FXpansion is one of the world's leading developers of audio instruments and effects for software platforms, winning numerous awards and inspiring a devoted userbase. All FXpansion major products are available for VST, AudioUnit and RTAS and AAX platforms with the company also expanding into Reason Rack Extension and iOS environments. Every product released since the company was founded in 1999, from the AU/RATS/VST-wrappers to BFD to the D:CAM synths, has pushed the boundaries of audio software, introducing fresh and innovative new ideas that are musically useful.
BFD 3
BFD has been a go-to solution for extremely realistic virtual drums in top studios around the world since its initial release in 2003. With version 3, BFD introduces 7 brand new kits recorded in 2 different locations which span a wide range of genres and styles. You will find expertly crafted, dedicated rock, metal, jazz and brush kits straight out of the box, as well as more exotic and experimental kits, thanks to the powerful onboard synth and effects engines. BFD3 also improves on the detail compared to previous versions, all while requiring less disk space. Newly developed tom resonance and cymbal swell modelling makes performances more realistic than ever.
The new browser makes finding kits, individual pieces or grooves easier and faster, and the general workflow improvements along with a faster, more efficient audio engine all make BFD a breeze to use, despite its complexity. The user interface can now be freely resized and extended to take advantage of larger screens, and the addition of new effects such as the algorithmic reverb and the EnvShaper from the popular DCAM-series add more life and dynamic precision to any production.
You will also find a wide range of mix-ready presets which can be loaded and saved independently from kits and grooves. Speaking of grooves, the fully editable improved groove engine will have you sounding like a pro drummer in next to no time, and if you're lacking in inspiration you can rely on the talents of notarieties like Steve Ferrone, Brooks Wackerman, Bobby Jarzombek, Peter Erskine and Stanton Moore, which have all provided grooves courtesy of Platinum Samples. The Groove Editor even includes a new Rudiments tool for creating ultra realistic grooves.
BFD3 supports VST, AU and AAX plugin formats and also works as a standalone application.
Geist 2
To call Geist a drum machine would be outright insulting. Think of Geist as a complete sampling rhythm production environment tailored towards groove production. It's a powerful sampler, re-sampler, slicer, step-sequencer, real time sequencer, effects unit, and much, much more. With Geist, you decide whether to use existing samples, or record directly to its pads. There's even a retro-capture mode for those times when you wish you'd hit record. With Geist, you're not just sequencing sounds and patterns, but even entire scenes. And with the integrated song mode, you may never have to leave the Geist interface to complete your production.
If you like to mangle and create your own sounds, you will love Geist's ability to sculpt and layer samples as well as the comprehensive selection of high-quality and re-sampleable effects, which include new algorithms from the acclaimed Bloom and Maul plug-ins. Add to this the Zynaptiq ZTX time-stretch/pitch-shift engine, and you'll be hard pressed to run out of creative options. The intuitive TransMod modulation and parameter step-automation breathes life into your performances with extreme ease and – not to mention – fun! Geist sports an intelligent built-in browser that sorts relevant stuff for you on the fly (if you want it to), and there's full MIDI and/or audio export for inter-app compatibility.
Geist fully supports Retina and 4K- monitors with its completely scalable interface and comes with more than 2.5 GB of material courtesy of Splice Sounds. It will run as AAX (64-bit only), 32/64-bit VST, AU and Standalone