Trilian

What Trilian is

Trilian is a virtual instrument for music producers building parts with acoustic, electric, and synth bass sounds. Its core library contains over 34 GB of sounds, including more than 60 electric basses in 4, 5, 6, and 8 string configurations. Playing techniques include fingered, picked, fretless, slapped, tapped, and muted. Patch-specific Custom Controls and creative effects processing offer ways to shape sounds, while 33 FX units cover compressors, EQs, filters, distortion, delays, and reverbs. The arpeggiator includes chord voicings, pitch slides, step dividers, and MIDI file capture. Trilian runs as a standalone application or as a plug-in in hosts supporting VST, AU, or AAX. Omnisphere users can also run it as a satellite instrument inside the Omnisphere interface. The standalone app includes Flow Capture, which records audio, MIDI, and .trilian sound format simultaneously. macOS 10.15 Catalina or higher and Windows 10 or higher are listed, with a 64-bit host and 36 GB of free drive space required. A complete library installation is required for patch compatibility, though it can be placed on a secondary or external drive.

Who it suits

Trilian suits music producers who want a bass-focused virtual instrument with acoustic, electric, and synth sounds, extensive electric bass variations, and built-in effects. It also fits producers using compatible VST, AU, or AAX hosts, standalone workflows, or Omnisphere.

Limits

No free plan or trial is offered. The complete library must be installed for patch compatibility, and the listed system requirements include 36 GB of free drive space.

Getting started

1. Visit the Trilian product website.
2. Choose the full download or boxed edition, or the eligible Trilogy upgrade.
3. Use a system with macOS 10.15 Catalina or higher or Windows 10 or higher, a 64-bit host, and 36 GB free drive space.
4. Install the complete library, optionally to a secondary or external drive.
5. Authorize using Spectrasonics’ Challenge/Response system.
6. Open Trilian standalone or in a host supporting VST, AU, or AAX.

Verdict

Choose Trilian if you need a bass instrument with a large sound library, varied electric bass techniques, effects, and standalone or plug-in use. Omnisphere users can also run it inside that interface. Look elsewhere if you need a free plan or trial, or cannot install the full library.