Introducing Absynth 6 – weird by design | Native Instruments

video upload by Native Instruments

"Absynth is back and better than ever. The legendary semi-modular synth built for evolving textures, immersive atmospheres, and expressive sound – now with new presets, a reimagined Mutator, Preset Explorer, surround sound and MPE support, plus much more."

And a few supporting member videos followed by the press release with images:

DATABROTH

video upload by DATABROTH

"Read my full review here: https://www.databroth.com/blog/absynt...
Join me December 12th at 9 AM PT in the Native Instruments discord as I live stream Absynth 6

check out my wavetables and presets at https://gumroad.com/databroth
join my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/databroth"

00:00 First Patch
01:21 Biolumin
02:21 Crystal Pad
03:14 Glitters
04:25 Refractions
05:41 Patch Six
06:33 Aetherized

Absynth 6 Review is Here: The King of Cloudy Pads Returns #absynth6 #absynth #nativeinstruments"

Ocean Swift / Faxi Nadu
video uploads by Ocean Swift / Faxi Nadu

Grab the Ocean Swift Absynth Collective for a huge expansion of over +780 presets! https://oceanswift.net/product/absynt...

Playlist:

1. Absynth 6 Review is Here: The King of Cloudy Pads Returns #absynth6 #absynth #nativeinstruments

"Native Instruments has finally released Absynth 6! In this exclusive first look review, we dive deep into the completely redesigned GUI, the new MPE capabilities, and the massive library of new presets Ocean Swift helped design.

After years of waiting, the legendary semi-modular synthesizer is back. As one of the external sound designers for this release, we've spent months exploring the new engine. In this video, we break down exactly what makes Absynth special and why the new UX modernization changes the game for sound designers and composers.

We cover everything from the new HD Mode and browsing workflow to the advanced envelope shapers that made Absynth famous - now easier to use than ever.

The King of Cloudy Pads Returns? Finally here!

#Absynth6 #absynth #NativeInstruments #SoundDesign #Synthesizer #MusicProduction #VSTPlugin #newgear

00:00:00 Absynth Is Back!
00:01:16 UX and UI Remake
00:03:15 Revamped Macros
00:04:22 MPE and PolyAT
00:06:22 New Synthesis
00:08:00 Browsing
00:08:27 New Presets
00:09:48 Get +780 Presets!
00:11:13 New Samples
00:13:10 In Love"

2. Absynth 6 - Design a Patch From Scratch | Layers, Clouds, Macros & Note FX #absynth6 #sounddesign

Along the way we explore the unique features that make Absynth special: working with all three layers, using per-layer envelopes, dialing in note-aware effects, assigning macros, shaping clouds and filters, and sprinkling in small tricks and workflow tidbits. By the end of the video you’ll have a clear understanding of how to approach your own Absynth 6 patch design - whether you’re after cloudy pads, moving textures or more experimental tones. If you’re just getting into Absynth 6 or want to go deeper than presets, this walkthrough will help you unlock the synth’s semi-modular possibilities and design your own signature sounds.

Press release follows:


Native Instruments makes things “Weird by Design” with the return of fan-favorite soft-synth Absynth 6

The semi-modular powerhouse, overhauled for a new generation of musicians, featuring full MPE polyphonic aftertouch, surround support and an AI-powered browser

Berlin, December 9, 2025 – Native Instruments has unveiled Absynth 6, marking the return of a legendary semi-modular synthesizer built for creating textures and soundscapes that evolve and breathe, adding new, otherworldly dimensions to your sound. Developed in partnership with the original creator of Absynth, Brian Clevinger, Absynth 6 adds a sleek AI-powered browsing experience and modern compatibility. Absynth’s signature suite of effects and groundbreaking hybrid engine combine granular, FM, wavetable, and subtractive synthesis for sounds that go beyond patches to create entire soundscapes.

“Our very first product - nearly 30 years ago - was a synth”, says Simon Cross, Chief Product and Technical Officer at Native Instruments. “Returning to Absynth brings us back to the heart of what inspires us. It remains one of the most singular instruments in electronic music, and we always knew its revival could only come with the involvement of Brian Clevinger himself.”

“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.”

Absynth 6 represents an evolution for one of the best loved soft synths of all time, one that enabled a generation of producers and composers to create never before heard sounds across ambient and dance music, and scores for film, television and videogames.

Reflecting this heritage, Absynth 6 launches with a suite of presets, created by musicians that best embody this restless creativity; Brian Eno and Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith at launch, with more to be added in future updates.

Key features
• Unique sounds: A hybrid semi-modular engine combines subtractive, FM, sample-based, and granular methods.
• Living modulation: Sculpt textures that breathe and transform with the hyper-detailed 68-point envelope generator.
• Inspiring mutations: The classic Mutator offers intelligent preset generation with depth and randomness controls for instant inspiration.
• Modern expressiveness: Full MPE and polyphonic aftertouch support enables nuanced, per-note performances.
• Surround sound and microtuning: Absynth 6 features true multichannel surround spatialization and MTS-ESP support for global microtuning and new harmonic systems.
• Preset Explorer: The preset library is arranged into an intuitive visual map so musicians can browse sounds by timbral quality, or as a classic browser.
• Mind-bending effects: Spatially bend Absynth’s unique suite of creative effects like Aetherizer and Cloud Filter with per-effect surround control.
• Legacy patches and presets: Explore vintage patches all the way back to Absynth 1, and load your own presets from Absynth 4 and 5.
• New artist presets: From Brian Eno, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith and Richard Devine.

Absynth Preset Explorer
The new Absynth Preset Explorer reflects Native Instruments’ evolving approach to AI: reduce friction, keep artists in control, and encourage exploration over automation. A deep-learning model analyses the timbral traits of every preset, arranging the library into an intuitive visual map so musicians can browse by feel rather than scroll through linear lists. Simple filters let users shape their own aesthetic path, while the system handles the heavy analysis behind the scenes.

“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.”
Weird by Design

The Preset Explorer has also informed the visual campaign for Absynth 6, created in collaboration with digital artists Weirdcore, known for his live visuals for Aphex Twin, Radiohead, Charli XCX and Oneohtrix Point Never; and radical post-internet designer Swarmm. Taking inspiration from the AI powered matrix of the preset explorer, as well as Absynth’s reputation for world building, the hero video transports us to a liminal urban geography, intervened by sweeping glyphs and gaussian-splat renders, conjuring a hidden world of creativity beyond the surface of the ordinary.

Weirdcore will continue to bring Absynth 6’s Weird by Design philosophy to life with the rolling-release of specially commissioned ‘visualizer artworks’, based on original Absynth 6 compositions from a host of renowned DJ’s and producers. Each original track will be paired with custom visuals, with an original track by multi-hyphenate Australian polymath HAAi, with more artists to be added in the weeks to come.

The release of Absynth 6 represents a continuation of a legacy and a passing of the baton, presenting new possibilities of sound creation, and opening the field to a generation of producers, unafraid to explore, and ready to make their mark on the future.

Learn more
Get all the details at www.native-instruments.com

Pricing and availability

MSRP: $199 - €199 - £ 179
Absynth 2-5 owners can upgrade to Absynth 6 for $99 / €99