The Korg Triton is a music workstation synthesizer, featuring digital sampling and sequencing, released in 1999. It uses Korg's "HI (Hyper Integrated) Synthesis" system and was eventually available in several model variants with numerous upgrade options. The Triton became renowned as a benchmark of keyboard technology, and has been widely featured in music videos and live concerts. At the NAMM Show in 2007, Korg announced the Korg M3 as its successor.
thumb|right|500px|Korg Triton Classic
thumb|right|250px|Successor, [[Korg M3 and <br/>predecessor, Korg Trinity]]
thumb|upright=1|KORG M3, KORG Triton, 2 KORG Radias-R and Mackie 1402 VLZ3, with MIDI Merge and Thru boxes sitting on the M3 (left and right respectively)
History and pedigree
The Korg Triton line is considered the direct descendant of the earlier Korg Trinity line of workstations. The two ranges are aesthetically and functionally very similar. The Triton "Classic" followed the Trinity's naming conventions of the Pro and Pro X being designated to models featuring 76 and 88 keys respectively (that naming system actually started with previous 01/w series, also available with 61 keys (base and -FD models), 76 (01/wPro) and 88 (01/wProX).
The original Triton introduced many improvements over the Trinity, like 62-note polyphony, dual polyphonic arpeggiators, RPPR phrase recorder, onboard sampler with expandable RAM, greatly improved effects & routing possibilities (including the processing of external signals via the internal effects), larger synthesis modulation matrix, programmable LFO routing, faster operating system, significantly faster touchscreen response, sample ROM expandability, enhanced UI including category search (ability to browse through related groups of sounds like pianos, brass, strings, etc.), additional audio output jacks, redesigned sequencer adding individual track looping and Cue List and significantly more event memory, more than doubled Program/Combination memory slots, more realtime controllers including knobs, portamento, and availability of multi-timbral MOSS synthesis expansion (whereas Trinity's MOSS expansion was mono-timbral).
<!-- Deleted image removed: thumb|250px|Korg KARMA -->
KARMA
The Korg KARMA, released in 2001, featured the Triton synthesis technology with full effects processing, two PCM ROM expansion slots, and MOSS synthesizer expansion slot, but without both Triton's sampling/audio-input functionality and touchscreen interface. It included the more specialised KARMA music system instead of Triton's two programmable arpeggiators. It was only available in a 61-key version (with a lesser quality keyboard than the Triton).
Le
The Triton Le, released in 2002, was a stripped-down, cost-reduced version of the original Triton. It uses a smaller non-touch screen similar to the TRITON-RACK. The ribbon controller and floppy disk drive were omitted but a Smartmedia slot was instead included. A lighter and cheaper key bed than those used on the Trinity/original Triton range was installed, and the effects bus was downscaled from five insert effects to one. The MOSS, a Z1-based board, cannot be fitted on the Le. The functionality of the original sequencer and arpeggiator was retained, though. It was possible to load samples via the Smartmedia slot into the onboard sample RAM without requiring the sampling board to be fitted.
thumb|right|250px|Korg Triton "Le"
Marketed at a much lower price than the original Triton range, the Le was a commercial success.
A special edition of Le was released featuring a black body, visually similar but functionally different from the later TR.
Three versions of "Le" are available :<br/>
Triton Le 61 – 61 keys<br/>
Triton Le 76 – 76 keys<br/>
Triton Le 88 – 88 keys (RH2 Real Weighted Hammer action)
Studio
thumb|Korg Triton Studio 61 Keys
The Triton Studio, released in 2002, included the features of the "Classic" with about double polyphony (although split, with 60 polyphony dedicated to original 32MB ROM samples and all installed user-sample RAM, and an additional 60 polyphony for any installed EXB-PCM expansion sample ROM boards, including the built-in piano expansion), plus the addition of S/PDIF input and output, as well as the EXB-PCM08 piano expansion board, and some operating system enhancements. Sample RAM could be expanded to a maximum 96MB and a SCSI interface was included as standard. The instrument also had space for seven EXB-PCM sample expansion boards and could be fitted with an optional hard drive, internal CD-RW drive, EXB-DI expansion board with an ADAT interface or EXB-mLAN expansion board with mLAN interface.
