Korg updates its Legacy Collection with a new Arp Odyssey emulation

[fmr]

Yeah it's basically a rompler - but it has more elaborate synthesis compared to AI-based synths (twin filters, much more modulation, sampled content is quite a lot better, more and better FX).

Yes, AI synthesis (which is now even AI2, I think) has evolved. The sample content was being brought up to date too, of course. But it is still essentially a sample player (a ROMpler). I don't think it could compete with the likes of HALion, Falcon, Kontakt, etc.

What would really be good to have would be something like Kronos, but Kronos is in a different league, with some modeling synthesis modules, some VA modules (extracted from KLC even, if I'm not mistaken).

That said, Korg has a lot of treasures from the past in their chest, that could be resurrected as plug-ins, like the PS series and the Trident series, as I wrote already.

[EvilDragon]

AI synthesis was just M1 and T3. AI2 was from 01/W onwards - X3, X5, N-series. Then came Trinity with ACCESS, first evolution of AI, and then Triton is HI. Gotta name your iterations of synthesis differently for marketing purposes!

Kronos still has similar layout like M1 did ages ago: you can have only up to two oscillators in a patch (except oscillators are now full-blown engines).

[fmr]

AI synthesis was just M1 and T3. AI2 was from 01/W onwards - X3, X5, N-series. Then came Trinity with ACCESS, first evolution of AI, and then Triton is HI. Gotta name your iterations of synthesis differently for marketing purposes!

Yes, you're right. They had to change something...

[bftucker]

Korg released a "Best of Triton" set for its IOS Module, 100 signature sounds from the Triton.

https://soundcloud.com/korg/module-triton-preview

Never having owned a Triton, I cannot say how satisfying this version would be to those who love the original. Korg admits "the sounds slightly differ."

[PAK]

They already made a start as the MDE-X *is* based on the Triton’s FX ported to a plugin. The original Triton rom also includes much (don’t think it’s quite all?) of the M1’s sample content. EG find a Triton sound using the M1 piano samples.. duplicate the FX in MDE-X and use the bare M1 VSTi samples.. tada.. copy of Triton sound.

I hope they’ll still do a "proper" Triton plugin, but it’s not a small ask. Assuming they wanted to base any instrument on the 160MB rom of the Extreme, there might still be licensing issues. Sure, at least 159MB of that 160MB is black female vocalists going “oooooooh yeahuhehohehhhhoh”, but who the heck owns the licensing rights for something like Peter Siedlaczek’s orchestra these days? (I’m sure someone knows, but the point is it might not be so straight-forward). So maybe being based on the original +EXB board addon packs would make more sense.

Though, in terms of EXB boards, the main ones of interest to people today would likely be 4, 5, and 9, as the demand for realistic instruments isn't the first reason you'd use a Triton, even at the time, much less today.. But for that purpose (uses other than real-world large samples) it holds up to what's available now IMO. Also not difficult to give a new lease of life even just with something like some modern filter models added to the mix..

Combi mode is also a big element (layering sounds, dual arpeggiators ), which you just couldn’t ignore, and implementing that (multiple midi channels etc) isn’t the easiest of tasks, even assuming they ignored additional things like the sampler and MOSS board. Not sure how much (if any) of the M1 ground work they could use, but if they did I’m sure the likes of Stephen Kay would maybe be interested in adding KARMA support for it, and I'd say most machines made in the last decade have the resources to run that sort of thing fine..

Korg’s management should also maybe keep in mind the alternative is, within a generation, people will otherwise start to forget all about such instruments, which would be a real shame.. and half-hearted "based on" iOS stuff really isn't the same thing..

[EvilDragon]

Actually, not quite. MDE-X is based on the MDE chip used in M1/T3. Triton has a somewhat different FX engine (a lot more flexible, also with more FX types). Also AFAIK Triton doesn't have all of M1's ROM samples. Just the most famous ones. And they don't sound EXACTLY the same as on M1, due to higher fidelity of processing in Triton. So no, you cannot really get Triton's sound with M1 and MDE-X plugins...

[PAK]

Actually, not quite. MDE-X is based on the MDE chip used in M1/T3.

Ahh must be totally different then. Oh wait, isn’t a chip just an end to a means, and what matters is the code? Meaning, if they properly adjust any maths, then it’s not actually a factor? Hmmm..

