Trident consoles were born in 1972 and took their name from Trident Recording Studios in London. At that time the studios were one of the most famous independent recording studios in the world, having been the first 8 track studios in Europe, obviously a major incentive for The Beatles choosing this studio to record their biggest ever single record "Hey Jude". Subsequently many famous artists such as Elton John, David Bowie, Queen, T-Rex etc. used Trident Studios to record some of their most successful early albums.
From this background and knowledge of the recording process, and an initial frustration with the limitation of equipment that was available during the early l970s Trident was formed. Requiring a new 24 track recording console for their main studios, Trident investigated the market place for a console that would fulfil their forward thinking needs. Trident decided to design and construct its own console to be sure that they got exactly what they wanted with the added advantage of being able to maintain it. Trident could also manufacture and sell to studio owners. The Trident Studios first console was known as the "A" Range. It was extremely innovative for its time and was installed in one of the major international studios. From this beginning the Trident range of consoles has grown to be one of the most well respected and established in the world today.
The principle markets are sound reinforcement (public address, theatre and concert sound), broadcast, television post production, film, multi-track studio and mobile recording. Owing to its strong affiliations with the multi-track studio business (which is also one of the biggest markets), Trident has always tended to develop products principally for this market, but latterly for the broadcast industry.
Trident has always enjoyed a very high reputation for its products both from a reliability as well as technical point of view. Because of its origins it also has a very good understanding of the operational and ergonomic aspects of recording consoles together with an ability to design equipment that on critical listening tests is very pleasing to the ear. This latter feature is, in fact, extremely difficult to quantify with electronic measuring apparatus since the final sound of any piece of audio equipment can only really be judged by human listening appraisal and is therefore subject to psycho-acoustical and subjective analysis.
Because of its studio background, Trident has been extremely successful in this area of design and consequently is well known for providing a very transparent audio path, free from signal colouration. Throughout the evolution from the company's early discrete transistor to the latest integrated circuit designs, this quality of audio signal has maintained itself as a leading factor in what leads people buy Trident recording consoles.
The following multi-track recording consoles represents Trident's range over the years:
A Range - First console made in 1970, split design.
B Range - Second split design console, 1973.
Fleximix - Live sound console, launched 1979.
TSM - First Quad console, split design,1979.
Series 80 - First introduced in 1980, this fully modular console, very ruggedly built for use in fully professional studios, is well known for its very high quality of sound. In 1982 Trident was awarded a contract to supply Swedish Local Radio with 24 Series 80 consoles over a one year period for use in mobile broadcast vehicles.
Series 80B & 80C - During 1983, Trident introduced new versions of the Series 80 range designated the Series 80B and, in 1987, Series 80C.
Trimix - Split design, rear panel patching, mobile, no stand. Launched 1981.
S70 - Hybrid Trimix, on board patchbay, studio version, on stand. Launched 1983.
TIL - First "Trident In Line" console. Launched 1984.
Series 65 - A low cost fully modular and extremely versatile multi-track recording console. Launched 1984.
Series 75 - A larger counterpart of the S65. It incorporates larger meters and an integral patchfield. Launched 1985.
Series 16/24 - A hybrid between the S65 and S75. Utilises the S75 modules in a S65 frame, providing the S75 but in a smaller physical size and without the patchbay. Particularly useful for home recording studios. Launched 1989.
Di-An - Owing to the frequent clashes of artists' schedules versus available studio time, recording engineers and record producers were for many years seeking ways to memorise the settings of all of the recording process in one session. The Di-An was the answer to this requirement, launched 1986. By providing digital control of analogue audio, Trident is able to provide the all important manipulation of audio via the digital domain i.e. storage, retrieval, reset etc., of all of the console's functions. All information can be stored and retrieved at a later date by means of 3.5 floppy disks.
Vector 432 - Launched on 22nd September l989 was the second 'In-Line' console to be designed by Trident. Already in use with Broadcast customers within the U.S.A, Japan and Europe, the Vector has also been sold to music and video post studios as well as custom versions fitted with LCRS panning for the film industry. This multi purpose console features 32 multitrack busses, 4 stereo busses and a choice of 4 modules including a stereo input with both stereo mic and line inputs.
Series 90 - This console was first shown on the 3rd June 1992 at the APRS Exhibition, Olympia. The Ninety is offered as standard with a choice of either Trident's dual VCA fader automation or our Moving fader/VCA fader automation. Both systems include 12 automated switches per channel and machine control. The Ninety is a 24 bus console available in either 40 or 56 channel frame sizes.
Ventura 85 - Launched at the San Francisco AES in November 1994, this console was developed to fill the niche below the Ninety series and is available in 32,40 and 48 input versions with an optional automation package.
Trident consoles are exported all over the world. The US office, located in Nashville TN, serves the major US market, with the other world markets served by a network of distributors liaising directly with the factory in the U.K.
A picture of the A-Range Console (45k graphic)
Trident's Home Page Last updated 29th Jan 96
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