Extreme
In 2004, Korg released the Triton Extreme, with many of the features of the Studio (such as the entire PCM ROM from the Studio model) plus the entire sample sets from Korg's best-selling Trance Attack, Orchestral Collection, and Vintage Archives expansion boards, as well as the most popular sounds from the Dance Extreme, Studio Essentials, and Pianos/Classic Keyboards collections. PCM data not available on any other Triton models was also included such as improved pianos and acoustic guitars. The 34MB ROM of the "Classic" was upgraded to 160MB.
Valve Force circuitry, using a vacuum tube and an analog ultra gain transistor to allow for warmer, guitar amp-like sounds for more extreme analog overdrive/distortion sounds was included, and proved especially useful for pad and organ sounds, as well as adding depth and realism to acoustic sounds, such as piano. Unlike previous Tritons, which were a white-silver color, the Extreme was finished in dark blue, though, much like with the Korg Trinity Plus and Triton LE, there also was a Special Edition version of the Extreme with a black finish, made exclusive to only the Domestic (Japanese) Market.
Like the Triton "Classic" and Studio, the Triton Extreme included a touch screen interface, along with the knob and button controls. A USB interface providing both Type A and Type B connectors enabled external storage and connectivity with a PC, facilitating exchange of samples, sound programs, sequences, and other Triton-compatible files. CompactFlash and microdrive cards up to 8 GB were supported, negating the need to sample directly to RAM. The USB port also allowed control of software synths and host applications via MIDI. However, unlike the "Classic", Studio, and Rack versions, the Extreme couldn't be fitted with sample expansion boards due to the expansion ROMs having been pre-installed. It was compatible, though, with the MOSS board and up to 96 MB of sample RAM. Optical stereo S/PDIF inputs and outputs were installed but no SCSI, mLAN or ADAT interfaces were included.
The USB Type A connector can be used to connect a USB thumb drive, hard drive or CD writer drive for making music CDs and loading AKAI format sample libraries. The sequencer was upgraded to facilitate in-track sampling.
The 76-key version of the Triton Extreme is also seen as the keyboard of choice for Tsumugi Kotobuki in the anime K-On!.
thumb|center|650px|Triton Extreme 88 Keys
TR
thumb|350px|Korg TR88 (2007)
Released in 2006, the TR was similar to the Triton Le but included expanded ROM and additional programs and combinations. It also features a USB cable for data connection with a PC. The TR also features an SD card slot. The piano quality was also improved compared to the "Classic" and Le keyboards.
X50 and MicroX
The X50 and MicroX, released in 2007, were oriented towards the lower end of the market and were consequently less physically robust and included fewer features. They contained the same HI synthesis engine found on the TR with the basic Triton and extended ROM: the X50 maintains the same extended ROM as the TR, while the MicroX extended ROM focused more on drum and percussion samples. Neither had the sequencing or expansion capability of the TR. USB connection was available for high-speed MIDI control (and use with the included plug-in editor), but incompatibilities with the other Tritons hampered the use of libraries for those keyboards. The main difference between the two keyboards was in scale and control layout: the X50 was a 61-key keyboard with pitch and modulation wheels, while the MicroX had only 25 keys with the Triton joystick. Neither had the aftertouch functionality of the TR keyboard. Both included patch editor and librarian software as well as a plug-in for DAW control, allowing the import and export of Triton-compatible files. Similarly to the LE and TR, only one insert effect and two master effects could be assigned.
