GETTING STARTED
Welcome To Trilian!
GETTING STARTED - Quickstart
This Quick Start provides an overview of the essential things you will need to know in order to get started using Trilian.
• Trilian is a software instrument plug-in, and requires host software in order to run
• Trilian can be a memory intensive instrument, especially with Multis loaded. A system with plenty of RAM will greatly enhance performance. Be sure and check out the Concepts: Performance Optimization chapter.
1. Install Trilian
Installing
will take 3 ~ 4 hours, and will require 35 GB of free hard drive space
2. Authorize the Plug-In
Authorization can be done immediately from any computer connected to the Internet
3. Get Everything Updated
Make sure you have the latest versions of the Software, Soundsources and Patches:
• Open Trilian and Select the “Check for Updates” button on the splash screen (or select the Spectrasonics logo from any page in the plug-in)• Select the button labeled "Check for Updates" to open the System Status page
• Status indicators in red mean that an update is necessary. Click the “Get Updates” button to download them.
• After installing the updates, Trilian is ready to go!
NOTE: Be sure to quit your host software before installing
the downloaded updates.
4. Use Trilian Multitimbrally
• Trilian is a multi-timbral bass instrument, so you can use a single instance to load and play eight different bass sounds on different MIDI channels.
• Setup your host software for multi-timbral operation
5. Loading Sounds
There are three types of sound libraries in Trilian:
Patches, Multis and Soundsources
To load a Patch:
• Select a Part Number Button in the Header
• Click on the Patch Name Display just below the large Trilian title
• The Patch Browser will open, allowing you to select and load Patches
To load a Multi:
• Click the Multi Name Display in the Trilian Header
• The Multi Browser will open, allowing you to select and load Multis
To load a raw Soundsource:
• Select “Clear Part” from the Utility Menu in the Header
• On the Edit Page, click the Soundsource Name Display below Layer A
• The Soundsource Browser will open, allowing you to select and load Soundsources.
NOTE: Trilian Soundsources can be extremely large. You can select the Zoom icon in the Soundsource Display to access Thinning options to reduce the number of samples that will load.
6. Watch essential Video Tutorials
We are currently producing specific video tutorials for Trilian. In the meantime we encourage you to view and download the following Omnisphere tutorial and Trilian product demonstration videos:
These videos will provide the minimum information every user needs to start working with Trilian.
7. Explore and Learn
For more in-depth information, watch additional tutorials and explore this Reference Guide, which is the primary manual for Trilian. This guide can be viewed on any computer and can be printed and searched to easily find and access the information you need.
• If you’re new to synthesis, we recommend starting with the chapters on Concepts, The Mixer, Browsers, Main Pages, Arpeggiator and Live Mode.• If you have some experience with synthesis, be sure to check out the chapters on The FX Rack, Automation & MIDI Learn, The Edit Page and Stack Mode.
• Experienced synthesists can go in-depth with zooming concepts that are covered in the chapters on Modulation, Filters, LFOs, and Envelopes.
8. Support Resources
Online resources are available that can answer most technical questions. Please login and visit our Knowledge Base at: http://support.spectrasonics.net
9. Have Fun!
Enjoy using Trilian and we hope you make some great music with it!
-The Spectrasonics Team
GETTING STARTED - System Requirements
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL USERS:
• 2.0 GHz or higher processor (Intel Core2Duo or higher recommended)
• 2GB RAM (4GB or more recommended for multis)
• Dual Layer compatible DVD-ROM drive
• 35GB of free hard drive space
Mac Recommendations:
• OSX 10.4.9 or higher
• AudioUnit, VST 2.4 or RTAS capable host software
• Native Universal Binary for Intel Macs (G5 PowerPC compatible)
• 6GB of RAM (or more) if using the Sample File Server
Windows Recommendations:
• VST 2.4 or RTAS capable host software
• Microsoft XP SP2 or later
• Microsoft Windows 7/Vista compatible
• Native 64-bit and 32-bit on Windows
GETTING STARTED - Mac OS-X Installation on the Startup Drive
All STEAM-based plug-ins need their large core libraries to be installed into the same STEAM folder on the computer. If Trilian's your first STEAM-based instrument, then you can choose to install the large core library files for Trilian anywhere you like on the computer. Wherever you choose to install those files, a STEAM folder will be created. This location will then become the place where the large core library files of any other STEAM-based plug-ins will need be installed to in the future. If Trilian's not your first STEAM-based plug-in, and you've already installed another STEAM-based plug-in (like Omnisphere, for example), then you'll need to install Trilian to the same STEAM folder that already exists.
