User Guide
eUser Guide
Features and Benefits
"Overview" 5
Connections 8
Disk Mode:
Loading the Preload Disks 9
Playing the Factory Demos
Basic Navigation:
Front Panel Overview, Touchview Graphic Interface 11
Program Mode:
Overview 13
Select-By-Bank, Select-By-Category
Performance Editing, Realtime Controllers
AMS and Effect Dynamic Modulation 18
Very Cool Demo Programs
Arpeggiator Mode:
Overview and Tour in Program mode 21
Combination Mode:
Overview 26
Select By Bank, Select By Category
Working with Combinations, Controllers and The Dual Polyphonic Arpeggiators
Very Cool Demo Combinations
Effects Mode:
Inserts and Masters, EQ 34
Working with the Audio Inputs and Effects
Using the Vocoder Effect 43
Sampling Mode:
Overview 44
One-shot Sampling, Sampling w/ Insert FX
Naming Samples, Converting to Programs 48
Working with Grooves, Loops and Tempo
Sequencer Mode:
Overview, Templates, Preset Patterns, Recording, Play Loops 54
Recording w/ the Arpeggiat or, Solo / Mute
Creating a Cue List / Converting to a Song 59
RPPR ( Realtime Pattern Play Record)
Sequencing w/ Combinations 66
Advanced Arpeggiator Tour 68
Sequencing Using Combis with Arpeggios
Output Routing
Option Boards: EXB-MOSS, EXB-SCSI, EXB-PCM, SIMM modules, User-installation
Additional Information - Owner manual references
Cool Demo Programs and Combinations
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20
27
28
33
42
45
49
57
63
76
82
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TRITON Features and BenefitsTRITON Features and Benefits
FeatureFeature
1024 onboard sounds1024 onboard sounds
512 Programs 512 Programs (including 16 drumkits)
512 Comb512 Combinationsinations
plus 128 open locations for samples and a
full GM level 2 soundset!
Expandable to a total of 1280 Programs Expandable to a total of 1280 Programs (with
EXB-MOSS and a full E Bank/sample
programs)
48 User drumkits available48 User drumkits available
32 MB PCM ROM32 MB PCM ROM
expandable to 64 MB with optional PCM expandable to 64 MB with optional PCM
expansion boardsexpansion boards
Hyper Integrated (HI) synth Hyper Integrated (HI) synth
architecturearchitecture
48 kHz playback48 kHz playback
multimulti-- mode resonant filtersmode resonant filters
AMS modulation and more!AMS modulation and more!
BenefitBenefit
All sounds are in RAM* so you can tweak or
replace them to guarantee that you have the
group of sounds that you want.
Everyone is looking for a large variety of
sounds and TRITON delivers the largest
selection of great Korg sounds ever!
*Except GM
This is a huge memory area, giving the user a
full gamut of imitative and synthetic wave
data. With 425 multisamples and 413
drumsamples.
The TRITON's Hyper Integrated (HI) synth
engine combines PCM ROM, sampling RAM
and optional MOSS synth engines with rich
filters, complex modulation routings and the
most versatile effects system in a synth today.
6262-- note polyphonynote polyphony
Up to 7 effects at a time plus EQ!*Up to 7 effects at a time plus EQ!*
5 Insert Effects with 102 effects5 Insert Effects with 102 effects
2 Master Effects with 89 effects2 Master Effects with 89 effects
Includes 32 dual mono in/out chains!Includes 32 dual mono in/out chains!
33 -- bandband Master EQ Master EQ
Dynamic effectsDynamic effects
Route external audio through effects!Route external audio through effects!
*Up to 14 effects plus EQ if all mono-chained!
TouchView graphic displayTouchView graphic display
Now much faster!Now much faster!
Increased polyphony helps when playing
sustained piano passages, when developing
complex Combinations, and of course helps
when sequencing.
The TRITON offers the most versatile effects
system of any synth on the market. This means
that your Sequences and sounds can have
many “custom” effects per sound, so each
instrument sounds right. The majority of the
effects can be used in any location (Insert or
Master) offering you the most flexibility
possible.
Includes a "way-cool" 16-band Vocoder and
the ability to add FX to a mic or other synth!
This fully graphic touch screen is
revolutionary for a musical instrument and
makes working with the TRITON a dream!
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TRITON Training Guide
FeatureFeature BenefitBenefit
1616-- track sequencertrack sequencer
200,000 events200,000 events
200 Songs200 Songs
20 Cue Lists 20 Cue Lists (100 Songs per Cue)
32 Song Templates 32 Song Templates (16 Preset/16 User)
150 preset drum patterns150 preset drum patterns
Loopable tracksLoopable tracks
192 PPQ resolution192 PPQ resolution
Extensive editing Extensive editing (bar/beat/tick resolution)
SMF compatible SMF compatible (w/direct play from disk)
2 arpeggio patterns per Song2 arpeggio patterns per Song
Automated mixdownAutomated mixdown
Tempo trackTempo track
2 polyphonic arpeggiators2 polyphonic arpeggiators
Expanded from Z1 designExpanded from Z1 design
237 memory locations 237 memory locations (5 preset, 232
programmable)
Up to 12 tones and 48 steps per patternUp to 12 tones and 48 steps per pattern
Normal and Fixed Note/Drum modesNormal and Fixed Note/Drum modes
Syncs to MIDI clock or to internal sequencerSyncs to MIDI clock or to internal sequencer
Programs can uPrograms can use 1 arp pattern, Combis and se 1 arp pattern, Combis and
sequencer can use 2sequencer can use 2
Arp patterns can be recorded to sequencer or Arp patterns can be recorded to sequencer or
to patterns to be used with RPPR functionto patterns to be used with RPPR function
This is a full-function sequencer with
extensive recording, editing and mixing
capabilities. Combined with the TRITON's
awesome multi-effects power this is all the
system a user might need to record “ready-to-
master” music!
