Steinberg presented a new version of its renowned Groove Agent virtual drummer plug-in at Summer NAMM 2006. Groove Agent 3 combines an expanded drum library with new virtual drumming technologies to offer a complete virtual drumming solution in one virtual instrument.Among the new features in Groove Agent 3 are two new agent player modules, namely Special Agent and Percussion Agent. The new Special Agent offers modelling of a real studio drummer based on customized audio recordings, while Percussion Agent plays a range of new percussive instruments in a large range of styles. With the new Dual Mode, any two of the three modules can be combined in a virtual jam session, offering more dynamics and variability.

Guitar Pro is a complete fingering charts editor for guitar, banjo and bass. It is a workshop for guitarists of every level to improve, compose or even simply to have some accompaniment. Guitar Pro is available for $59.

Ableton also announced Sampler, an advanced sound-design and sound-sculpting instrument available as an upgrade within Ableton Live 6. Sampler offers fresh sound-design possibilities through its unique processing and modulation options. When combined within Ableton's Instrument and Effect Racks in Live 6, multiple Samplers provide unprecedented depth of control, automation and sonic possibilities.

Each instance of Sampler can host any number of sample zones. Key and velocity ranges as well as crossfades can be defined using a graphical editor. Numerous playback and looping options can also be set up for each zone. Sampler helps with mapping and also helps find appropriate loop points.

Most importantly, Sampler integrates perfectly with Live. Its GUI will be instantly familiar to users accustomed to Live's look and feel. Its short loading times and efficient handling of large-volume libraries provide the sensation of a light-weight yet powerful engine.

Ableton announces Live 6. Like no other Ableton release, Live 6 has opened itself to new creative communities—offering Quicktime video support, a professional multisample library, and customizable racks of instruments and effects. Live 6 also satisfies frequent user requests by delivering multicore support, enhanced project management tools, and improved MIDI control.

With Quicktime video support, Live enters the world of post-production. Drag and drop movies directly into Live's Arrangement View, and monitor the result on a video window or second screen. Then, align music to visuals, and process the movie's audio signal within Live. It has never been easier to improvise, compose and warp music to picture.

The Essential Instrument Collection provides Live 6 users with a comprehensive library of multisampled instruments. The included instruments cover the entire musical spectrum, from orchestral strings and brasses, to classic guitars and electric keyboards, to instruments like the harp and the glockenspiel. Load and play the collection in Live's Simpler, or in Sampler—Ableton's new optional multisample instrument.

Instrument and Effect Racks offer a new level of depth to Live without sacrificing accessibility. Use Racks to create, save and control customized groupings of multiple instruments, effects and plug-ins. Then distribute your creations online. Use the Rack's included knobs to adjust any number of parameters with a single knob or fader. Live 6 comes with many preconfigured racks with both instruments and common processing tools like guitar and bass distortion, drum processing, and mastering.

Live 6 also features a number of exciting changes and improvements:

LinPlug released Octopus, CronoX and Sophistry updates as Universal Binary version for Intel based Mac computers.

Octopus was also further CPU optimised and now uses significantly less
CPU. Furthermore a couple of small bugs have been fixed. The complete list of changes is
- Now for Intel-based Mac computers
- Further reduced CPU load
- Envelopes now in sync even for very long notes
- Improved voice stealing
- Fixed seldom incomplete redrawing when switching oscillators