Derek Sherinian
 Derek Sherinian has been at the forefront of keyboard shredding for decades, bringing a guitar-esque style of playing to synths. This approach earned him the nickname "King of the Keys" by Guitar World magazine and the "Caligula of Keyboards" by Alice Cooper. In addition to Alice Cooper, Derek has recorded and toured with Kiss, Billy Idol, Alice in Chains, Yngwie Malmsteen, and more. As a founding member of supergroups Planet X and Black Country Communion, Derek has expanded on his signature progressive metal/instrumental rock sound and illustrated how versatile he can be throughout the years. All that time, Korg has been a key component for him.
We recently caught up with Derek and talked about Black Country Communion, his Korg Kronos, and more:
KORG: What’s new with you, Derek? It seems they’ll be a new Black Country Communion album in the works, right?
Derek Sherinian: We will go in the studio this June to record album number three!
KORG: How are you approaching the recording, compared to the last?
DS: It will be the same as always, I’m sure. We go in and learn the song as a band, then do one or two takes and that’s it- on to the next song. This band is very good in that way.
KORG: BCC bandmate Joe Bonamassa appeared on your solo album, Oceana, amongst a bunchy of other great guests…what was the collaboration process like for that record?
DS: Joe just came over to my house and we sketched the main ideas in about 30 minutes. I then brought it to Simon, and we finished it. Joe came in and finished his tracks in a couple of hours.
KORG: Are there any experiences from the road that stick out in your mind?
DS: All the ones worth remembering are a blur to me now. It is pretty mellow nowadays on the road.
KORG: Let’s get into some gear. You’ve used Korg workstations throughout the years and you’re rocking the Kronos now. Do you have any favorite features?
DS: I have been a loyal Korg user mainly because of the sounds, and the performance. My signature solo sound (“Monster Lead”) that I developed with Jack Hotop (Senior Voicing Manager) is only possible on a Korg.
KORG: Are there any other Korg products still getting work from you in the studio or on stage?
DS: I still use my Triton rack because there are some great sounds on there.
KORG: Cool. Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
DS: You can follow me on twitter at @dereksherinian! Korg has been part of my live rig since 1994. Korg is always pushing the envelope, which makes my job easier. If I had to only use one keyboard for a gig, I would for sure use my Kronos!
KORG: Thanks, Derek!
For more info on Derek Sherinian, please visit dereksherinian.com
Derek Sherinian has been at the forefront of keyboard shredding for decades, bringing a guitar-esque style of playing to synths. This approach earned him the nickname "King of the Keys" by Guitar World magazine and the "Caligula of Keyboards" by Alice Cooper. In addition to Alice Cooper, Derek has recorded and toured with Kiss, Billy Idol, Alice in Chains, Yngwie Malmsteen, and more. As a founding member of supergroups Planet X and Black Country Communion, Derek has expanded on his signature progressive metal/instrumental rock sound and illustrated how versatile he can be throughout the years. All that time, Korg has been a key component for him.
We recently caught up with Derek and talked about Black Country Communion, his Korg Kronos, and more:
KORG: What’s new with you, Derek? It seems they’ll be a new Black Country Communion album in the works, right?
Derek Sherinian: We will go in the studio this June to record album number three!
KORG: How are you approaching the recording, compared to the last?
DS: It will be the same as always, I’m sure. We go in and learn the song as a band, then do one or two takes and that’s it- on to the next song. This band is very good in that way.
KORG: BCC bandmate Joe Bonamassa appeared on your solo album, Oceana, amongst a bunchy of other great guests…what was the collaboration process like for that record?
DS: Joe just came over to my house and we sketched the main ideas in about 30 minutes. I then brought it to Simon, and we finished it. Joe came in and finished his tracks in a couple of hours.
KORG: Are there any experiences from the road that stick out in your mind?
DS: All the ones worth remembering are a blur to me now. It is pretty mellow nowadays on the road.