Between the loopable tracks and the
i nnovative Cue List the user can work the way
they like, creating their music in short
segments to be chained together, as long linear
performances, or any method in-between.
Song Templates, preset patterns and the
unique RPPR function make it easy to get
started writing a song.
Arpeggiators are "all the rage" these days, and
there is none better than the TRITON's
polyphonic monster.
Use the Arpeggiator to play polyphonic
patterns, dance bass and lead lines, imitative
guitar strumming, or even as a step-grid drum
programming tool.
Combine 2 arpeggio patterns in Combi or
Sequence modes for rich sound possibilities.
Sync to other systems or record patterns
directly into your songs.
SamplingSampling
1616-- bit/48kHz sampling ratebit/48kHz sampling rate
16 MB of RAM standard, expandable to 64 MB 16 MB of RAM standard, expandable to 64 MB
(two 72-pin SIMM slots)
Stereo/mono samplingStereo/mono sampling
Sample through Insert effectsSample through Insert effects
Visual waveform editing Visual waveform editing (w/beat grid)
Extensive editing (truncate, nExtensive editing (truncate, normalize, ormalize,
cut/copy/paste/insert, and more)cut/copy/paste/insert, and more)
Up to 1000 multisamples/4000 samples Up to 1000 multisamples/4000 samples
possible in memorypossible in memory
Loads Korg*, Akai S3000/1000, AIFF and Loads Korg*, Akai S3000/1000, AIFF and
.WAV formats.WAV formats
*except TFD-1 through 4
Many musicians use sampling as an integral
part of their music, lifting phrases and grooves
from records, CD's and sampling libraries.
TRITON offers powerful sampling capabilities
and plenty of memory.
The TouchView interface makes editing a
breeze, with graphic waveform viewing and a
host of other benefits.
It's fast to go from sampling to a Program to
the sequencer so you can grab a sound and
start making music with it right away!
Compatibility with many formats opens up a
world of libraries to the user.
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FeatureFeature BenefitBenefit
TRITON Training Guide
Innovative RPPRInnovative RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play
and Record) functionfunction
Each Song can hold an RPPR setEach Song can hold an RPPR set
Up to 72 Patterns per setUp to 72 Patterns per set
Patterns can play manually, once, or loop Patterns can play manually, once, or loop
endlesslyendlessly
Expressive controllersExpressive controllers
ribbonribbon
44 -- way joystickway joystick
4 assignable knobs4 assignable knobs
2 assignable switches2 assignable switches
assignable value sliderassignable value slider
Assignable pedal and sAssignable pedal and switchwitch
6 outputs6 outputs ww/ easy routing!/ easy routing!
L/R Main outputsL/R Main outputs
4 Individual outputs4 Individual outputs
61/7661/76--note synth and 88note synth and 88 --note note
weighted action models available weighted action models available
w/w/ Velocity and AftertouchVelocity and Aftertouch
RPPR lets you assign musical phrases to be
triggered in realtime from the keyboard. It's
great for live performance and as a musical
way to play parts into the sequencer. And the
RPPR data goes out via MIDI so it can be used
to trigger other external MIDI gear as well!
The TRITON's AMS modulation system takes
full advantage of these many controllers so
you can add plenty of nuance to your
performances and recordings.
The 4 knobs offer two settings - preset and
programmable, so they function as 8 knobs!
Multiple outputs are essential for isolating
different sounds (like drums, or bass) for
critical mixing situations. TRITON can route
any sound to any output or stereo pair, with
any effects routing desired.
Get the keyboard length and feel that you
want!
Extensive expansion possibilitiesExtensive expansion possibilities
(all user-installable!) ::
Optional 6Optional 6 -- voice DSP synth voice DSP synth
engine engine EXBEXB -- MOSS (Z1 board)MOSS (Z1 board)
128 MOSS programs128 MOSS programs
13 digital synthesis and physical modeling 13 digital synthesis and physical modeling
algorithmsalgorithms
66 -- part multipart multi-- timbraltimbral
32 MB of PCM expansion32 MB of PCM expansion
2 slots, each can hold 16 MB of PCM2 slots, each can hold 16 MB of PCM
4 boards available 4 boards available (more coming!):
EXB-PCM01 Pianos/Classic Keyboards
EXB-PCM02 Studio Essentials
EXB-PCM03 Future Loop Construction
EXB-COM04 Dance Extreme
Optional SCSI interfaceOptional SCSI interface
EXBEXB -- SCSISCSI
Highly desirable for sampling users!Highly desirable for sampling users!
You can configure the TRITON to be the
musical tool that you need it to be.
Add the cutting-edge sound of analog and
digital synthesis plus accurate physical models
of brass, reed, electric piano, organ, bowed
and plucked string instruments.
Multiple MOSS timbres in Combinations and
sequences sound amazing!
PCM expansion (along with sampling)
guarantees that the TRITON will always be
able to become the instrument you need simply add they types of sounds you need for
a given project.
Adding SCSI enables the user to load samples
stored on CD-ROM’s and other SCSI media,
and to save their own work to fixed and
removable drives.
