Trident
Introduction
Trident has been a major player in the world of professional music recording— first as a legendary recording studio in London during the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s and then as a major audio manufacturing company whose legendary consoles would be behind some of the greatest hit songs in popular music during the 1970s, 1980s, into the 1990s and beyond. Now a part of the PMI audio group, Trident Audio Developments is back producing a new line-up of both gear and consoles based on their classic desks of the 1970s and 1980s. These products sound phenomenal and harken back to the consoles upon which they were based— the legendary Trident A-Range, Trident 80B and the Trident 80C. Trident products were designed from the beginning to be easy to use and to be versatile in their application and use.
Which products from Trident Audio Developments that were used by the great engineers and recording studio facilities of the past would be a great fit for the educational space?
The first console that I had the opportunity to ever sit behind was a legendary Trident A-Range. This console was in the A-Room at OmniSound Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Ironically, my favorite console of all-time was sitting in the B-Room and it was a Trident 80B— nothing sounded quite like that console that I have ever heard in my life— before or since. What made those consoles both so special was their sound, their equalization modules and microphone preamps. Trident consoles were perfect for recording music because of the elements contained in their channel strips. The new consoles from Trident Audio Developments— the 68, 78 and 88 are based on the Trident 80B and 80C models which were produced from 1980-1992 by the company and were the foundation for some of the greatest hits in the history of popular music. It should be noted that the early Trident consoles were of a split design, while the consoles currently produced by the company are in-line models that should be easy to use and have a familiar feel for users. Each of their products and consoles would be an excellent fit for the educational space.
Image: Trident 80B Equalization Module
Image courtesy-- The PMI Audio Group
Image: Trident A-Range Equalization Module
Image courtesy-- The PMI Audio Group
Trident 80B Equalization Module
This 500-series module is the 4-band equalization section from the legendary Trident 80B console which powered the rock, pop and country music revolution of the 1980s and 1990s. If you have never used one before, it is a very creamy sounding (rich) and can be used to either sweeten or sculpt sounds. As an equalization module, it can also be used for surgical purposes, as well. I highly recommend them for educational institutions— everyone should at least have the opportunity to hear one in action prior to graduating from a recording school program. Keep in mind, it is a 500-series module and will require the use of compatible 500-series chassis.
Trident A-Range Equalization Module
If there is a legendary 500-series equalization module out there on the market today, it is this one. This 500-series module is the 4-band equalization section from the legendary Trident A-Range consoles of the early 1970s, which powered the rock music of the 1970s and early 1980s. The Trident A-Range was famed for the larger-than-life sounding equalization (and microphone preamp) sections on its channel strips. Like the 80B module, you have to hear one of these at some point in your career if you are going to work in the world of professional music recording. Their sound— big, creamy and smooth would define the thunderous drum and guitar sounds of the rock music of the 1970s and early 1980s. As a 500-series unit, it will require the use of a compatible 500-series chassis but unlike the 80B module, it will take up two spaces in it.
Image: The Trident 68 Console
Image courtesy-- Trident Audio Developments
Trident 68
The Trident 68 is a small-format analog console that is perfect for the educational space. It comes in both a 16-channel and a 24-channel version and features the sound of its Trident predecessors but with a three-band equalization section and a powerful microphone preamp on each of its channels. It is designed for use in home studios, small recording studios and for artists, musicians and producers who are music creators. This console would make a great centerpiece desk for a studio facility in an educational institution.
Image: The Trident 78 Console
Image courtesy-- Trident Audio Developments
Trident 78
The Trident 78 is slightly larger than its sibling, the 68, but it might just be one of the very best consoles for the educational space in that it is available in 16-channel, 24-channel and 32-channel versions. Each channel strip features the great Trident microphone preamps of the classical console era, the famed 80B equalization section and 8-busses for creating cue mixes or for use as additional effects sends. This console carries the larger-than-life Trident console sound in its veins, but with a twist— it is built in a modular fashion (4-channels in a bucket, the 68 features the same design, but with 8-channels in a bucket) making it easy to swap, replace or service— all with a simple screwdriver, making maintenance a snap (should you ever need it).
Image: The Trident 88 Console
Image courtesy-- Trident Audio Developments
Trident 88
If the Trident 78 is the direct descendant of the legendary Trident 80B, then the flagship console of the company’s new line-up, the Trident 88, traces its lineage directly to the famed Trident 80C desk of the late 1980s and early 1990s. This console features the rich-sounding microphone preamps and equalization sections of the classic Trident consoles from the famed 80-series. This fabulous console is available in versions from 8-channels to more than 48-channels and can be custom-built. Both the Trident 78 and Trident 88 also feature the option to add an automation package— allowing you to use the console as you would an instrument to make great music (a nod to the past). This console would also be an excellent desk for an educational institution that is looking to build a serious recording studio facility for teaching their students.
Why should an educational institution invest in products from Trident Audio Developments?
It is important to note that Trident Audio Developments has always been a small company and in its present incarnation as a member of the PMI Audio Group has one of the legendary designers from the famed consoles of the 1980s— Taz Bhougal, at work designing and developing their amazing products to be brought into the future. While Trident products are known for their larger-than-life and rich sonic palette, their fabulous and musical equalization sections and creamy sounding microphone preamps, it is also important to note that because of their ease of use, Trident products and consoles make excellent teaching tools. Trident products last forever— even a few of the A-Range consoles (6 of the original 13) are still making music in major recording studio facilities around the globe and, to think, each of those consoles were produced between 1971 and 1975. If you invest in a product from Trident, it will last for a lifetime and sound like nothing you have ever heard before.
If you would like more information about Trident Audio Developments and the amazing products that were discussed in this article, please use the following links which are listed below.
Trident 80B Equalization Module
Trident A-Range Equalization Module
The following link will take you to the Trident Audio Developments website where you can learn more about this legendary corporation and also, find an authorized dealer for their fabulous products in your area.
Special Note: Each of the images in this article appear through the courtesy and generosity of the wonderful people at Trident Audio Developments.
Special Thanks— At The Recording Session Vault Educational Website Project, we would like to take a moment to express our thanks and appreciation to Justin Hyatt at Trident Audio Developments for his time and assistance with this article.