Trilian Explained

Learn Spectrasonic's amazing Trilian inside and out... DAW super whiz Eli Krantberg takes you deep into the Trilian bass module, showing you the important basics and advanced features and functions like no other. Get bass for your face!

The Big Picture
Birds Eye View (05:50) - Get an overview of the hierarchy and architecture, including multis, parts, patches, layers, and soundsources, that make up Trilian.
The Header & Utility Menu (06:12) - Learn to navigate the different parts of the interface using the header controls, and how to save and manage multis, patches, and layers using the Utility menu.
Memory Management (06:28) - Seen how Trilian’s system level memory settings can help you optimize available RAM and overall system resources.
Working with the Browsers (06:20) - Discover how the header and footer controls, directory menu, category attributes fields, and view modes, effect what is displayed in the Browser windows.
Preview Load & the Stepper Buttons (06:03) - See how to audition patches quickly and efficiently using Preview Load and MIDI learned Stepper Buttons.
Projects & Favorites (04:25) - Explore ways of organizing and storing patches in custom groupings that are meaningful for you with the Project function and rating system.
Round Robin & Legato Samples (06:42) - Discover how round robin and legato samples allow for more control when trying to faithfully reproduce the nuances of a real stringed bass instrument.
Release Samples (05:30) - Learn how to control the level of release samples, how to mix and match them, and adjust their transition time once a note is released.
Sample Thinning (05:48) - Explore how to use the sample thinning options in the Lite version zoom and soundsource zoom to reduce the sample set loaded in, by restricting robin samples, legato samples, velocity ranges, and note pitches.
Working with Patches
Main Page Controls (04:57) - Explore the main page controls and see how they are set uniquely for different instruments in order to effectively blend the multiple channels embedded in the soundsources, and sculpt the sound with other relevant parameters.
Customizing the Main Page Controls (05:09) - Learn how to assign any of the main page custom controls to almost any parameter, change control types, and arrange the controls into custom control groups.
Saving Patches (06:03) - See where patches are saved on the hard drive, and how you can create custom category folders for personalized patch organization.
Editing Tags (05:56) - Learn how to work with attributes and assignments in the Edit Tags window in order to customize how they show up in the Browser filters.
The Arpeggiator
Creating Patterns (05:17) - The Trillian arpeggiator receives incoming MIDI notes and generates a sequenced pattern of notes based on defined parameters. See how to use the presets, and how to create a basic pattern with the generated notes taking on custom generated velocities, versus incoming note velocities.
Saving & Editing Patterns (04:13) - Learn how to save patches and customize arpeggiated note durations both globally and individually. Explore how the note durations interact with the amp envelope release value, how notes are tied together, and how to apply swing to the patterns.
Trigger Settings (04:30) - Explore how the three trigger modes, legato, song position, and note, work with sequenced notes as well as live incoming notes.
Modes & Groove Lock (08:11) - Learn how the different arpeggiator modes influence the direction in which notes are generated, how setting odd numbers of steps yields interesting rhythmic syncopations, and how to use groove lock to tie arpeggiated rhythms with either Stylus RMX grooves or standard MIDI files.
Using Trilian Multi Timbrally
Setting Up Multis (05:05) - See how the Browser synchronization and Category Sensitive Attributes functions are used to customize browsing between the eight parts of a Trilian multi.
Live Mode Using The Mouse (04:19) - Learn how to use Live Mode’s next/previous buttons from your MIDI keyboard, and how the different mouse select modes work.
Live Mode / Key Select (06:58) - See how to assign key switch notes to the eight parts of a multi, and how to use the MIDI note learn inverted function in conjunction with the key select 'switch' mode for real time articulation switching.
Live Mode / Latch & Trigger (07:19) - Learn how to create multi layered syncopated rhythms, quantized on input, using the Live mode latch and trigger functions.
Stack Mode (08:17) - Stack mode is used to create splits, layers, and crossfades between any or all of the eight available parts. Learn how to set it up and use it with note range, velocity, or MIDI CC values to switch between the parts.
Under the Hood
Soundsource Controls (11:43) - Soundsource Controls - Discover how the Main and FM controls are used to shape the tonal color of the basic samples contained within each layer’s soundsource; and how the harmonia settings are used to double and triple them.
The Filter Section (10:27) - Discover how filters are used to cutoff specific ranges of a sound’s frequencies; and how the pitch of the note, the filter envelope, or velocity modulates the cutoff point.
Dual Filters (06:23) - Explore the dual filter architecture from the filter zoom window, and learn how to offset the controls uniquely for each of the two filters as they run in either series or parallel mode.
Working with Envelopes (13:18) - Learn how simple AHDSR envelopes work, and how to use the envelope zoom to create complex multi stage rhythmic envelope patterns.
Modulation (11:11) - Explore the various ways of assigning and managing modulation sources and targets directly from the target parameters, from the modulation section of the Edit page, and from the Modulation Zoom.
Working with LFOs (08:52) - Explore the various cyclical LFO shapes and controls, and how they are used to influence the effect on modulation targets.
Common Controls (05:55) - Explore the controls common for the whole patch, and how the solo and glide modes work with and without their respective legato functions enabled.
Production Tips and Ideas
A Joyful Noise (05:34) - Explore some ways of integrating Trilian’s vast library of both acoustic and electric bass release noises, thumps, and FX sounds into your performances and parts.
Compression (06:05) - Discover the use of Trilian’s compression plug-in on electric bass, and how the attack and release settings influence the character, shape, and sustain of each note.
Host Automation (07:07) - Learn how to assign Edit page and FX page parameters to be automated by your host DAW, and get some ideas for messing with wobble type bass sounds!
Groove Lock (04:35) - See how Stylus RMX grooves (or standard MIDI files) are used to sync up the rhythmic placement of events either in the arpeggiator or in modulation envelopes.
Signing Off (02:49) - Thanks for watching, and here’s one last modulation idea that ties the mix slider of a delay plug-in with velocity!