Korg Trident 1

YouTube via Sjobeck7 | January 24, 2011 |

"Korg Trident Mk1 Analog Synth from 1980.
Was going to sell on eBay but changed my mind... Thats why you see me striking all the notes... NOT a performance video but rather a functionality video. This thing sounds terribly gorgeous... and quite possibly one of the greatest vintage synthesizers ever manufactured... There seems to be less than one thousand or so still in existence... maybe even far less?"

Multi Synth Low-fi demo Korg Trident Flanger

Sjobeck7 | September 29, 2010

Korg Trident-Tweak.AVI

Sjobeck7 | January 25, 2011 |

"Ultra-Rare Korg Trident Mk1 1980,
Synth + Brass + Strings Engaged...
Patch just created... No Flanger On This One."

Korg Trident-MK1-Flanger.AVI

Sjobeck7 | January 25, 2011 |

"Cruddy Video... I know.iknow iknow...
Korg Trident Mk-1 with the flanger assigned to the synth section.
This synth sounds awesome in person through a real mixer/speakers etcbut maybe you can get an idea through a tiny cruddy video mic?"

KORG TRIDENT - Sounds, Patches & Presets | Analog Synthesizer Demo

video by synth4ever

"Korg Trident (MK2) synthesizer sounds and patches demo. This Korg Trident synth demo features a variety of custom sounds, presets and patches including pads, plucks, bass, strings, brass, percussion and more.

The Korg Trident is a versatile analog 3-part synthesizer that excels at layered sounds. The combination of synthesizer, brass and strings sections + flanger allows for some unique tones and timbres when all sections are used together.

In this demo I created a number of custom patches as well as presets from the Korg Trident MK2 manual. Despite having somewhat limited functionality, the synthesizer section has some decent sound design capabilities. While the Korg Trident excels at lush pads, it can also do more traditional sounds as well as unique resonant tones.

Hope you enjoy this Korg Trident MK2 sounds and patches demo."

Bask in the analog synth majesty of the Korg Trident Mk.1

video upload by Mamotreco

"As the sun rises over majestic hilltops and mountains, the nippy morning air is rich with the sound of musical tones. It's the harmonious melody of a Korg Trident synthesizer. The analog warmth reverberates through the images of valleys and mountains, perfectly complementing the stunning natural landscapes of the north east areas of Spain. #vintagesynths #korgtrident #80ssynth

The Korg Trident Mk.1 synthesizer is a wonderful analog polysynth, crafted in the 80s to produce a variety of rich sounds. Its three analog synth sections, each with its own distinct tone and controls, blend together to create powerful sounds that can evoke lush and complex sonic landscapes.

With images of nature appear on screen, the sound of the Korg Trident Mk.1 takes on a life of its own in relation to the beauty of the surroundings on display. The warm and inviting analog synth tones of the Korg Trident underline beauty of the surrounding images of wilderness beside it.

Terrassa is the city at the foot of these mountains with a population of 200,000 people, 12 miles away from Barcelona. Highlights of the city include:
- shopping mall 'Parc Vallès'
- people walking around
- olympic stadium with CaixaBank cashpoint not too far away
- parking space
- largely rocky mountain massif next to city, aka Sant Llorenç natural park
- lottery ticket booths
- some museums so you can learn more about the city

The Korg Trident Mk.1 is the synth for all seasons and settings. Its sound is equally at home in the shadow of chilly mountains as it is in the verdant fair-weather hills of spring and summer. No matter the time of year or location, the Korg Trident's analog warmth and organic sound complements your personal vision of nature.

