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Xpand! 2 for Windows

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Key Details of Xpand! 2

  • Create and record music with a multi-timbral workstation
  • Last updated on 04/17/20
  • There has been 1 update within the past 6 months
  • The current version has 0 flags on VirusTotal badge_icon
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Xpand! 2 0/1

Editors' Review

Download.com staff
A wide library of sound options

Xpand! 2 is a music software developed by Air Music Technology, initially part of the tools included with Pro Tools 8. It has gained popularity among musicians and producers for its rich sound options and is now available separately for anyone looking for top-quality sounds.

If you are a music producer or at the beginning of the road, Xpand! 2 is definitely one of those apps that you must try. Xpand! 2 uses a setup where you can play four different sounds at once, each in its own channel or "part." You can set each part to play multiple notes at the same time (polyphonic) or just one note (monophonic), which is great for creating different layers in your music, like combining a bassline with a melody or adding chords.

Xpand!2 offers a wide range of sounds to work with. It can mimic everything from classic synthesizers to real instruments using different sound-making techniques like synthesis and sample playback. The software comes with over 2,500 ready-to-use sounds sorted into categories like Pads, Synths, and Drums, making it easier to find the right sound without hassle.

It features six adjustable knobs that change settings based on the selected sound part, making tweaking sounds simple. There's also an 'Easy Edit' mode where these knobs adjust settings across all parts at once, which is handy for quick changes, especially during live performances.

Xpand! 2 works well with both Windows and Mac computers and supports common plugin formats like AU and VST, ensuring it fits right into most music production setups. It doesn't need a special USB key (iLok) to work, which makes setting up less complicated.

Performance-wise, Xpand! 2 is versatile. Each sound part has its own features like an arpeggiator for creating complex patterns and modulatable effects for more expression. There are also two effects processors with fifty different effects to play with, and you can even chain effects together for more complex sound manipulation.

Xpand! 2 is ideal for professional musicians and producers looking for a flexible tool to explore different sounds and expand their musical palette. It's also great for music students learning about sound design, thanks to its straightforward layout and broad range of features.

Bottom Line

Xpand! 2 is a powerful and adaptable music workstation that combines ease of use with a vast array of sound options, making it a go-to for creating music across various genres. 

Icon of program: Xpand! 2

Xpand! 2 for Windows

Download now

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Full Specifications

GENERAL
Release
April 17, 2020
Latest update
June 3, 2024
Version
2.2.7
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Platform
Windows
Operating System
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 8
  • Windows 10
Additional Requirements
None
POPULARITY
Total Downloads
31,025
Downloads Last Week
389
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Developer's Description

By Air Music Tech
Create and record music with a multi-timbral workstation.

Air Music Technology originally created Xpand! as part of the Creative Collection of instrument plug-ins included as part of Avid Pro Tools. With the release of Pro Tools 8, this widely popular workstation was given new controls, improved features, an additional Gigabyte of sounds, and a new name: Xpand!2. As the popularity of Pro Tools grew, more and more musicians and producers came to rely on the incredible sonic firepower of this amazing workstation. Xpand!2 continued to evolve, and demand grew. Finally, Xpand!2 is now available on its own, available to anyone who hungers for the finest sounds instantly.

Four on the Floor. Xpand!2 is a multitimbral workstation offering four active sound slots, or parts, per patch. Each part is provided with its own MIDI channel, Note Range (Zone), Mix, Arpeggiation, Modulation, and Effects settings--an excellent method for creating individual parts. Harnessing the four parts together to build one amazing Patch is where Xpand!2 reveals its true power. The Voice Mode for each part can be set to polyphonic or monophonic. Polyphonic parts can have up to 64 voices; monophonic parts offer First, Last, Highest, or Lowest priority making it easy to designate a bass, lead, or solo instrument.

Sounds Galore. Using everything from wavetables and FM synthesis to sample playback, the expert sound design team at Air Music Tech has carefully created thousands of ready-to-play Xpand!2 patches. Creating your own is easy, too. Parts can be quickly browsed and are conveniently sorted into 29 categories, offering a simple path to find just what you're looking for.

Smart Knobs and Easy Edits. Six smart knobs are provided for custom-tweaking your Xpand!2 sounds. Each knob changes function depending on the part selected, offering hands-on control of the most critical sound elements. Select the Easy mode, and all six knobs now control all four of the common parts in a patch simultaneously for quickly performing those crucial edits. And of course, all of your edits can be saved for instant recall.

Major Modulation Express yourself with powerful performance features. Pitch Bend wheel and Aftertouch (pressure) modulation assignments can be made independently for each part. Modulation rates can be tempo sync'd or free-wheeling. Numerous modulation destinations are provided, and the WAVE destination parameters are different from part to part, providing unique Xpand!2 sound-shaping capabilities.