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TRITON Training Guide
TRITON TRITON Highlights
Incredible Sound
The next step in workstation evolution, the TRITON delivers the ultimate sonic arsenal
with maximum expressive power and control! TRITON's ground-breaking HI (Hyper
Integrated) synthesis system broadens your sound-creating possibilities with 62 highquality voices! 640 Programs (512 pre-programmed), 512 Combinations, 64 user Drum
Kits (16 preset) and GM level2 support - all created from 32 Mbytes of the highest-
quality 48 kHz samples! TRITON's memory can be easily-expanded to 64 Mbytes, with
user-installable 16 Mbyte PCM expansion boards!
World-Class Effects
An outstanding effect section provides five stereo insert effects with 102 algorithms
available! Up to 5 stereo inserts or 10 mono inserts (by using the mono chain effects)
can be used in a Program, Combination or Song! Process everything through two
master effects with 89 algorithms to choose from, then finish off your mix with a
powerful 3-band EQ! TRITON also gives you easy and flexible routing, and a BPM/Sync
function, included in many of the effect algorithms - for controlling effects in sync to
tempo! Plus, you can process TRITON's two audio inputs through the internal effects,
which happen to include a 16-band Vocoder!
Quick and Powerful Sampling
A full-featured mono / stereo sampler with 48 kHz / 16 bit linear sampling! TRITON
comes standard with 16 Mbytes sample RAM, and is expandable to 64 Mbytes with
user-installable 72-pin SIMM modules! The sample RAM area also lets you load Akai
S1000/3000, AIFF, WAV and Korg samples. Recording and editing your own samples has
never been easier, thanks to TRITON's intuitive user interface!
New Version 2 OS adds Time Slice (works on stereo samples!), Time Stretch and
Crossfade Looping features.
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TRITON Training Guide
Easy and Creative Sequencing
A totally new 16-track sequencer with an awesome 200,000 event capacity gives you
incredible ways to create music in an easy, yet extremely powerful song writing
environment! TRITON's new Cue List, Song Templates, Preset Rhythm Patterns,
independently-loopable tracks and RPPR functions make music production speedier
and easier than ever!
Dual Polyphonic Arpeggiators
Two polyphonic arpeggiators with 237 patterns (232 programmable/ 5 preset) add new
dimension to your Programs, Combinations and Songs! You can even run both
arpeggiators in a Combination or Sequence, and sync to MIDI clock and internal
effects!
Touchview Graphic Interface
This is the best user-interface available! It makes locating, editing and managing your
sounds, samples and songs easier than ever - with the touch of a finger!
Ultimate Control of your sounds
Four realtime knobs, two switches, ribbon controller, slider, velocity and aftertouch
plus pedal inputs - all add up to the ultimate in expressive control of your sounds!
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TRITON Training Guide
User-Installable, Affordable Options
EXB-MOSS: Add Korg's world -famous Z1 DSP technology to the TRITON with the EXB-
MOSS option! Six voices of physical modeled / synthesis sounds adds even more
power to TRITON's HI synthesis system, and you can use up to six MOSS sounds in a
Combination or Sequence!
EXB-PCM: Expand TRITON's PCM memory from 32 Mbytes to 64 Mbytes with 16 Mbyte
expansion boards, including new Program and Combination sounds on disk - for each
EXB-PCM board offered!
EXB-SCSI: Load, save and easily-manage your sounds, samples and sequences in
record-time with the user-installable SCSI board! Supports both removable and fixed
media, as well as CD-ROM.
SIMMS Modules: Two 72-pin SIMM slots let you expand your sample RAM from
standard 16 Mbytes all the way to 64 Mbytes!
Easy-routing Audio Outputs
TRITON features six audio outputs with easy sound and effect routing capabilities!
Great-feeling Keyboard Actions
Available in 61 and 76 key synth actions with velocity and aftertouch (TRITON and
TRITONpro), and 88-key weighted, with velocity and aftertouch (TRITONproX).
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TRITON Training Guide
Start Here
Connections
1. Connect TRITON's L/MONO and R outputs to a stereo monitoring system, or connect headphones to the
headphone jack.
2. Lower the VOLUME fader, then power-up the TRITON. Raise the VOLUME fader and play the keyboard
to set a comfortable monitoring level. The display will indicate the model and software version number,
as well as any installed options. Standard TRITONs will indicate "SIMM Slot1 (16MB)" in the display.
Disk Mode
Loading the Preload Disks
TRITON ships with two floppy disks - TNFD00P and TNFD01P.
Note: The earliest shipments you'll be dealing with include a third disk, TNFD-OOPUS. This disk replaces the
TNFD-OOP and includes the C/D Bank Programs and Combis, so please use that disk!
1. Insert the TNFD00P(US) disk into the disk drive, then press the DISK key.
2. Press the Load tab in the lower left of the display. The contents of the disk will be displayed:
PRELOAD.PCG - the factory Programs, Combinations and Global settings, PRELOAD.SNG - the
factory demo songs, and PRELOAD.KSC, a "script" file that begins the sample loading process.
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TRITON Training Guide
Loading the Factory Demos and Sounds
The following steps show you how to restore the factory preload demo songs, .PCG files and samples.
Note: The following procedure will rewrite the TRITON's internal memory. Make sure to backup your internal
data before proceeding!