For more synth dulcet tones at a nice price: https://mamotreco.bandcamp.com
Previous music releases available here: https://synthandsundry.bandcamp.com"

Vintage 1982 Korg Trident MkII Analog Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction

"In 1981 Korg introduced the Trident, a monster of an analog synthesizer combining a programmable 8-voice polysynth (the guts of which were later stripped down and repackaged as the Korg Polysix), a dedicated Brass synth, and a String synth all in one single keyboard instrument. The original Trident's programmable synth section sounded great thanks to its combination of 16 discrete VCOs (a rarity among polysynths, think Jupiter-8!) coupled to 8-channels of SSM2044 VCFs (the same warm, liquid filters used in the Fairlight CMI, PPG Wave 2.3, and Voyetra Eight). The dedicated String section has it's own 3-stage analog BBD chorus effect similar to those in 70s string ensemble keyboards, and when layered on top of the synth and brass sections makes for a huge sound. Lastly, a choice of the Synth, Brass, or String sections can be routed through the Trident's onboard analog flanger, based around the same Reticon SAD1024 chip at the heart of some of the most highly revered vintage flangers. Many people consider the Trident's onboard flanger to be one of the best ever.

All in all, the original Trident had a TON of vintage hardware inside, and a huge price tag to match its huge sound.

But there were limitations: The original Trident's synth section had only 1 envelope generator that had to be shared between the VCF and VCA (like a Roland Juno). Also, there were only 16 programmable memory locations to store your own sounds.

In response, Korg introduced the improved Trident Mk II in 1982. That is the instrument for sale here.

The Trident Mk II adds an additional envelope generator to the synth section dedicated to the VCF, which really opened up the sonic palette. Also, onboard memory was doubled to allow 32 user sounds. Korg also expanded the number of interface jacks on the back for CV and triggering control over the different instrument sections.

These improvements raised the list price of the Trident Mark II to near $6000 in 1982 dollars...that's like nearly $12,000 today! The exorbitant price tag combined with the introduction of the Yamaha DX7 a year later pretty much led to very few Trident MkIIs ever being sold.

That is really a shame, because just as more and more analog synth enthusiasts have rediscovered the truly massive sonic power of the Trident over recent years, there are fewer and fewer of these incredible instruments to go around. And that's just talking about the original Trident...it is even harder to find the Trident MkII."

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

video by synth4ever

"Korg Trident synthesizer review, sounds and demo. The Korg Trident is a classic vintage 8-voice analog polysynth featuring 3 unique instruments (synth, brass, strings) and flanger in one unit. In this review I go over Korg Trident'features, play some sounds, and conclude with my final thoughts.

All audio in this demo is direct from Korg Trident into MXR Stereo Chorus (for stereo), with no additional processing.

Time codes:
-------------------
00:00 - Intro
01:08 - Overview
01:45 - Synthesizer
06:31 - Brass
08:58 - Strings
13:28 - All 3 Sections
14:43 - Flanger
18:02 - Vibrato
20:17 - Key Split
21:48 - Connectivity
22:18 - MIDI + Arpeggiator
25:00 - Pros & Cons
28:42 - Final Thoughts"

KORG Trident MKII

via this auction

"Brief description of the Trident: This synthesizer is a polyphonic, true analogue synth. Unlike the Korg Trident MKI, it has four banks of eight memories for the synth section (as opposed to 2x8), an additional VCO and envelope generator. Not to mention improved stability in tuning and other undesirable issues which the MKI suffered. This is in part due to the improved power and cooling systems (the MKII has a big heat sink fin on the back).

The Korg Trident got its name from the three part architechture. The synthesizer is the first part, Brass section the second and Strings the third. The programmable memories can only save synthesizer patches, the brass and string patches cannot be saved. The synth section has two VCOs, a VCF section and an envelope generator for both the VCF and VCA sections. The Trident has a nice Flanger effect that can be applied to any one of the sections. It can be configured to several diffent key assign modes so that the synth, brass and string sections can be played seperately or in unison. It also has a pitch bend and 'trill' joystick. With all parts combined you can get some really nice atmospheric, sweeping pad sounds. The strings are really nice - true analogue warmth, a 'bowing' and 'vibrato' effect can be added, and the brass section can be triggered in several different modes." Inside a KORG Trident.