KORG: Let’s get into some gear. You’ve used Korg workstations throughout the years and you’re rocking the Kronos now. Do you have any favorite features?
DS: I have been a loyal Korg user mainly because of the sounds, and the performance. My signature solo sound (“Monster Lead”) that I developed with Jack Hotop (Senior Voicing Manager) is only possible on a Korg.
KORG: Are there any other Korg products still getting work from you in the studio or on stage?
DS: I still use my Triton rack because there are some great sounds on there.
KORG: Cool. Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
DS: You can follow me on twitter at @dereksherinian! Korg has been part of my live rig since 1994. Korg is always pushing the envelope, which makes my job easier. If I had to only use one keyboard for a gig, I would for sure use my Kronos!
KORG: Thanks, Derek!
For more info on Derek Sherinian, please visit dereksherinian.com
 For keyboardist Derek Sherinian, it’s not just about the music – it’s about making the musical connection. And that connection has been Derek’s focus since he discovered his musical passion at the age of five. After attending Berklee College of Music, Derek recognized that his most valuable musical experiences happened late at night, when he would work with other artists in Berklee’s ensemble rooms. Today he continues to surround himself with artists in all kinds of combinations and ensembles. Derek has jammed with a gamut of rockers and legends – all while playing the music he loves.
Back in 1995, Derek joined the progressive rock group Dream Theater. Already a fan of Korg keyboards, he put the Trinity through its paces. Convinced that Korg’s products have an incredible sound and versatility, he picked up the TRITON Extreme to continue developing his signature sound. “My most identifiable sound is on the Korg TRITON and Trinity. I think the ability of expression and the amazing quality of the sounds on Korg keyboards really helps me to be unique,” Sherinian says.
He also likes the format of the TRITON Extreme. “One of my favorite features is the joystick and the way the ribbon is laid out on the board. I think it makes the most sense and is really comfortable,” he comments.
Derek relies on his TRITON Extreme for his touring rig, and currently has it with him on tour with Billy Idol. Plus, Derek’s Korg keyboards are all over his recordings, too. “Absolutely!” he exclaims, “I use Korg products on everything. They’re everywhere. I would say that I use the Korg TRITON for 70% of my work.” You may have caught Derek playing his TRITON Extreme live during TV appearances with Billy Idol on late-night shows like The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Although happily satisfied with his trademark sound from the TRITON, Derek eagerly looks forward to purchasing an OASYS. After playing it at NAMM, he can’t wait to add it to his collection!
Following his 2004 solo album, Mythology, Derek is trying to stay “ahead of the game and keep every day musical,” spending whatever down-time he has from the Billy Idol 2005 tour to work in his studio and record his own music. He is collaborating with drummer Simon Phillips on a release slated to come out in 2006, plus Derek’s band, Planet X, is making a new record simultaneously.
Photo by Claude Dufresne
Derek Sherinian’s credits include performing on the Trash Tour with platinum recording artist Alice Cooper in 1989, the Revenge Tour with Kiss in 1992, and a five-year run with Dream Theater.
Now in the midst of a successful solo career, Derek took some time out to work with Korg’s product development team to create a preset, signature sound for the new CX-3 Organ. The name? DS BALLS.
“I love the CX-3, it's great,” says Sherinian. “It’s the best substitute for taking a real B3 on the road.”
Derek recently released his second album called Inertia. Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips and Zakk Wylde are featured on the recording, and Derek will be touring with these artists, too. That world tour will kick off in Japan and Derek’s live rig will consist of a Korg CX-3, Trinity Pro, Triton and Triton Rack.
Derek Sherinian of the band Planet X has been a long time Korg user. Formerly of the group Dream Theater, Sherinian has been involved with Korg products for many years. "I've been using the TrinityV3 very heavily for the past five years. I am just now discovering the Triton and I can see that it is going to have a big impact on my sound," says Derek.
Planet X's new album, Universe will hit shelves June 6th on Inside Out records, and they are currently on tour in Europe.
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