StarskyCarr Unleashes the Korg Trident with Cherry Audio

Starsky Carr dives into the nostalgia pool, bringing back the Korg Trident, a synth gem from the early 80s that many have overlooked. He kicks things off by creating an intro track using the Cherry Audio Trident plugin, which perfectly replicates those lush strings, punchy brass, and that rich analog polysynth tone we’ve all been craving. Starsky’s excitement is palpable as he mentions how this synth was capable of playing three different instruments simultaneously, making it a powerhouse albeit under-appreciated back in its day. It was a studio workhorse, though never reaching the iconic status of a Prophet 5 or a Jupiter 8. Yet, if you ever played these things or saw one in a studio, you knew you were in for a treat, even if it didn’t grace as many album covers as its rivals.

Back in the golden age of synths, the Korg Trident was a bit like your favorite neighborhood dive bar – full of character, yet somehow overlooked when the fancy new clubs opened up. Starsky gives us a quick history lesson, highlighting how the Trident was playing in the same league as the Prophet 5 and Jupiter 8. However, it was priced too high for a string instrument and not innovative enough to sit on a flagship pedestal. Imagine rolling up to a battle of the bands with this, only to realize everyone else brought a Jupiter 8. It’s like showing up for a street race in a classic muscle car when everyone else is revving supercars – you’ve got soul, but they’ve got speed. The Trident didn’t have that iconic track to cement its legacy. Starsky points out how despite the gear’s potential, Korg’s marketing push went to models like the Poly 6, which hit that sweet spot of price and portability. Fast forward to today, and Cherry Audio, with a nod to nostalgia, just gave this vintage beauty a new lease on life.

Starsky takes us deeper into each section, starting with the synthesizer. It’s like a stripped-down muscle car – basic, but with power under the hood. Though it doesn’t have the modulation muscle of more famous competitors, it’s got a couple of tricks that can surprise you. A highlight is the stereo panning option for VCOs – rare for its time but perfect for spatial mixes today. Moving on to the brass section, you won’t mistake it for a real brass ensemble, but it has its own charm, complete with a quirky multi-note trigger. Then come the strings, where the ensemble effect really brings out that vintage warmth. It’s an old-school string machine’s dream, with a charm reminiscent of lo-fi beats you want to loop all night. Starsky says it straight: Cherry Audio’s Trident brings something classic yet new to the plate, almost like street food fusion, mixing old recipes with fresh ingredients.

Starsky showcases the gooey goodness of the Trident’s onboard effects. There’s something magical about slapping a galactic reverb on those strings, making them echo in the void like a synth odyssey. The effects aren’t just there for show – they’re genuine tools for tweaking and twirling your sound into something unique. Starsky didn’t use all the onboard effects for his demo track, sticking to his trusty Eventide for some parts, but he acknowledges that the Trident’s effects are worth exploring for any synth head seeking that perfect sound. Beyond the knobs and faders, this segment is about making music that hits home, touching on melody and harmony like it’s nobody’s business. Whether he’s dishing out mixing tricks or nerding out over the LFOs, Starsky’s demo track is an exhibition of how the Cherry Audio Trident can work seamlessly with other gear to craft something that absolutely slaps.