About to buy a Korg Trident... Should I be waiting for a Jupiter 6?
I'm about to pull the plug and make an offer on a Korg Trident Mk 1. I've loved the sound of this synth since hearing it on Phoenix's album "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix"...
Anyway, I've now found one overseas and I'm about to bid on it. I'm expecting that with delivery to Australia it will cost a bit over $2,000...
I'm feeling a bit scared to be honest. It's such a huge amount to spend on something that I have had no chance to test. And from what I'm hearing, Tridents (especially Mk 1s) often suddenly die and need to have parts replaced that are expensive and sometimes really hard to find.
So I'm wondering if I should be spending the money on a Jupiter 6 instead? Is it a safer bet? (probably!)... But will I be able to get the raw, thick and magical sounds out of it that I know (from watching a lot of YouTube demos!!) the Trident can produce?
I currently have a Roland Juno 106, so my other fear is that the Jupiter will have that similar Roland sound, rather than the contrasting tone of the Trident.
Anyway, I guess I just have cold feet right now! Should I bite the bullet and buy the Trident, or look at a Jupiter 6 for similar money?
Or is there something else that is similar to the Trident but less likely to lead to heartache?
Can't wait for some advice guys! (Perhaps I need to be talked down off a ledge here...!)
Mac Pro 8 Core (OSX 10.7.5)
Cubase 7
RME Fireface UFX
Korg Trident
Roland Juno 106
Nord Stage 2
Korg Kronos
Kurzweil PC3
Roland V-drums TD12
Yamaha U1 piano
Its purely my pov, but after almost buying a JP6 and owning a Trident MK1,
.......Its Trident all the way.
You will get a few posting on this thread saying JP6 has far greater programming depth, which is true, but in terms of pure sound quality, for me this is the one where, ....just for once, the Roland isn't the winner.
To put your mind at rest on reliability, my MK1 still works as well as the day I bought it, and it was only 80% condition to start with.
I still recommend a good service no matter what vintage synth it is.
__________________ Korg Trident Mk1 - Oberheim OBXa - Roland SH-09 - Doepfer Dark Energy Mk1 - Nord Lead 2X - Waldorf Q - Access Virus B - Roland JD800 - Moog Minitaur - EDP Wasp (somewhere) - Creamware Minimax ASB - Roland JP8080 - Korg 168RC Sound-link - S/W: Reason & KLC
'Coming to grips with compromise is an essential ingredient for balance, harmony and avoidance of conflict'. Maisonvague
Its purely my pov, but after almost buying a JP6 and owning a Trident MK1,
.......Its Trident all the way.
You will get a few posting on this thread saying JP6 has far greater programming depth, which is true, but in terms of pure sound quality, for me this is the one where, ....just for once, the Roland isn't the winner.
To put your mind at rest on reliability, my MK1 still works as well as the day I bought it, and it was only 80% condition to start with.
I still recommend a good service no matter what vintage synth it is.
Thanks Flat Earth!
I have read somewhere on Gearslutz that you are a bit of an authority on the Trident! Do you have any suggestions as to things I should get checked out once the Trident arrives from Japan, if I do go with it?
(And even though I haven't played a J6, I agree, the Trident is an amazing sounding machine!)
Cheers,
Mike
PS - still keen to hear some other options, especially from one or both of these synths!
I have read somewhere on Gearslutz that you are a bit of an authority on the Trident! Do you have any suggestions as to things I should get checked out once the Trident arrives from Japan, if I do go with it?
Not really. Im just someone who appreciates it as a great (possibly under rated) musical instrument.
I think what made many people discard it, is that it isn't an instant gratification synth. You have to program it to get results. But the results are fantastic, and most importantly to me, quite unique amongst other synths.
On things to check out, mainly the psu caps and battery. Sometimes the keyboard can play up (as on any vintage synth), but usually this is only a matter of a clean up. If its travelled all the way from Japan, it may well be worth a std service to check all is ok.
Hi Mike I have owned both the Jupiter 6 and Trident at the same time and had to keep one and kept the Trident as it had a bigger sound. Being a keyboard player the keys felt better and the extra voices give it better poly. Personal preferance for sound but I now have other synths that can do close to what the Jupter 6 does.