1. Press to highlight PRELOAD.SNG :
2. Press the Page menu button Load in the upper right corner of the display.
3. Press Load selected from the popup menu that appears, and a dialog box will appear in the display.
4. Check the boxes Load PRELOAD.PCG too and Load PRELOAD.KSC too. A radio button will indicate
Clear, which means that the sample data you load will overwrite any previously loaded sample datafrom the beginning of the sample memory area. (Note: If you were to select Append, the new samples
would load into the unused portion of sample memory - for now, make sure Clear is selected).
5. Press OK. The factory data will load. When the PRELOAD.KSC file loads, the display will indicate
Where is a GOSPE000.KMP file. At this point, the TRITON is looking for the sample data that the
PRELOAD.KSC script file is pointing to.
6. Eject the TNFD00P(US) disk from the drive and insert the TNFD01P disk, then press once - anywhere
on the display. The display will now recognize the new disk, and the PRELOAD folder will be
highlighted.
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TRITON Training Guide
7. Press Select at the lower-right of the display. All of the sample data in the PRELOAD folder will load.
The display will then indicate "Writing into memory" - the data is loading into the TRITON's flash
memory area.
Tip: The TEMPO LED in the ARPEGGIATOR section of the front panel goes dark while loading, and
begins to flash when the loading process is complete.
Playing the Factory demos
1. Press the SEQ key to enter Sequencer mode, then press the MENU key - the Sequence mode Jump
pages will appear in the display.
2. Press P0: Play / REC, and the display will now indicate the first demo song - S000: Deep Cut.
3. Press the START/STOP key to begin playback of S000: Deep Cut. Take a few minutes to listen to and
enjoy this great demo by Scott Frankfurt! It really shows-off TRITON's new and incredible Sequencer,
internal PCM and effects, as well as the vocal samples you loaded from the factory disks!
4. When the demo ends, press the popup button to the left of S000: Deep Cut. A popup menu appears,
listing all the demo songs you loaded from the PRELOAD.SNG file. For now, press anywhere outside of
this popup menu, or press the EXIT key - to return to the Play page (P0).
Playing the demo Cue list
One of TRITON's greatest features is a totally new way to create songs in Sequencer mode. A Cue list lets
you play back multiple songs in succession, and specify the number of times that each song will be repeated.
You'll learn more about Cue lists in the Sequencing section of this guide - for now let's play the Demo Cue
List:
1. Press the MENU key, and the display will indicate the Jump pages in Sequencer mode.
2. Press P1: Cue List (or press 1 on the keypad). The Cue list window appears, and C00: All Demo
Medley is indicated. Note that all the demo songs are listed as steps in the Cue list - pressing the scroll
bar on the right of the display lets you see and select additional steps / songs in the Cue List. For now,
scroll-up and leave Step01 selected (arrow is highlighted).
3. Press START/STOP. The Cue list will begin playback - all the demo songs will play in succession. When
the Cue list reaches the last step (09), the list will continue to play from step 01. You can press
START/STOP anytime to stop playback of the Cue list.
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Basic Navigation
Front Panel Overview
TRITON Training Guide
1> SW1 / 2 2> Joystick 3> Ribbon: These controllers are used to control tone, pitch, volume,
effects, the arpeggiators and more - in realtime, while you play and record.
4> Headphone Jack
5> Disk Drive
6> VOLUME slider: Controls master volume and headphone volume.
7> REALTIME CONTROL Knobs: Four knobs, with two modes of operation - in A mode, filter cutoff,
resonance or hi-pass filter cutoff, filter envelope intensity, and filter/amp envelope release time are
controlled. In B mode (press the REALTIME switch) the four knobs are independently-assignable for
Programs, Combinations and Songs. They can be set to control volume, portamento time, pan, effect send
levels, and a host of other functions.
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TRITON Training Guide
8> Mode keys: Press these keys to enter a desired mode of operation - the LED's for each mode
will light. Seven modes of operation are available
9> COMPARE key: Used to compare an un-edited sound with an edited sound when in Program or
Combination modes, as well as comparing when recording and editing in Sequencer mode.
10> VALUE Slider / keys, DIAL, Numeric keypad,10's HOLD and ENTER keys: These controls are
used to set and modify values. Use the Numeric keypad when you know the value you want to enter, or
when you want to direct-select Programs, Combinations or Songs. The 10's/HOLD key lets you enter values
with a decimal point, or advance Programs and Combinations by 10's. The display will indicate "10's Hold"
when on, and you can press the 55 value key to move from Program A000 to A010, etc. The ENTER key
confirms a value you input on the Numeric keypad. You can also hold down the ENTER key and press a
Numeric key to select page menu commands in the current page.
11> Touchview: A Graphic User - Interface so cool we've devoted a special paragraph about it at the
end of this section!
12> EXIT key: When you are working with pages in a mode, pressing the EXIT key will take you to
the first page of that mode (P0). You can also press the EXIT key to close dialog boxes, popup menus and
page menus.
13> MENU key: Press this key to post a listing of pages in a mode (P0, P1, etc.). The MENU key
makes it easy to "Jump" to a desired page posted in the display. You can also hold down the MENU key and
press a Numeric key to select a page.
14> SEQUENCER keys: The PAUSE, <<REW, FF>> work like tape recorder transport keys. Holding
down the <<REW and FF>> keys will rewind or fast-forward the current song while in playback. The
LOCATE key is used to return a song or Cue list to a specified point, and can also be used as a MIDI "panic"
button for stuck notes.
