Native Instruments announces return of classic synth, Absynth 6

Native Instruments (NI) has announced Absynth 6, a revived version of the previously discontinued semi-modular soft synth famous for its organic evolving soundscapes.

Created with Absynth’s original designer, Brian Clevinger, and featuring a “Weird by Design” aesthetic by Aphex Twin visual artist Weirdcore, the update has been “rebuilt for modern compatibility and greater expressiveness”.

Crucially, the Absynth 6 contains new artist presets from Brian Eno, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith and Richard Devine, while a new AI-powered Preset Explorer presents the synth’s presets in a visual map form. The Absynth 6 also offers advanced MIDI features, such as full MPE and polyphonic aftertouch support.

The Absynth 6 is equipped with the Absynth’s Mutator sound generator and a 68-point envelope generator, while boasting “true multichannel surround spatialisation” and “MTS-ESP support for global microtuning and new harmonic systems”.

Speaking about Absynth 6, Clevinger said: “When I originally created Absynth, I wanted an instrument that invited people to lose themselves in sound. Seeing it evolve into Absynth 6 has been genuinely moving. It still has that strange, alive quality, only now with the range and precision to inspire a new generation of explorers.”

An early example of a soft synth, Absynth was originally launched in 2000 by Clevinger’s Rhizomatic Software before being acquired by NI for distribution the following year. It was discontinued by NI in 2022.

Watch an intro video for the Absynth 6 below and find out more from NI here. The unit is priced at $199 / €199 / £179. Owners of Absynth 2-5 can upgrade to Absynth 6 for $99 / €99.

In October, NI rolled out its “next-gen” two-channel Traktor MX2. The company also added stem separation technology to their Maschine beat making and production device.