The NUX Trident is a guitar processor from NUX, a multi-effects unit built around the company's updated TSAC-4K amp modeling algorithm. Guitar World reported it includes 27 amps, with reverb, delay and what the magazine called "a broad buffet of modulation effects," all in a one-piece die-cast aluminum chassis1. NUX priced it at around $4501, and by May 2023 it was available for preorder in Europe at £3322.
The controls: banks, A B C presets and footswitches
The Trident is laid out for preset-based playing. A bank up and bank down button moves between banks, and each bank holds three presets labeled A, B and C, so you can store three sounds per bank3.
Below the preset controls sit individual footswitches. Pete Thorn's demo walks through what each does3:
- Switches to turn on and off the effects, filter sounds or compressor
- A mod switch for chorus, tremolo and flanger type effects
- A delay on/off switch
- The same switches double as looper buttons3
For connections, the front offers a guitar input, an aux in for blending in an MP3 player or phone, and an expression pedal input. On the output side you get two XLR outs, quarter-inch outputs one and two on left and right, and a headphones output3. There is also MIDI over 8 in3.
The Pete Thorn signature presets ship in the unit starting in bank 86. Thorn made the presets himself and sent them to NUX: "The sounds are actually my presets I made presets and sent them to the nice Folks at newx so they are included in the un"3.
Amps, cabs and effects
The 27 amp models run on NUX's TSAC-4K algorithm, which the company describes as newly updated and built to supply emulations of numerous amp models1. MusicRadar's Rob Chapman, writing as the Nux Trident NME-5, highlighted the cabinet side: "Having the option to use four mic models and three positions for digital cabs is good for the stock IRs"2.
The delay section covers three types: a tape delay, a bucket brigade analog style delay, and a digital delay. Thorn noted the digital delay is not completely clean: "the digital still sounds like it's got a bit of filter on it to me which is cool it sounds like a vintage digital delay"3.
What reviewers said
Reactions from the press were broadly positive on build and sound alike. In a Guitar World video, Paul (Guitar World) with Michael Prager of NUX summed it up: "this feels legit it's just rugged right yeah exactly this is your new fly rig well made"4.
Rob Chapman's MusicRadar piece reported that he "seems genuinely impressed," noting that even the chorus pedal algorithm, with its extreme settings, was good enough to stand as its own chorus stompbox2. Pete Thorn, who made the unit's signature presets, called it "super affordable" and said "I had a good time making the presets for it," describing it as fun, versatile and good for players of all income and playing levels3.
Release status and price
Guitar World's April 2023 report stated that "An official release hasn't been confirmed"1. By May 2023, MusicRadar reported the unit available for preorder in Europe at £332, with a US price of around $450 expected2, and a separate MusicRadar piece listed the expected price as $4505.
The Trident sits in NUX's multi-effects range alongside units like the NUX MG-30, NUX MG-400 and Nux Trident NME-5.
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Questions
How many amp models does the NUX Trident have?
The NUX Trident includes 27 amp models, running on NUX's updated TSAC-4K amp modeling algorithm. Alongside the amps, the unit offers four mic models and three positions for its digital cabinet simulations, which reviewers noted is a useful amount of flexibility for the stock IRs.
How much does the NUX Trident cost?
The NUX Trident was expected to sell for around $450 in the United States. In Europe, MusicRadar reported it priced at £332 for preorders at Bax in May 2023. Prices were as reported at launch and have not been confirmed since.
Does the NUX Trident include Pete Thorn presets?
Yes. Pete Thorn made presets for the Trident and sent them to NUX, and they ship included in the unit, starting in bank 86. Thorn described the sounds as his own presets in his demo video for the processor.
Can I plug headphones into the NUX Trident?
Yes. Alongside two XLR outputs and quarter-inch outputs one and two on left and right, the Trident has a dedicated headphones output. It also has a guitar input, an aux in for blending an MP3 player or phone, and an expression pedal input.
What kinds of delay does the NUX Trident offer?
The Trident's delay section includes a tape delay, a bucket brigade analog style delay, and a digital delay. Pete Thorn noted the digital delay has a bit of filter and warmth to the top end, sounding like a vintage digital delay rather than producing completely clean repeats.
Has the NUX Trident been officially released?
At the time of Guitar World's April 2023 report, an official release had not been confirmed. By May 2023, MusicRadar reported the unit available for preorder in Europe, with a US price of around $450 expected.
Sources (5)
- Feature-packed NUX Trident multi-effects pedal announced, Guitar World, 2023-04-14
- Will the Nux Trident set the bar for a relatively affordable multi-effects pedal?, MusicRadar, 2023-05-15
- POWERFUL AFFORDABLE GUITAR PROCESSOR, YouTube (Pete Thorn channel), 2023-10-28
- NUX's all-new collection of innovative, uber-affordable effects pedals at NAMM 2023, Guitar World (youtube.com), 2023-04-20
- The must-have new guitar effects pedals of 2023, MusicRadar, 2023-05-04
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