15> SEQUENCER /SAMPLING keys: The REC/WRITE key is used to put the sequencer in standby mode
as well as "arming" the sampling function. Press this key before pressing the START/STOP key. This key
can also be used to quickly-update (write) an edited Program or Combination, or to update (write) the edited
Global mode. The START/STOP keys initiate recording in sequencer mode, and start / stop song playback.
This key's LED will flash in time with the current tempo. In sampling mode, this key will start / stop sampling.
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TRITON Training Guide
16> ARPEGGIATOR section: This section of the front panel controls the operation of the arpeggiators. It
includes the TEMPO, GATE and VELOCITY knobs and the ARPEGGIATOR ON/OFF key. The TEMPO knob
can also be used to change song tempo.
17> BANK keys: In Program mode, use these keys to go to a desired bank (A-E). When the EXB MOSS option is installed, the F bank key accesses the MOSS Programs. The G Bank key selects
the GM variation banks. Repeatedly pressing this key moves between the GM banks (G-9) and (d - GM drum
bank). In Combination mode , the bank keys A-D can be pressed to go any of four Combination banks.
About the Touchview Graphic Interface
This large LCD screen lets you quickly-view and select objects in the display - simply by pressing
them! Objects you'll work with include pages, edit cells, popup buttons and menus, pins, scroll bars,
category buttons, check boxes, radio buttons, tabs, dialog boxes, text edit and toggle buttons, page jump
buttons and more. You'll discover many features and functions of TouchView throughout this guide.
Program Mode
There are 512 Programs in memory (not including the E Bank sample Program locations), plus 256
Programs that are GM level2 - compatible. Programs are organized in banks. The user-installable EXB-PCM
option board adds an additional 128 MOSS Programs in the F bank. Each Program can have up to 5 Insert
effects and 2 Master effects, plus 3-band EQ .
Selecting Programs
1. After you power - up, press the PROG key to the left of the display to enter Program mode.
2. Press the BANK A key - it will light, and the display will indicate the current bank.
There are a number of ways to select Programs: You can use the Bank, Numeric keys and ENTER key to
direct-select a Program, or use the DIAL or 55 66 Value keys to make a selection from within a Bank.
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TRITON Training Guide
TRITON features two great ways to quickly-locate Programs:
Select-By-Bank
1. Press to highlight the Program name field, press 0, then press the ENTER key on the Numeric keypad
to select Program A000.
2. Press the popup button to the left of the Program name. A popup menu will appear - the center area
shows 16 of the A-bank programs, beginning with A000.
3. You can press to select Programs here, and press and drag the scroll bar to move through the menu
pages, and select more A-bank Programs.
4. To the left and right of the center menu, you'll see the Bank tabs. Pressing these tabs will take you
directly to a desired bank of Programs. Press the Bank B tab, then move the scroll bar to the right, and
select Program B033 Piano Pad. You can play any Programs from this menu, but for now…press the
OK box - this selects the Play page (P0) for Program B033.
Select-By-Category
Here's where Touchview really shines! Select-By-Category lets you manage and select sounds by
instrument - type - making sound navigation easier than ever! Just like folders on a computer desktop, this
feature helps you keep all your sounds organized and easily-accessible!
1. Make sure you are still in Play mode (if not, press the EXIT key). Locate the Category popup button
above the Program name field.
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TRITON Training Guide
2. Press the Category popup button. A new popup menu appears, and because you selected Program
B033 Piano Pad, you can now view, scroll and select any of the Programs in the Keyboard category.
Notice that the categories are listed as tabs on the left and right sides of the center menu.
3. Press the 03 Strings category tab. The center menu now shows all the Programs in the string category,
and here you can view, scroll and press to select related Programs.
4. Check out a few more categories and Programs in the same way.
Tip: You can move any Programs to any category in edit mode, and you can rename the categories to suit
your music applications!
The Menu key and Jump pages
The MENU key displays a list of Jump pages in a selected mode. In each mode, the MENU key lets you go
directly (Jump) to a specific page. For in-depth information on these pages, see the TRITON owner manuals.
Here's a listing of the Program Jump pages:
P0: Play
P1: Edit - Basic
P2: Edit - Pitch
P3: Edit - Filter
P4: Edit - Amp
P5: Edit - Common LFO
P7: Edit - Arpeggiator
P8: Edit - Insert Effect
P9: Edit Master Effect
Tip: You can easily select and move between these Jump pages by pressing Menu and then a number
from 0-9 on the numeric keypad. This way you don't have to touch the screen when you're moving fast!
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TRITON Training Guide
Performance Editing
In addition to the variety of controllers TRITON has to offer, you can do quick and easy edits of main
Program parameters with TouchView! In any Program Play page (P0), you'll see eight Performance Editor
"faders" that function in a + or - direction
Octave: Raises or lowers the octave of the Program.
Pitch Stretching: Simultaneously adjusts the transpose and tune settings - produces a variety of tonal
changes without losing the original tuning of the sound.
OSC Balance: Adjusts the level between oscillators 1 and 2.
Amp Level: Adjusts the volume of the entire Program.
Attack Time: Adjusts the attack time of the filter and amp envelope generators.
Decay Time: Adjusts the decay and slope time of the filter and amp envelope generators.
IFX Balance: Simultaneously adjusts Wet/Dry balance of all insert effects used in the Program.
MFX Balance: Simultaneously adjusts the return levels for master effects 1 and 2.
