Propellerhead Software has announced the release of Reason 2.0. On the menu, more "machines" (Malström, NN-XT), more sounds (Orkester library), more power (detachable sequencer, OS X and multi-processors supports).

Based on a user which assists to a DP3 beta demo by Magic Dave in the US, here are some great new functions:

- a maintain click on the wiper, combined with a vertical move of the mouse, cause an horizontal zoom of the current view (as Nuendo does)
-improved soundbites and file managements
-illimited undos (saved with the project)
-memory snapshots of the current session, for making different versions, remixes, etc.
-remember the state of plugin's laying out
(order) for future use
-WAV and REX import/export ?
-some new surround plugins
-still not os-x compliant... (grrr...)
-improved MIDI editing (note trim by the head)
-sequencer stopped, you can match a tempo by hitting a key on your keyboard (as Cakewalk did)
Just for the word of mouth, Danny Elfmann (famous film score composer) is a fervent dp user, from the beginning...

Waves has release the TDM/RTAS/VST/MAS update of their famous bundle suite. Here are some improvements:
-better ressource management
-multi-processor support
-more plugs support higher sample frequencies (96kHz)
-automation support with Digital Performer
-best control surface support for realtime plugin settings (except with Digital Performer)
The update is free to v 3.x owner.

Kind Of Loud is working on Smart Code Pro for HD systems.
The 3 versions will be ported (DTS DVD, DTS CD and Dolby), but will only be usable at the sampling frequency of 48kHz. KOL doesn't plan to port the brilliant RealVerb, arguing a too high CPU preocessing beyond 48kHz (whereas other, like the reverb one, can do it, with the use of astute algorythm). Release planned at the end of 2002.

IK Multimedia launches its new plugin, Amplitube, a guitar amp simulator, and also a guitar fx processor. 1260 combinations of settings are possible, 200 presets, 10 fx types, and also a mic modeler function.
The plugs are compatible withHTDM/RTAS/VST. MAS support is coming soon.