Strings Section
If the Synthesizer section is Trident’s lead guitarist and the Brass section is the reliable backing band, the Strings section is like a lush choir swelling behind them all. It’s there to add drama, depth, and an unmistakable shimmer that turns a tune into an anthem. Stack a few octaves, switch on Ensemble, and suddenly you’re in soundtrack territory. Pare it back, and it can whisper as gently as a single violin line.
Octave Range
The Trident’s Strings can cover a lot of sonic ground thanks to multiple octave switches:
16’ – The low, bass-heavy foundation. Think cellos and double basses.
8’ – Midrange fullness, where violas and violins live.
4’ – High and airy, like violins scaling the upper stratosphere.
You can stack all three for a massive wall of sound, or just choose one for more intimate textures.
Envelope Generator (EG)
Strings have a two-stage EG. It's simpler than the Brass and Synth sections, but well-suited for long, swelling chords, or sharp, cutting accents:
Attack – Controls how fast the strings fade in. Set it slow for dreamy orchestral washes, or fast for sharper, keyboard-like hits.
Release – Controls how gracefully the sound fades after you let go of the keys.Try long releases for pads that float into the distance.
Tip: A slow Attack with a long Release can create a cinematic soundtrack vibe.
Equalizer
The built-in EQ gives you quick tone-shaping power:
High – Adds air and brilliance to the upper strings.
Low – Adds body and warmth to the lower registers.
Together, these two knobs let you dial in anything from delicate chamber strings to full orchestral sections.
Effects Section
Here’s where the Trident Strings get more character. Three key effects turn a simple sawtooth chorus into something more orchestral:
Bowing – Emulates the accented attack of a bow hitting strings. Adds realism for cello or violin timbres. Adjust Level for strength and Tone for character.
Vibrato – A gentle pitch variation that makes strings feel alive. Includes Delay, Speed, and Intensity controls so you can go from subtle animation to intense effects.
Ensemble – The secret sauce. This chorus-style effect fattens up the sound, turning one lonely violin into a lush string section. Usually left on unless you’re going for a solo string sound or using it as the foundation for a texture that you can enhance with a chain of effects.
Filter (Keyboard Balance)
A special one-knob filter designed for tone balancing:
Turn it down to make low notes warmer and rounder.
Turn it up to make high notes brighter and more cutting. Perfect for mimicking how string sections behave across their range.
Mixer
As with the other sections, the Strings have their own Volume knob and On/Off switch, so you can blend them with Synth and Brass or let them take the spotlight all by themselves.
Volume – Sets the overall volume of the Strings Section.
On/Off – Enables and disables audio output of the Strings section
Tips
For lush pads, stack 16’ + 8’ + 4’, turn Ensemble on, and use a slow Attack and Release for instant soundtrack material.
Want a solo violin effect? Turn off Ensemble, leave only 8’ or 4’ on, add Bowing with a fast Attack, and dial in just a touch of Vibrato.
Need sci-fi textures? Crank the Vibrato Intensity, set the Release long, and let the filter exaggerate the highs.