Introduction
The Korg Triton is a music workstation synthesizer, featuring digital sampling and sequencing, released in 1999[1]. It uses Korg’s HI Synthesis tone generator and was eventually available in several model variants with numerous upgrade options[1]. It was designed to be an affordable and accessible synthesizer, building on the success of its predecessors, the Korg M1 and Korg Trinity.
Designers
The Triton was designed to meet the needs of professional musicians and producers, combining the best features of Korg’s flagship M1 and Trinity synthesizers with a high-quality, expressive keyboard and advanced performance capabilities.
Impact and Popularity
The Korg Triton became popular for its warm, rich analog sound and its user-friendly interface. It was widely used by musicians and producers in various music genres, including pop, rock, electronic, and soundtrack music throughout the 1990s and 2000s[8]. Notable users include Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Daft Punk, Calvin Harris, and Deadmau5[2][11]. The Triton sold over 100,000 units and was Korg’s best-selling synth until the Korg Kronos[8][14].
Technical Specifications and Features
The Korg Triton is a 62-voice polyphonic synthesizer with a single DCO per voice, offering sawtooth and pulse/square waveforms[1][4][5]. It features a 24dB/oct lowpass filter, non-resonant highpass filter, ADSR envelope, LFO, and analog chorus[1][4][5].
Variants
The Korg Triton series includes several model variants, such as:
– Triton Classic: The original 61-key workstation
– Triton Pro: A 76-key version of the Triton Classic
– Triton ProX: An 88-key version with a weighted keyboard
– Triton Studio: An upgraded version with expanded memory and features
– Triton Extreme: A version with additional sound capabilities and features
– Triton LE: A more affordable version with fewer features
– Triton Rack: A rack-mount version of the Triton
Influence on Music Production
The Korg Triton had a significant impact on music production in the 1990s and 2000s, with its warm, rich analog sound and user-friendly interface. Its popularity among musicians and producers led to its widespread use in various music genres, and its influence can still be heard in modern music production.
The Triton’s design and sound have also inspired many software synthesizers and virtual instruments that seek to emulate its unique characteristics. Its enduring popularity and influence make it a classic instrument in the world of synthesizers.
Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korg_Triton
[2] https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/korg-triton-studio
[3] https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/korg-tr88
[4] https://www.korg.com/us/products/computergear/triton_taktile/page_2.php
[5] https://gearspace.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-and-electronic-music-production/1387435-korg-triton-rack-tr-still-useful-3.html
[6] https://culture.fandom.com/wiki/Korg_Triton
[7] https://www.vintagesynth.com/korg/triton.php
[8] https://gearspace.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-and-electronic-music-production/1372575-what-current-keyboard-korg-triton-authentic-successor.html
[9] https://youtube.com/watch?v=QrVsxaOkrLs
[10] https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/korg-triton?page=2
[11] https://gearspace.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-and-electronic-music-production/1292473-korg-triton-vsti-8.html
[12] https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/korg-triton
[13] https://reverb.com/news/the-korg-triton-and-the-2000s-seachange-in-beat-production
[14] https://www.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/comments/rl1lch/korg_triton_as_a_sampler/
[15] https://ourpastimes.com/korg-triton-specifications-12404980.html
[16] https://www.haggertysmusic.com/shop/c/p/Korg-Triton-Extreme-Music-WorkstationSampler—Used-x68029962.htm
[17] https://gearspace.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-and-electronic-music-production/1067881-korg-triton-versions.html
[18] https://youtube.com/watch?v=0XfgqTu9_hE
[19] https://www.zzounds.com/item–KORTRITON
[20] https://www.korg.com/us/products/software/kc_triton/
[21] https://www.korg.com/us/products/software/kc_triton/history.php
