Korg Triton Extreme: As EXTREME as it claims?

I'm not sure if "extreme" is the right description for this particular synth, and I'm not even certain if, overall, it's superior to the ordinary Triton series. The 12AX7 vacuum tube is a defining aspect of "extreme" in this case but to be honest I was most impressed by some of the more gentle sounds, particularly the exceptional guitar samples.

[@BasslineDJs]

Very pleased that I picked one up on eBay for a very good deal with the full complement of sample RAM (96MB) and everything working spot on. After using the TRITON VST from the KORG collection, having direct access to parameters through hardware felt even more intuitive than the virtual interface. Okay so a workstation that is 17 years on from release, but still more than capable in the hands of any competent performer. If you can get one, and you don't want to shell out 4 figures for a new model, then you could do a lot worse. With a USB cable you can access the compact flash media from a computer, upload samples as aif or wav (I prefer this to editing the samples on the workstation, which it can readily do).

[@gearfacts]

Awesome :)

[@MrSeeker42]

Right on! Maybe you can answer my query: I’m in the process of acquiring this used workstation (Triton Extreme 88-key) and want to know is it possible to assign different drums to the 6 outputs so I can use a mixer (Yamaha AW4416) to separately mix the kick, snare and Toms etc to my liking. Is it even possible and how? Question 2: I used to own the Triton Le 88-key and have since sold it and have only retained the Smart Media Cards of the Le with all my tracks and songs/compositions on it. I know the Triton Extreme uses Compact Flash Cards and not Smart Media Cards but is there a way I can use my Universal Card Reader to somehow transfer the song tracks from the Le Smart Media card onto the Korg Triton Extreme Compact flash card and than load it onto the Extreme and have its built in Sequencer “understand” and “recognize” the Le tracks and seamlessly transfer my songs accordingly where they are not forever lost? Btw…I do not use DAWS and try to avoid computers when working on music. Your help is appreciated!

[@gunnarschillings6782]

@@MrSeeker42 Wow, yeah, I'm still searching for a Smart Media Card reader for a PC. I found none. Compact Flash Cards, what are these? I have a couple of card readers for PC, but they only go as far back as reading "newer" cards. What is a Universal Card Reader? Where can I buy one? In principle, as far as I understand my multiple card reader: You must first transfer the stuff into a computer and then convert there and then send it to a different slot in the reader, where the other card is sitting in.

[@RagedContinuum]

how are the keys on the 88? I watched Rudess shread on an oasys which has the same keybed I think (RH2) - how is the durability? I read elsewhere that the RH3s can break

[@miekwavesoundlab]

@@MrSeeker42I can sort of answer your first question: I have M3 which is basically the same OS as Triton EX. To map drums to different outs, for example, in multi mode first assign a track(s) you want in output 3 Kick and whuch track(s) you want in output 4 Snare. On your kick track(s) go to Mixer Settings and change L/R output to 3/4 output. To have kick only go on output 3, hard pan your kick track(s) to the left. On your snare track(s), do the same thing, change L/R assign to 3/4, and if you want your snares in output 4, hard pan those track(s) hard right. If you want multi out on the same drum kit in the same track, that might be in patch editor. you should copy your drum kit to a user drum kit, and then select note-drum hit and it should be in the group/output section per note if triton supports multi out assignment per drum note.

[@forrestperkins6237]

Timeless synth

[@gearfacts]

Yep!

[@stuartwilliams7371]

I have 61 and 76 of this as part of my rig, would never sell no matter what.. Best Buy ever, super happy.

[@gearfacts]

Cool, yeah I love all the Tritons. The Le88 is our mothership at home.

[@stuartwilliams7371]

Gearfacts Nice one 👍

[@bernardussamuel8445]

Korg triton extreme also now released as vst. What a great thing though.

[@jgh548]

Great synth in its day. Particularly for mellifluous, gorgeous pads.

[@gearfacts]

Couldn't agree more!

[@lukeimontv7086]

Probably designed with Trance in mind

[@Neezy-JD]

mine is still in mint condition :) everything works perfectly one of my favorites along with my nord stage

[@ParkerCharlesGabriel]

Beast of a machine. Never selling !

[@glennurquhart2989]

Love this thing! Metal chassis is a bit on the heavy side, but built like a tank. As a studio keyboard, it's perfect. I won't sell mine either..15 yrs on.

[@gunnarschillings6782]

@@glennurquhart2989 I have an eye on a second hand one, but the bookend on the right is missing/completely shredded, that plastic cover. With a couple of other synths, I managed to get wooden replacements for these pieces. But the shape of this one looks a bit more complicated to just "patch" on a slab of wood. What do U think.

