Korg Collection 6: The TRINITY Returns with a Polyphonic Powerhouse

After two decades of gradual expansion, Korg Collection has evolved from a curated selection of legacy instruments into something more ambitious: a comprehensive digital archive of synthesis history. The newly released Collection 6 brings the suite to 20 products, but the real story isn't the size—it's the three heavyweight additions that complete crucial chapters in Korg's legacy.

The headliners are substantial. The TRINITY workstation plugin fills the conspicuous gap in Korg's Digital Workstation Trilogy, sitting between the era-defining M1 and the chart-dominating Triton. The PS-3300 software delivers an authentic recreation of one of the rarest fully polyphonic analog synthesizers ever made (fewer than 50 units produced). And the SGX-2 imports the premium acoustic piano engine directly from the flagship KRONOS and NAUTILUS workstations.

This isn't just an incremental update. For producers who remember the crystalline pads and distinctive organ tones that colored countless 90s productions, the TRINITY's arrival addresses a long-standing request. The question is whether these emulations justify the upgrade—and whether they deliver the authentic character that made the hardware legendary.

The Main Event: TRINITY Completes the Trilogy

Released in 1995 in that distinctive silver chassis, the TRINITY represented Korg's bold vision for the mid-90s workstation market. It introduced several technologies that would become standard: the first TouchView graphical interface on any synth, resonant multi-mode filters in a Korg workstation, and an effects architecture offering 110 algorithms with up to eight simultaneous insert effects.

The plugin recreates the entire ACCESS sound engine under supervision from the original hardware engineers. Critically, Korg modeled the original D/A converters—those components that gave vintage digital gear its characteristic warmth and subtle colorations. This addresses a persistent criticism that software emulations sound too clinical compared to hardware.

The Sound That Defined a Decade

What made the TRINITY distinctive wasn't just technical specs. The instrument had a particular sonic character—crystalline clarity combined with what users often describe as a "gritty," alive quality. Different from the M1's pristine late-80s sheen and the Triton's punchy 2000s polish.

The plugin includes the complete original PCM ROM plus all four official TFD expansion libraries (MEGA PIANOS, ORCHESTRAL ELEMENTS, DANCE WAVES & DRUMS, and M1 FACTORY), along with the expanded TR-Rack module samples. That's over 2,000 Programs and Combinations—comprehensive coverage of the era's sound palette.

The modulation system deserves attention. The Alternate Modulation Source (AMS) matrix allows flexible routing of LFOs and envelopes to synthesis parameters, with performance controllers like velocity, aftertouch, joystick, and ribbon dynamically influencing these modulations. The software preserves this architecture while adding modern conveniences: high-resolution graphics and increased polyphony.

Who Actually Used It

The TRINITY's legacy is documented. David Bowie (confirmed by producer Tony Visconti), Genesis members Phil Collins and Tony Banks, Jon Hopkins (who stated it was "the only synth on Insides and my previous albums"), Dream Theater's Derek Sherinian (famous for his "Monster Lead" patch), and Rick Wakeman all relied on the instrument.

It also found favor with hip-hop producer Mike Dean (on Scarface and Tupac's "Smile"), film composer John Carpenter, and Swedish House Mafia's Axwell. The versatility spanned progressive rock's complex arrangements, ambient electronic atmospheres, and even the lush pads favored by 90s metal bands like Cradle of Filth.

Worth clarifying: the TRINITY and Triton represent different sonic eras. The Triton became the go-to for early-2000s hip-hop and R&B (The Neptunes, Timbaland, Dr. Dre). The TRINITY defined the mid-to-late 90s sound. They're distinct instruments with different characters.

PS-3300: The Polyphonic Holy Grail

Alongside the TRINITY sits something genuinely rare. The PS-3300, produced only from 1977 to 1981 with fewer than 50 units manufactured, commands astronomical prices when units surface. An official software recreation makes this architecture accessible for the first time.

