Korg Triton
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Korg Triton is a music workstation synthesizer featuring digital sampling and sequencing created by Korg. All Tritons use Korg's HI Synthesis tone generator. They are available in several models and various upgrade configurations. The Triton is world famous among many musicians for being the benchmark of keyboard technology, and is widely featured in music videos and live concerts.
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[edit] History
The Korg Triton line may be seen as the direct descendants of the previous Korg Trinity line of workstations. They are aesthetically and functionally very similar. The Trinity had similar naming conventions with the Triton Classic, with Pro and Pro X being designated to models featuring 76 and 88 keys respectively.
The original Triton introduced many improvements over the Trinity, like 62-note polyphony, arpeggiator, onboard sampler, faster operating system and more realtime controllers. However, to much surprise of musicians and magazines, it lost the sequencer audio tracks, digital input and output, and the digital filter section was downgraded, thus limiting sample-based synthesis. The original piano samples, which are a crucial element of evaluation on expensive synths and music workstations, were even more criticized; although the integrated sample RAM could compensate this. As time passed, some of these shortcomings were fixed, like the digital connectivity, and better piano samples were shipped with newer models; however, the sample-based synthesis filter section wasn't improved and, while some limited 2-track audio recording was added to later revisions of the Triton Studio, the powerful 4-track audio sequencer of the Trinity never returned to the saga.
Ex-Dream Theater keyboardist Derek Sherinian in collaboration with KORG sound designer Jack Hotop created Sherinian's signature guitaristic lead sound on the KORG Trinity in 1996, and expanded it to the Triton in 2000[1].
[edit] Models
[edit] Classic
All Tritons are based on the so-called "Classic" Triton released in 1999. The "Classic" Triton was named "Pro" when configured with 76 keys and "Pro X" with 88 keys. Otherwise its functions and features were the same. The Triton Studio could be fitted with an optional hard drive and CD-R/W drive.
[edit] Rack
The Triton Rack was not a keyboard-based synthesizer, rather it was a rack-mountable model (sound module), requiring another device (such as a stand-alone keyboard or computer) to control it via MIDI.
[edit] Karma
The Korg KARMA was released in 2001 with the Triton synthesis technology but without the sampling functionality. It instead included the more specialised KARMA music system. It was only available in a 61-key version.
[edit] Le
The Triton Le was a stripped-down, streamlined version of the original Triton released in 2000. It replaced the huge touchscreen by a more conventional, smaller, graphic LCD. The ribbon controller was also lost in the transition, along with the disk drive. A Smartmedia slot was offered instead. The most serious changes were the keybed (lighter and cheaper than the used in the Trinity/Triton range) and the effects section. Taking a step back from the powerful effects sections found on the Trinity/Triton series, the Le's section was downgraded from five insert FX to just one. The MOSS, Z1-based board, can't be fitted on the Le. The sequencer and arpeggiator remained as powerful as on the original Triton, though.
At a much lower price than the original Tritons, the Le was nevertheless a commercial success. An interesting fact about the Le is the onboard sample RAM: it can load samples from the Smartmedia slot, without the sampling board fitted.
A special edition of Le was released featuring a black body, and later the TR was released, but both are not the same.
[edit] Extreme
In 2004 Korg released the Triton Extreme, which boasted many of the features of the Studio (such as the entire PCM ROM from the Studio model) plus the addition of many previous Triton expansion boards, giving it a broad range of sound. Also featured in the Triton Extreme was Valve Force circuitry, using a vacuum tube to allow for warmer, guitar amp-like sounds or more extreme analog overdrive/distortion sounds. Unlike the previous Tritons, which were white-silver, the Extreme boasted a deep blue color. Like the Triton "Classic" and Studio, the Triton Extreme includes a touch screen interface, along with the usual knobs and buttons. However, unlike the Classic, Studio, and Rack versions, the Extreme can not be fitted with sample expansion boards due to the expansion roms being pre-installed. Also missing are SCSI or the mLAN interface, which can be a limiting factor among some professional users. Data4 arrangements in the processing unit are also beneficial in creating superlative, instinctual, wavelengthy sounds.
[edit] TR
Released in 2005, the TR is similar to the Triton Le but has expanded ROM and additional programs and combinations. It also uses an USB cable for data connection with a PC. Although being similar to the Le, it is not the black Le, released as a limited series..
[edit] Features
All models, except the Triton Rack and KARMA, are available in 61, 76 and 88-key configurations. They can also be upgraded with increased sample EDO RAM as well as Triton expansion boards for additional sounds (the Triton Le is the only member of the family that does not provide this feature, and therefore should be considered as the 'closed box'). The Triton "Classic", Extreme, and Studio boasted touch screen capabilities. The KARMA, Le, and Rack, however, used a more conventional display.
[edit] Specifications
| Model | Entry year | Wave ROM size, MB | Features | Polyphony | Number of keys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triton | 1999 | 32 | Sequencer, sampler | 62 | 61/76/88 |
| Triton Rack | 2000 | 32 | Sampler | 60 | None |
| Triton Le | 2000 | 32 | Sequencer 16 tracks MIDI, sampler (optional) | 62 | 61/76 |
| Triton Le 88 | 2000 | 32 + 16 (piano bank) | Sequencer 16 tracks midi, sampler (optional) | 62 | 88 |
| KARMA | 2001 | 32 | Sequencer, KARMA | 62 | 61 |
| Triton Studio | 2002 | 32 + 16 (piano bank) | Sequencer | 60 × 2 banks[1] | 61/76/88 |
| Triton Extreme | 2004 | 160 | Sequencer, Valve Force circuitry (uses a 12AU7 "Russian Bullet" tube) | 120 | 61/76/88 |
| TR 61/76 (not officially a Triton) | 2005 | 64 | Sequencer, USB MIDI link, SD card slot, 64Mb PCM, sampler (optional) | 62 | 61/76 |
| TR 88 (not officially a Triton) | 2006 | 64 | Sequencer , USB MIDI link, SD card slot, 64Mb PCM, sampler (optional) | 62 | 88 |
- ^ a weird arrangement that provides up to 120 notes of polyphony, depending on the source bank of the sounds played. However, the 16MB "PCM expansion boards" always give the Triton Studio 120 notes of polyphony, whatever sound is selected
[edit] Notable users
This list represents a wide range of music created by the Korg Triton.
[edit] See also
- Korg OASYS
- Korg Trinity
- Korg Karma
- Alesis Fusion
- Yamaha Motif
- Roland Fantom-X
- Roland Juno-G
- Synthesizer
- Polyphony
- Sampler
[edit] External links
- Korg official site — video and audio samples
- TritonHaven — unofficial community of Korg Triton users.
- Korg forums
- Triton Classic review
- Trion Le review
- Triton TR review