Follow this set of instructions to install the Trilian large sound library files onto your startup hard drive. You need almost 35GB of free space available on your startup hard drive in order to continue. If you want to install Trilian to an external hard drive, please skip to the MAC OSX - CUSTOM INSTALLATION set of instructions here
IMPORTANT: View the WatchMe movie on Disc 1 inside of the Mac folder for a video walkthrough of the install process.
NOTE: These screenshots are taken in OSX Leopard. Installation on OSX Tiger or Snow Leopard will look slightly different.
INSTALLING DISC 1
1. After inserting Trilian Disc 1 into the computer, open the disc to reveal its contents from the Desktop.
2. Open the Mac folder, then double-click "Trilian Disc 1" to begin the installation of Trilian.
3. Click "Continue".
4. Read this important information about the installation process before you install. Click "Continue" to proceed.
5. After reading through the licensing FAQs, click "Continue".
6. You will then be prompted by another window. Choose "Agree" if you fully understand the licensing agreement to continue.
7. Simply click “Install” to agree to begin installing Trilian to the startup hard drive. This is the default installation. Remember there needs to be almost 35GB of free space available on the startup drive in order to completely install Trilian.
8. Enter the password for your Mac OSX user account to continue the installation.
9. The disc will now install. The installation of each disc will take up to 45 minutes. The installer will launch a separate script during the installation to install the large sound library files. The script window will update every 10 seconds to show the progress of the installation.
NOTE: The installer progress bar in the background will not move during the installation of the sound files. This is normal and installation progress will be shown via the “Time Elapsed” area of the script window.
During the installation, it is not recommended to use your computer for anything other than installing Trilian. The script window will beep and bounce in the dock if other applications are opened. This is because the script window wants to be the top window on screen at all times. Doing other things while installing probably won’t jeopardize the installation, but you should be aware of how the installer script behaves. Selecting the “Hide” button will cause the script window to vanish until the installation completes.
10. Once the disc has finished installing, click “OK”, then “Close”, and continue by installing the next disc.
INSTALLING DISC 2 - DISC 6
The following instructions apply to Disc 2 through 6.
11. After inserting Trilian Disc 2 into the computer, open the disc to reveal its contents from the Desktop.
12. Open the Mac folder, then double-click "Trilian Disc 2" to begin the installation of Trilian.
13. Click "Continue".
14. Read this important information about the installation process before you install. Click "Continue" to proceed.
15. Now choose the same installation destination as you did for Disc 1. Simply click “Install” to continue installing the large sound library files to the startup hard drive.
16. Enter the password for your Mac OSX user account to continue the installation.
17. The disc will now install. The installation of each disc will take up to 45 minutes. The installer will launch a separate script during the installation to install the large sound library files. The script window will update every 10 seconds to show the progress of the installation.
NOTE: The installer progress bar in the background will not move during the installation of the sound files. This is normal and installation progress will be shown via the “Time Elapsed” area of the script window.
During the installation, it is not recommended to use your computer for anything other than installing Trilian. The script window will beep and bounce in the dock if other applications are opened. This is because the script window wants to be the top window on screen at all times. Doing other things while installing probably won’t jeopardize the installation, but you should be aware of how the installer script behaves. Selecting the “Hide” button will cause the script window to vanish until the installation completes.
18. Once the disc has completed installing, click “OK”, then “Close”, and continue by installing Disc 3 through 6 exactly as was just done for Disc 2. After installing Disc 6, the installation will be complete.
Once the installation of all six discs is complete, it’s now time to open
Trilian in your host sequencer and authorize it.
Please consult the Authorization section for assistance with authorizing Trilian.
GETTING STARTED - Mac OS-X Installation to an External Drive
Follow this set of instructions to install the Trilian large sound library files onto an external hard drive. The Trilian plug-in files will be installed to the startup hard drive. You need 35GB of free space available on your external hard drive in order to continue.