Issues I had since purchasing the Trident new in 1983 are just recently replaced the original battery ( Thanks to FlatEarth), had a voltage regulator replaced as it caused a short, recap of the power supply ( just in case) and now the total output low and high have really crappy sound so I am using the headphone out. Single outs are fine.
The choice is difficult but really depends on what sound you want. The synth section is simple compared to the Roland but you wont get that BIG sound out of anything cheaper and it has a quality you wont find in anything else.
If you want lots of synth sounds go the Roland . You want big get the Trident.
Tom
the demos I've heard of these things sound almost as fat as like a p5rev2 or something. those SSM filters are tasty
the jp6, okay it's a more proper synth, it's got a multimode filter, but it will never sound as fat and vintage as a trident. they're almost like completely different worlds.
definitely replace the battery and move it to a better location, AWAY from the circuit boards! If it's an old nicad battery as many of these things were, it's worth disabling the charging circuit and switching to a lithium.
Might be simple, but layering the different sections allow for some really special sounds while keeping 8 notes of polyphony (you can use the synth for a nice attack and just use the strings for the sustained part of the sound, for instance, which works really well).
But I agree, it's a shame the Trident doesn't have more options and no second EG for the synth section (on the Mark 1 that is) and that the Brass Section is paraphonic (it would have been so cool if it was polyphonic like the other sections too...).
I am lusting for a Jupiter 6 now, cause it's probably the most affordable analog poly with multimode filters (which is what I am lacking right now), but don't think I'd pick it over the Trident, especially cause 6 notes of polyphony is not that much...
And soundwise... I don't think it is as fat as the mighty Trident
20.5 inches depth (from most protruding points on wooden end panels)
Thanks Flat Earth!
Just checked online and apparently the package has left Japan, expecting it to arrive here in Australia in about 10 days!
One other question I've been wondering about - on the back of the Trident I noticed there are two outputs for "Mix Out" - a low and a high. Does this refer to the level of output, or is the signal somehow divided into high and low frequencies?
Assuming it's the former, but just curious to know before it arrives!
Thanks again - and thanks everyone for giving me the push to go ahead with the purchase. Literally can not wait for it to arrive!
Just checked online and apparently the package has left Japan, expecting it to arrive here in Australia in about 10 days!
One other question I've been wondering about - on the back of the Trident I noticed there are two outputs for "Mix Out" - a low and a high. Does this refer to the level of output, or is the signal somehow divided into high and low frequencies?
Assuming it's the former, but just curious to know before it arrives!
Thanks again - and thanks everyone for giving me the push to go ahead with the purchase. Literally can not wait for it to arrive!
Cheers,
Mike
Yes it is high and low output levels. Depends on the amp or mixer you put it into . You also have individual outputs for the three sections if you want to mix them seperately. The volume knob for each section controls the volume for all the outputs including the headphone output. My low and high sound really crappy but the headphone and seperate outs are fine and I use the headphone output to the mixer..
Just check when the backup battery was replaced ( mine lasted 26years) and you should be good to go . If you need a copy of the manual and can't get one on the net I can scan mine in and send you a copy. Also I have a copy of the schematic. Where abouts in Oz are you??
Yes it is high and low output levels. Depends on the amp or mixer you put it into . You also have individual outputs for the three sections if you want to mix them seperately. The volume knob for each section controls the volume for all the outputs including the headphone output. My low and high sound really crappy but the headphone and seperate outs are fine and I use the headphone output to the mixer..
Just check when the backup battery was replaced ( mine lasted 26years) and you should be good to go . If you need a copy of the manual and can't get one on the net I can scan mine in and send you a copy. Also I have a copy of the schematic. Where abouts in Oz are you??
Thanks heaps!
I'm not sure whether the high/low outputs will work or not... I've been assured the whole instrument works well, but of course there's always a risk.
Is the battery user-replaceable? My Trident is in such good condition that I wonder if it's just been kept in a cupboard for the last 20 years, and therefore the battery has had it. Hoping it hasn't leaked on any of the internals.
