Avid Pro Audio Community

Avid Pro Audio Community

How to Join & Post  •  Community Terms of Use  •  Help Us Help You

Knowledge Base Search  •  Community Search  •  Learn & Support


Avid Home Page

Go Back   Avid Pro Audio Community > Pro Tools Software > Getting Started

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-14-2022, 07:27 AM
markcofano markcofano is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Boise
Posts: 2
Default Expand!2 Plugin missing on Windows

I am new to DAWs but very experienced technically. I paid for an intro to another DAW and found that it freezes and crashes constantly. I have spent hours trying to remedy that problem.

I have downloaded and installed Avid Protools Intro on my Windows 10 computer. I am unable to follow the tutorials. The program reports that the "Expand" plugin is not available.

I have searched the web, the avid website and the forum. I have been unable to find a way to download it and then install it.

The most recent post is:

https://avid.secure.force.com/pkb/ar...rom-a-Template

It suggests that I open the Avid Market place, navigate to plugins and download Expand. This plugin is not listed.

I have looked at many other posts dating back to 2011.

My hope is that I can get started with AVID and at least run tutorials without a massive investment of time.

Thanks in advance for any other assistance.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-14-2022, 01:12 PM
junkgear's Avatar
junkgear junkgear is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 1,897
Default Re: Expand!2 Plugin missing on Windows

Hello and welcome to the forum. You can install Xpand! 2 from your Avid Account.

1.) Go to Avid.com
2.) Click on the Sign-In link at the top of the page and log into your account.
3.) In your account page, click on the View My Products link.
4.) In the My Products tab, you should see a list of your products. Click on Pro Tools Intro to expand the product section.
5.) Click on 'VIEW Software Download Links & Product Details' to expand the list of downloadable products.
6.) Scroll down to the 'Additional Plugins & Content' section, where you will find the installer for Xpand! 2.
__________________
Will

System Details
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-14-2022, 03:27 PM
unkJE's Avatar
unkJE unkJE is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 2,977
Default Re: Expand!2 Plugin missing on Windows

Quote:
Originally Posted by junkgear View Post
Hello and welcome to the forum. You can install Xpand! 2 from your Avid Account ... where you will find the installer for Xpand! 2.
(Unzip to Desktop) Xpand!2 18.1 Installer (Win) 1.23 GB

Right-click on ‘AIR Xpand!2 Setup’ (Application) and select 'Run as administrator'

Default location for Xpand!2 Content:
C:\Program Files\AIR Music Technology
Click the Change… button (above the Cancel button) if you want to install Xpand!2 Content to an external drive

2 Folders are installed:
‘Xpand2’ has the Content (Xpand2.big)
If you double-click ‘Factory Content’ and its subsequent Folders:
C:\Program Files\AIR Music Technology\Factory Content\Track Presets\Avid\AIR Instruments Bundle\Xpand!2
... the last Folder is empty, so, go to:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins

At this stage, for good 'house-keeping' - create 2 Folders within the Plug-Ins Folder - name them:
Avid
and
AIR Music Technology
When you buy more plug-ins, create a new Folder for each Manufacturer.
In Pro Tools Preferences > Display
select: Organize Plug-In Menus By: 'Category & Manufacturer' - which sure makes finding plug-ins a lot easier

Move Xpand!2 from
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins
to
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins\AIR Music Technology
with all your other AIR Music Technology Plug-Ins


double-click:
Xpand!2.aaxplugin
double-click:
Contents Folder
double-click:
Factory Presets Folder

Copy the Xpand!2 Folder
Paste it here:
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Pro Tools\Plug-In Settings

Restart computer
Launch Pro Tools
__________________
Pro Tools Studio 2024.3 * SSL UC-1 * Digidesign Command 8 * M-Audio Axiom Pro 49 * PreSonus Speakers & Monitor Station V2

Last edited by unkJE; 11-14-2022 at 04:11 PM. Reason: Welcome - you'll find most plug-ins are radically easier to install!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-14-2022, 07:31 PM
markcofano markcofano is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Boise
Posts: 2
Default Re: Expand!2 Plugin missing on Windows

Junkgear

I followed all of your very detailed instructions. After rebooting my computer, I was able to launch Expand from the Piano menu. Thanks!