All STEAM-based plug-ins need their large core libraries to be installed into the same STEAM folder on the computer. If Trilian's your first STEAM-based instrument, then you can choose to install the large core library files for Trilian anywhere you like on the computer. Wherever you choose to install those files, a STEAM folder will be created. This location will then become the place where the Large core library files of any other STEAM-based plug-ins will need be installed to in the future. If Trilian's not your first STEAM-based plug-in, and you've already installed another STEAM-based plug-in (like Omnisphere, for example), then you'll need to install Trilian to the same STEAM folder that already exists.
NOTE: View the WatchMe movie on Disc 1 inside of the Mac folder for a video walkthrough of the install process.
NOTE: These screenshots are taken in OSX Leopard. Installation on OSX Tiger will look slightly different.
INSTALLING DISC 1
1. After inserting Trilian Disc 1 into the computer, open the disc to reveal its contents from the Desktop.
2. Open the Mac folder and then double-click "Trilian Disc 1" to begin the installation of Trilian.
3. Click "Continue".
4. Read this important information about the installation process before you install. Click "Continue" to proceed.
5. After reading through the licensing FAQs, click "Continue".
6. You will then be prompted by another window. Choose "Agree" if you fully understand the licensing agreement to continue.
7. Click “Change Install Location...” to select a custom installation location for the large sound library files of Trilian.
Now select an external drive for the installation. Remember that the drive needs 35GB of free space for the entire installation. After selecting the drive, select “Choose Folder”.
Create or select a folder on the external drive as the installation destination. In this example, a folder named “Spectrasonics Instruments” has been created and selected as the installation destination. After selecting a folder, click “Choose”.
Then click “Continue” followed by “Install”.
NOTE: If you already own a STEAM-based instrument, you need to select the folder above the existing STEAM folder at this point.
For example, if the existing STEAM folder is located at
External HD/Spectrasonics Instruments/STEAM/
You’ll want to select the “Spectrasonics Instruments” folder, and not the STEAM folder inside it.
8. Enter the password for your Mac OSX user account to continue the installation.
9. The disc will now install. The installation of each disc will take up to 45 minutes. The installer will launch a separate script during the installation to install the large sound library files. The script window will update every 10 seconds to show the progress of the installation.
NOTE: The installer progress bar in the background will not move during the installation of the sound files. This is normal and installation progress will be shown via the “Time Elapsed” area of the script window.
During the installation, it is not recommended to use your computer for anything other than installing Trilian. The script window will beep and bounce in the dock if other applications are opened. This is because the script window wants to be the top window on screen at all times. Doing other things while installing probably won’t jeopardize the installation, but you should be aware of how the installer script behaves. Selecting the “Hide” button will cause the script window to vanish until the installation completes.
10. Once the disc has finished installing, click “OK”, then “Close”, and continue by installing the next disc.
INSTALLING DISC 2 - DISC 6
The following instructions apply to Disc 2 through Disc 6.
11. After inserting Trilian Disc 2 into the computer, open the disc to reveal its contents from the Desktop.
12. Open the Mac folder, then double-click "Trilian Disc 2" to begin the installation of Trilian.
13. Click "Continue".
14. Read this important information about the installation process before you install. Click "Continue" to proceed.
15. Now choose the same installation destination as you did for Disc 1. Click “Change Install Location...”
Select the same external hard drive as you did in Disc 1 and click “Choose Folder”.
Select the same folder as was done for Disc 1, and click “Choose”. Then click “Continue” followed by “Install”.
16. Enter the password for your Mac OSX user account to continue the installation.
17. The disc will now install. The installation of each disc will take up to 45 minutes. The installer will launch a separate script during the installation to install the large sound library files. The script window will update every 10 seconds to show the progress of the installation.
NOTE: The installer progress bar in the background will not move during the installation of the sound files. This is normal and installation progress will be shown via the “Time Elapsed” area of the script window.
During the installation, it is not recommended to use your computer for anything other than installing Trilian. The script window will beep and bounce in the dock if other applications are opened. This is because the script window wants to be the top window on screen at all times. Doing other things while installing probably won’t jeopardize the installation, but you should be aware of how the installer script behaves. Selecting the “Hide” button will cause the script window to vanish until the installation completes.
18. Once the disc has completed installing, click “OK”, then “Close”, and continue by installing Disc 3 through 6 exactly as was just done for Disc 2. After installing Disc 6, the installation will be complete.
