Designed by Brian Clevinger.
Photo credit: Native Instruments – Youtube
Native Instruments has officially reintroduced Absynth, one of its most iconic soft synths, with the release of Absynth 6. Originally launched in 2000 and discontinued in 2022, the updated version marks a new chapter for the semi-modular synth, developed with original creator Brian Clevinger.
Known for its cinematic textures and hybrid synthesis engine, Absynth has long been a favorite among sound designers and artists like Brian Eno. The new version retains the signature Mutator sound generator and 68-point envelope editor, while introducing full MPE and polyphonic aftertouch support, true multichannel surround spatialisation, and MTS-ESP microtuning compatibility.
One of the most notable additions is the AI-powered Preset Explorer, which offers a visual way to navigate and contrast the library, including new presets contributed by Brian Eno, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, and others. The visual campaign for Absynth 6 was developed in collaboration with digital artist Weirdcore, a long-time visual collaborator within electronic and experimental music culture.
First developed by Rhizomatic Software, Absynth gained a following for its layered synthesis approach—combining granular, FM, wavetable, and subtractive methods. Native Instruments acquired the distribution rights in 2001, with Absynth becoming a staple in experimental and ambient production for over two decades.
Watch the demo below and get the full details on Absynth 6 here.
