.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 14 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
alexander_kovacs

My first ever pro synthesizer and all time favourite.

This was my first professional synthesizer I got in 1996.... I spent a lot of time with it as my primary synth and explored deeply all its features. Excellent keybed with aftertouch and the left hand controllers (joystick+ribbon+sw buttons) support expressive playing style. It is surprising how many sounds stacked in just 32 MB of PCM ROM. The "plus" version has a built in monophonic synth (KORG prophecy) engine, which I did not use a lot as I had external VAs for this purpose. Today it might look dated - especially the slow B/W LCD touch screen.. but still, you can get very professional sound by tweaking the parameters, and understanding the way its constructed. I recommend to replace the floppy drive with an USB emulator. Strength of Trinity in my opinion: digital synhts/drums/basses; multi-effetcs engine (better than in the later TR or Triton-LE series!), sequencer; sub-outputs; joystick+ribbon - very expressive! Professional keybed. Space-ship look design :) I think the most beautiful digital synth ever made.

stargatemax

Trinity Pro 76. Awesome and beautiful!

Yes it is old today, but it has so wonderful synth pads and sounds. I'm not a fan of acoustic sounds (I get them from other sources) so I only focus on synth sounds, pads, textures when it comes to hardware synthesizers and romplers.

The Trinity has such a nice and comfy keyboard. The world's first synth with a touch screen which is bright and clear.

speedydtm

90s powerhouse, 10s' classic

I acquired a fully decked out Trinity Plus back in late April 2019 and haven't been able to put it down since. Korg ABSOLUTELY struck gold with this one! The 24-bit/48khz sounds are rich and vibrant, the keybed is very fun to play, and the built-in patches are top notch. Even the somewhat dated acoustic sounds are usable now with some treatment, depending on how you apply them. Highly recommended.

gus79

The silver beast.

It´s 20 years old now, but still rocks. I use it mainly for synth sounds: it can get fat or it can sparkle, always with an impressive audio clarity. The Prophecy expansion board is outstanding: it´s basses and dirty leads are HEAVY. Overall, Trinity is extremely well built, with well laid controls and an excellent semi-weighted Yamaha keybed (mine is 61 keys).

badassist

A bit surprising vintage synth

Korg Kronos' little brother..? If not, it's still the funniest synth I've ever had.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Axwell uses Korg Trinity

Axwell

Music Producer

Swedish House Mafia

...
Verified via YouTube

Videos of Axwell's studio show a Korg Trinity which he uses as his primary MIDI keyboard controller. It's unclear whether he actually uses sounds from it in his productions - though it's unlikely.

See how David Bowie uses Korg Trinity

David Bowie

Singer, Guitarist

David Bowie (band)

...
Verified via Photo

Producer Tony Visconti states in this article that Bowie uses a Korg Trinity.

See how The Real Mike Dean uses Korg Trinity

The Real Mike Dean

Music Producer, Audio Engineer

Def Squad

...
Verified via Tapeop

In this interview Mike Dean says he used the Korg Trinity when producing Scarface and Tupac's song Smile

See how Jon Hopkins uses Korg Trinity

Jon Hopkins

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo taken from an xlr8r article, you can see John Hopkin's Korg Trinity, and says, "I use a Korg Trinity—which was the only synth on Insides and my previous albums—a lot."

See how Phil Collins uses Korg Trinity

Phil Collins

Singer, Drummer

Genesis

...
Verified via Futurestyle

The 01/W was just invaluable. I wrote so much in hotel rooms all over the world. Then I got the Trinity when it came out, and I started using that more than the 01/W.

See how Rick Wakeman uses Korg Trinity

Rick Wakeman

Keyboardist

Black Sabbath

...
Verified via Rwcc

On Wakeman's official site, it is stated that he uses a Korg Trinity.

See how Tony Banks uses Korg Trinity

Tony Banks

Singer, Keyboardist

Genesis

...
Verified via YouTube

During the first rehearsal for Genesis's 2017 tour, Tony Banks is seen using a Korg Trinity, positioned above a Roland A-90, as shown in the YouTube video "Tony Banks - Come Rain or Shine" by Banksian Central.

See how Savant uses Korg Trinity

Savant

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via Image-line

From an interview with savant: "’I’ve got a Korg Trinity "

See how Derek Sherinian uses Korg Trinity

Derek Sherinian

Keyboardist

Dream Theater

...
Verified via Photo

An historic KORG product, which Sherinian used (and still uses) since its launch in the world market in 1996. He made this keyboard famous mainly due the "Monster Lead" patch, a signature synth lead patch thought and programmed with the help of a KORG sound technician, Jack Hotop.

His official website, which has a page listing his gear, says, "The Leopard Room is anchored by a Mac G3 running Digidesign's Pro Tools 5.0. The Pro Tools rig is the way to go for me, Derek enthuses. The flexibility of this system is awesome. The core synths in Derek's jungle are a Korg Trinity and Z1..."

Original source here.

See how John Carpenter uses Korg Trinity

John Carpenter

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Texas Toad Lickers

...
Verified via YouTube

at 3:34 he mentions of updating to the Korg Trinity afterwards.

See how Hi-Tek uses Korg Trinity

Hi-Tek

Rapper, Music Producer

G-Unit

...
Verified via Archive

Listed in this June 1, 2001 Remix article.

  • Akai MPC 60
  • Alesis ADAT digital multitracks
  • Digidesign Pro Tools
  • Fender Rhodes electric piano
  • Korg Trinity
  • Harrison MR3 mixing board
  • Moog keyboards
  • Røde NP2 mic
  • Roland TR-808
  • SSL mixing board
  • Tascam DA-88 digital multitracks
  • Wurlitzer electric pian
See how Greg Phillinganes uses Korg Trinity

Greg Phillinganes

Keyboardist

The Jackson 5

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video captioned "Greg Phillinganes Interview from Toto Falling In Between DVD," Greg Phillinganes discusses his use of the Korg Trinity synthesizer, providing insights into his expert approach to music production.

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 Korg Trinity, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

Show yours
wanya7

wanya7

Gear IQ 1822

More Korg Synthesizers

Korg Minilogue

$411.00 - $699.99

# 10

Rank

Aphex Twin King Krule Misha Mansoor
132 artists using
Korg MicroKORG

$389.00 - $538.00

# 16

Rank

Kevin Parker Trent Reznor Joe Duplantier
323 artists using
Korg MS-20 Mini

$497.44 - $899.99

# 20

Rank

Kevin Parker Mike Shinoda Deadmau5
92 artists using
Korg Volca Bass

$119.99 - $159.99

# 38

Rank

Richie Hawtin Eric Avery Amir Derakh
39 artists using
Korg microKORG XL+

$425.00 - $749.99

# 54

Rank

JPEGMAFIA Neil Cicierega Dayglow
19 artists using
Korg PolySix

$42.13 - $99.99

# 74

Rank

Frank Ocean Roland Orzabal Benny Blanco
73 artists using
Korg microKORG S

$444.00 - $749.99

# 90

Rank

Stu Mackenzie SEMATARY Arca
10 artists using
Korg Wavestate

$549.99 - $649.99

 
Jordan Rudess Vangelis Jean Michel Jarre
8 artists using
Korg Opsix

$329.00 - $421.31

 
Damon Albarn The Chemical Brothers Illangelo
12 artists using
Korg Karma

$14.99 - $239.54

 
Phil Collins Rick Wakeman Herbie Hancock
29 artists using

Accessories & Related Items

Similar

Gear Guides