Oct 9, 2025 | Mike Martin
Curious about the richness and authenticity of Cherry Audio's new Trident Mk III? Wonder no more and listen for yourself! Mike Martin compares the Trident Mk III to his recently restored Polysix in this brief "virtual versus analog shootout."
Korg's Polysix, also released in 1981, is a six-voice analog synthesizer featuring one voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) per voice, enhanced by built-in effects such as chorus, phaser, and ensemble. Many consider it the little brother of the Trident, which was regarded as Korg's flagship synthesizer at the time and shared much of the same architecture and components with the Polysix.
This is a quick virtual vs analog shootout. One of the reasons I was so enthusiastic about the Cherry Audio Trident is because I was able to quickly compare it to the sound of my Korg PolySix. They have the same oscillator and SSM 2044 filter. I matched these patches as closely as possible and utilized that filter on the release so we can hear that lovely character.
The Trident Mk III takes things much further but it wonderful for me to have an authentic option in the computer for the sound of my PolySix.