Spectrasonics’ Trilian is a 34 GB bass instrument plug-in that combines acoustic bass, electric bass and synth bass in one. It records playing techniques such as legato (a way of playing that joins notes smoothly) and glide in detail, and you can change the sound with the same sound-design features as Omnisphere.
A bass instrument plug-in lets you play the sound of a bass on a computer. Even if you cannot play bass, you can put a bass line in your songs.
In this article we compare Trilian with 10 bass instrument plug-ins and rate how well it serves its purpose on three criteria. The basis is official manufacturer information.
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Score 3.3 / 5 (average of the 10 products compared: 3.6)
- Specs last checked
- 2026/09/25
- Ease of making basslines
- Arpeggiator
- Range of tones
- Acoustic, electric, synth
- Playing detail
- Legato, glide
- Price (store, date)
- $299 [Official, checked Oct 26]
Image: from Spectrasonics’ official press images
Summary
Among the 10 bass instrument plug-ins, Trilian is rank B. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and B is third from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5, with the one criterion that matters most for the purpose counted double) gives 3.3.
Strengths
- Range of tones (4 points): many kinds of basses are included.
Who it suits: people who want acoustic (upright) and synth bass as well as electric in one instrument.
Main features of Trilian
Acoustic, electric and synth basses
Trilian is a bass instrument plug-in that combines acoustic (upright) bass, electric bass and synth bass. Its 34 GB library holds hundreds of sound sources and patches. One instrument can cover many kinds of bass sounds, whatever the genre.
Playing techniques recorded in detail
Bass-like techniques such as legato and slides (glides) are recorded in detail. Pitch slides can also be used, so you can make connections that sound like real playing.
Arpeggiator and Groove-Lock
It has an arpeggiator that makes patterns and Groove-Lock, which matches timing to the grooves of Stylus RMX. It also has more than 30 built-in effects. The standalone app has a recording feature.
Works with Omnisphere
If you own Omnisphere, you can use Trilian as a sound source inside Omnisphere. Trilian itself also includes many of Omnisphere’s synthesizer features. It is built for people who use Spectrasonics instruments together.
Video: “Trilian Synth Demo (Part 1)” (official SpectrasonicsVIDEO YouTube channel; narration in English) Watch on YouTube
Where it is useful
- Programming jazz or ballad bass with an upright bass
- Making the low end of an electronic song with a synth bass
- Using the arpeggiator to make a bass phrase with movement
Rating by criterion
Ease of making basslines: 3 / 5
We look at whether you can quickly get a bass phrase that suits the song.
It has an arpeggiator that makes patterns and Groove-Lock, which matches the grooves of Stylus RMX.
Range of tones: 4 / 5
We look at the kinds and number of basses included.
It includes acoustic, electric and synth basses in hundreds of patches.
Playing detail: 3 / 5
We look at whether you can change playing details such as fingerstyle, pick and slides.
It records playing techniques such as legato and glide in detail.
How we score (Bass instrument plug-ins)
| Criterion | Basis | 5 pt | 4 pt | 3 pt | 2 pt | 1 pt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of making basslines | Whether you can quickly get a phrase that suits the song | Can automatically make a fitting bassline from the MIDI or audio of a song | Hundreds of playing patterns you can use as they are | Has playing patterns (number not stated) | No patterns mentioned | — |
| Range of tones | Kinds and number of basses included | 20 or more (including upright bass and others) | Several kinds, such as acoustic, electric and synth | 2 to 3 | 1 | — |
| Playing detail | Whether you can change playing techniques and details of the performance | Besides techniques, you can change the strings and where the string is plucked | Several techniques, such as fingers, pick and slap | Techniques such as legato are included (few kinds stated) | Not mentioned | — |
Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on how well the product serves one goal: quickly adding a realistic bass to your own songs and cover-song backing tracks. Scores follow the conditions in the table above, and the rank is based on an average in which "Ease of making basslines" counts double. The basis is official manufacturer information. How realistic the sound is has not been compared by ear, so it is not scored. Price is not part of the score. Features that cannot be confirmed from the manufacturer's or a retailer's description are scored as if absent.
Trilian system requirements and getting started
| Operating system | Windows 10 or later / Mac |
|---|---|
| Plug-in formats | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX |
| Standalone | Yes (with recording) |
| Other | 34 GB. There is no trial because of the large size (the manufacturer’s explanation) |
Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.
Compared with other bass instrument plug-ins
Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.
| Product | RankAvg. score | Ease of making basslines | Range of tones | Playing detail | Price (store, date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ToontrackEZbass | S 4.3 | Automatic from MIDI or audio | 2 basses | Fingers, pick, slap | $179 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| IK MultimediaMODO BASS 2 | A 4.0 | Pattern feature | 22 basses | Techniques + strings and position | $29.99 (sale; regular $199.99) [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| Native InstrumentsPrime Bass | A 3.5 | 355 patterns | 1 bass | Fingers, pick, slap and more | $99 [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| SpectrasonicsTrilian | B 3.3 | Arpeggiator | Acoustic, electric, synth | Legato, glide | $299 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| Ample SoundAmple Bass P | A 3.5 | Hundreds of riffs | 1 bass | 13 techniques | $119 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| Ample SoundAmple Bass J | A 3.5 | Hundreds of riffs | 1 bass | 13 techniques | $119 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| Ample SoundAmple Bass Upright | A 3.5 | Hundreds of riffs | 1 bass | 13 techniques | $149 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| Native InstrumentsIcon Bass | A 3.5 | 208 patterns | 1 bass | Fingers, pick, slap and more | $99 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| Native InstrumentsJam Bass | A 3.5 | 283 patterns | 1 bass | Fingers, pick, slap and more | $99 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| Native InstrumentsSession Bassist Upright | A 3.5 | 224 patterns | 1 bass | Open, muted, bowed and more | $99 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
Features checked on each manufacturer's official website on September 25, 2026. Check the store page behind the buy button for the price.
Read next
- EZbass: features and rating (rank S)
- MODO BASS 2: features and rating (rank A)
- Prime Bass: features and rating (rank A)
- Ample Bass P: features and rating (rank A)
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