Spectrasonics has released a series of four new "S.A.G.E. Xpander" expansion libraries for Stylus RMX. The four Groove Control activated Xpanders are based on the Spectrasonics' 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 US$99.

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 literally thousands of 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 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.

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.