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Korg Trident 8 voice Ensemble synthesizer Strings, Brass, and polysynth

via this auction

"All original Korg Trident Ensemble analog 8 voice polysynth 1980-81 MIJ still. NO MIDI on this synth! This is an awesome vintage analog synth,16 memory patches only though. The Trident also had a very excellent onboard/built-in Flanger effect, when turned on and blended/mixed with the other sections made some weird and wonderful polysynth sounds for sure! These had really nice analog string & brass sounds, especially the Strings section as this was really a String Polysynth first and one of the best ones ever at that back in the day. Also this was Korg's professional flagship analog polysynth around 1980-82,and it was way better, and way more expensive than the Korg Poly 6 or the Roland Juno 6/60, and Korg Poly 61/Poly61M, which came on the market more or less at the same time, early 80's. All of the other ones mentionrd had fake cheaper wood particle board ends,which always broke way too easy, unlike the real solid hardwood ends on the Trident. The Korg Poly61M came a little later as it had early basic MIDI. The Trident had 3 separate Ensemble sections--- really excellent Strings, decent Brass, and a decent Polysynth, which could be all blended/mixed together--- all 61 keys for a thick sweet analog polyphonic/paraphonic polysynth, but only any two sections at a time in split-key mode. Each section had its own unique separate VCOs and ADSR enevelopes/VCO filters, and programabilties. There are no issues that I am aware, of all oscillators work proper, no dead keys or voices, no broken knobs or other controls,or sliders anywhere, and they all work 100 %, all leds light up, as well as Korg's unique 4 way pitch bender, which was very unique and is perfect and unbroken as, these sometimes are on the Trident, and the VCA is very loud on this synth!"

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Korg Trident Mk 2 1982 Analog Polyphonic Synth

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Korg Trident Mk2 8 voice poly analog synth 61 keys and with 32 patch memory from 1982-83, this was Korg's flagship polyphonic analog synth when the first Mk1 version was released in late 1979/early 80. This vintage analog synth was in bad condition on the inside when I bought it from Germany. Along with various other issues this one had the same battery leak issue that is common to the Korg Tridents and the lower cost Korg Polysix, this is a USA 117 V version. This Trident is in fair condition cosmetically with showing much signs of heavy use and assorted scratches/scrapes and dings/dents, and this is somewhat expected from a vintage synth that has been around for 30+ years. There are pictured two chipped keys on the synth but we decided to leave them as they were because they do not affect the keys in any way. I sent the synth to the best repair and service available for old analog synths, The Analog Lab in NYC. The Trident synth has been 100% and extensively restored by them and functions 100% no missing voices or dead keys, and I have the work/service order. The Trident synth I can sell for $5K without the Anvil flight case, which I had ordered custom built new for the Trident and it costs over $500 for the case. These analog VCO/VCF Tridents used SSM chips and were very well regarded as awesome analog string synths with an onboard flanger, and with a limited but sweet brass and poly synth section as well. These Tridents were high quality made and built like a tank with real solid wood cases and this is a heavy synth, they don't build them like this very much anymore. The Mk 2 version added more memory and an additional envelope control for the VCF, also included is an original Korg service manual..."

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Steve's Korg Trident MKII Repair (by Synthpro)

Steve's Korg Trident MKII Repair Part 1 (by Synthpro)

Published on Dec 16, 2016 synthpro

"Hello everyone,

This is a video I have made for Steve of his Korg Trident I have been repairing. Its a very interesting synth and really like the sounds this thing produces!

Thanks for watching,
Jareth"

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Korg Trident Mk1 - 80s Synthe Action

video upload by Mamotreco

"Hear a quick snippet of the mighty Korg Trident Mk1 analog synth from 1980. This 8-voice analog polysynth is actually divided into three sections for different types of sound: Synthesizer, Brass, Strings.
#korg #korgtrident #analogsynth
This is the Mk1 version of the Korg Trident which means it has 16 presets and it lacks an envelope for the filter. However, what it lacks in memory and envelopes it makes up in quality effects. The flanger on this synth is out of this world. Not only that but you can use it once on any of the three sound design sections.

Anyways enjoy this quick taste of the Korg Trident!

Current music compilation: https://mamotreco.bandcamp.com
Previous music available here: https://synthandsundry.bandcamp.com"

UVI Introduces Synth Anthology 4

video uploads by UVI

Note the above is a playlist featuring 4 videos. You can use the player controls to skip through them or just watch them all in order.