The plugin faithfully models the original's design: three independent synthesizer units (PSU-3301) and a master utility/mixer section (PSU-3302). Each layer can be programmed and modulated independently, enabling complex, evolving sounds. The software offers 60 voices of polyphony—more than sufficient for the original's fully polyphonic concept.

Where it gets interesting: Korg didn't just copy the hardware. Modern enhancements include dual filter modes (original PS-3300 filter or the aggressive MS-20 filter), a modern ADSR envelope with velocity sensitivity unavailable on the 1977 original, integrated multi-effects (including shimmer reverb), and the classic ensemble effect from the PS-3100/3200.

This represents authentic analog polyphony that was prohibitively expensive even when new. The software version removes the barrier.

SGX-2: Modern Production Foundation

The third addition shifts focus from vintage emulation to contemporary utility. The SGX-2 is a direct port of the acoustic piano engine from Korg's flagship workstations—the same technology professionals rely on in KRONOS and NAUTILUS hardware.

It's built on meticulously sampled German, Italian, and Japanese grands with up to 12 velocity layers per key and no looped samples across the keyboard. This captures natural decay and subtle nuances that cheaper piano libraries miss.

Control options are extensive: string resonance, damper resonance and noise, mechanical action sounds, virtual lid position, and stereo perspective (player or audience position). It's a serious tool for anyone needing authentic acoustic piano that responds naturally to performance dynamics.

The Numbers and the Value

Korg Collection 6 launched October 28, 2025, with introductory pricing:

• New purchase: $299 (regular $399)
• Upgrade from Collection 5: $99
• Upgrade from Collection 4: $149
• Individual plugins: $99-149 (intro pricing)

For existing Collection 5 users, $99 for three flagship-quality instruments represents aggressive pricing. For new users, $299 for 20 historically significant products spanning analog and digital synthesis eras is competitive.

System requirements are reasonable: macOS 12+ or Windows 11+, Intel Core i5 or Apple Silicon, 8GB RAM (16GB recommended), 25GB storage. Standard VST3/AU/AAX formats.

Get Korg Collection 6 at Plugin Boutique

What Works, What Doesn't

Strengths:

• TRINITY fills a genuine historical gap with authentic mid-90s character
• PS-3300 makes prohibitively rare analog polyphony accessible
• D/A converter modeling addresses the "too clean" criticism of digital emulations
• Comprehensive sound libraries (2,000+ TRINITY presets)
• SGX-2 provides professional-grade acoustic piano
• Upgrade pricing is aggressive

Considerations:

• 25GB storage requirement is substantial
• TRINITY's character is distinctive but era-specific—not universally applicable
• If you don't need 90s authenticity or rare analog polyphony, the upgrade value diminishes
• Some producers may prefer the Triton's 2000s polish for modern productions

The Practical Takeaway

Korg Collection 6 succeeds because it addresses specific production needs rather than just expanding a catalog. The TRINITY provides an authentic 90s texture that's difficult to replicate elsewhere. The PS-3300 delivers analog polyphonic architecture that was inaccessible to most producers even when new. The SGX-2 handles acoustic piano duties with professional-grade realism.

For producers working in genres that reference 90s sonics—whether progressive electronic, film scoring, or atmospheric production—the TRINITY is the primary draw. For those exploring complex analog textures, the PS-3300 opens new territory. For anyone needing reliable acoustic piano, the SGX-2 provides foundation.

The collection's real achievement is historical completeness. The M1-TRINITY-Triton progression now exists in software form, documenting the evolution of the digital workstation across its most influential decade. Combined with authentic analog recreations and modern production tools, Collection 6 makes a compelling case as a comprehensive synthesis archive.

At $99 for existing users or $299 for newcomers, the value proposition is straightforward. These aren't generic emulations—they're meticulously documented chapters of synthesis history, developed under original engineers' supervision, with the subtle character details that defined the hardware.

Whether that matters depends on your production needs. But if you've been searching for that specific TRINITY pad sound or wanted to explore true polyphonic analog synthesis, Collection 6 delivers the authentic tools.