Spectrasonics has released a series of four new expansion libraries, called S.A.G.E. Xpanders, to enhance the variety of choices for their recently released Stylus RMX virtual groove instrument. The four Groove Control activated Xpanders are based on the company’s Backbeat, Retro Funk, Liquid Grooves, and Metamorphosis collections. A fifth library, Burning Grooves is due to be released in January 2005. Each Xpander comes on a DVD-ROM and is priced at $99 US. The new Xpander libraries are easily added to Stylus RMX’s already massive core library.

Spectrasonics’ number one user request from their previous Classic Stylus virtual instrument was for more acoustic grooves. With Stylus RMX and the S.A.G.E. Xpanders, users can add thousands of incredible acoustic drum and percussion grooves from BackBeat, Retro Funk Liquid, Grooves and Burning Grooves.

Each new Spectrasonics S.A.G.E. Xpander has a special bonus section which has hundreds of interesting grooves from Spectrasonics’ Vocal Planet, Bizarre Guitar and Distorted Reality sound libraries. Every Xpander also includes a unique set of creative Stylus RMX Multi patches that take advantage of the incredible S.A.G.E. (Spectrasonics Advanced Groove Engine) features of Stylus RMX and show the potential of Xpanders when used in combinations with the RMX Core Library and the Bonus section.

The grooves on these Xpanders were produced by Spectrasonics’ Founder and Creative Director Eric Persing and feature numerous top session drummers including Abe Laboriel Jr., Gregg Bissonette, Bob Wilson, Eric Boseman and John Ferraro. They were recorded by Grammy-winning engineers at multiple legendary studios including the Enterprise, O’Henry’s, Music Grinder and Capitol Records. The large scope of this series provides the highest degree of authenticity and variety for acoustic drum performance and recording.

Persing’s signature sound design is evident throughout the series, most notably on his versatile Metamorphosis Xpander, which features a wide range of floating, atmospheric Trip Hop pulsations, experimental euro-club beats, and intense Drum ‘N Bass fury — designed specifically for creative film composers, producers and remixers.

“Grooves and sounds are a highly personal matter,” said Persing. “Every musician has different tastes and interests in what kinds of source grooves they need to work with to fully realize their musical ideas. We’ve opened up the architecture of Stylus RMX to allow our users to expand into different styles, tones and genres such as acoustic drums. The new Xpander series immediately offers a vast array of choices to work with in the powerful S.A.G.E. technology. It’s exciting because these grooves really come to life with features like the Chaos Designer™!”

BackBeat, Liquid Grooves, Retro Funk and Metamorphosis Xpanders are now available through Spectrasonics’ international dealers, The Burning Grooves Xpander will be shipping in January 2005. Each SAGE Xpander is $99US suggested retail price.

For more information, visit the Spectrasonics site.