Trilian
Trilian is a virtual instrument for music producers working with acoustic, electric, and synth bass sounds.
What Trilian is
Trilian is a virtual instrument for music producers working with acoustic, electric, and synth bass sounds. Its core library holds over 34 GB of sounds, including more than 60 electric basses in 4-, 5-, 6-, and 8-string configurations and a range of playing techniques. Patch-specific controls and 33 effects units—including compressors, EQs, filters, distortion, delays, and reverbs—provide ways to shape sounds. The arpeggiator includes chord voicings, pitch slides, step dividers, and MIDI file capture. Trilian runs as a standalone application or as a VST, AU, or AAX plug-in in a compatible host, and Omnisphere users can run it inside that instrument’s interface. A full library installation is required, though it can be placed on a secondary or external drive. The listed full download and boxed editions each cost $299, paid once. There is no free plan or trial; the maker suggests asking a local dealer about a live demo.
Good
- Over 34 GB of bass sounds.
- More than 60 electric basses.
- Includes 33 effects units.
- Standalone app and VST, AU, or AAX plug-in formats.
- Arpeggiator can capture MIDI files.
Watch out
- No free plan or trial.
- Full library installation is required.
- Requires 36 GB of free drive space.
- Requires macOS 10.15 or Windows 10 and a 64-bit host.
Who it suits
Trilian suits music producers looking for acoustic, electric, or synth bass sounds in a standalone instrument or compatible DAW plug-in. It may also suit Omnisphere users who want to run it within that interface.
Verdict
Trilian combines a large bass library with sound-shaping effects and an arpeggiator. Check its system requirements and full-library installation requirement before choosing it.
Plans and prices
From Trilian's own pricing page, checked 29 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Trilogy Upgrade | $99, paid once | For eligible Trilogy customers |
| Trilian Full Product Boxed | $299, paid once | Boxed edition with USB installation drive |
| Trilian Full Product Download | $299, paid once | Download edition |
The facts
Each one read from Trilian's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Arpeggiator
- Its arpeggiator includes chord voicings, pitch slides, step dividers and MIDI file capture.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Bass variations
- The product includes more than 60 electric basses in 4, 5, 6 and 8 string configurations, with fingered, picked, fretless, slapped, tapped and muted techniques.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Copy protection
- Spectrasonics uses a custom Challenge/Response authorization system without an iLok or dongle, with a single-user, multiple-computer license.checked 29 Sep 2026
- DAW formats
- Trilian works as a plug-in with hosts supporting VST, AU or AAX and also includes a standalone application.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Effects
- The instrument includes 33 FX units, including compressors, EQs, filters, distortion, delays and reverbs.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Installation limit
- The complete library must be installed for patch compatibility, but it can be installed to a secondary or external drive.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Library
- Its core library contains over 34 GB of sounds and includes acoustic, electric and synth basses.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Omnisphere integration
- Trilian can operate as a satellite instrument inside the Omnisphere interface for Omnisphere users.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Trilian is a virtual instrument for acoustic, electric and synth basses, aimed at music producers.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Sound design
- Trilian includes patch-specific Custom Controls and creative effects processing for shaping sounds.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Standalone recording
- The standalone application includes Flow Capture, which records audio, MIDI and .trilian sound format simultaneously.checked 29 Sep 2026
- System requirements
- The maker lists macOS 10.15 Catalina or higher and Windows 10 or higher, with a 64-bit host and 36 GB free drive space required.checked 29 Sep 2026
The company
- Company
- Spectrasonics says it was founded in 1994 by Eric Persing and Lorey Persing; its mailing address is in Burbank, California.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Founded
- 1994checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Burbank, California, United Stateschecked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Trial availability
- Spectrasonics says it does not offer demo versions because of the size of its instruments and advises contacting a local dealer to arrange a live demo.checked 29 Sep 2026
Alternatives to Trilian
- 1

Vital
Free planOpen sourceLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows8.0From $5 a month - 2
Dexed
Free planOpen sourceiOSLinuxmacOSWindows7.6Free plan - 3
PREMIER SOUND FACTORY
Free planmacOSWindows7.3$16.20 one-time - 4

Surge XT
Free planOpen sourceLinuxmacOSWindows7.2Free plan - 5

Pianoteq
iOSLinuxmacOSWindows6.7$139 one-time - 6
Virtual Drummer
Free planmacOSWindows6.6$9.52 one-time
