Trigon Pros & Cons

[seqpro3]

For those  of you that have the Trigon would be interested in hearing your perspective in regards to
What you think the pros and cons of this instrument are. Thanks  it’s the same price as a Prophet5 Rev  4. Different instruments with different feature sets  although the same price.

[Jexus]

For those  of you that have the Trigon would be interested in hearing your perspective in regards to
What you think the pros and cons of this instrument are. Thanks  it’s the same price as a Prophet5 Rev  4. Different instruments with different feature sets  although the same price.

If we narrow down the comparison to the OB-6 / Prophet-6 / Trigon-6 trio (as we should, I suppose), then I don't see much difference apart from the filter flavors (SSM style, SEM, moog style, etc), however, if you need to compare it with a Prophet-5 then I think you should definitely take into account the FX section, distortion & drive (all present on T-6).

[Elric]

For those  of you that have the Trigon would be interested in hearing your perspective in regards to
What you think the pros and cons of this instrument are. Thanks  it’s the same price as a Prophet5 Rev  4. Different instruments with different feature sets  although the same price.

If we narrow down the comparison to the OB-6 / Prophet-6 / Trigon-6 trio (as we should, I suppose), then I don't see much difference apart from the filter flavors (SSM style, SEM, moog style, etc), however, if you need to compare it with a Prophet-5 then I think you should definitely take into account the FX section, distortion & drive (all present on T-6).

Yea, I'm not impressed with the Trigon much at all.  I have a Pro3 that I love!! - But, the Sequential Ladder filter is not different enough from the "Sequential filter" to be beneficial enough to warrant it's own synth. -  get an OB-6 or a Prophet 5 rev-4(?)

If I had the money and the space, I would SO get the "new" / rebuild Prophet-5!

(Shhh - Sorry Dave, no offense!)

...  So, a Prophet5 with major updates? (Pro3 type Mod-matrix and controls +)  - That seems like it would be a huge tribute to Dave.

Though, I'm still hoping for a multi-Pro3 x6 or 8 voice!
Not that I could afford that...


[edit: Wait... that becomes one thing!!  ^^  - A Prophet5, with an additional digital osc for flavor, and the additional Mod matrix and more LFOs and Envelopes...   Oh man!]   - I'll have to sell my car!

[LoboLives]

For me I would actually get the Trigon 6 or OB6 over the Prophet 5 Rev 4 as I would much rather have the extra features. The Trigon has its own character much like the P6 and OB6. Not in a 1x1 comparison but once you start finding its own voice and using those extra features (the third oscillator, multiple selectable waveshapes, distortion, feedback, etc then you start to really start to see how unique it is.

For me I can totally see it doing some late 70s/early 80s Italian synth type stuff aka Goblin, Cordio, De Angelis Brothers, etc. with it. Sounds awesome for strings and pads. Would love to hear a jam with the P6 and T6.

[Kosmikos]

For me I can totally see it doing some late 70s/early 80s Italian synth type stuff aka Goblin, Cordio, De Angelis Brothers, etc. with it. Sounds awesome for strings and pads. Would love to hear a jam with the P6 and T6.

I think you nailed it here. I don’t own any of them (yet), but I tried the Prophet 5 and the Trigon 6, and the Trigon had the edge exactly for that same reason, this 70s-80s synth feel.
I also love the Ob-x8 for its synthwave style and big sound, but again the Trigon has the edge because it has this different distinct flavour I connect with.
Also people keep talking about the ladder filter, but I felt that the oscillators and the distortion circuit were totally part of the package and more characteristic of the instrument in some ways.

[g3o2]

The Trigon has its own character much like the P6 and OB6.

I think that Trigon has its own character unlike the other two. The success of P6 and OB6 has to some extent been attributable to the legends they have enhanced as a modern version. The Trigon does not appear to have any predecessor and therefore seems to be the most unique of the three.

[Manbird]

I think you nailed it here. I don’t own any of them (yet), but I tried the Prophet 5 and the Trigon 6, and the Trigon had the edge exactly for that same reason, this 70s-80s synth feel.

Forgive me for teasing, but it's funny to see the P5 fall behind in the "70s-80s synth feel" sweepstakes, uh, given that... uh...

