Review: AIR Music Xpand!2 Workstation VST 

Every time I think about buying some new sounds I come on RU-vid to check for reviews. Nine times out of 10 you got me covered. I appreciate what you do, man. Thanks.

i love this vst probably one of my favorites right now.

You literally make some of the best demo videos available. Straight to the sounds and basic functionality of every plugin. Spent years watching your videos and finally figured I'd say something haha. Cheers!

I bought a M-Audio Keystation 49 at the price of 107.603603 USD(99 EUR) and I got this in the box with it(as well as an instance of Eighty Eight Ensemble)! Decided to check it out. I'm not regretting my purchase.

Oh my goodness can't believe this workstation is so cheap sounds amazing! Great video really helpful

This looks really cool. I bought an Alesis MIDI controller that was supposed to include this VST but it was so bogged down with copy protection I wasn't able to ever get it to work.

Expand2 is really great. I am using it and it got all the sounds I need... amazing quality....it was included with my M-Audio keystation 88 package.

Thank you for the great DEMO, Bro! I just picked up this VSTi for 104 Yen ($1.00US) and I'm using it inside of the REAPER DAW. Wow!!!,,,,, is all I can say at this point. The explorations are endless,,,,,,,, PEACE and Good VIBES!!!

This is my favorite VST that I haven't purchased or obtained yet. It comes included with a couple of MIDI Controllers I'm deciding on, M-Audio Keystation 88MK2 and Alesis Vi61.

Learn about this one in protools, some of my best inspiration to start making tracks

Best VST review video I’ve seen

You know how I feel about Xpand!2.. I agree with the browser layout being hard to see with the sound list being so small. It reminds me of the Sample Tank 2 browser, which I absolutely hated but loved the sounds. You can setup to control the browser back and forward buttons using midi CC - I believe. I would love to see an Xpand 3!!! Nice beat too!

Amazing VST thanks for the review Saint Joe!

I finally got this installed. Ironically my first complaint was the browser. It's really a pain in the arse. Needs to be in fixed columns instead of a continual moving drop-down tree. Also you have to keep hovering over a category every time you want to change sounds instead of that category being retained based on the sound you're on. Hopefully there will be some sort of update for this. So far though this has given me new inspiration. I was getting board with my current VSTi.

According to the Akai product page, it will be bundled with the Advance keyboard series which hopefully will be released soon ;)

if you're buying, go to plugin boutiqe its usually like 10-15 dollars

I'm getting this free with the alesis vmini I ordered. Seems and sounds a lot better than synth one. That VST is a royal pain to navigate.

For $1 it is really a "no-brainer" - especially for beginners and hobby musicians who can't afford several libraries . But for professional use the sonic quality isn't high enough (compared to Native Instruments, Arturia, Best Service, Sonokinetic, East West, Nectar, Loopmasters, U-he stuff etc.). Most of the sounds are dated and contains only short samples and remember more on the good old workstations of the early 90s. But why not - for $1 you get a virtual Roland JV, Korg Trinity or Emu Proteus etc. for your DAW. Years ago we would had been happy to get such a library. ;)

the one that comes with protools 7 is amazing so i know this is dope...i read somewhere a while back that the makers of this are the same folks that made hypersonic...i dunno how true that is tho

I like so much your detailed demos... thanks

damn this one is nice ! I was looking for something like a ''workstation vst''

An incredible instrument, I found it in pro tools first, which is free, but thinking of buying it in au format to use in other DAWs

Just looked at the current price (les than £50.00 in the U.K.) so this is definitely worth buying. I've been using Omnisphere 2 for a while but for some reason it keeps crashing Ableton Live, and I often can't get any sound out of it. I also use Komplete 9 and there's no problem with that, so it seems to be a problem with Omnisphere 2. Uninstalling and reinstalling has made no difference, so it looks like it's time to move on and try this instead.

It comes free with the Focusrite Scarlet interfaces. I am digging it so far!

Please reply me xpand 2 only 1.3 GB and kontakt library take so large size why

Great review... Thanks for taking the time to enlighten us.. Fast loading is a plus

I like the price not bad at all for the amount of sounds you getting

ok ill say it...that track was dope as hell!

Hypersonic's minimized cousin.