Details on Synth Anthology 4 follow:

The authentic sound of 200 synthesizers, from vintage to modern
4,000+ presets and layers deliver incredible sound with hardware soul
Feature-packed dual-layer engine with fx, arpeggiator and more

Synth Anthology 4 - A Synthesizer Tour de Force
https://www.uvi.net/synth-anthology-4

Rebuilt from the ground-up, Synth Anthology 4 now features the authentic hardware sound of 200 vintage and modern synthesizers, a fully redesigned engine with powerful features, fx, arpeggiator, smart sound suggestion engine, native MPE support, and more.
A dreamlike collection!

Also included in SonicPass ➡️ https://www.uvi.net/sonicpass

Video credits: Anthony Hak
Music Credits: Théo & Thomas

"The Best Keeps Getting Better

What's new in version 4?

Almost everything!
We've rebuilt the engine from the ground-up, added more synths, more presets, more effects, more filters, more modulation, a dedicated browser, a second fully-customizable layer for creating hybrid and blended timbres, an all-new smart suggestion engine that helps you quickly find similar sounds, a more powerful arpeggiator/phraser, bus effects, native MPE support, and more!

Real Hardware Sounds There is something unmistakable about the sound of a real hardware synth, from subtle differences between voice circuits and drift to the varied way filters bite into the sound; there's a distinct character and energy. Synth Anthology 4 delivers the authentic and uncompromising hardware sound with all the conveniences of a modern software instrument.

Every piece of hardware represents a unique creative vision, sonic character, innovations, and strengths. Whatever you're looking for, from analog to digital, vintage classic to future classic, you will find it here. Synth Anthology 4 delivers an incredible collection of hardware, every major manufacturer, every type of synthesis, every era, 200 synthesizers in all.

You won't find a more complete collection anywhere else."

The list:

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Preparing a Korg Trident for MIDI part 1

YouTube via karelpostthuis
"Part one of a movie set about the creation of a MIDI interface from scrap parts for a Korg Trident synthesizer. This story is in the making so there will be more parts to come...."

Update:

Preparing a Korg Trident for MIDI Part 2

"A movie discribing the preparing of a Korg Trident for a MIDI interface.
It is a proces in the making, so stay in tune for updates because the Interface is to be created from scrap parts.
This is not a retrofit, it's my own re-using of scrap electronics to create a new MIDI interface."

Farewell Trident (Korg Trident Mk I)

video upload by WilliamSalmela

"I did something I thought I never would - sold my Korg Trident synthesizer. I had only a few days to compose a farewell song with that fantastic synth. And this is what I came up with.
'Farewell Trident' by The William Salmela Project.

All sounds are from the Korg Trident Mk I, a synth that was released in 1980. It’s a mighty 8 voice polysynth with 2 VCOs per voice. It has separate synth, brass and string sections that can be layered and played at the same time. For the strings there’s an ensemble effect and on top of all this there’s even an onboard flanger. In this song only additional reverbs and delays are used to effect the sound. The synth was installed with MIDI and it was multitracked in Logic Pro.

Show me a modern piece of kit that sounds like this and I’ll buy it."

KORG TRIDENT + STRYMON BIG SKY - Ambient Space Music | Synth Demo

video upload by synth4ever

"Korg Trident + Strymon Big Sky ambient space music synth demo. Playing a relaxing ambient music soundscape on vintage Trident analog synth from Korg + the Strymon Big Sky.

This ambient / new age synthesizer music features massive pads created using the Korg Trident synthesizer and Strymon Big Sky effects pedal."

Korg Trident - 1980 Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer

video by Perfect Circuit

"Originally produced at the dawn of the 1980s, the Korg Trident is an 8-voice, polyphonic analog synthesizer with three distinct, programmable sections. The Synthesizer, Brass, and Strings section can be dialed in to your liking, and then layered together for complex patches or assigned to split sections of the keyboard for totally independent parts. Each section of the Trident certainly has its own sonic identity, so crafting pads, basses, leads, and other sounds becomes easier after spending some time to learn the strengths and features within each section. There’s also a global Flanger effect which can be assigned to one of the three sections, great for building washy pads with the Synthesizer or Strings sections.

