Inside Animal Lane: The Studio Environment

The Trident TSM is a legendary analog recording console, originally released in the late 1970s by Trident Audio Developments, the same folks behind the famed Trident A-Range. The TSM (short for "Trident Sound Machine") was designed as a more flexible, modular evolution of their earlier consoles, aimed at professional studios needing high channel counts and top-tier sound.

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🔧 Key Features

• Large format – 40 inputs, split console with 70 channels at mixdown.

• High headroom – Capable of handling hot input levels without distortion.

• Transformers – Transformer-balanced inputs and outputs, contributing to its signature warmth.

• 4-band EQ – Semi-parametric with high and low pass filters, known for its musical, British-style tone curve.

• Flexible routing – Multiple buses, subgrouping, and monitoring options for complex mix sessions

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🎚️ Signature Sound

It’s known for a punchy low end, smooth mids, and creamy highs. The TSM has a warm, harmonically rich sound and has been used on numerous hit records. This particular console was owned by Tiki studios in New York and Alicia Keys. It has recorded a wide range of artists from Odetta to Slayer.

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⚙️ Usage Today

These consoles are rare now and considered boutique gear, but they continue to be used for their signature sound, tactile operation and ease of workflow. Here at Animal Lane, the console is part of a hybrid setup, paired with outboard gear, Pro Tools HDX and Sonoma (DSD) work stations.