Once the installation of all six discs is complete, it’s now time to open
Trilian in your host sequencer and authorize it.
Please consult the Authorization section for assistance with authorizing Trilian.
GETTING STARTED - Windows Installation
All STEAM-based plug-ins need their large core libraries to be installed into the same STEAM folder on the computer. If Trilian's your first STEAM-based instrument, then you can choose to install the large core library files for Trilian anywhere you like on the computer. Wherever you choose to install those files, a STEAM folder will be created. This location will then become the place where the large core library files of any other STEAM-based plug-ins will need be installed to in the future. If Trilian's not your first STEAM-based plug-in, and you've already installed another STEAM-based plug-in (like Omnisphere, for example), then you'll need to install Trilian to the same STEAM folder that already exists.
INSTALLING DISC 1
1. Insert Trilian Disc 1 into the computer’s optical disc drive. Double-click “My Computer”. Double-click the disc drive to view its contents and open the folder called “Windows”.
2. Double-click setup.exe to begin the installation of Trilian.
3. After reading the Introduction, click "Next".
4. Read through the licensing FAQs and license agreement. If you agree to the terms of the license agreement, click "I accept the agreement". Then click “Next”.
5. You will now need to select an installation destination for the VST plug-in version of Trilian on the computer.
The default for the 32-bit plug-in is;
C:\Program Files\Steinberg\Vstplugins
The default for the 64-bit plug-in is;
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steinberg\Vstplugins
If you would like to change where the plug-in is installed, click “Browse” and select an alternated installation destination. The RTAS version of Trilian is automatically installed during the installation for all users to:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Digidesign\DAE\Plug-ins
6. Verify that the VST plug-in installation destination choice is correct. 64-bit Windows users will do this for both the 64-bit and 32-bit versions of the plug-in.
Click “Next” to continue.
7. The Trilian plug-ins will now be installed.
8. Once the plug-in installation has completed, it will now be time to install the Trilian Core Library files. Click “Next to continue.
9. Now select where to install the Trilian large sound library files. You will need 35GB of free hard drive space to install the data on all 5 discs. You must install every disc to the same location on your computer. The default installation destination is to the startup hard drive. If you would like to choose a custom install location to an external hard drive, select “Browse” and select a new installation location. That same location will need to be selected when installing the following discs. When ready to proceed, click “Next”.
10. Verify the install destination for the Trilian Core Library files then choose “Install”.
11. The Trilian Core Library files will now be installed. Please be patient as this process can take up to 45 minutes. When the installation has completed, please insert the next disc in the installation process.
INSTALLING DISC 2 - 6
The following instructions apply to Disc 2 through 6.
12. Insert Trilian Disc 2 into the computer’s optical disc drive. Double click “My Computer”. Double-click the disc drive to view its contents and open the folder called “Windows”.
13. Double-click setup.exe to begin the installation of Trilian.
14. After reading the Introduction, click "Next".
15. Read through the licensing FAQs and license agreement. If you agree to terms of the license agreement, click "I accept the agreement". Then click “Next”.
16. Now select the same installation destination (the STEAM folder) for the Trilian large sound library files as was selected for Disc 1. You cannot install the discs to different installation destinations. Then click “Next”.
17. Verify the installation destination matches the same installation destination from Disc 1 for the Trilian large sound library files then click “Install”.
18. The Trilian Core Library files will now be installed. Please be patient as this process can take up to 45 minutes. When the installation has completed, please insert the next disc in the installation process. Install Disc 3 through 6 just as Disc 2 was installed.
When all six discs have been installed, the installation is complete! It’s now time to open Trilian in your host sequencer and authorize it.
Please consult the Authorization section for assistance with authorizing Trilian.
GETTING STARTED - Authorization
Trilian authorization can be done immediately from any computer connected to the Internet. There is a 4-day demo period from the time you first open the plug-in to authorize it if immediate Internet access is not available.
After opening Trilian in your host sequencer, an authorization window will appear. A Challenge Code will be provided. You will need this Challenge Code along with your Serial Number to complete the online Authorization process.
GETTING STARTED - Authorizing On A Computer Connected To The Internet
The music computer must be connected to the internet while following these instructions.
