Very versatile for what's essentially a 2010 ROMpler

I got this for free with my Keystation, and honestly I didn't really expect this to be as versatile as it is, or that I'd still be using it today in 2021 when I have loads of other synthesizers and stuff laying around. It has a ton, and I do mean a ton of great sounds, even if they're all somewhat cheesy or dated by today's standards.

In fact, it's so versatile, that you can pretty much make a full track with just this. I came very close to doing just that when I made "Brotherhood" (part of Patron Jams, go check it out!), the only non-Xpand!2 sources being a lead, pad and the drums. It has some of the best orchestral sounds I've used out of everything I have right now, and that's honestly pretty darn impressive. Might not be the most realistic sounds either but they're more than fit for what I need, and that's what I like about this most, and probably why I still use it today.

However, it being a ROMpler synth, you'll quickly find that there's actually not that many sounds you care to use. Yeah, there's quite a bit, but obviously not everything is something you want to use, not everything is tailored to your needs, much like with any synthesizer really. And, well, because it's a ROMpler style VST, you don't really get a lot of editability over the sounds. It's even less compared to more well-remembered siblings, like with a JV or M1 you could at least fully edit the envelopes (not just Attack/release), filters, among with filter envelopes, pitch envelopes, and much more. In fact, you may be able to call it a preset box...

If you don't own it already and want to, then I suggest waiting for a sale or something. You can often get this for a ridiculously low price, and I certainly recommend you do so.

good product, lousy customer service

The problem is the licensing. It's using iLok, which is bound to your computer hardware. When you have a hardware failure, for example a crashing hard disk, the iLok license prevents you from reinstalling it on another machine, and you basically lost the product. Their website says that in such cases you have to contact support and they will reset your license activation on their server side. But then you go into the hell of horrible customer support, with very long response time, unwilling employees who don't read your mail but just answer their standard blah stories, and eventually them telling you that they've did the reset, but in fact they haven't. And then they don't respond anymore.

Conclusion: nice product, lousy licensing system, even more lousy customer support.

Love it, a modern ROMpler; great for what I make

An excellent plugin, comes with really good sounds and is essentially perfect for the type of music I make, also goes for really cheap most places (sometimes going on sale for a dollar too) and overall is just worth it; pure quality for a low price.

The only negative thing I can say is that a few of its sounds are quite 'disposable' use them once and never again sounds, they only occasionally have unique qualities that shine out, but there are instruments on here that do shine.

Extensive library of nice samples and synths at a bargain price

Would highly recommend purchasing this software, especially if you can get it on sale from pluginboutique or other similar sites for just £1/$1. All the included sounds I’ve tried sound nice and good quality.

Perfect atmospheres and ambience/FX and composing

I used this a lot for the bass and atmos in my music. Dead Texan and New Night's Begin are actually pretty good examples of Xpand!2's capability. There's also some decent orchestral sounds and instruments on their own and can get some somewhat realistic sounds out of them, but nowadays I mainly use them to compose pieces for hired guns that will play those parts with the real thing.

Does a lot with the price of quality.

This is my main source of instruments whenever i feel lazy or in need of a bit orchestration. Now granted, orchestral quality isn't like some pre-recorded sample libraries, but what it has is good enough to be used. It is great library of sounds to have offering large choices for any composer whom work is more about composition.

Dope Plugin!

2500+ total presets and parts. Mostly I use Soft Pads, Bright Pads, Strings, Mallets. In my opinion, you don't need Nexus 2 if you have Xpand!2 because it is good enough to make music with this amazing plugin.

Came with AKAI Advance 49...

and though I did explore it when I first bought the keyboard I haven't really used it very much so I can't say much except it sounded great! I probably should investigate the AIR programs that came with the Advance 49 but always end up sidetracked to Kontakt libraries.

For 1$ it's a steal!

Had the chance to take it for 1$!!! It's good, has all kinds of sounds and it's CPU light.

Extremely varied

Comes with a a lot of solid sounds, extemely usable. Orchestra patches are kinda meh, but the rest is good.