I don't understand why it is cheap, it makes people underestimate the usefulness of this vst, and it sounds reasonably good.

this looks nice af. am looking forward to playing around with it after i nab it off plugin boutique for $5 later today

Would you compare this to something like Sampletank or Plugsound Pro? Sampletank is pricier, has more content, more sound design options, and probably more detailed velocity layering etc, but I get the feeling I'd reach for the immediacy of Xpand far more often.

Thanks! I've been looking for a quicker workflow for a standard soundset than relying on my outboard gear (rendering takes forever), at a good price. Just saw it for £10 and don't know of any competitors.

I see you use Studio One. I bought S1 with out doing no reviews and it's A+ Great review on this product once again but I have a question. If you have Komplete Ultimate do you think you need to buy a bunch of VST's? Im just learning presets. Im from the old school hardware and just switch 2yrs ago.

seems like a pretty nice plug in synth - I wondered how the sounds are powered - surely their quality and timbre depend on the soundcard you have etc. Do the sounds compare to a typical synth of the nineties for example or is that asking too much?Thanks.

Pleas I need help to install it on Mac ! I have everything downloaded but have no idea how to get it into FL STUDIOS , I tried everything, putting it in VST folder and many things just can't seem for it to show up?? Any hep

Great review, thanks!

Hello, thanks for the tutorial. You can tell me as remove the effect delay?

Xpand!2 is multi-timbral. It provides four synthesizer slots, each with individual MIDI channel. So how to use MIDI channel selector. If I select channels 1 to 4 then only one channel plays. any help

Thanks for you time. the best review

I just got this for 1 dollar on VSTBUZZ as part of a limited time sale. Glad i bought it before watching the video lmao. It's worth it, apparently drakes producer Noah40 uses this in almost every track.

This is currently on sale for five dollars at plug in boutique

Supa dope! I have some expensive vst's in my arsenal but I was able to get expand 2 for 1 dollar, kinda ridiculous! I figured it was just a throwaway vst until I delved in to it. There's some gold to be mined here for sure, even in 2018 this vst is pretty versatile. I throw it in the mix with some Symphobia sounds and Komplete Ultimate 11 sounds and it still compliments well with the proper tweaks and handling. St. Joe your the man, much love brotha!! Been a fan of your reviews and tutorials for a while now, peace and love!

great review thanks man

Silly question here... Can I use this software on a Alesis Vi49 for recording clips at Ableton? Very nice tutorial

Thanks for showing this Brother Saintjoe. getting closer to making my Motif XS obsolete with lots of sounds / Motif still sounds better though...Lol. I didn't hear or see any 808 stuff in the ethnic or Hip Hop drums. Can you store your layers, edit the sounds and store those as well? Thanks for showing this my Brother. Peace & blessings.

Helpfull video. Thank you

I know Sampletank 3 is a lot more expensive but Is there a place for both of them?

I mean for $1! I can't pass this up! Plus the sounds have a great texture to them.

Right now on Xpand2 is $9.99 on reverb.com

Hey Dude, i got problems to load xpand!2 in NI maschine. it said: could not load 1 or more plugins. i have athorized xpand via ilok and get the version 2.2.7. i set the path for the vst and in maschine. but maschine didnt start the plugin. have u any ideas? thx alot.

i purchased an alesis v49 and it came with Xpand!2 and i installed it to my mac but i can't seem to open it in my fl studio or logic pro x. I'm not sure if i downloaded it right but its a huge headache. especially because i wanna try it out. help me out

As far as I can see your Xpand!2 has much more sounds preset than my. For example i got only 14 presets for acoustic pianos and you've got 32. Do you own some kind of upgrade or additional factory bank?

Hello does the full version have pre made drum kits? and is it easy to set it up to match your midi device i.e. kick on C1, snare on D1.? Thanks

AIR Music Xpand!2 Workstation VST 1$ unbelievable.I will try with studio one professional 64 bits

can i somehow switch off the reverb or does this come with the sound of the plug in? i mean not the fx .

