Figure 11
Automation is an absolute breeze. You have a huge number of parameters that you can assign using a simple two paned browser (figure 11). There's also a "Learn Mode" available that makes the process even more painless than it would otherwise be. For completeness' sake we'll take a quick look at the Preferences page
There is so much more to be said about BFD2 than one can fit into a review. The bottom line for me is that if you want absolute control over your drums then BFD2 is the one for you. The sound is superb and lifelike, the grooves are funky and fresh, those things go almost without saying when you're dealing with FXpansion, but what really makes BFD2 a winner is that you can really dig in and make BFD2's sound your own. The possibilities for shaping and molding "your" sound are almost limitless and that's before you even start looking at the extensive range of expansion packs available from FXpansion and other developers.
(figure 12). There are a whole bunch of options accesible through the prefs page and most of them are fairly self explanatory. The thing to note here is again the incredible control that is on offer. If you so desire you can adjust the hi-hat's shank's tightness. I'm not BFD2 is pretty much a "must have" if you want to create realistic and 100% sure what that actually means but I like the fact that I get the choice. attractive drum lines in your music and the price for what you get is more than reasonable. It costs €199 Figure 12 and is available, as previously mentioned, as either a download or in a nice shiny box with five DVDs. There are currently 20 expnasion packs available direct from FXpansion and they range in price from €39 to €109. In addition, and if the supplied grooves aren't enough, there are a couple of Groove Packs available, one of which requires the Japanese Taiko drums expansion. The rock, metal and pop-punk pack costs €35 whilst the Taiko drum pack is €22. Head on over to www.fxpansion.com for more details and to make a purchase.
June 2012
www.WusikSoundMagazine.com
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