Triton Taktile
[[File:Korg Triton Taktile USB Controller Keyboard Synthesizer - 2014 NAMM Show.jpg|thumb|Korg Triton Taktile ]]
A USB-powered controller with the 512 programs from the original factory bank of the Classic, the Triton Taktile was released in 2014 as the first Korg Triton model in seven years since 2007, and is offered in 25- and 49-key versions, with the same semi-weighted (though without aftertouch) keyboard used on the KROME. It includes a touch pad inherited from the Kaossilator that lets you play melodies using just a single finger, velocity-sensitive trigger pads (16 on the 49-key, 8 on the 25-key) that let you generate chords in the key and scale of your choice, an arpeggiator, ribbon controller, sliders and switches. Audio output is a stereo 1/8<nowiki></nowiki> mini headphone jack. The onboard sounds can't be edited, layered or split, and playback is mono‑timbral.
Triton Classic and Extreme VSTi
On December 26, 2019, Korg released a VSTi software version of the Classic Korg Triton, complete with all of its expansion packs, then followed it up with another VSTi Version of the Korg Triton Extreme on July 28, 2021. Both are available as part of the Korg Collection of VST software meant to replicate their previous hardware synths.
Features
All models, except the Triton Rack, X50, Micro-X, KARMA and Taktile were available in 61, 76 and 88-key configurations. They could also be upgraded with increased sample EDO RAM and expansion boards for additional sounds; only the Triton Le did not provide this feature. Additionally with the Triton Extreme, this feature is now provided as pre-installed. The Triton "Classic", Extreme, and Studio were controlled by a touchscreen. The KARMA, Le and Rack, however, featured a more conventional display. With the Triton Extreme, the expansion boards were now pre-installed.
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Model
! Year of release
! 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
|-
| KARMA
| 2001
| 32
| sequencer, KARMA
| 62
| 61
|-
| Triton Le
| 2002
| 32
| sequencer 16 tracks MIDI, sampler (optional)
| 62
| 61/76
|-
| Triton Le 88
| 2002
| 32 + 16 (piano bank)
| sequencer 16 tracks MIDI, sampler (optional)
| 62
| 88
|-
| Triton Studio
| 2002
| 32 + 16 (piano bank)
| sequencer, S/PDIF, CD-ROM, HDD option
| 60 × 2 banks
| 61/76/88
|-
| Triton Extreme
| 2004
| 160
| sequencer, Valve Force circuitry (using a 12AU7 "Russian Bullet" tube), USB MIDI link, CF card slot, sampler with in-track sampling
| 60 × 2 banks
| 61/76/88
|-
| TR 61/76/88
| 2006-07
| 64
| sequencer, USB MIDI link, SD card slot, 64Mb PCM, sampler (optional)
| 62
| 61/76/88
|-
| MicroX
| 2007
| 64
| USB MIDI link, 64Mb PCM: 32Mb Triton "Classic" + 32Mb unique, Editor Program Librarian software and Plugin (VST)
| 62
| 25
|-
| X50
| 2007
| 64
| USB MIDI link, 64Mb PCM: same as TR, Editor Program Librarian software and Plugin (VST)
| 62
| 61
|}
Availability
All pre-2007 models of the Korg Triton model range had been discontinued by the manufacturer as of 2008.
Nowadays, the Triton Taktile has remained in production.
Today, the Best Of Triton Soundbanks can be found on Korg's website as downloadable programs for the Korg Krome workstation, KORG Pa4X Professional arranger, KRONOS as well as an in app purchasable soundbank for the full version of the korg sound module for iOS. On December 26, 2019, Korg released a VST plugin replicating the Korg Triton, including all factory patches & waveforms, and the full collection of EXB-PCM expansions.
Notable users
<!-- Only notable artists who are documented to use the Korg Triton within their own main articles should be included in this list. See WP:MUSIC for notability requirements. Every entry must be supported by citation. -->
- Andy Stott
- BT
- Chris Lowe of Pet Shop Boys
- Moka Only
- The Neptunes
- Pharrell Williams
- Phil Collins
- Timbaland
- Wiley
See also
- Korg Trinity
- Korg KARMA
- Korg OASYS
- Alesis Fusion
- Roland Fantom-X
- Roland Juno-G
- Yamaha Motif
- Sampler
- Synthesizer
- Polyphony
References
External links
- Korg official site — video and audio samples
- official Korg Triton Studio documentation — user guides (PDF)