In this video, we show off a handful of the lush, vintage sounds that can be coaxed out of this classic synthesizer. The Trident is certainly an instrument that rewards playing its keyboard, while engaging and tweaking the different sections as a performance element. We also showcase some of the Trident’s external CV inputs with a small set of Eurorack modules, expanding the instrument with more complex modulations than what is possible within the Trident alone.

Visit our online shop: https://www.perfectcircuit.com/?utm_s..."

Korg Trident Synthesizer - Fully Serviced / Near Mint SN 330453

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Near-mint condition Korg Trident mkI synth. Paint and silkscreen is mint. The wooden cabinet has some minor scrapes and dents that I tried to capture as best as possible in the photo, but nothing major. The synth was just fully serviced by Bell Tone Synthworks in Philadelphia, which included the following -

Replaced power supply capacitors, rectifiers, regulators
Replaced all Matsushita capacitors
Cleaned pots
Tuned voices / calibrated antilog, power supply and resonance circuits
Tested all functions
Additionally, the keybed feels fantastic with no faulty keys. Overall, this is a near collector-grade Korg Trident. As for the wood cabinet, some touch-up with a furniture pen would truly minimize any visible faults. As an FYI, upon check-in to BellTone, the synth showed no faults, but because the Matsushita capacitors are known to be out of original tolerances at this point in time, I felt it was necessary to do. In all, I spent $1200 in preventative maintenance on this Trident for its future owner."

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RIP Mr. Tsutomu Katoh - Founder of KORG

A letter via Seiki Kato, President of KORG Inc.

"Dear Sirs and Madams,

I would like to inform you that our founder and chairman Mr. Tsutomu Katoh passed away early this morning (March 15, 2011) after a long fight with cancer.

Since he founded Korg Inc. in 1963, Mr. Katoh has led our company with great talent, vision and leadership. He was loved and respected by all the employees, all Korg family members and made a huge contribution to the lives of countless musicians around the world.

Plans for a memorial service will follow very soon.

I would appreciate your prayers for him and hope he can rest peacefully now.

Sincerely,

Seiki Kato
President
Korg Inc."

Tsutomu Katoh and the History of Korg

Another hero lost; one of the first to define the world of synthesis as we know it. The gifts he gave us will always be remembered and will inspire new synth enthusiasts and musicians for decades to come. Tsutomu Katoh-san, you will be missed. Thank you for everything you gave us.

Via Wikipedia: "Founded in 1962 in Japan by Tsutomu Kato and Tadashi Osanai, Korg was originally known as Keio Gijutsu Kenkyujo Ltd." and later "Keio Electronic Laboratories (京王技術研究所^?) because its fledgling offices were located near the Keio train line in Tokyo and Keio can be formed by combining the first letters of Kato and Osanai. Before founding the company, Kato ran a nightclub. Osanai, a Tokyo University graduate and noted accordionist, regularly performed at Kato's club accompanied by a Wurlitzer Sideman rhythm machine. Unsatisfied with the rhythm machine, Osanai convinced Kato to finance his efforts to build a better one..." And indeed they did.

This sad news in via Amos of Moog Music and Michelle Moog-Koussa of the Bob Moog Foundation.

Update: some condolences and pics on the KORG Forum here.

Some video of the legacy of instruments he brought us with a rare interview in Part 1 (previously posted):

'The Vintage Synth - Volume 3: Korg' 1-11

YouTube via baward — November 24, 2009 —

"Rare, Japanese-language video from some time in the 1990's, taking the viewer on an odyssey through Korg's many instruments, from Korg's synthesizer museum at its Tokyo headquarters.

Two other videos were produced in this series, 'The Vintage Synth - Volume 1: Moog and 'The Vintage Synth - Volume 2: Roland'"

Part 1: "This clip features an interview with Korg's co-founder Tsutomu Kato and footage of the rare DA-20 Doncamatic drum machine (1963) and an early appearance of Korg's famous 'Traveler' filter control - on an organ! (late 1960's.) More to follow."