Check out the Performance Editor:
1. Select Program A001: Acoustic Piano.
2. Play the keyboard, and press the Octave fader (+00). As you restrike the keys, press the 55 and66 value
keys to change octaves. Return the fader value to +00 quickly - by pressing 0, then ENTER with the
Numeric keys.
3. Do the same thing for the Pitch Stretch Performance Editor - note the tonal changes as you increase
and decrease the fader setting. Return the setting to +00.
Tip: Try the Pitch Stretch function with many Programs, including Acoustic Guitar and Bass ! It works best
on imitative, "real" instruments, not synth sounds. Try out the Attack and Decay Time editors, as well as the
IFX and MFX Balance settings.
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TRITON Training Guide
Tip: When you edit a Program with the Performance Editors and want to update the Program quickly -
press the REC/WRITE key. A popup menu prompts you with the famous Korg words: "Are You Sure", and
you can confirm the update by pressing OK. If you want to write your edited Program to another location,
versus overwriting the existing Program, press the Performance Edit page menu command in the upper-right
of the display, press "Write Program", choose the destination bank, category and Program number, then
press "OK" to write the new Program.
The Real-time Control Knobs
The 4 Real-time Control knobs have 2 mode settings - A and B. You can toggle between each mode by
pressing the REAL-TIME CONTROL key. In A mode, cutoff, resonance, EG intensity and EG release are
controlled for every Program, Combination or Song. When each knob is set to the 12 o'clock position, the
original parameter value for the Program or Combination is recalled. In B mode, the settings of each knob
can be defined for each individual Program, Combination or Song.
AMS and Effect Dynamic Modulation
The Joystick, Ribbon controller, knobs, etc. are all used to control the sound in various ways. This is called
AMS or Alternate Modulation Source. As you play, and even as you record into the internal - or an external
sequencer, AMS can be used in realtime to control the sound. External MIDI data can also control the
TRITON's AMS and effect functions. The Insert and Master effects are controlled by Effect Dynamic
Modulation.
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Check out AMS and Effect Dynamic Modulation:
Although you haven't been introduced to TRITON's Polyphonic Arpeggiators yet, we'll give you a "sneak
preview" in the next few steps, and you can work with an arpeggiated Program - this will give you a good
idea of how AMS can be used to control the sound:
1. Select Program B044: Auto Pilot. (Press the Bank B key, then enter 44 on the Numeric keypad). Play
notes / chords on the keyboard to hear the sound and trigger the arpeggio pattern.
2. As you sustain notes, move the Joystick toward you (JS-Y).
3. Move your finger from left to right - across the Ribbon.
4. Work with the REALTIME CONTROL knobs. Rotate each knob to control the sound.
Hot -Tip: When you're working with the knobs in A - mode, rotating them back to the 12 o'clock position
will recall the original values for each knob's Program parameters!
Try another Program:
1. Select Program A001: Acoustic Piano.
2. As you play, slowly move your finger left to right on the Ribbon to change the sound.
3. While continuing to hold the new Ribbon position, press SW2 to Lock the current position:
4. Now release your finger from the Ribbon Controller, and as you play, you'll notice that the last position
you held is locked. You increased the cutoff filter (made the sound brighter), and SW2 is set to lock the
Joystick -Y and Ribbon position. Check in the display - you'll see SW2 JS -Y & Ribbon Lock.
5. Press SW2 again to return to the original setting for the Ribbon.
6. Rotate Knob3 to the right - you'll hear the Stereo Chorus effect being increased. Now return Knob3 to
it's 12 o'clock position - to recall the original setting for the knob. Look in the display and locate the MFX1
type (Master effect type). Master effect 1 is set to Stereo Chorus. Now we'll skip ahead a bit, and show
you how Knob3 is set to control Master effect1…
7. Press the MENU key , then press P9: Edit - Master Effect to jump to the Master effect page.
8. Press the MFX1 lower tab. Look at the Src: setting for the Wet / Dry mix of this master effect (bottom-
right of the display). Notice that the source (Src) of modulation is Knob3, with an amount (Amt) of
intensity set to +81.
9. Press the EXIT key. You'll return to the Program Play page (P0).
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Tip: As you go through the Programs and Combinations in TRITON, make sure to work with the various
controllers! Every Program has many controller functions already programmed, plus you'll find lots more
information on the controllers and AMS and Dynamic Modulation in the TRITON Owner manuals!
Tip: All Program Play pages provide you with quick visual information about SW1 / 2, the real-time Control
knob B-mode functions, and the Insert / Master effects - another great feature of TouchView!
Hot-Tip: Switch 2 is frequently programmed to lock the Joystick -Y and Ribbon positions simultaneously.
When you demo sounds and see this setting for SW2 in the Play page display, try this technique: While
playing, move the Joystick towards you (-Y), and then press SW2 to lock the position. Then continue to play
and work with the Ribbon - tap or slide your finger on it and each new Ribbon position will lock as well!
Hot-Tip: For many synth, pad, motion, bass and lead sounds, moving and locking JS-Y often produces
“syncable” LFO modulation that also will sync with the arpeggiator. After locking JS-Y, use the Switches,
Ribbon, Knobs, and slider to inject magic int o the motion.
Hot-Tip: If you move and adjust PE knobs and want to re-store them to their original or neutral settings:
Re-call the preset by re-selecting the preset sound
Hot-Tip: IN EDIT MODE: press compare twice, and the PE knobs will return to their base settings
regardless of where the knobs are presently set. This also will reset the initial slider and ribbon settings
regardless of their positions.