[Kosmikos]

I think you nailed it here. I don’t own any of them (yet), but I tried the Prophet 5 and the Trigon 6, and the Trigon had the edge exactly for that same reason, this 70s-80s synth feel.

Forgive me for teasing, but it's funny to see the P5 fall behind in the "70s-80s synth feel" sweepstakes, uh, given that... uh...

Maybe because I was quoting Lobolives on the Italian synth stuff, I wasn’t talking about late 70/80s synth pop here, which I have personally less of an interest in sonically speaking (despite being probably part of Sequential’s greatest legacy).

To be honest I approached the P5 with great expectations, and it fulfilled those. But I just never realised what synth I was missing in my life until I tried the Trigon 6.
And all I had in mind was to get an Ob6 desktop at this point.

It’s a very personal choice in the end, it depends on what fits best with your music.

[Elric]

I'd love to hear a Trigon6 demo that explored *only* the "Center section" of the synth.  ...the oscs and amp and filter.

(I mostly don't use /don't like the distortion/feedback on my Pro3. And, I'm not interested in the effects. I want to hear the pure tone.)

[hoodoo_ray]

I'd love to hear a Trigon6 demo that explored *only* the "Center section" of the synth.  ...the oscs and amp and filter.

(I mostly don't use /don't like the distortion/feedback on my Pro3. And, I'm not interested in the effects. I want to hear the pure tone.)

Think someone posted this before, this review has what you're after

[Manbird]

I think you nailed it here. I don’t own any of them (yet), but I tried the Prophet 5 and the Trigon 6, and the Trigon had the edge exactly for that same reason, this 70s-80s synth feel.

Forgive me for teasing, but it's funny to see the P5 fall behind in the "70s-80s synth feel" sweepstakes, uh, given that... uh...

Maybe because I was quoting Lobolives on the Italian synth stuff, I wasn’t talking about late 70/80s synth pop here, which I have personally less of an interest in sonically speaking (despite being probably part of Sequential’s greatest legacy).

To be honest I approached the P5 with great expectations, and it fulfilled those. But I just never realised what synth I was missing in my life until I tried the Trigon 6.
And all I had in mind was to get an Ob6 desktop at this point.

It’s a very personal choice in the end, it depends on what fits best with your music.

Ah, I understand!

It's actually felt a little quiet on the Trigon love front here - maybe not as many owners chiming in, but hearing your enthusiasm for the machine is appealing. Trigon has pulled at me quite a bit. I've got a P6 and a Prophet 5. I adore the 6, but with the 5 at hand, the former doesn't get as much attention. Effects and stereo panning etc ain't the same thing as "that sound," which is what the P5 is all about for me. I've wondered for a while if the Trigon's sound would sit outside the familiar tonal range I'm already working with...

[chysn]

I follow Trigon-6 posts with interest, because the Trigon-6 represents for me the "path not taken." I went back and forth between Prophet 5 and Trigon-6 for a bit before landing on Prophet 5.

Two amazing polysynths for almost the same price! How do you choose between them if, like me, "¿por qué no los dos?" isn't on the table? A half-century of knowledge of my decision-making process convincingly suggests that I go for the Trigon-6 here. I'm a sucker for features, and Trigon-6 has more in terms of composing and sound-design resources, with stereo effects.

I wonder how the ability to try both synths would have affected my decision. The five-octave keyboard was compelling, the Prophet 5 layout is an absolute joy to use, and its sound is top-notch. But it could have gone either way, and I'd probably have been happy with either choice. I still like keeping up with Trigon-6 posts.

[Sacred Synthesis]

If Sequential makes a Trigon-6 Module, with one little MIDI cable you'll be able to have the best of both instruments.

[Manbird]

I follow Trigon-6 posts with interest, because the Trigon-6 represents for me the "path not taken." I went back and forth between Prophet 5 and Trigon-6 for a bit before landing on Prophet 5.

Two amazing polysynths for almost the same price! How do you choose between them if, like me, "¿por qué no los dos?" isn't on the table? A half-century of knowledge of my decision-making process convincingly suggests that I go for the Trigon-6 here. I'm a sucker for features, and Trigon-6 has more in terms of composing and sound-design resources, with stereo effects.