I do not wish to take any more your time. I do have a follow-up question. If it is not inconvenient, please advise:

In the my AVID account next to the Expand Plugin, there is another downloadable asset... "AVID Loopmaster Sample Pack."

-- is this something that I need?
-- is the download / unpacking process similar
-- does the convention you proposed about locating plugins within a manufacturer folder apply to this asset as well?

Many thanks. I am grateful for your help and hope that you receive help from others when you need it!

Mark Cofano
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-15-2022, 07:46 AM
unkJE's Avatar
unkJE unkJE is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 2,977
Default Re: Expand!2 Plugin missing on Windows

Quote:
Originally Posted by markcofano View Post
...In the my AVID account next to the Expand Plugin, there is another downloadable asset... "AVID Loopmaster Sample Pack."
-- is this something that I need?
Though not essential, you might want to download, install and listen to this Loops package, to see if any of it appeals to you.
Loops can be useful, even if you don’t use them in your songs.
As a catalyst, they can help you come up with ideas that just needed some “encouragement” to materialise, especially when you’re stuck for ideas.
I shy away from outright plagiarism, even when it’s allowed. As opposed to “stealing a lick”, it’s way cooler, cleverer and far more satisfying to just “plagiarise the mood”!


Quote:
Originally Posted by markcofano View Post
-- is the download / unpacking process similar
Before installing any Program, right-click on it and select ‘Properties’
Click the ‘Compatibility’ tab
Under ‘Settings’ - tick ‘Run the program as administrator’
Hit ‘Apply’ button
Hit ‘OK’ button
Double-click Program to install it


Quote:
Originally Posted by markcofano View Post
-- does the convention you proposed about locating plugins within a manufacturer folder apply to this asset as well
The default location for ‘AVID Loopmaster Sample Pack’ is:
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Pro Tools\Sound Libraries\Loopmaster
Many prefer to use an external SSD for Samples.
Whatever letter your drive starts with (for example, let’s say it's ‘E’), the path for Structure by AIR Music Technology would then be:
E:\Sound Libraries\AIR Music Technology\AIR Content\Structure

Hope that helps!

Setting up Xpand!2 with 1 Instrument Track and 4 separate MIDI Tracks:
https://youtu.be/eCmk1vk9aKw

https://avid.secure.force.com/pkb/ar...-Out-of-Xpand2
__________________
Pro Tools Studio 2024.3 * SSL UC-1 * Digidesign Command 8 * M-Audio Axiom Pro 49 * PreSonus Speakers & Monitor Station V2

Last edited by unkJE; 11-17-2022 at 03:35 AM. Reason: better inglish
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-17-2022, 03:19 AM
unkJE's Avatar
unkJE unkJE is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 2,977
Default Re: Expand!2 Plugin missing on Windows

Xpand!2 - use 4 Instrument Tracks for separate control

Thanks to Russ Hughes from Pro Tools Expert for these tips from 2011 onwards:
Give each track its own MIDI channel (channels 1 to 4)

Control Automation with Encoder – set 4 Encoders to CC111, CC112, CC113, CC114.

Right-click on any LEVEL Fader – select Learn MIDI CC

Do even more with one instance of Xpand2 by using automation:
https://vimeo.com/channels/protoolse...usive/37422751

Connoisseur’s Crash Course:
Xpand!2 - by Your Home Recording

Pro Tools First Tutorial (Part 4) – Xpand!2 Virtual Instruments
https://youtu.be/eCmk1vk9aKw
__________________
Pro Tools Studio 2024.3 * SSL UC-1 * Digidesign Command 8 * M-Audio Axiom Pro 49 * PreSonus Speakers & Monitor Station V2
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Expand 2 missing after fresh install jeff5x0 Virtual Instruments 1 02-22-2018 08:23 PM
Bypass Plugin from Expand Module StonehengeX Avid S4/S6 1 06-03-2016 04:42 PM
My keyboard out of tune when using Expand plugin. wcolombo 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Win) 1 09-30-2012 08:16 AM
missing expand .dat file Dtrain Virtual Instruments 5 09-06-2008 12:24 PM
Expand! missing BoTTMaster Pro Tools M-Powered (Mac) 1 10-19-2006 10:15 AM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:05 PM.


Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited. Forum Hosted By: URLJet.com