Triton has a somewhat different FX engine (a lot more flexible, also with more FX types).

What’s your basis for this.. Are you reading spec sheets? Remember Roland recently? Where it looks like x or y effect is missing etc? There’s nearly as much non wheel re-inventing over at Korg..

As for what is actually missing / not, I’d need to re-look. I copied values for several FX between the two and replicated them using the same values. You HAVE actually tried doing that before commenting on this, right?

And they don't sound EXACTLY the same as on M1, due to higher fidelity of processing in Triton. So no, you cannot really get Triton's sound with M1 and MDE-X plugins...

Literallsville is where you’re sent as punishment for when you spend too much time reading forums which hair split samey sounding Roland gear. An example, like the piano sound, really isn’t touching the engine (filter etc), so it’s (more or less) a plain sample through FX. I’m sure I must’ve recorded it somewhere. If I can somehow find the example I’ll post it so you can hear just how huuuuge the difference is Otherwise anyone with the hardware is free to replicate the M1 piano sound on the Triton copying the FX it uses with MDE-X and the actual M1 piano (which sounds different from the Triton due to the FX the Triton uses.. )

[Shiek927]

For me, my main interest in the Triton is it's character. It would definitely not be the first instrument I reach for if I needed pristine realism, but it has a unique character because of it's age and was used in a lot of dance tracks that I still enjoy

[BONES]

You could always buy a Taktile MIDI controller with Triton sounds built in. I don't think they are very editable, though.

Question: Am I the only one who owned an Odyssey back in the 80s who wasn't all that impressed with it and couldn't care less if there was or wasn't an emulation of one?

I couldn't afford an Odyssey so I got an Axxe instead and I loved it, hence my interest in this.

Personally, the 2600 and Omni 2 were much more interesting and characterful.
I will never understand the fascination with this synth. I sold mine in like a year and never looked back.

Then you can't have listened to any Ultravox, because the incredible sounds and amazing expression Billy Currie could get out of his would have sold it to you, I'm sure.

For me, I wish it had some velocity sensitivity but otherwise I love the sounds I've been getting out of it (all with unison). It's becoming my go-to synth when I need something dirty and huge.

i simply assumed that better sounding = hardware.

Therein lies the problem - people want the hardware to sound better and because it is such a subjective thing, it always does sound better to them. It's only when you don't know and have to guess that you get an objective perspective.

AI synthesis was just M1 and T3. AI2 was from 01/W onwards - X3, X5, N-series. Then came Trinity with ACCESS, first evolution of AI, and then Triton is HI. Gotta name your iterations of synthesis differently for marketing purposes!

Actually, AI2 was VERY different from what was offered in the M1 or Trinity/Triton. AI2 had waveshaping which introduced a second waveform at right-angles to the main sample. By using velocity, envelopes and LFO to modulate the waveshaping you could come up with some interesting, unique and very expressive timbres. There are some sounds on my second album, mostly done with an 01R/W and an Ensoniq ASR-10, that I've never been able to reproduce with anything I've owned since.

[EvilDragon]

AI2 had waveshaping only on 01/W. All the other AI2 synths (X and N series) did NOT have it.

[EvilDragon]

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[v1o]

I dont think Korg wants to encroach on their Triton Taktile sales with a VST plugin.

[fmr]

AI2 had waveshaping only on 01/W. All the other AI2 synths (X and N series) did NOT have it.

@Bones: ED is right. Waveshaping is a feature introduced only in 01/W (and all its iterations). Even the 03R/W (which I have), despite having the W in its name does not have waveshaping (but it has AI2 synthesis).

All subsequent synths (05R/W and after) never again featured waveshaping.

[Jace-BeOS]

My whole account can't be found right now. Please tell me SoundCloud is just broken because i would really be irritated if they randomly killed my account for no reason.

Seems o be broken ATM.

Yeah, it came back within 20 minutes of my panicking about it...

[Shiek927]

I dont think Korg wants to encroach on their Triton Taktile sales with a VST plugin.

I checked it out and honestly it's a bit odd. I mean, if your intent was to buy a keyboard with Triton sounds, wouldn't the logical thing to do would be to just buy the real thing?

A VST plugin makes sense for those who want to use Triton ITB and their own MIDI controller. But if you wanted to use a dedicated Triton keyboard, then the best thing to get would be...the Korg Triton haha.