reFX Nexus 2

4.5 (964)

220 Reviews

reFX

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reFX Nexus 3

4.5 (21)

Find out who is using reFX Nexus 2

568 wishlisted

2237 saved

Page last updated Jul 01, 2026

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Description

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Dive into the world of infinite sound possibilities with the reFX Nexus 2, a powerhouse synth plugin that has become a staple in the toolkit of producers across various genres. Known for its massive sound library, Nexus 2 provides a wealth of high-quality presets that cater to everything from EDM and hip-hop to cinematic scores. Whether you're composing catchy hooks or deep atmospheric pads, this synth plugin simplifies the creative process with its intuitive interface and versatile features.

Nexus 2 stands out with its ability to deliver stunningly realistic sounds, thanks to its advanced sample playback engine. The plugin also offers a broad range of expansions, allowing users to tailor their sound collection to fit their specific music production needs. With its easy-to-navigate layout and powerful mixing capabilities, Nexus 2 ensures that both beginners and seasoned producers can create polished tracks with minimal effort.

Key Features:

Comprehensive library of high-quality presets
Advanced sample playback engine for realistic sound reproduction
Intuitive user interface designed for ease of use
Wide range of expansion packs available for diverse sound customization
Suitable for various music genres, including EDM, hip-hop, and cinematic scoring
Built-in effects for enhanced sound processing
Flexible routing options for creative sound design

Product specs

Plugin Format

AU, VST

Videos

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VSTPluginReviews

ReFX Nexus 2 VSTPlugin Review

VSTPluginReviews

reFX Nexus 2 VST Sound Demo

Beat Production

90s Dance mix | Play (reFX Nexus 2)

Whentherushcomes

ReFX Nexus 2 - Hollywood Expansion

SIGMusic

ReFX Nexus 2 | Fantasy & Dream Presets

Simon Le Grec

Reviews

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PROS

Extensive library of high-quality presets and expansions
Sleek, user-friendly interface with intuitive controls
Regularly updated with new expansions every 2-3 months
CPU-friendly design for efficient use in projects
Widely used and trusted by top producers in the industry
Excellent for layering and creating fuller soundscapes
Particularly strong in orchestral and piano sounds
Quick setup with minimal sound design required
Offers great inspirational tools for quick music production
Versatility across multiple genres, not limited to EDM

CONS

Limited sound design capabilities, relies heavily on presets
High price point for base plugin and expansions
Requires a USB dongle for activation, which can be inconvenient
Sounds can become overused or generic without significant tweaking
Some users find the effects like reverb and delay to be lacking
Not all parameters are automatable, limiting creative flexibility
Price may be prohibitive for aspiring producers
Sounds can be easily recognized in other tracks, reducing uniqueness
Some presets feel dated, reminiscent of early 2000s
Limited modulation and customization options compared to other synths

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about reFX Nexus 2.

Features and functionality

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Some users prefer Nexus 2 for its original sound quality, which they feel was altered in later versions like Nexus 3.
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Nexus 2's Hollywood expansion packs offer a cost-effective alternative to high-end orchestral libraries, featuring Steinway piano samples and full orchestral setups without requiring additional samplers or massive storage.
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Software and compatibility

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MacOS updates can break compatibility with older plugins, which may lead users to stick with Nexus 2 if it still functions on their systems.
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Users transitioning from simpler setups like Sibelius are recommended to explore DAWs like FL Studio, which offers user-friendly functionality and free lifetime updates.
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Use cases and applications

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Nexus 2 is favored by those producing styles from the 2010s, such as hands-up, due to the era-specific sounds in its expansions.
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Nexus 2 is particularly popular in the hip hop and trap communities due to its versatility and accessibility, making it suitable for producers in these genres.
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User experience

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Professionals often avoid updates to maintain stability in their current setup, as newer versions can introduce bugs.
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The Hollywood expansion packs are noted for their flexibility in simple orchestral compositions but may struggle with more intricate classical articulations like tremolos and trills.
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Other

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The prevalence of pirated copies may contribute to continued use of Nexus 2, despite the availability of newer versions.
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Setup and maintenance

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The Steinberg E-Licenser is required for Nexus 2, and if it breaks, a replacement process involves mailing the broken device and purchasing a new one, which can take about two weeks.
Source

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 220 Reviews and 964 Ratings

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cardiobeats

over 11 years ago

Finally own this badboy, and supped up with some new expansions, it really is possible to create a full track with nexus alone, but layer it up, and you have the power for real, loving it!!

Finally took the plunge and bought the nexus 2, along with some wicked expansions, the deep house Xp is amazing! And really will be used and heard all over 2015. Why buy a million Sylenth patches when this beast really does it for you, of course layer it up with Sylenth, massive or spire for some huge full sounds, hopefully this will reignite my spark, and get me back producing and what I do best!

baylix

156

over 12 years ago

Versatile presets for foundational sound design

My reference synths. I usually build a project using default sound presets to build the basis of a track, then go on to sound design once my structure is complete. The presets act great as underlying sounds as well, with the right tweaking.

djfriendzone

303

over 11 years ago

Inspirational

While its a bit pricey, there are tons of great expansions (Hollywood I and II, Dance Orchestra in particular), and it is really inspirational to dial up a sound and get started on a track. Fantastic for trance, and the pianos are quite good.

juniorprimate

290

over 9 years ago

Great rompler, not synth, ROMPLER!