I wonder how the ability to try both synths would have affected my decision. The five-octave keyboard was compelling, the Prophet 5 layout is an absolute joy to use, and its sound is top-notch. But it could have gone either way, and I'd probably have been happy with either choice. I still like keeping up with Trigon-6 posts.

There's never been a question for me regarding the Prophet 5. I landed my first one when I was a teen (and when it was, however briefly, a very out-of-fashion synth and thus very affordable.). It's been the ideal my entire synth life.

The P6 is lovely and I have a proper bond with it, but it doesn't provide the same consistent satisfaction as the 5. Many of us here are restless synth wanderers/wonderers, and not all of us have endless resources. The Trigon keeps popping to mind, but I know I'd have to lose the Prophet 6 in order to grab the former...

[Manbird]

If Sequential makes a Trigon-6 Module, with one little MIDI cable you'll be able to have the best of both instruments.

I have to say - and this is indeed a very first-world problem - modules never win my heart the way keyboard synths do. I like the whipped cream on top of my pie, not in a bowl across the table from me, as it were! I like a self-contained, all-or-nothing instrument.

[Sacred Synthesis]

If Sequential makes a Trigon-6 Module, with one little MIDI cable you'll be able to have the best of both instruments.

I have to say - and this is indeed a very first-world problem - modules never win my heart the way keyboard synths do. I like the whipped cream on top of my pie, not in a bowl across the table from me, as it were! I like a self-contained, all-or-nothing instrument.

I feel the same way, but a module connected to a keyboard has a certain balance to it, especially when they are of the same instrument (which obviously isn't the case here).  A Prophet 5 controlling a Trigon-6 would make an impressive combination.

[Manbird]

If Sequential makes a Trigon-6 Module, with one little MIDI cable you'll be able to have the best of both instruments.

I have to say - and this is indeed a very first-world problem - modules never win my heart the way keyboard synths do. I like the whipped cream on top of my pie, not in a bowl across the table from me, as it were! I like a self-contained, all-or-nothing instrument.

I feel the same way, but a module connected to a keyboard has a certain balance to it.

Not with the space on my desk!! A module would literally have to balance on something in order to find room to breathe. To say, if my setup were able to accommodate such, with the module always accessible, I could get excited about that, but alas...

[Quatschmacher]

If Sequential makes a Trigon-6 Module, with one little MIDI cable you'll be able to have the best of both instruments.

I have to say - and this is indeed a very first-world problem - modules never win my heart the way keyboard synths do. I like the whipped cream on top of my pie, not in a bowl across the table from me, as it were! I like a self-contained, all-or-nothing instrument.

I totally get that. Part of the reason I’ve never yet bought any of the 6 series, even though I love the sound of them. One octave too few on the keyboard but I prefer the complete package. Wish they’d release XL versions of these.

[Manbird]

If Sequential makes a Trigon-6 Module, with one little MIDI cable you'll be able to have the best of both instruments.

I have to say - and this is indeed a very first-world problem - modules never win my heart the way keyboard synths do. I like the whipped cream on top of my pie, not in a bowl across the table from me, as it were! I like a self-contained, all-or-nothing instrument.

I totally get that. Part of the reason I’ve never yet bought any of the 6 series, even though I love the sound of them. One octave too few on the keyboard but I prefer the complete package. Wish they’d release XL versions of these.

Oddly or not, I've always been comfortable with the P6 as controller, more than I've been with the P5. Probably to do with the octave transpose option. If I need to do proper piano tracks, I've got a Privia ready to rumble with Pianoteq. The rare times I've dragged a synth out to a local gig, though, whether Prophet 6 or Prologue, I've suddenly felt the lack of fifth octave... my songs are very chord-y and my left hand is always doing basic octaves. Having to think about where NOT to place a finger is too much for my small brain! Still, even with the 4-octave keyboard, the P6 is a complete protein in its own right...

[chysn]

(Moderator's note: Moved off-topic, but worthy, discussion of synth sweetspots here: https://forum.sequential.com/index.php/topic,7232.0.html )