[@arthurcrime]

I have one, only downside is that it is very heavy, it has fantastic piano & organ sounds. Damn good synth. If complex at times.

[@gearfacts]

Heavy, yes!

[@zoltanvarga9248]

I have a mint 88 and I love it. It has a lot of power. Try the master EQ for example - this old iron can create so huge sounds what will blow up your head.

[@cooltrades7469]

Any Extreme is still a great machine. I have a 76 but plan to take a 61 for weight purposes.

[@myreasoning]

@@cooltrades7469 I have a new 61 keys I purchased in 2005, never learned how to use never learn to play keys its been in the case I purchased since. LOl

[@aldo34]

Same, 88 keys. My friends call it 'The Beast'. Bought it as new decades ago. I have a very in-the-box set up on my Macbook for composing and recording, and tend towards better software emulations (Spitfire, Embertone, etc) and synths (Pigments, Lion, etc), however...for live work I just lug it into the car and it does everything. I disagree slightly on the Valve Force, I think it warms up organs, electric piano, etc really well. I love this thing!

[@RagedContinuum]

@@aldo34 how are the keys on the 88? Are they durable? Do they get clacky over time? I read elsewhere that RH3 in newer boards can break

[@unlockedaudio5109]

I still have mine as well. I have to be honest though, the tube makes a big difference. The routing of it is what makes the sound really change. The tube is a vital part of this instrument, and it’s primarily why I don’t sell it. Even Korg’s VST version does not represent the tube character accurately. If I could find a stereo tube distortion pedal that could replicate the Triton’s tube sound and architecture, I’d buy it immediately and sell my Triton in a second.

[@gearfacts]

This is good info. I'm looking forward to trying this classic out again sometime.

[@georgevraca2738]

Personaly I find it as beeing a synth with personality in sound.Still valid today.

[@darkcognitive]

I have many hundred hours on my Korg Triton Extreme. Love the blue meany, would never let it go as it holds so much nostalgia for me. Got a dud key i need to fix though :(

[@gearfacts]

"Blue meany". Nice!

[@Mediocre_Jazz]

I just got given one last night at a party lol and a couple of keys don’t work unfortunately. Are there people who still fix these? I’d love to get this beauty up and running again

[@darkcognitive]

@@Mediocre_Jazz is it the actual key mechanism that’s broken or is it a problem with the circuitry? My key for instance is broken mechanically, I push it down and it doesn’t spring back. I’ve opened up the synth , bit of a nightmare getting to the keybed but once I got there I noticed the offending key had a small plastic part broken off it, so it doesn’t clip back on like it should and therefore doesn’t spring back. It’s a white key luckily, as they are all the same on this synth so I’m getting a replacement on eBay....luckily there are still a few sellers on there. Black keys I imagine will be harder to find a replacement for, as they are different depending on which key it is and much rarer. If it’s a problem with the actual circuitry, I’m not sure of any specific people who would repair it, but I reckon a competent electrician would be able to find the problem. Or if you’re reasonable at soldering yourself it would be worth opening it up and following the tracks, it could be something simple like an old cracked solder joint or a capacitor that’s came loose.

[@Mediocre_Jazz]

@@darkcognitive I appreciate the quick response! So basically the only keys that work are Db D Eb E F all the way up the octave. Also the numbers on the keyboard to the right of the touch screen aren’t working so I can’t do the diagnostic test (enter +5) the only numbers that work are 3 6 and 9. I would love to get this thing working! It seems like such a fun Synth!

[@ohh338]

I love this keyboard.. I don't know everything about it but from the look of your video, I made a great purchase

[@gearfacts]

It's one of the best ever!

[@freiermann7]

I still like mine. Got the full 88 weighted key for $300. Everything works perfect on it. Someday I will add the moss card if I can get one for a reasonable price.

[@gearfacts]

$300? Man there have been some bargains lately :)

[@freiermann7]

@@gearfacts It was originally posted for $600 but nobody wanted it. Then dropped to $400, and then to $300 after a week or so. I called thinking surely someone snatched it up at that price but nobody did so I got it. Weird because there were 71 key models listed for $800-900. The one I got is the big boy weighted 88 key model. Weighs a ton!

[@gearfacts]

freiermann7 wow, for only $300?? Bargain. Good on you for not talking to guy down even further, lots of people do that when they see that a seller is getting desperate and it’s not cool :)

[@Diddddu]

@@gearfacts Now that's worth malfunctioning buttons in the future cause they will unfortunately but still a great keyboard today.