Tip: Don't forget about TRITON's Aftertouch and Velocity -sensitive keyboards! A host of control functions
can be assigned to these great -feeling keyboards!
About TRITON's Program Edit pages:
There are nine pages in the Program Edit mode. Although some references to these pages can be found in
this guide, including Arpeggiator editing pages and Insert and Master effect pages, you'll find plenty concise
and useful information in the TRITON Owner manuals!
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TRITON Training Guide
Very Cool Programs
The mad scientists, programmers and product guys at Korg now present you with some of our favorite
Programs - from each Category. Although you'll find many more Programs with great sound and controller
functions, these are some of the best! So here you go - a "place to start":
CATEGORY PROGRAMS
KEYBOARD A001, B001, B017, B104
ORGAN A007, A023, A087
BELL / MALLET A015, A063, B063
STRINGS A003, A083,A115, B019, B067, C115
VOCAL / AIRY A011, B027, B091, D027
BRASS A009, B121, C121
WOODWIND A013, B013, C045
GUIT / PLUCKED A005, A101, B005, B069, B083, B085
BASS A006, A022, A038, A054
SLOW SYNTH A008, A088, A104, D014
FAST SYNTH A000, A080, B080, C000
LEAD SYNTH A124, B028, C076
MOTION SYNTH A014, B046, B082, C078
SOUND EFFECT A010, B072, B106
HIT / ARPEGGIO A034, A050, B044
DRUMS A004, B004, C020
Tip: There is a more complete chart at the end of this Guide, listing controllers and other helpful
information.
There's soooooooooo many sounds!
To pick our "Top demo sounds" from the hundreds of great Programs and Combinations in TRITON's
internal memory was a major effort - Korg's fantastic programming team spent unt old hours of painstaking
controller edits and voicing - to get each Program and Combination just right! We at Korg want you to explore
TRITON - you'll find many great sounds from all the categories.
Arpeggiator Mode
In the following section, you'll "tour" a few Programs and their assigned arpeggio patterns, to learn about the
arpeggiator functions, and to hear the diversity of the patterns themselves. You'll find more information on
editing and programming arpeggio patterns in the Advanced Arpeggiator Tour - later in this guide, and in the
TRITON Owner manuals.
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The TRITON features dual polyphonic arpeggiators, fully-editable and syncable to MIDI clock and the
internal sequencer. There are 237 patterns in memory, including 5 preset and 232 user-patterns. Many of
the user-patterns have been pre-programmed, however you can edit any pattern in memory - even copy a
pre-programmed pattern to a new user location and edit it, or create your own patterns from scratch! You'll
find that Programs and Combinations have arpeggio patterns already assigned to them - some will
trigger as soon as you select the sound and play the keyboard, while other patterns are there, waiting to be
triggered - you simply turn on the ARPEGGIATOR ON/OFF key (lit), and the pattern assigned will trigger
when you play. This is a great way to get an idea of how the Programs and Combinations work in a "song" or
performance application!
Working with the Arpeggiator in Program mode
1. Select Program A001: Acoustic Piano, and play the keyboard - nice piano sample, right?
2. Now press the ARPEGGIATOR ON/OFF key (lit).
3. Play the keyboard again…"instant songwriter"! A pattern has been assigned that will work well with this
Program - a great way to demo the sound in a "song" or performance context!
4. As the pattern plays, notice the TEMPO LED - it's flashing in time with the pattern. Rotate the TEMPO
knob to change the pattern tempo, and note the tempo indicator in the upper-right of the display.
5. Rotate the GATE knob. You'll hear the length of each step in the pattern change from staccato to
sustained.
6. Rotate the VELOCITY knob - you'll hear the loudness level of each step in the pattern change - from
soft to loud.
7. Press the ARPEGGIATOR ON/OFF key (dark) to turn off the arpeggio pattern.
Tip: Any changes you make to the Tempo, Gate and Velocity knobs can be written to update the selected
Program by pressing the REC/WRITE key - a dialog box prompts you with "Update Program". Press "OK" to
re-write the selected Program with the new knob values.
Hot-Tip: Use the GATE knob in conjunction with the REALTIME CONTROL A-mode knob 4 (EG
RELEASE), and use the VELOCITY knob in conjunction with the REALTIME CONTROL A-mode knobs 1-3
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(CUTOFF, RESONANCE, EG INTENSITY) !!! And don't forget to check out the knobs used in conjunc tion
with many B-mode REALTIME CONTROL functions!!!
Tip: If you want the selected Program to automatically - trigger arpeggio patterns in performance, first
select the Program, then turn ON the Arpeggiator, then press the REC/WRITE key - a dialog box prompts
you with "Update Program". Press "OK" to re-write the Program with the Arpeggiator set to ON. You'll also
need to make sure that the Auto Arpeggiator function is checked in GLOBAL mode (P0).
Try out a different Program / Pattern:
1. Select Program A034 Arp Angeles.
2. Press and hold the low - C (C2 on TRITON) note on the keyboard to trigger the pattern.
3. The tempo for this Program's arpeggio pattern has been set to 148 BPM (upper-right of the display). You
can change the tempo of the pattern with the Tempo knob (in the ARPEGGIATOR section), or press
"148" in the display and use the Numeric keys and ENTER key to set a new tempo value (you can also
use the Dial, Slider or 55 66 Value keys). Try working with the tempo, then set the tempo back to a value
of 148.