1. After instantiating Trilian into your sequencer, click the Trilian splash screen.
You will now see the Trilian Authorization System window:
2. Click the COPY button to copy the challenge code. Log in to the Spectrasonics website with your User Account name and password
You will be taken to your User Account page. If you don't yet have a User Account, you can create one. For further assistance, check out the tutorial video here.
3. If this is your first authorization of Trilian, you'll need to add it to your account by pressing the "Add a product to your account" button under the Registered Products table.
4. Enter your Trilian serial number in the box that appears below the button;
5. You'll then paste your Challenge code in the field on the Authorization page. Please enter the details about your Computer as well, as it will be neccessary if you require tech support.
6. You'll then recieve a Reponse code which you'll select with your cursor and copy (Control-C on Windows or Command-C on Mac);
7. Return back to Trilian. Click PASTE and the Response Code will now be displayed in Trilian.
8. Click the CONTINUE button.
9. Now remove Trilian from your host sequencer.
10. Re-insert Trilian into your host.
Trilian will now be authorized and fully functional.
GETTING STARTED - Authorizing On A Computer NOT Connected To The Internet
If your computer is not connected to the Internet, please follow these instructions for authorizing Trilian. You will need a flash drive, hard drive, or blank CD/DVD available for use when following these instructions.
1. After instantiating Trilian into your sequencer, click the Trilian splash screen.
You will now see the Trilian Authorization System window:
2. Click the COPY button to copy the challenge code.
3. Open a text editor application (such as Text Edit (Mac), Notepad / Wordpad (PC)). Paste into a blank new document. On a Mac, hold COMMAND and press 'V'. On a PC, hold CTRL and press 'V'. The challenge code will now appear in the document. Save the document as a Rich Text File (RTF) with a filename of your choice.
4. Move the RTF file to a flash drive, hard drive, or burn it to a blank CD or DVD. You will need to transport this document over to a computer that has an Internet connection. Flash drives are recommended because they are cheap and quickly move files between computers.
5. Open the RTF file on a computer with an Internet connection. Highlight the entire challenge code in the document and Copy it. On a Mac, hold COMMAND and press 'C'. On a PC, hold CTRL and press 'C'.
6. Click the COPY button to copy the challenge code. Log in to the Spectrasonics website with your User Account name and password
You will be taken to your User Account page. If you don't yet have a User Account, you can create one. For further assistance, check out the tutorial video here.
7. If this is your first authorization of Trilian, you'll need to add it to your account by pressing the "Add a product to your account" button under the Registered Products table.
8. Enter your Trilian serial number in the box that appears below the button;
9. You'll then paste your Challenge code in the field on the Authorization page. Please enter the details about your Computer as well, as it will be neccessary if you require tech support.
10. You'll then recieve a Reponse code which you'll select with your cursor and copy (Control-C on Windows or Command-C on Mac);
11. Open up a blank new document in a text editor application. Paste into the document. The Response Code will now appear in the document. Save the document as a Rich Text File (RTF) with a filename of your choice.
12. Move the RTF file to a flash drive, hard drive, or burn it to a blank CD/DVD. You will need to transport this document back over to the music computer.
13. Open up the RTF file which contains the Response Code on your music computer. Select and highlight the Response Code in the document and Copy it. On a Mac, hold COMMAND and press 'C'. On a PC, hold CTRL and press 'C'.
14. Return back to Trilian. Click PASTE and the Response Code will now be displayed in Trilian.
15. Click the CONTINUE button.
16. Now remove Trilian from your host sequencer.
17. Re-insert Trilian into your host.
Trilian will now be authorized and fully functional.
GETTING STARTED - Demo Mode
We recommend that you authorize immediately, but if you would rather authorize later, then you may activate the Demo period, which will last 4 days.
This can be useful if you want to try Trilian temporarily on a system to test its performance. In Demo mode, saving is disabled and audio artifacts will begin to appear in the signal after a period of time (loading of songs and patches will work though). You will still be able to authorize during or after the demo period.
After pressing the DEMO MODE button you will see this screen:
Go back to the host software and completely remove this instance of the Trilian plug-in. Reopen it and you will be in Demo Mode. It will say Demo Mode at the top of the plug-in and there will be an Authorize button below the Utility Menu button.