[@davidmartin123]

Good overview of the sounds of the Triton Extreme - many of which have been carried forward into the K series (Kross/Krome/Kronos). "Extreme" makes sense because this keyboard contains more preset multisamples in ROM than any previous Triton model (160 Mbytes PCM ROM, 962 multisamples, 1,175 drumsamples). There is no slot to add new EXB boards in the Extreme because it's already got the contents of most of them in internal ROM. The only expansion board available is EXB-MOSS, which is really more a separate synthesizer than an expansion board, installed from the bottom. The slots on the left are only for adding RAM for sample memory (up to 3 boards for 96Mb). Valve Force, while it works, IMO is a bit of a gimick. Many of the preloaded Combinations focused on EDM do sound a bit dated. But with time and effort, the Programs and Combinations can be reorganized and customized across the many Banks available, or just use available free memory slots to store your favorites.

[@transforminggravity15626]

Awesome very good keyboard it sounds amazing awesome work 🔊🔊🔊🔊🔥🔥🔥🎹🎹🎹🔥🔥🔥👏👏👏👏👏💯💯💯

[@gearfacts]

Thanks 🔥

[@gzaq]

The only synth I've ever regretted selling

[@gphone9619]

Have 76 Tex with Moss and run a Roland JV-1089 off it too... So much polyphony!

[@madness8556]

Korg and Roland sounds blend beautifully together. I often used just a fully maxed out Triton Classic with MOSS and EXB01 and EXB02 expansions in conjunction with a fully expended Roland XV3080 for full music productions in the early 2000s.

[@darkywolf801]

DAL VIDEO DI PRIMA POSSIAMO VEDERE I VOSTRI GIOCATTOLI LA KORG KO SUI PRECEDENTI

[@soundfx68]

I just bought one today... in software, mad isn't it.

[@imbad207]

Just got one these and 100% of the buttons and keys work.

[@gearfacts]

Nice! Well looked-after by the former owner :)

[@HighlandStudio91]

I had bought this soon after it hit the stores & it was great for the time(since I had no PC DAW at the time.) I loved some of the synths(pads in particular) and the vacuum tube was phenomenal. Didn't care for most of the acoustic sounds, as they were pretty thin(in contrast to software)...& even with the effects, a lot of the sounds did not sit well in a mix, when trying to create entire songs. I had sold it in 2008 and the only features I missed having, was the synths & said vacuum tube. However....once I bought the Triton collection software, I had everything back that I wanted from this synth and did not miss having the keyboard at all(I actually enjoy the software far more, as there's no loss in audio fidelity & I can swap out the Korg's mediocre effects and replace them with my Reason DAW's effects and the software even has the vacuum tube effect. ) By today's standards, the Triton EX keyboard is a raging piece of shit...I mean hell, even the Korg M3 was a major upgrade from this shit-box.

[@aldo34]

I was tempted by the software, but I've had my 88 key 'beast' for so long now that I just like using it as a thing. Fiddling around with the screen, using the ribbon modulator. It's fun. I've been playing the actual keyboard for decades, and I seem to have adjusted now to its...'character'. I even prefer it now to my infinitely better Roland digital piano keyboard, but that's probably because my brain has been rewired that way!

[@Diddddu]

I'm going to have to disagree with the effects part.Maybe with the vst but the board itself the triton line up have some of the best effect even for today's standards.

[@TheVideogamemaster9]

I wish they put the Extreme-exclusive samples into the Triton VST plugin. I can't sell my big 88-key 63-lbs monster yet lol

[@traderone8723]

There is Triton extreme VST now

[@TheVideogamemaster9]

@@traderone8723 Yeah I saw that, I'm really happy. There are so many good patches and combis, using new samples.

[@BlueWolfTM]

@@TheVideogamemaster9 does the triton extreme have the same presets as the triton. I don’t know if I should get the extreme or the original?

[@TheVideogamemaster9]

@@BlueWolfTM If you mean the physical keyboards, I went through all the many banks on the Extreme and being able to find just about everything that was in the original triton, I'm pretty sure the bottom row (banks H-K) correspond to the Triton's ABCD banks, but you might wanna go through the patch list manuals online to double check.

[@fm_skyline]

I think 0:43 is a patch Jan Hammer used on "Sunset"

[@mecca777]

I WAS gonna sell mine….but fuck that!!!