4. Play in the upper range of the keyboard while holding C2. The Scan Zone for this Program's arpeggio
pattern has been set to play up to middle - C. Above middle - C, you're free to play the program without
triggering the pattern. You'll see how the Scan Zone is set - later in this guide. The pattern is also set so
that it will only trigger when you play the keyboard - it's not Latched to continue playing when you
release the keys. Stay tuned…we'll cover the Latch function soon…
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Take a "tour" of Program A034's arpeggio setup:
For now, we'll take you through the Arpeggio tab settings - the "performance edit" functions of an arpeggio
pattern in Program mode. This tab is great to go to when you want to edit the arpeggio pattern "on the fly", in
performance, or simply to try new patterns!
1. Press the Arpeggio tab at the bottom of the display. You'll see that U135 is the arpeggio pattern
assigned to this Program (Pat:> U135 (A/B): Pentatonic).
2. Play and hold down C2 (low-C on TRITON) to hear the pattern - note in the display that the Octave
range has been set to 1 octave. Press the Octave 4 radio button, then play and hold down C2 again -
you'll hear the arpeggio pattern play through a 4-octave range, then continue to loop. The Octave setting
lets you specify the range of octaves for the pattern.
3. Press the Octave 1 radio button again.
4. For this Program, the pattern Reso parameter is set to a16th note. Resolution is the interval between
arpeggiated notes. Press the popup button to the right of Reso, then press to select an 8th note from
the popup menu, and restrike the C2 key to hear the interval change.
5. Re-select the 16th note from the Reso popup menu.
6. Press the check box to the left of Latch, play the C2 key and take your hand off the keyboard. When
Latch is checked, the pattern will continue when you take your hand off the keyboard - when unchecked, the pattern will stop when you release the keyboard.
7. Press to un-check the Latch box.
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Now to work with another Program / Pattern:
1. Press the name field: 034:Arp Angeles then, using the Numeric keys, press 83. The display will change
to select Program A083: Few Bows Here .
Note: When you change the Program in this way, the Arpeggio tab page remains in the disp lay.
Check out the Sort function
2. Turn on the ARPEGGIATOR (key lit), then, with a light touch, play and hold a C-major (C-E-G) chord in
the middle - range of the keyboard. Note that the Sort checkbox is un-checked. Re-trigger and hold the
same C-major chord, one note at a time. Note that the arpeggio pattern will sound each note in the order
in which you actually played the notes.
3. Press to check the Sort checkbox. Now play and hold the same C-major chord, and you'll hear the
pattern sound the notes in order of pitch, regardless of the order in which you actually play them.
Check out the Key Sync function:
1. Select Program A005: Acoustic Guitar. Note that the ARPEGGIATOR is automatically - ON when this
Program is selected.
2. Play various notes and chords to get and idea of how well the assigned pattern works with this sound.
3. In the Arpeggio tab page, notice that the Key Sync checkbox is checked. When Key Sync is on, each
time you re-trigger the arpeggio pattern it will begin from it's first step (first measure).
4. Press to un-check the Key Sync checkbox, then play notes and chords on the keyboard again. You'll
note that the pattern plays in sync with the tempo (MIDI clock), and that re-triggering the keyboard will
sound arpeggiated notes from some point within the arpeggio cycle, and not from the first step.
Check out the Keyboard function:
1. Select Program A104: Money Pad, then turn the ARPEGGIATOR ON (key lit).
2. Play and hold chords on the keyboard - You'll hear the Program and the arpeggio pattern at the same
time. That's because the Keyboard function is on (checked).
3. Press to un-check the Keyboard checkbox, then play the keyboard again. You'll only hear the
arpeggiator's output, not the sustained notes you're holding on the keyboard.
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Tip: Whenever you make changes to the functions in the Arpeggio tab page, you are NOT editing the
original arpeggio pattern. Extensive editing and creating of patterns is done in the GLOBAL mode (P6 User
Arpeggio) - overviewed in the Advanced Arpeggiator Tour later in this guide.
Tip: Any changes you make to an arpeggio pattern's functions or tempo in the Arpeggio tab page can be
quickly-saved to the same Program - press the REC/WRITE key, and then press OK to update the Program.
You can also press the Page menu button (upper-right of the display), and enter the destination bank and
number - to write the newly-edited Program and arpeggio functions to a different location.
That's it for now - stay "tuned" for more Arpeggiator tours,
tips and tricks in the Combination and Sequencer sections of
this guide!
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Combination Mode
In Combination mode, you can layer, split or velocity-switch up to eight Programs. There are 512
Combinations in TRITON's internal memory (4 Banks of 128 each). As in Program mode, Combinations can
be Selected-By-Bank and Selected-By-Category. Two arpeggio patterns can be triggered
simultaneously in a Combination, and AMS / controller functions are also available in this mode. Each
Combination can have up to 5 Insert effects and 2 Master effects, plus stereo3-band EQ. Combinations
can be copied to TRITON's sequencer with, or without their effects, and used to create new songs. If the
EXB-MOSS option board is installed, up to 6 MOSS DSP timbres can be assigned to a Combination.
Selecting Combinations
1. Press the COMBI key to the left of the display to enter Combination mode. COMBINATION P0 Play will
be indicated in the upper-left of the display.
2. Press the BANK A key (if not already selected) - it will light, and the display will indicate the current
bank.
There are a number of ways to select Combinations. You can use the Bank, Numeric and ENTER keys to
direct-select a Combination, or use the DIAL or 55 66 value keys to make a selection from within a Bank.
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