If you want to authorize during the demo period, press the Authorize button, and you will see the Trilian Authorization System window. After the 4-day demo period has finished, you will be sent back to the Authorization System Window.
GETTING STARTED – Authorization Troubleshooting
If you are returned to the Welcome to the Trilian Authorization System page or the demo mode version of Trilian after reopening Trilian, then that means the plug-in did not accept the response code and it may have been incorrectly entered. You can check your response code by looking at the email that was sent to you after you registered. Remember that the codes are case sensitive. Try authorizing again with the instructions given in the Authorizing section. Make sure you are entering the response code given by the website and NOT the serial number from your user guide.
While in demo mode, if you accidentally press the Authorize button, simply close the interface window and reopen it.
NOTE: If you need further assistance, please contact technical support at info@spectrasonics.net
GETTING STARTED – Moving The STEAM Directory
After installation, you can easily move the large STEAM directory containing all the sound files to a secondary drive if you wish to free up space on your original installation drive.
WINDOWS - MOVING THE STEAM DIRECTORY AFTER INSTALLATION
• Drag or copy the STEAM folder from your installation drive (C:\Program Files\Spectrasonics) to the hard drive location of your choice.
This can be another drive partition, a secondary internal drive or an external hard drive such as a Firewire or USB2 hard drive, etc.
• Next, right-click the STEAM folder in the new location to create a “Shortcut To STEAM”.
• Next, copy the shortcut to C:\Program Files\Spectrasonics.
• Finally, make certain to remove the “Shortcut To ” from the name (including removing the spaces), leaving the folder shortcut named STEAM
MAC OSX - MOVING THE STEAM DIRECTORY AFTER INSTALLATION
• Drag or copy the STEAM folder from your installation drive
(For Example: Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Spectrasonics)
to the hard drive location of your choice. This can be another drive partition, a secondary internal drive or an external hard drive such as a Firewire or USB2 hard drive, etc.
• Next, hold (Apple key and Option key) on the keyboard, click and drag the STEAM folder to the desktop to create an alias of the folder named STEAM.
• Next, move the STEAM alias from the desktop to
Macintosh HD/Users/Username/Library/Application Support/Spectrasonics
GETTING STARTED - Video Tutorials
We are producing online video tutorials, which will be available to registered Spectrasonics users on the Spectrasonics website. They are located in the Support Knowledge Base. You can play them directly or download them to your system for later viewing.
In the meantime we encourage you to view and download the following Omnisphere tutorial and Trilian product demonstration videos:
• Filters
These videos will provide the minimum information every user needs to start working with Trilian.
GETTING STARTED - Using Trilian Stand-Alone on a Computer
Trilian was designed to work as a plug-in which closely integrates within your main sequencing application and computer. We recommend using it this way for best results.
Alternatively, Trilian may also be used with a simple host application to work as a sound module for live performance. Trilian has specials modes which are designed to make it an ideal instrument for use in live situations.
Thirdly, you can also use Trilian on dedicated hardware music computers like the MUSE Receptor and NEKO Keyboards, which essentially are PCs dedicated for music performance.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind with using Trilian on a standalone system:
1. Trilian must reside in a host application on the other computer
2. Trilian is a plug-in and does not function as a stand-alone application. It must function as a Virtual Instrument plug-in within a host regardless of what computer it's on. There are many free and inexpensive VST and Audio Unit host applications that will run Trilian.
You can get a comprehensive list of hosts on www.kvraudio.com
Latency and Timing accuracy
As a result of being on a stand-alone computer, the latency between MIDI and Audio interfaces will cause Trilian to play later than it would on the main sequencing computer, so you will need to compensate for the latency. Also, when Trilian is used on the main computer, the timing of playback is extremely tight - sample-accurate in most cases. On a slave system, this type of accuracy is not currently possible.
GETTING STARTED - Checking For Updates
The latest versions of the software, Soundsource library, and patch library for
Trilian can be found on our website at:
http://www.spectrasonics.net/updates
With Trilian, we've included a way to quickly check for updates directly from the plug-in.
Simply click the Spectasonics logo to reveal the credits page. At the top left, select the button ‘Check For Updates’:
Selecting it will compare the current installed versions on your system with the latest available updates on the Spectrasonics website. Remember there are separate versions for the Trilian software, Soundsources and patches, so make sure that all three are always up to date.