XPand!2 opens without showing a default patch. It can’t find its factory content. In our case, this was due to a upgrade to PT. The previous version knew the content was stored in a Digidesign folder. Now the content was in an Avid folder and XPand!2 is confused.

Hopefully, XPand!2 shows an error message and asks you to browse for the new content.

If not, I’ve had some success initiated a new instrument plug in on another insert. The new instance will show the message.I’ve had some success holding option-control while adding a new plug-in. [[If you open a session that previously had xpand instruments, don't mess with those. Once you add a new one and set the proper location, you can reopen your session and all your previous xpand settings will be restored.]]

Browse for the new location. Applications > Avid > Avid Virtual Instruments > Xpand2

Choose Xpand2 folder.

Problem: S/PDIF light flashes.

Solution: Evidently the box is set to look for a sync signal on the SPDIF jacks. I looked to the MBox control panel in the system prefs that found that the clock was set to Internal. Hmmm. Still flashing. Open Pro Tools. Switch Playback Engine to MBox. Open Hardware Setup. Clock Source was set to S/PDIF. This setting is intended to be a default cue for new sessions. In my experience, it doesn’t seem to ever work. Nevertheless, I changed the Clock Source to Internal. S/PDIF light stopped flashing. Case closed.

The Aggregate IO option doesn’t appear in the Audio MIDI Setup in either the Admin or Student account.

Solution: Log into Admin account. Boot Pro Tools. Apparently, it had never been opened before as it took its time running through the plugins. After this initial boot, the Aggregate IO became an option.