However useful to program convincing bass parts (thanks to the True Staccato programs that provide hold notes for the four lowest octaves and staccato notes for the four higher octaves in the same patch), Trilogy wasn't perfect: some criticized its lack of character while others didn't like the 'oversized' sound of the instruments, which was stunning for solo parts but too big for a full mix. There were people who preferred the sound character of the Quantum Leap Hardcore Bass (vintage to distorted sharp sounds adequate for rock, industrial and big beat music) or Scarbee's detailed and plastic bass sound, yet there was no choice but to accept that no competitor could offer such versatility/quality ratio as Trilogy did.

Modern, vintage, acoustic, electric, or synth bass sounds combined with finger, pick and slap playing techniques: it had just about everything, including a wonderful double bass. The reasons for its success were the careful and accurate sampling and the huge sound it provided – Spectrasonics' hallmark – but, above all, a versatility competitors couldn't keep up with. Based on the UVI Engine from Ultimate Sound Bank (the same audio engine used on Plugsound and MOTU's MachFive) and an enormous sample bank (for those days: 3 GB), Trilogy quickly became the market's reference in its category.

The upright always needs help in the mix, though it brings plenty of rattles and squeaks and noise which every real acoustic recording has.When it comes to virtual bass, the manufacturer struck a decisive blow in 2002 with Trilogy. I do like Trilian's 'Studio Bridge' quite a bit, and the Vintage is great for vintage. They just didn't slice through with that nice resonance that real basses and good preamps have. Older 'Red' samples were 16 bit (I believe) and a little too soft I thought. With Scarbee, I can add just a touch of Massey Tape-Head or some other good distortion, along with a little compression, and they really sit nicely. Trilian basses still tend to have some of that overprocessed sound which plagued much of Trilogy and it's tough or impossible to remove if you feel that it needs to be. I've spent an awful lot of time with each library (Scarbee Red and Blue, and also Trilian) and if I had to choose (luckily I don't have to) I'd go with Scarbee. I'm curious if any of you have both Trillian and Scarbee and can comment on their differences.

I've been using the Kontakt Scarbee basses for a while and I just can't seem to get the tone I want.

Trilian vs scarbee