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Multitimbral workstation - Xpand 2 - How to use

Author: sleepfreaksArticles Published: 07/15/2019

Plenty of presets and ease of use

Xpand

In this series, we will take a look at “Xpand 2” from Air Music Technology.
This product was included with “Pro Tools,” but with new VST/AU plugin compatibility, it can now be used regardless of DAW.

It’s a multitimbral workstation with synths, instrument sounds, rhythms, and more, with a rich variety of presets that allow you to dial in the sounds you want.

Xpand 2 – Multitimbral Workstation Tutorial Video

Xpand 2 – How to use and settings

The product is set up in a simple layout, allowing for beginners to easily utilize it.
By understanding each sections parameters, you can expand on your sound design with this plugin.

Preset

Xpand can use slots A〜D to combine a max of 4 sounds.

Level_Pan

You can edit volume and pan individually.
Edit volume to adjust tonal nuances, and use pan to spread sound.

Accessing presets

There are 2 ways to bring up presets.

Preset

Click on the preset name from A〜D, to select instruments.

Preset 2

From the window below, you can select a preset bank that contains multiple preset sounds.

Applying effects

You can apply up to 2 effects.
Reverb and delay can also be applied to expand your sounds.

Effect-1

Turn on the effect, and click on the effect name to choose an effect.

Effect FX

By spinning the “FX1/2” from each A〜D section, you can adjust how much of the effect is applied.

Using the arpeggiator

The classic synth’s arpeggiator tool is also included.
You can designate harmonies and subdivisions for the sequence to be played.

ARP

1_Click on the ARP tab
2_Click to turn the effect on
3_Select arpeggiator speed (subdivisions)
4_Designate note movement

Editing sound

You can customize the presets as well.
Each preset from A〜D can be edited, and when “EASY” is selected, you can control A〜D as a whole.

Sound edit

“Attack” determines how quickly the sound hits.
Use it want the sound to hit right away, or if you want it to fade it.

“Release” controls the length of the sound after the MIDI note cuts off.
Longer amounts result in a softer sound, and faster make notes sharper and tight.

Designating seperate MIDI channels

When you open Xpand and sequence MIDI notes, all of A〜D’s presets will play at the same time.
There will be situation when you want presets to play different notes.
By separating MIDI channels, you can sequence for each individual tracks.

MIDI Ch

You can designate different MIDI channels from A〜D.
The way to set this up is different by DAW, so check out the links below to see how to set up in your DAW.

Protools