Sampling FAQs

The purpose of this information is to clear up any confusion regarding the sampling of Trilian®. We get a lot of questions about this topic from other sound designers, so we’d like to make sure our policies are clear and upfront.

The factory Sound Libraries within Trilian are based on sound recordings which are copyrighted by Spectrasonics ©2018. The included Trilian Sounds License Agreement grants the purchaser a license to utilize the copyrighted material in the sound libraries within a musical context.

However, please note that this included standard license does NOT grant the user any rights to copy any portion of the factory Sound Libraries for distribution or to use Trilian’s Soundsources to create new samples for distribution.

Please contact us at info@spectrasonics.net or call us at 888-870-4223 (US) if you have any further questions regarding the sampling or distribution of sounds from Spectrasonics Virtual Instruments. We are happy to talk to you, as other licensing options may be available. We handle requests outside of the standard licensing terms on a case-by-case basis.

Am I allowed to distribute samples I’ve made of any of Trilian’s Factory sound libraries?
No. The factory sound libraries of Trilian are copyrighted and may not be distributed. This includes all types of distribution—the use in other sample libraries, sound FX libraries or sample-based hardware or software products is specifically prohibited.

What if I extensively modify the Trilian’s factory sounds?
All modification, layering and tweaking is still legally considered a “derivative work” based on copyrighted recordings, so any type of re-use sample distribution like this would require specific clearance in advance.

Does this mean that I’m not allowed to distribute my own original Trilian’s Patches or Multis?
That’s not a problem. Any type of distribution of user Trilian Patches and Multis (.prt &.mlt files) is not only allowed, it’s encouraged! :-)

Am I allowed to distribute samples of my own original Trilian patches?
Your own original Trilian patches are very likely to be based on our copyrighted material, so the answer would be NO in those cases. Contact us if you have questions.

Can I sample Trilian for my own private use?
Of course! Every licensed user is free to use Trilian’s sounds in any way within the production of their music that works for them creatively, including making their own custom samples with the instrument. Those custom samples only become a legal issue when they go beyond the private musical use of the individual user (i.e. distribution).
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*Am I permitted to distribute my Trilian samples if it’s non-commercial?*_
No. There’s no distinction between commercial or non-commercial distribution. Posting/sharing original samples of Trilian presents the same legal issues as commercial distribution.

But if Spectrasonics sampled other manufacturers’ instruments to make Trilian, then why can’t I use Trilian for my sampling project? This seems inconsistent.
For Trilian’s Core Library, Spectrasonics researched and obtained all necessary legal clearance to use all the original samples we created that incorporate other manufacturers’ instruments.

Please contact Spectrasonics directly if you have any questions regarding sampling Trilian®: info@spectrasonics.net