I'm in the Inner West of Sydney. Are you also in Australia? I've been by numerous sources that Steve Jones is the best vintage synth technician in Sydney, and I've emailed him with a few questions (which he was very helpful with), so I might ask him to give it a check over when it lands!
high/low mix out was pretty standard in 1980 (my tr-808 has them) no reason why they shouldn't work (i always use high btw) anyways keep us posted, trident is such a dreamy synth
The battery can be replaced but getting under the hood takes a bit of work.
I replaced mine with another rechargable two cell 2.4 which was pretty cheap and moved it a a location that was more accessable. It you want Steve is the man in Sydney to check things out.
I am located at Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane and had my Trident since new 1983
Its quite a rare opportunity where I am, but someone is selling a Trident MK2 fairly locally for £800. I don't need it, but would love to take it, just to do a side by side comparison with my MK1 to test the Trident 'myth', and then sell the one that loses
Its quite a rare opportunity where I am, but someone is selling a Trident MK2 fairly locally for £800. I don't need it, but would love to take it, just to do a side by side comparison with my MK1 to test the Trident 'myth', and then sell the one that loses
Problem is I don't have £800 spare atm. :(
Always the way eh!
Even if the Mk2 loses a bit in terms of sound, the extra EG should make it still a worth addition I'd expect, no?
I really like my Mk1 and if I could grab another one for a good price, I'd definitely do it, especially if it was a Mk2
Even if the Mk2 loses a bit in terms of sound, the extra EG should make it still a worth addition I'd expect, no?
I really like my Mk1 and if I could grab another one for a good price, I'd definitely do it, especially if it was a Mk2
Well, its only from sound demos we came to possible conclusion. MK1 seemed to have a more 70s vibe than MK2. Not better, just different. (The boards and componants are very different looking inside)
Your right, the extra EG is a big bonus, plus extra memory and cassette backup. All is know is, if MK2 sounds the same as MK1, it sounds fantastic!
If I had a spare £800, I'd take it for sure. ...Alas I don't.
I'm not sure whether the high/low outputs will work or not... I've been assured the whole instrument works well, but of course there's always a risk.
Is the battery user-replaceable? My Trident is in such good condition that I wonder if it's just been kept in a cupboard for the last 20 years, and therefore the battery has had it. Hoping it hasn't leaked on any of the internals.
I'm in the Inner West of Sydney. Are you also in Australia? I've been by numerous sources that Steve Jones is the best vintage synth technician in Sydney, and I've emailed him with a few questions (which he was very helpful with), so I might ask him to give it a check over when it lands!
Cheers,
Mike
Hi Guys,
My Trident arrived from Japan... and as expected it is more or less mint, incredibly clean and only a few scratches!
I bought a step-down transformer, set it up in the studio, and... it won't power up! As you can imagine, I am kind of freaking out, as it wasn't a cheap vintage synth by any means!!
The seller has referred me to a vintage synth technician in Sydney, so I will be dropping it in shortly.
I have been advised that total failure to power up is sometimes preferable to partial failure as it could just be a fuse or the internal transformer, rather than failure of another part that is harder to track down.
oh the frustration of paying top dollar for a vintage item only to have to take it straight to a repair shop. i'd be asking the seller in japan for a refund equal to your repair costs, unless he told you it didn't power up before you bought it.
i'm now wasting time at work watching youtube videos of the trident- you guys are right, it does sound fantastic.
i really like the look of the interface as well, seems like a dream to program.
I know that this might be not the place to post this, but I found this thread on google and decided do participate and announce mine Korg Trident analogue synthesizer.
I got one on my online kind of store/space at www.musicgas.com (its an hobby of mine where I sell and rent some collection and vintage items related to instruments and backline gear). Check it out and say something if interests
By the way, I live in Portugal (Lisbon area), and I'm used to send gear to all Europe (essentially). The direct link for the Korg Trident it's: Korg Trident analogue synthesizer at MUSIC gas!
Thanks for your attention and sorry if I interrupt your discussion!
Sounds like way too much to me, even though its my favourite sounding synth. £1000 no more is all its worth IMHO.
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Not really. Im just someone who appreciates it as a great (possibly under rated) musical instrument. 