Part 2: "This clip features the Korgue organ from 1968, as well as Korg's first synthesizer, the Mini Korg 700 from 1973 (here shown in its expanded 2 oscillator version, 1974's Mini Korg 700S.)"

Part 3: "This clip features the Synthesizer 800DV (1974), Synthesizer 770 (1975), and the PE-1000 (1976)."

Part 4: "This clip features the polyphonic, patchable, part-modular and extremely rare PS-3300 (1978)."

Part 5: "This clip features part one of the MS series (1978-79), focussing on the wall-mounted 'education' MS-20 as well as some other early analogue products."

Part 6: "This clip features the MS-20 and MS-50 synthesizers, VC-10 vocoder and SQ-10 analog sequencer (1978-79) in more detail."

Part 7: "This clip features the Delta strings synthesizer, Trident polyphonic synthesizer, and BX-3 analogue organ (1980-81)."

Part 8: "This clip features the first part of an in-depth look at the Polysix synthesizer from 1981."

Part 9: "This clip features the second part of the Polysix synthesizer feature and the one on the Mono/Poly."

Part 10: "This clip features the Poly-800II and the DW-8000 (1985)"

Part 11: "Computer-control of MS instruments (or is it the 05R module?) with 700S, original Korg Wavedrum, as well series conclusion."

KORG KEIO ELECTRONIC LABORATORY CORP. Electronic Music Instruments General Catalog

Korg Catalogus flickr scans by Nobo Sprits.

Quite the line-up.  It's interesting how Korg included Korg in the product name for some of their gear but not others.

The list:

Polyphonic Keyboard

Korg Poly-800
Korg Poly-61
Korg Polysix
Korg Trident MKII
PS-3200, PS-3040, PS-3060
Korg Mono/Poly
MS-20
MS-10
Korg Sigma
M-500SP
X-911
MS-01 Foot Controller
MS-02 Interface
MS-03 Signal Processor
MS-04 Modulation Pedal

Piano/Organ

Personal Keyboard SAS-20 Super Accompaniment System
EPS-1 Electronic Piano & Strings
Symphonic Piano 80s & 80 Electronic Piano
BPX-3 Bass Unit
PK-12 Pedal Keyboard
BX-3 Electronic Organ
CX-3 Portable Organ

Rhythm/Soundeffect

KPR-77 Korg Programmable Rhythm
PSS-50 Programmable Super Section
SDD-3000 Programmable Digital Delay
KR-55B Korg Rhythm
KR-33 Korg Rhythm
KMX-8 8ch Mixer
MM-25 Multi Monitor
PME-40x Professional Modular Effects
KOD-101 Over Drive
KDI-101 Distortion
KCO-101 Compressor
KFL-101 Flanger
KCH-101 Chorus
KPH-401 Phaser
KNG-101 Noise Gate
KAD-301 Analog Delay
KGE-201 Graphic EG
KES-101 EXT Selector
KFB-001 Filler Box

Tuner

AT-12 Auto Chromatic Tuner
GT-60x Guitar Tuner
KM-50 Korg Metronome
GT-6 Guitar Tuner

$220,736.00 / 160,000.00 Euro Synth Auction

via this auction

This one spotted by Adrien.

The list:
"1. ARP AXXE
2. ARP PRO DGX
3. ARP QUADRA
4. MOOG Realistic MG 1
5. MOOG Polymoog Keyboard
6. MOOG Polypedal Controller
7. MOOG Taurus II mit Pedal
8. MOOG Keyboard Controller 950
9. MOOG Memorymoog
10. MOOG Satellite
11. MOOG Sonic Six
12. Korg Trident MK II

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Korg Trident

video upload by rimela

"Multitrack recording of the Korg Trident from 1980. There is no midi and limited CV control, so this is pure hard labour jamming those keys. And it is a real joy to play this majestic synth. It’s mostly praised for its haunting strings and pads, but in my opinion it is also extremely suitable for solos, to which the very expressive joystick makes a huge contribution. The built-in flanger is a real bonus. All sounds in this video are from the Korg Trident, except for drums (Roland R8, Boss DR-110 and LoopLoft). There is a trigger input for the Brass section and CV input for the filter, which both are used in the second half."