Native Instruments Absynth 6: Weird Is Back and Better Than Ever
Native Instruments and the original designer have brought back your favorite weird synth!
4,7 / 5,0 | 
After last week’s leak, Absynth 6 from Native Instruments is finally here. The classic software polysynth gets not only a GUI refresh but MPE polyphonic aftertouch, surround support, and an AI-powered browser – plus new presets from the likes of Brian Eno, no less.
Native Instruments Absynth 6
Weird Is Back: All Hail the Return of Absynth 6
In 2001, Native Instruments gave Rhizomatics’ ground-breaking Absynth a bigger audience, and in the process helped popularize one of the most unique and – dare we say – alive-feeling soft synths ever made. Then, in 2022, NI made the unfortunate decision to retire the soft synth at version 5, ending more than 20 years of semi-modular sound design excellence.
Until now, that is. After a three-year break, NI has re-partnered with original designer Brian Clevinger to revitalize the instrument, bringing it up to date with a slick new graphical user interface and some other improvements while maintaining the tried-and-true weirdness of what makes Absynth Absynth.
“When I originally created Absynth,” says Brian Clevinger, “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.”
What’s New in Absynth 6?
For the most part, Absynth 6 hasn’t changed all that much from version 5. Of course, it looks different, but the core synthesis architecture – a hybrid semi-modular engine that combines subtractive, FM, sample-based, and granular methods – remains the same. It’s still got that revolutionary 68-point envelope generator, the classic intelligent preset generation Mutator section, and effects like Aetherizer and Cloud Filter.
There is something new, too, though. Absynth 6 has modern expressiveness, with full MPE and polyphonic aftertouch. It’s also got surround sound support, with true multichannel surround spatialization and MTS-ESP support for global microtuning, plus new harmonic systems, as well as per-effect surround control in the effects.
AI-Powered Preset Browsing
The new Absynth Preset Explorer is the biggest change. Presented as a visual map, it uses AI to analyze the timbral traits of all the presets and arrange them into a map, much like Algonaut’s Atlas 2 and XO from XLN Audio.
NI is quick to stress that the AI in Absynth 6 is there to support producers, not supplant them. “AI should widen the creative field, not collapse it,” says Andy Sarroff, Head of Applied AI at Native Instruments. “The Preset Explorer listens closely, then gives that insight back to the musician in a way that sparks discovery. It’s a guide, not a substitute for craft.”
Speaking of presets, the new Absynth includes not only legacy patches going all the way back to Absynth 1, and support for version 4 and 5 presets, but new sounds from Brian Eno, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith and Richard Devine, with more artist patches reportedly on the way.
Pricing and Availability
When I first heard that Absynth 6 was coming back, I was extremely pleased. Long a favorite of mine (and yours, too, probably), it’s great to see Native Instruments listening to customer feedback and not just abandoning old software.
Also cool is hiring Weirdcore to create the promo video for the update. Weirdcore, as you probably know, is the force behind Aphex Twin’s modern visual onslaught.
Absynth 6 is available now from Thomann* in both new (€199.00) and upgrade (€99.00) formats. More infos here.
Leak: Is Native Instruments Bringing Back the Cult Synth? Yes!
[1 December 2025 written by Marcus Schmahl] It really seems to be happening. Absynth 6 is apparently about to make its comeback. A leak from a synth 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.
Interestingly, a countdown on the official Native Instruments website and a magazine leak both point to the return of Absynth 6, suggesting that synthesizer lovers can look forward to something special. A release date is also visible: December 9, 2025, which fits perfectly with the idea of a big comeback just before Christmas. Additionally, some sound designers with matching patch libraries have hinted that they are working on new preset material, which is another strong indication that the relaunch is imminent.
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!
More Information
- Native Instruments website
- Leak at reddit.com
- Native Instruments at Thomann*
- More info about Native Instruments
*Note: This article contains affiliate links that help us finance our site. Don’t worry – the price for you always remains the same! If you buy something through these links, we receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
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7 responses to “Native Instruments Absynth 6: Weird Is Back and Better Than Ever”
If thats true my faith in NI might be back!
What fantastic news!
I wonder if NI will release it first as a holiday gift this month.
Very doubtful. They invested a lot of time and a lot of money to create this beast. Previous holiday gifts were either incentives for bigger products (Yangqin -> Spotlight Collection: EAST ASIA, Irish Harp -> Spotlight Collection: IRELAND), already existing products (Glaze) or smaller ones (Hypha).
“Who needs another synth plu-”
“What about Absynth 6?”
“WHAHAHAAA???”
“weird is the new normal” …
that demo is so … yaaaawn
Next stop; Reaktor
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