Korg Triton


The Korg Triton is a music workstation synthesizer, featuring digital sampling and sequencing, released in 1999. It uses Korg's HI Synthesis tone generator 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 2007, Korg announced the Korg M3 as its successor.
and
predecessor, Korg Trinity

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, 01/wPro and 01/wProX.
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 journalists, 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, a crucial evaluation element of expensive synths and music workstations, were the subject of even greater criticism; arguably, the integrated sample RAM could compensate for this. With successive models, some of these shortcomings were rectified, such as the digital connectivity, and improvement of the piano samples. The sample-based synthesis filter section, however, was never improved. Some limited 2-track audio recording was added to later revisions of the Triton Studio, while the Triton Extreme added in-track sampling support, allowing stereo samples to be recorded in context with a MIDI sequence and automatic triggering of the samples at their proper locations in the sequence during playback. Whilst less robust in function and practice, in-track sampling did mitigate for the lack of full audio recording in the Triton Extreme.

Model variants

"Classic"

The original Triton was released in 1999 and as subsequent models were released became known as the "Classic". The options available to buyers included a MOSS board, SCSI interface, two EXB-PCM expansion boards and 64MB RAM. It had a 61-key keyboard.

Pro and Pro X

The Pro was a 76-key workstation, while the Pro X was an 88-key workstation with weighted keys.

Rack

The Triton Rack was the rackmount version of the Triton. Since musicians would use it as a sound module rather than a complete workstation, requiring a separate keyboard to control it via MIDI, it was designed with different abilities. The oversized touchscreen was replaced with a smaller, more conventional graphic LCD. Though not equipped with a keyboard, it had the advantage of storage of up to eight EXB boards containing additional sounds, and featured a built-in S/PDIF digital output. It also supported the EXB-DI "Digital Interface" board providing ADAT output and Word Clock, or EXB-mLAN option featuring mLAN output.

KARMA

The Korg KARMA, released in 2001, featured the Triton synthesis technology with 2 PCM slots and MOSS slot but without the sampling functionality. It instead included the more specialised KARMA music system. It was only available in a 61-key version.

Le

The Triton Le, released in 2002, was a stripped-down, streamlined version of the original Triton. It uses a smaller non-touch screen similar to the TRITON-RACK. 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, can not 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.
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 to the later TR.
Three versions of "Le" are available :

Triton Le 61 - 61 keys

Triton Le 76 - 76 keys

Triton Le 88 - 88 keys

Studio

The Triton Studio, released in 2002, included the features of the "Classic" with the addition of S/PDIF input and output, as well as the EXB08 expansion board offering a much higher quality piano sound. The instrument also had space for seven expansion modules and could be fitted with an optional hard drive, 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 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.
Like the Triton "Classic" and Studio, the Triton Extreme included a touch screen interface, along with the knob and button controls. A USB interface enabled 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 could not 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. No SCSI, mLAN or ADAT interfaces were included but optical stereo S/PDIF inputs and outputs were installed.
Another USB Type A connector can be used to connect a 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.
It is also seen as the keyboard of choice for Tsumugi Kotobuki in the anime K-On!.

TR

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, 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

A USB-powered controller with the 512 programs from the original factory bank of the Classic, the Triton Taktile is offered in 25- and 49-key versions, with the same semi-weighted 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 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'' mini headphone jack. The onboard sounds can't be edited, layered or split, and playback is mono‑timbral.

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. The Triton "Classic", Extreme, and Studio were controlled by a touchscreen. The KARMA, Le and Rack, however, featured a more conventional display.
ModelYear of releaseWave ROM size, MBFeaturesPolyphonyNumber of keys
Triton199932sequencer, sampler6261/76/88
Triton Rack200032sampler60-
KARMA200132sequencer, KARMA6261
Triton Le200232sequencer 16 tracks MIDI, sampler 6261/76
Triton Le 88200232 + 16 sequencer 16 tracks MIDI, sampler 6288
Triton Studio200232 + 16 sequencer, S/PDIF, CD-ROM, HDD option60 × 2 banks61/76/88
Triton Extreme2004160sequencer, Valve Force circuitry, USB MIDI link, CF card slot, sampler with in-track sampling60 × 2 banks61/76/88
TR 61/76/882006-0764sequencer, USB MIDI link, SD card slot, 64Mb PCM, sampler 6261/76/88
MicroX200764USB MIDI link, 64Mb PCM: 32Mb Triton "Classic" + 32Mb unique, Editor Program Librarian software and Plugin 6225
X50200764USB MIDI link, 64Mb PCM: same as TR, Editor Program Librarian software and Plugin 6261

Availability

Except for the Triton Taktile, all models of the Korg Triton model range have been discontinued by the manufacturer.
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

This list represents a wide range of artists who have used Korg Tritons.