Huh, looks like NI is cooking something else than Kontakt libraries after all

No official word yet but at least the existence is all but confirmed: https://www.gearnews.com/absynth-6-native-instruments-synths/

I've managed not to upgrade Komplete for a while but now they might have my money, the bastards. Can't wait!

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Absynth 6 Leak: Is Native Instruments Bringing Back the Cult Synth? Yes!

A Leak and a Website Confirm the Comeback



It really seems to be happening. Absynth 6 is apparently about to make its comeback. A leak from a trade magazine and a Native Instruments landing page suggest that the legendary soundscape synthesizer will be unveiled as early as next week. Wow! After more than three years of silence surrounding the project, this development has generated a lot of excitement because hardly any other virtual instrument has influenced as many creative productions as Absynth has over the years. The animated green graphic and counter on the website leave no doubt that this is a genuine revival.

Native Instruments is Reviving Absynth 6 – Launch Planned for December!

For reference, Native Instruments removed the then-current version, Absynth 5, from its product range in September 2022 with the release of Komplete 14. This was a heavy blow to many sound designers, producers, and synthesizer enthusiasts because Absynth was considered one of the most versatile tools for creating complex and atmospheric sounds and soundscapes. The official reason for discontinuing it was the complex technical adaptation required for modern systems. However, continued demand and a vocal response from the community ultimately convinced NI to revive the cult instrument.



NI Absynth 6 leak in a magazine · Source: synthanatomy

The Comeback of a Legend

What new features Absynth 6 will offer remains unclear for now. However, it is reasonable to expect that NI will present a fundamentally modernized version with new features, improved workflow, and a contemporary user interface, rather than merely carrying out a visual overhaul or compatibility adjustments.

Absynth has always represented experimental sound design and organically evolving soundscapes that transcend classic subtractive or FM synthesis. If NI transfers these strengths to a modern architecture, Absynth 6 could once again become a must-have plugin for modern sound designers – and thus also a statement that even legendary software can be given a second life. As always, we will keep you up to date here, and we are already very excited about the release!

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great.. i tried absynth 4 i think many years ago its an interesting plugin. i hope they also release kontakt 9 soon.. i find the kontakt 8 interface very confusing

 

It would be nice if it could be used without glasses.

 

It's not really a leak, the resident NI support guy confirmed everything last week at GS and KvR.

Funny, Absynth was probably their first 'corporate buyout' even before they were just a bunch of venture capitalists heh. I think I owned it for 2-3 months and they came and took it over and introduced that awesome challenge/response crap..

 

Absynth will forever remain my top contender for "I can intuitively feel this synth is a world class gem, but the interface is so lame I won't go beyond a few presets"

 

Brilliant! As a massive fan of ambient, this was one of my favorite synths back in the day.

 

WHATT!!! Noway!! what a suprise!



It would be nice if Brian Clevinger came back. he's a such an interesting guy

 

Last edited: Dec 2, 2025 at 2:37 AM

This synth was so ahead of its time back then.

It would be awesome if it's true. Time will tell I guess.

 

I hope the devs are aiming for Pigments or better!

 

Great news

 

First Omnisphere and Zebra 3, now this… it’s a big year for monsters and this is definitely in need of a display in the “museum” here it’s the gong we never knew was coming till now… I hope it does more spectral effects similar to Smear/Transfigure and physical modeling stuff to go full circle with Plasmonic

 

Plasmonic was the successor of Absynth. Brian Clevinger left NI and created it. I can't see him come back to NI so to me, it sounds like a cash grab.

 

Doesn't matter, they only need to update GUI resolution and possibly overall quality of filters etc. Hopefully, they will update their whole catalogue. FM8 is also tiny.

 

I think he once mentioned in an interview that he regrets that NI decided at that time to no longer support Absynth.

 

I hope I'm wrong but this feels like stabbing a corpse

 

I hope the developer doesn't mess up the GUI as badly as with the Rhizomatic - Plasmonic (see image)!

Rhizomatic Software Synthesis, founded by Brian Clevinger, creator of Absynth, has announced the forthcoming release of a new synth called Plasmonic. www.kvraudio.com/product/plasmonic-by-rhizomatic

 

I love Plasmonic and it took me longer than most synths to get used to the UI but man the sound from it is beautiful.

I made a couple of sound demos a few years back from just tweaked presets. Fantastic sounding synth:

 

Sweet Girl is still my favourite ever preset.

 

My wishes and grievances of this synth could fill a book because I love it so much, but... if they just revamp the UI and modernise the controller mapping and modulation section, then it's a massive (emm, "absynthine"?) win for me. I still use Absynth quite a bit but the UI wasn't great to begin with and without any touchups since it's very clunky.