In 1919, Hupfeld combined the further development of the DEA reproduction system with the possibilities of the 88-note phonola and developed the Triphonola in order to implement the standard reel format 11 years after its standardisation. As with the DEA reel, all the information for reproducing the piece of music is available on the reel. The paper (with Hupfeld watermark), reel and sides are very similar to those of the Hupfeld Animatic 88 music rolls. The green boxes have the label on the front with the designation Tri-Phonola or Animatic-T, the roll number, the title and the name of the pianist. The same label can also be found on the music roll - often next to a photo of the pianist. This music roll runs from top to bottom. The date of manufacture is usually written at the beginning of the roll on the back. There is a hook at the beginning of the roll to hang it on the reel. The paper is 28.6 cm wide.
Hupfeld has recoded the artist recordings previously made for Phonoliszt, Phonola and DEA for Tri-Phonola and punched them into the new reel format. Just as had been done for the Hupfeld Animatic reels since 1912. Analyses show that Hupfeld also made editorial changes, e.g. to the pedalisation and tempi. It is unclear why these changes were made - we assume that Hupfeld modernised the more than 10-year-old recordings and adapted them to contemporary tastes. As a result, the roles are very pleasant to listen to. For interpretation research, however, a DEA system is closer to the authenticity of the recordings.
Tri-Phonola rolls are occasionally found in Animatic cartons without this being recognisable on the label. It can only be recognised by the coding - the additional perforations at the very edge of the roll right at the beginning.
