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moosers
Published on 12/28/10 at 13:18
The Digidesign (now Avid) Xpand! 2 software is a virtual instrument that comes as part of Pro Tools software. This version first appeared in Pro Tools 8, but is also available in Pro Tools 9. There is an original version of Xpand! that was available previous to Pro Tools 8, but this newer version includes everything possible with the original. This version is a lot more complete and there's a ton you can do with it. It installs automatically when you install the Pro Tools software, so there's not much to worry about on this front. The interface is pretty user friendly as it's easy enough to navigate through it and to pick your patches and edit your sounds. There is virtually an endless amount of presets for instruments of all kinds, including strings, pads, synths, organs, guitars, percussion, and just about every type of sound imaginable. I haven't looked at the manual nor am I sure if there is one beyond any information that might be found in the Pro Tools manual.
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
I've currently got Digidesign Xpand! 2 and Avid Pro Tools 9 running on my home studio's system. My computer is a Mac Book Pro that has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM, while I run Pro Tools 9 with a Digi 002R audio interface. I only tend to run one or two of these at a time since I don't run many MIDI instruments at once and when I do I'll usually print it if I can. Having said this, since the software is essentially built into Pro Tools, those who are able to run Pro Tools smoothly shouldn't have a problem running this.
OVERALL OPINION
Digidesign's Xpand! 2 makes newer versions of Pro Tools (8 and 9) that much more powerful by providing you with an in depth software synthesizer that emulates both electric and acoustic instruments of all types. It's easy to use as gives you a lot of options not only in terms of presets but in how you can affects all of your sounds. The quality of the sounds is definitely pretty high, especially considering it comes free in Pro Tools. It's a lot more in depth than the previous version of Xpand! and makes upgrading to a newer version of Pro Tools all that more worthwhile when you also consider the other virtual instruments and plug-ins you'll get in it as well. If you've got Pro Tools 8 or 9 you should definitely be exploring and expanding with Xpand! 2.
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
I've currently got Digidesign Xpand! 2 and Avid Pro Tools 9 running on my home studio's system. My computer is a Mac Book Pro that has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM, while I run Pro Tools 9 with a Digi 002R audio interface. I only tend to run one or two of these at a time since I don't run many MIDI instruments at once and when I do I'll usually print it if I can. Having said this, since the software is essentially built into Pro Tools, those who are able to run Pro Tools smoothly shouldn't have a problem running this.
OVERALL OPINION
Digidesign's Xpand! 2 makes newer versions of Pro Tools (8 and 9) that much more powerful by providing you with an in depth software synthesizer that emulates both electric and acoustic instruments of all types. It's easy to use as gives you a lot of options not only in terms of presets but in how you can affects all of your sounds. The quality of the sounds is definitely pretty high, especially considering it comes free in Pro Tools. It's a lot more in depth than the previous version of Xpand! and makes upgrading to a newer version of Pro Tools all that more worthwhile when you also consider the other virtual instruments and plug-ins you'll get in it as well. If you've got Pro Tools 8 or 9 you should definitely be exploring and expanding with Xpand! 2.