FXpansion has launched Geist2 (http://tinyurl.com/jsakrgb), an update of its $199 sound-sculpting and beat production system with streamlined sample manipulation, arrangement, and modulation capabilities for intuitive and accelerated workflow.
It’s available for Mac OS X (10.9 or higher) and Windows (7 SP1 or higher), as 64-bit only AAX, 32- and 64-bit AU and VST — and as standalone versions. Geist2 is a step-sequencer and sample-based drum machine realized in software. It offers a way to build beats. Grooves and rhythms can be performed and programmed faster in version 2.
For slicing longer loops, the refined Slicer in the upgrade combined with up to 64 pads allows for fast, non-destructive chopping of beats with automatic pattern extraction. This makes it quicker to create custom loops. Existing Geist owners can upgrade to Geist2 for $99.