I'm not going to be 'that guy' that dings nexus 2 for being a rompler... seems unfair. It's a rompler and it sounds fantastic. It's a relatively new piece for me but so far my opinion is it does exacty what it intends to do: deliver great sounds and usable instruments to music producers. People tend to get real snotty when it comes to sound design, but not every tool is meant to be used the same way. Sometimes you just want to play an instrument that sounds great and not worry about the tweaking. I think that's the beauty of this application. It seems Refx knows when a noise becomes an instrument worth packaging.

max_hawley

308

about 11 years ago

When a fast workflow is a must, there will always be Nexus !

I love using Nexus for many reasons. First of all, most of presets are usable out of the box immediately. The GUI is so beautiful and the rom is not hard on the CPU. When it's not about the workflow, i really like to use nexus for piano sounds along with a 3rd party Reverb.

eriklund91

over 10 years ago

Great for piano and strings!

It's a good looking vst, with a big stock sample library with the option to buy additional preset expansions. I do however only find myself using it for pianos and strings for the moment. What I dont like about this VST is that you cant make a sound from scratch. You can only change and tweak an existing sounds with standard knobs and parameters. Reverb and Delay effects are not the best.

knifepony

almost 12 years ago

Great beginner plugin!

Since I don't have Kontakt, I normally use Nexus for pianos, and some string instruments. But, this little baby is GREAT for layering synths for a big progressive track. Normally, Supersaw x4 is used in every track we make! After some editing, of course.

bytebandit

170

over 10 years ago

so many options

well first of all the complete bundle of this is amazingly expensive. for 2k i would rather go buy some super dope hardware like a virus ti snow, but hey the regular version with a few expansions is alright. my favorite part about this synthesizer are the options to really morph the sound and make it your own, i've never felt like i've had so many options in a sampler/rompler before to alter the sound. it's quite amazing. everything from a filter, to an envelope, a 3 part mixer, reverb, delay, arp, and a trance gate. just soooooooo many options on hwo you want to change the sound of the particular patch

odysseyeurobeat

1709

about 11 years ago

I've joined the dark side... and it was worth it.

In VERY brief, much of my musical prowess comes from composition, not sound dsign. I grew up using only a Korg 05R/W and an abandonware MIDI sequencer to make my earliest work, so this holds a nostalgicplace in my heart AND a huge breath of fresh air for picking the right sounds. I could go into more detail here, but if you wait long enough you may see a longer writeup somewhere else...!

Roles:

Singer Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Stage & Screen anime

tarbyrocks

398

about 12 years ago

Versatile synth with impressive presets and effects

Though the synth is mainly sample banks and presets, and is usually drenched with reverb and delay, the synth sounds (and the trance gates and arps especially) sounds fantastic and are easy to use.

Artist usage

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Martin Garrix

Music Producer

AREA21

Verified via Photo

In this photo from Martin's Instagram, Martin is holding the CD for reFX Nexus 2 above its case. Both the CD and the case have the Nexus 2 logo facing the camera.

Skrillex

Music Producer

From First to Last

Verified via YouTube

Channel 110 in Skrillex's Ableton Project file for Fuji opener has an instance of Nexus 2 open.

Deadmau5

Music Producer

BSOD

Verified via Twitter

In this tweet deadmau5 mentions using Nexus presets in one of his EDM trolls.

Avicii

Music Producer

Jovicii

Verified via YouTube

Avicii frequently uses the stock sounds in Nexus when coming up with ideas for leads, chords, and melodies in his tracks.

Hardwell

Music Producer

Verified via YouTube

Hardwell lists the Nexus as one of his top 3 favorite synthesizers. He uses two instances of this synth for the lead sound in his track "Apollo."

Zedd

Music Producer

ARE WE DREAMING

Verified via Beatport

One of the synths occasionally used by Zedd, second to his all time favorite, Sylenth.

Tiësto

Music Producer

Alibi

Verified via Photo

Tiësto used the reFX Nexus 2 plugin on the track "Secrets (Drop)" according to this Splice file.

Armin Van Buuren

Music Producer

Wodka Wasters

Verified via YouTube

"I made some pads. There are some really greta pad sounds coming form the Nexus. This particular pad is one I edited from one of the presets."

David Guetta

Music Producer

Africanism All Stars

Verified via Refx

"This is probably the synth that is the most related to the music I produce and the most complete. Everything is there from classic string sounds to the most cutting edge electronic sounds. Nexus also has some really powerfull FX and arpeggios.These guys are incredible!"

Afrojack

Music Producer

AJXJS

Verified via Refx

"I looove the nexus, it has all the famous sounds in its presets and it has an easy and clear setup that's perfect for endless tweaking to get that one sound you wanted!"

Nicky Romero

Music Producer, DJ

Verified via Refx

Nicky Romero speaks highly of the Nexus synth. From his testimonial on refx.com: "I'm a big fan of ReFX products, using the Nexus 2 since the beginning of my career, great to use as single synth, and to stack it up for layers."

Steve Aoki

Music Producer, DJ

Rifoki

Verified via Photo

In this Instagram photo posted by Steve Aoki Feb 2016, he taped his iLok and eLicenser USB keys to his USB ports. He mentions the "nexus key" by name, which is reFX Nexus' eLicenser, implying he uses the software synth.