Thanks

Hey there @SoundsAndGear.com I have the avid pro tools and it has the Xpand 2, is it possible that I can use it in FL12, if so how? Im also using the Akai Mpk225 midi controller

I've installed it and got it working (kinda) on Maschine 1.8, but when I open it I can't load a sound onto it. Nothing comes up under "part" when I try to click a preset sound. Any ideas on why or how to fix it? Thanks!

please can you show me how to install Xpand!2 it wont show up in fl studio ive registered and activated it in ilok . the instruction manual i read on the Alesis website told me to open a track channel and click insert > more and it comes up with a white screen listing new plugins but it doesnt do that on mine it just takes me to fl studi plugin manager which DOESNT HELP BECAUSE XPAND ISNT A FL PLUGIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

This sounds dope

The Older version of xpand does work with Maschine 2.4. that was the version before 2.2.5. is there any possibility to download the Older version? Only the newest software is on the Air tech Homepage aviable. Could anyone Upload the Older versions on Dropbox? The alot

Whenever I start Xpand2, there's no sound for some reason, can someone help me out with this?

Sir, can you please give one midi keyboard, because I also started producing music in xpand but don't have midi and good speaker, really don't have any single 💰 to produce,so, please try to understand,if you help me then I can do great work in music.please

hey, i cannot load the plugin tried Everything. i have installed it New set the path to Maschine. but i cannot choose it from the task Plugins even if i habe scan it for New Plugins

it's free from 'don't crack' until november 30th 2017

can you scroll wheel through the instruments?

Wow does all those sounds come as a pre stock...

i can't find xpand2 in my plug in scanner. does anyone know what to do?

If I want to use it on another device do I need to delete it off my other?

i need help-i have pro tools 10 it does not inclod xpand what can i do

I have xpand on protools but i want to use it in fl studio....is there a way to transfer it

I downloaded trial, but how do i open the program? I got like 2500 presets in folders but i can't find the program :/ Also I can't open file called "Xpand!2 - User Guide - v.1.1.pdf" I want to find the program so I can try it out! Please help me :S

How many gigs is this library and can you put the samples on a external HD?

I just installed xpand2 but it does not appear at all in maschine2. Can you help me?

haha- this was uploaded on april fool's day.

6:50 cumbiaaaa 🇦🇷🤪

6:12 more pls

WITH LOGIC ITS POSIBOL ?

64 bit plugin?

just joined ur chnl. luv ur wrk, keep it up. sorry 4 the child~like shortcuts, no keyboard, usin smart tv.. THANK U, paulieG

How much is it going for?

hie :) does it sound better than sampletank 3?

This is on sale for 5 bucks!!!!

Is it true just $1?anyone can confirm it?

Just to let y'all know, if you own pro tools you can get this VST for 49.99 off of their website like i did

How did you make it sound stereo..?

whats your main editing software?

Soulfull thanks!!!

@OVO40 Bought me here.

Word BmxTzu101 definitely same workstation concept.

arp?

Is there a Tutorial on how to LEGALLY install Xpand2 I keep finding Cracked ones smh.

i can not install xpand2! donno what's wrong!

Sorry for my language...Air don't seem to know what an apology is. Despicable company. They're quick enough to take down posts on their forum but when you ask for help they completely ignore you. And that, when I spend money, is out of order.

I made such a fuss, that someone at Air Music Tech, heard me. I appreciate & respect, what you do. And I would never disrespect that bond. I want about the taking care, of the technical difficulties, in a professional manner. And got positive results. Thank you. Saint Joe, of soundsandgear.com/ You are, a true Blessing & inspiration, to music producers, all across the G-L-O-B-E >>> two thumbs up! #salute >>> 5 star review....

Im So bummmbed right now my trial expires tomorrow and I have the money to get this. but DAMMMMMN CORONAVIRUS FUCKED up EVERYTHING SMH. iv been trying to find something as close to purity and ravity after I got FUCKED over from their reseller a while back twice. I come across this at the wrong time..... the only way I can purchase this is my only 2 options. I either go into my local store guitar center to buy and register the plugin by paying with a gift card wich is the EASIEST WAY they also have the plugin available for Download after purchase. I usually buy all my plugins there. 2. go on there website and purchase by Check/Money order. there reseller im familiar with them. that's where I got my TruePianos registered from after the payment was received. this really sucks soooooo bad for me like I seriously need that plugin. things always happen at the wrong time

Sorry man, but 20 minutes just browsing around sounds and repeating that they all load so fast, that is not what I expect from a video review about a plugin.

Dude, don't want to sound neg but 20 mins of flicking through presets isn't a great review. What about the mod options, the effects? How tweakable is it? What's under the initial GUI? ..is what I was kinda expecting.

Thanks