For decades, the concept of pop music was synonymous with Trident® Studios, the pioneering facility in the heart of London’s Soho district.
Their client list reads like a who’s who of pop: The Beatles, Elton John, David Bowie, the Bee Gees, Genesis, Frank Zappa, Joe Cocker, Kiss, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Marc Almond, Soft Cell, Queen, the Rolling Stones, Thin Lizzy, Tina Turner, T-Rex, and Yes.
At the heart of the studio’s sound was the Trident® A Range® console.
It became so well known for its gorgeous, musical EQ and the full, rich tone it imparted soon, studios around the world were placing orders for an A Range® of their own. Although only 13 were ever made, they created a legacy that continues to this day.
Now, thanks to Arturia’s groundbreaking True Analog Emulation® technology, you too can experience the incredible sound-shaping power of the legendary Trident® A Range® preamp and EQ.
The best of both worlds
“Hold on… my audio interface already has preamps. Why do I need a preamp plugin? ”
You’re right! Your audio interface uses its preamps to boost incoming signals to usable levels for recording and mixing.
In the digital age, the preamps included on audio interfaces tend to be highly transparent, amplifying the signal without adding “color”, a sort of tonal flavor that subtly changes the sound.
In the 60s and 70s, a period many consider to be the “golden age” of the recording studio, the preamps within their bespoke mixing consoles - like the Trident® A range - were pioneering technology. Mix engineers found that, due to their analog components, the preamps would add a certain character to the audio, which gave each desk, and consequently each studio, a particular “sound”.
As engineers became experts with these consoles, they would use the preamps as part of their creative process; pushing them hard to create harmonically rich analog distortion, for example.
Now, thanks to the digital audio revolution and the power of modern computers, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
The Arturia Pre TridA lets you add the iconic tone of the elite, rare, virtually unobtainable preamps found in the studios that created some of the biggest hits of all time.
Adding that “je ne sais quoi”
It’s difficult to let new producers and mix engineers know just how important the subtle sound-shaping power of preamps are, we’re talking about something understated.
It’s not a flashy synth or an extreme audio-mangling plug-in. At their core, all of our preamp plugins provide 2 main benefits. That’s what we think, anyway.
How you decide to use Pre TridA is up to you. You may just love the way the EQ sounds, and use it as your go-to plugin for sound shaping. We are providing the paint, but you make the art.
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Cracking the code
The channel strips found in the Trident® A Range® consoles are considered to be gold dust, available only to the finest producers and engineers at the peak of their careers.
We have built our reputation by recreating history’s best, most coveted keyboards and synths as software instruments. What better way to carry on this legacy than by bringing the most sought-after studio hardware right to your DAW? Although it would have been quite simple to just create a plugin that sounded similar to the famous Trident® A Range® channel strip, we didn’t want to give you an approximation of the sound. We wanted to create a virtual replica of the hardware so you could enjoy all the subtle nuances that made the original the go-to choice for the biggest producers and engineers of the last 50 years.
Finding a Trident® A Range® console was no simple feat - only 13 were ever created, after all - and our search led us to Denmark’s capital city, Copenhagen, and to Sweet Silence North.
The musical residence of Grammy award-winning producer Flemming Rasmussen, whose critically acclaimed work with metal acts like Metallica, Morbid Angel, Blind Guardian, and Ensiferum hinged on the use of his Trident® A Range® console. To create Pre TridA, we analyzed channel 3 of his 1976 mixing console, creating a sophisticated model, right down to the level of individual components.
Through the passion and skill of our developers, we are able to bring you the elusive ‘secret ingredient’ behind so many incredible hits as a software plugin. It’s official: we are living in the future.
Rediscover an industry legend
Pre TridA gives you all the power and features of the fabled Trident® A Range®, and more! Let’s take a look at how this elite channel strip translates as a plugin.
It’s fair to say that in the 50 years since unit #3392 was built, the music industry has seen some changes. To bring this legend up to date, we’ve also included some optional enhancements to make the most of your DAW.
To top it all off, we even recreated the vintage style of the interface in a glorious, high-definition GUI. Every aspect of the Pre 1973 has been meticulously put together, ready to take your music to the next level.
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Hear it for yourself
We can write about our revolutionary Pre TridA and the glorious original Trident® channel strip until the cows come home, but we think you’ll be more convinced by hearing it in action.
Having a world-class preamp emulation and EQ may seem like a small, almost insignificant addition to your software studio, but knowing that you’re honing the sound of your audio channels with a time-tested signal path will give you confidence, and make mixing easier than ever. Here are some audio examples, letting you hear the subtle, and not so subtle tonal changes that Pre TridA can make to audio signals.
To best appreciate these examples, we would recommend that you use high quality headphones or studio monitors when listening.
Want to try it on your own audio? Remember that you can download a free trial of the plugin so you can experience it in your own setup.
Artists corner
Included in
FX collection
Effects you'll actually use
This effect is part of FX Collection, a suite of essential audio effect plugins empowering musicians, producers, and artists to get creative with their production. From iconic recording gear modeled with breathtaking accuracy, to cutting-edge contemporary effects, the collection includes the most sought-after studio tools, rare guitar pedals, modern mix enhancers, and beyond. Elevate your production and add color to your mix like never before.
Learn MoreTAE® Powered
The exclusive analog modeling technology that makes our emulations indistinguishable from the originals.
By accurately mimicking the characteristics of analog oscillators, filters, and soft clipping, we can provide astonishing component-accurate detail and authentic analog charm in equal measure.
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* All manufacturer and product names mentioned on this page are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Arturia. The trademarks of other manufacturers are used solely to identify the products of those manufacturers whose features and sound were studied during the development. All names of equipment, inventors, and manufacturers have been included for illustrative and educational purposes only, and do not suggest any affiliation or endorsement by any equipment inventor or manufacturer.
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