[@pianokeyjoe]

Being a Korg PA 600QT owner, my keyboard plays very well and has no latency when playing sounds on it. It uses the similar Triton sounds and sequencer interface. Now I went back last year and played an actual Korg Triton Studio ProX. I was very annoyed that it had latency! It was like playing a software synth in a PC using a cheap sound card type of midi note latency! Did you notice any delay between the time you hit notes and heard sound? I could not play fast on it lets put it that way. Felt sluggish in sound response, not quite INSTANT. I ask cause maybe it was just the Studio series that acted like that?

[@gearfacts]

Never noticed it myself, but then my playing style is very slow.

[@darkcognitive]

I have a Triton Extreme and never noticed any latency whatsoever.

[@pianokeyjoe]

@@darkcognitive I never played the EXTREME version, only the Studio version my friend has. After playing my PA600QT and before that, the PA500 ORT, I really noticed the latency on his keyboard which made recording on the internal sequencer a real bear as I had to slow down my playing, to allow the keyboard to keep up. It may be the EXTREME is the updated hardware/firmware version of the Triton series. Sadly, I have never own ANY Tritons ot be able to compare with my PA 600 QT or any other keyboard at the moment. I do notice most Korg keyboards I played in the past do have a uncanny knack of having hanging notes or a mis firing key here and there on the lower keys. But that seems to be a PANASONIC keybed/key sensing chip issue that has been consistent since at least the DW8000. From what I can gather the Original Triton keyboard and the Studio version keyboard had some issues with the CPU not being powerful enough for all the features being offered and it could hiccup. The Yamaha EX5 had the SAME issue! The DSP sound generation was too much for the underpowered CPU. The Extreme may be an improved version. Record some tracks using the internal sequencer using synth sounds that have at least 2 or more "layers" or sound elements. Those are usually heavy on CPU and make use of the DSP for virtual analog sounds. If the Extreme does not hiccup, then the bugs got worked out at least in that series.

[@darkcognitive]

@@pianokeyjoe Yes the Triton Extreme was the culmination of the Triton series so it may be the case that the bugs were worked out by that point. It definitely has a faster CPU and more ram than the other Tritons. If you check out the demo tracks for the Extreme (some written by Jordan Rudess - I think you can find them here on KZbin ), you can hear it playing multi layered tracks without breaking a sweat. This is with multiple insert effects running at the same time as well. Jordan Rudess also used the Triton Extreme for some of his live concerts for a period of time and there’s no way he could do what he does with any lag. As you say, it’s probably an issue with the older versions just being underpowered.

[@madtothemaxShow]

Do u remeber the combi name at 00:50

[@Cosmetic_Astro]

I really want ons of these!

[@connortruax3557]

I need help, I got this for Christmas but every time I press the keys, they don’t play anything, do I need to buy an audio cable in order to play it?

[@gearfacts]

I only just saw this comment sorry! Did you find a solution?

[@connortruax3557]

@@gearfacts yup

[@thezogs95]

Is there a way to shift octaves on this keyboard? Not transpose but literally shift keyboard down to like drop A drop B low?

[@jimmybuffet4970]

It's actually a 12AU7.

[@gearfacts]

Correction noted :) GF

[@SamNiverba]

Hey friend can you help me :) i was thinking of getting my first Korg but i just can't decide on what to get. my choices are, The Korg Krome Ex61, The Korg Triton Pro Ex88 or The Korg Triton Extreme 88

[@gearfacts]

Extreme 88 would be my choice personally

[@ErraticFaith]

If it has to be one of those, to anyone ever asking the same 88 Extreme every time. Krome is ...poor. Let's just leave it there (lol).

[@WayneMusicianUK]

I’ve got a Yamaha Montage 8, Korg Kronos 2 88, Roland Fantom X8 and a Yamaha Motif ES7, any point in adding a Korg Triton Extreme 76 to my collection or has my Kronos got all the Extreme sounds in it?

[@xxxxneoxxxx]

Kronos is more powerful, man.

[@michaelaurelius8507]

@@xxxxneoxxxx As someone who's got BOTH an OASYS 88 and a Triton Extreme 88, I can honestly say they are world's apart and I mean that in the BEST way! The Triton's samples uses very heavy compression and they did in such a way that results in an incredibly balanced sound pallet with incredible pads and aggressive leads. The OASYS and KRONOS give you that super clean sound and literally makes everything else sound somewhat dull by comparison, but when you use them together, you get an unbelievable sound pallet, you can't get anywhere else. And those dual programmable arps are truly something special!

