Line 6 announced today that the free v2.1 firmware update for POD® HD500, POD HD Pro and POD HD are available immediately for download at line6.com. This firmware update provides five new HD amps—bringing the total HD amp count to 30—as well as revolutionary performance options.

The v2.1 update features three stunning new HD amps based on* the distinctive clean, crunch and overdrive tones of the Soldano® SLO100, one of the most coveted premium amps of the modern era. Two custom-designed originals, Line 6 Doom and Line 6 Epic, round out the POD family's selection of high-gain amps.

Propellerhead Software today announced the immediate availability of the Soul School 2 ReFill for Reason, Propellerhead's award-winning music production system. As the sequel to its best-selling Soul School ReFill, Soul School 2 is an organic sounding and extremely flexible collection of soul loops and samples.

A perfect starting point for song creation, creating new instrument performances with a vintage sound, or adding "classic spice" to any style of music.

Netherworld for Reason or Kontakt is on sale -- 33% off. But only until Midnight, October 31.

....Netherworld features all new digitally created sounds that inhabit the dark places between musical sounds and digital soundscapes....

IK Multimedia Updates VocaLive to V1.5

New Features in VocaLive 1.5:

- Digital Audio Support (use any standard 30-pin/Lightning audio interface)
- Core MIDI Integration for Program Change and Continuous Controllers
(Available via in-app purchase)
- Restore In-App Purchases Function
- New Export via SoundCloud, FTP and Copy
- New Re-Designed 4-track Recorder and Mixer section
(Available via in-app purchase).

Native Instruments today introduced DROP SQUAD, a new MASCHINE Expansion that highlights the deep sound of dubstep and bass music culture. Bringing synthesis to MASCHINE and MASCHINE MIKRO for the first time, DROP SQUAD includes presets from NI's MASSIVE synthesizer which now comes as a free download when users register or upgrade their MASCHINE software.

The 35 kits and 120 patterns in DROP SQUAD contain a host of punchy drums, low-end wobbles, FX, stabs, sweeps and deep basses. An additional 10 special kits add tribal and mechanical one-shots along with many wobbles, drills and synthesized 'vowel' sounds that will be instantly recognizable to fans of dubstep.