NuX Trident - First Look!

NuX Trident Review – A Feature-Packed Gigging Solution at a Bargain Price

Digital modelers and multi-FX units are everywhere these days. From the Helix Stomp to the Headrush Prime, the market is crowded with compact processors designed to give guitarists everything they need in one box. The trouble is, most of them still carry fairly hefty price tags, and budget-conscious players are often left choosing between stripped-back multi-FX or shelling out for the big names.

Enter the NuX Trident. At around £300, it sits comfortably below its better-known rivals but manages to pack in a frankly surprisingly rich feature set. Amp sims, IR loading, looper, MIDI, FX loop, balanced XLR stereo out, quarter-inch outs, expression input, dedicated footswitching, and a slick app-based editor — all in one unit. On paper, it’s the kind of pedalboard brain you’d expect to pay twice as much for. I mean, XLR out alone on the Helix doesn't come in until you reach the LT and that is edging closer to the grand mark as we speak.

So is it too good to be true, or has NuX just raised the bar for affordable modellers? Let’s dig in.

A Proper Feature List

At its core, the Trident is a digital modelling processor — which basically means multi-FX with amp and cab simulation thrown in. But unlike some budget units, this one doesn’t feel compromised. The sheer amount of connectivity alone makes it stand out: balanced XLR stereo outs (something neither the Helix Stomp nor the Headrush Flex Prime offer at this size), MIDI, an FX loop, standard quarter-inch outs, and expression input.

That makes it flexible enough for almost any rig. You could run it straight into a PA via XLR, use it as an FX-only unit in the loop of a tube amp, or keep it on your board as an all-in-one portable rig. For live players, that’s a huge deal — the direct-to-FOH simplicity of XLR is a godsend.

A Tighter Selection of Amps and FX

One thing NuX has done differently is keep the selection fairly focused. You don’t get the endless library of amps and effects you’d find in a Helix or Quad Cortex. Instead, the Trident ships with 27 amps and a curated handful of modulation, delay, and reverb types, plus essentials like wah, compression, and boost drives.

For some players, that might sound limiting, but in practice it’s refreshing. Option paralysis is a very real problem with larger modelers. With the Trident, every option feels deliberate — you’re not wading through 20 clones of the same Marshall when you just want one good crunch tone.

Attention to Detail – Amp Modelling

This is where the Trident really surprised me. NuX has clearly gone the extra mile with its amp models. The editor software includes beautifully illustrated examples of each amp — so even if they’re not labelled with official names, there’s no mistaking what you’re working with.

And it’s not just cosmetic detail. Many classic amps had bygone features like high and low inputs, or the ability to “jump” channels for blended tones. The Trident models these quirks, allowing you to pick between inputs or combine channels just like you would on the real thing. That level of detail isn’t common at this price point.

Each amp comes paired with a matching cab sim, and you can apply high and low cuts to shape your tone. If the stock pairings don’t suit, you can freely mix and match amps and cabs — or go a step further and load in your own IRs for custom sounds. For serious tone-shapers, that’s a big plus.

FX – Quality Over Quantity

While the Trident doesn’t drown you in effects, the ones it does include are solid.

• Reverbs and delays – A small selection, but they do the job nicely. The room reverb in particular adds a convincing natural space that helps your guitar feel like it's sitting in a space rather than a sterile recorded tone.
• Modulations – Classics like the Boss CE-1 chorus and a certain orange phaser are represented, plus more adventurous options like rotary and Uni-Vibe emulations.
• Boosts and drives – Every patch can include a dedicated “boost” slot, which functions as a range of overdrives and clean boosts. These have their own footswitches, making them easy to kick in for solos or heavier moments.

The placement of FX is also flexible. Drag and drop in the app lets you shift effects pre- or post-amp, so you can build patches with the feel of a 4-cable method pedalboard without any of the faff.

Footswitching – Definitely Gig-Ready

If there’s one thing small modellers often get wrong, it’s the footswitch layout. Too few switches and you’re stuck tap-dancing through menus. Thankfully, the Trident avoids that trap.

Each patch can include switchable delay, reverb, modulation, and boost. On top of that, the footswitches allow you to cycle through banks, with A, B, and C presets per bank. That’s three distinct sounds available at your feet at all times — each with unique FX toggles.

To put it in perspective, when I was gigging regularly, my rig was essentially two core sounds: a slightly overdriven clean and a crunch rhythm (with a lead boost I could activate for both). The Trident could cover that entire setup (plus more) in two patches, so not even a full bank! Add an expression pedal for wah or volume, and it’s a remarkably flexible live rig.

The Drawbacks – Because No Pedal is Perfect

If the Trident sounds too good to be true so far, here are the caveats.

• High-end sparkle – Out of the box, some amp models have a glassy top end, like a cab mic’d right on the cone. It’s not unfixable — the onboard EQ and cab sim filters are powerful enough to tame it — but it’s not as “plug-and-play” as more expensive units. You’ll have to dedicate a bit of time to learning how to dial it in, especially for some amp models.
• Onboard editing – The pedal itself uses an old-school knob-and-button interface. Some players will love that tactile approach, but compared to touchscreen-driven competitors it feels a little dated. Thankfully, the app editor is excellent — intuitive, drag-and-drop easy, and much quicker to work with.
• Limited FX variety – If you want endless wacky modulations or studio-style verbs, you’ll need a higher-end modeller. The Trident has some crazy moments, but mostly sticks to the essentials.

None of these are deal-breakers, especially once you factor in the price, but they’re worth knowing about if you’re considering it for live use.

Who is the Trident For?

The feature set makes it clear: this is a unit aimed squarely at gigging players. The XLR outs make life easy for sound engineers, the footswitch layout gives you enough flexibility for dynamic live sets, and the price means it won’t break the bank.

It’s also a solid option for:

• Home players who want a straightforward modeler with fewer distractions.
• Studio use, thanks to IR loading and stereo outs.
•  Backup rigs, where you need a compact, reliable solution if your main amp dies mid-show.

wrap up

The NuX Trident is an impressive entry into the crowded modeller market. It doesn’t try to compete on quantity of features, but instead delivers a carefully considered package that covers the essentials with surprising depth.

The amp models have real attention to detail, the FX are well-chosen, and the footswitching system makes it genuinely usable on stage. Throw in XLR outs, IR support, and an easy-to-use editor, and you’ve got a pedal that punches way above its weight.

It’s not flawless — some tones need EQing, the onboard editing is dated, and you won’t get the same variety as pricier competitors. But at roughly half the cost of a Helix Stomp, the Trident offers a compelling alternative that will suit many gigging players just fine.

For my money, it’s one of the most promising mid-priced modelers out there right now. Expect to see it popping up in more of my demos in the near future — because it’s not just good for the price. It’s good, full stop.

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