[@ErraticFaith]

Kronos is like driving a modern Ferrari, along side people using stoneage carts. It's held for 10 years because of that. But for my advice, wait for about a year. Korg have discontinued Kronos and several other products at their high end - and the next offering will demand a huge shift once more (due to high spec competition from the usual brands). Thus whatever replaces Kronos 2 will be the machine to watch. As great as Triton was - and how much I loved it - it's fidelity and overall sound has not aged well. If the new systems and engines are anything to go by; the new board will be a monster and you will be paying out of the rear for it. So get saving.

[@RagedContinuum]

Somebody nearby has a triton extreme 88 for sale for about 600 dollars but I have a korg oasys pci that I've not installed which comes with the triton soundset in its version 2 software. Not sure if I want two of the same if you know what I mean. I mostly want an 88 keybed with good action more than anything but a synth with arpeggiation would be nice. Also considering a Casio Privia 5s or 560, or just a midi controller, or maybe nothing at all since I'm not playing at the moment (making $$$)

[@robertbmxpa]

Does this, or any of the other Tritons have the sound banks of the micro korg in them??

[@gearfacts]

No, they have a different set of parameters for creating sounds and ultimately they have a significantly different flavor.

[@nebuladus7850]

What about exb moss...and sequencer...

[@gearfacts]

No EXB in this one (removed) and yep it's got a sequencer. Didn't have enough time with it to figure out the advanced functions unfortunately.

[@Mtaalas]

Old instrument? It's only 16 years old. That thing just needs the normal amount of maintenance that every instrument needs... YEARLY! It hasn't been kept very well by the looks of it. And yeah, if you don't drive the tube using the control for it, it really doesn't do much now does it? :D

[@gearfacts]

No, not really.

[@ElectroIllusion]

Can the Korg Triton Extreme be modified with a solid state internal hard drive? And if so, what is the internal hard drive GB limit to what the Korg Triton Extreme is compatible with?

[@gearfacts]

I’m afraid I don’t know. You can view the manual online. Once it’s on your screen just do a CTRL+F search for “hard drive” and se what’s there :)

[@ElectroIllusion]

@@gearfacts - After doing some Google searching, it appears the Korg Triton Extreme does *not* have an internal hard drive. Now I'm attempting to determine where it's internal sounds are actually stored. Perhaps on ROM chips. We can connect an *external* hard drive via it's USB ports, which would be used for loading samples, and saving songs and patches. But I was under the impression that the Triton Extreme has a hard drive inside it, but apparently not! According to several forums the Korg Triton Studio does indeed have an internal hard drive, but the Triton Extreme does not. Next week I'm going to attempt to contact someone at Korg and try to get some more information because I'm real interested to learn about the internal operations of this synthesizer.

[@gearfacts]

@@ElectroIllusion Ah ok. I'm sure it can take RAM upgrades though.

[@ilovekeyboards7830]

Wich keyboard has better sounds roland or korg ?

[@gearfacts]

Both sound great. I really like the Roland EP sounds. Korg has superior pad sounds and arpeggios though. Just a vague opinion of course, everyone has their own preference so there is no right or wrong answer :)

[@TheRealDirtySkillz]

Bro - this board is like 15 years old now ain't it?

[@gearfacts]

Yep that sounds about right. Maybe even a little older.

[@BrianJilgMusic]

I have one.. it is still going strong from 2004! My main keyboard. Love the A47 piano patch on it. (under progs).

[@boimesa8190]

Is this like the definitive version of all the Triton keyboards?

[@gearfacts]

That's what Korg says, yep. Can't see any reason not to agree :)

[@beavisbunghole]

Would be dope if one can play K-ON songs on this one

[@ErraticFaith]

Ha. I grew up with playing those. Fond memories. Really punched them higher on Kronos and...I expect I shall do the same on the new flagship now that Kronos is finally over. Just not looking forward to what will likely be a close to 5 grand price tag.

[@ksager123]

Is it as good as korg krome ex?

[@gearfacts]

imho, yep

[@nebuladus7850]

Hello is there a looper on the triton

[@gearfacts]

I think so, but it might be a good idea to get the manual online from Korg.

[@darkcognitive]

It has a fully integrated sequencer which you can loop tracks. It’s basically a full daw with sampling and everything.

[@ErraticFaith]

Many happy memories until Kronos came along. Triton has aged horribly but at the time, what a happy time. Would have played it until it died if it wasn't for needing the newer tech and having such little space. RIP.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Newer tech?

[@xxxxneoxxxx]

@@SPAZZOID100 Krome uses 9 modelling engines for the piano, e piano, organ, synth, etc sounds. And the twikability is insane.

[@axelmaldini4218]

Not warm sounds...too digital

[@gearfacts]

Prefer analog eh? I can dig that