In the software world, “discontinued” usually means dead and buried. When Native Instruments (NI) sunsetted Absynth in September 2022, citing the massive resources required to update its ancient codebase, the industry poured one out for the green machine and moved on.
But on December 9, 2025, NI did the unthinkable: they brought it back.
Absynth 6 isn’t just a compatibility patch for Apple Silicon; it is a ground-up resurrection of one of the most idiosyncratic synthesizers ever built. Developed in collaboration with its original creator, Brian Clevinger of Rhizomatic Software Synthesis, the release marks a rare moment where community outcry actually reversed a corporate roadmap. 1
Here is the breakdown of what’s new, why the sound design community is losing its mind, and whether this $199 “bio-algorithm” is worth your money in a market dominated by Serum and Pigments.
The Top 4 Teenage Engineering Synths and Samplers for DJs in 2025
The Tech: From Glitch to High-Density Fog
The headline feature here is the engine overhaul. Absynth was always known for its granular synthesis, but the technology of the early 2000s kept it on a leash. Absynth 6 cuts the chain.
The new Granular Engine increases the grain density scale from a factor of 4 to 32. In plain English: where the old Absynth sounded like a scattered glitch, Absynth 6 can generate thick, lush “fogs of sound” that smear audio into entirely new textures. This “High Density” mode extends to the synth’s signature effects, the Aetherizer and Cloud Filter, transforming them from simple delay lines into complex, spectral resonators that feel alive.
To balance out the digital weirdness, NI has finally added Moog-style Ladder filters (Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, and Notch). This gives the synth a warmth and “fatness” that the previous versions—which relied on harsh, digital comb filters—often lacked.
Crucially for modern producers, the synth now supports MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) and Poly Aftertouch. If you own an Osmose or a Push 3, Absynth 6 is no longer just a pad machine; it’s a performance instrument where every note can modulate independently.
The UI: Finally, It Scales
Let’s be honest: Absynth 5 looked like a spreadsheet from 2009. The interface was a major pain point that Clevinger admitted “nobody was ever happy with.”
Check out this awesome trailer though!
Absynth 6 introduces a fully vector-based, HiDPI-ready interface that scales beautifully on 4K monitors. The workflow has been streamlined into a single-window philosophy, ditching the menu-diving of the past. There is also a new AI-powered Preset Explorer, which visualizes the 2,000+ presets as a “sea of colored dots.” Instead of scrolling through a list called “Bass 01,” you navigate by timbral characteristics—dragging a cursor between “Soft” and “Aggressive” to find happy accidents. 2
Why Everyone Is Excited
The hype cycle for Absynth 6 hit “fever pitch” for two reasons: nostalgia and uniqueness. 3
1. The “Weird” Factor Modern synths like Arturia Pigments 6 or Kilohearts Phase Plant are engineering marvels, but they are often described as “clean” or “clinical.” Absynth has always been “weird by design.” Its 68-point envelopes allow for sounds that evolve over minutes, not seconds, making it the secret weapon for film composers and ambient artists. The return of this specific “organic” character fills a void that no wavetable synth truly occupied.
2. The Creator’s Return This wasn’t just an internal NI job. The involvement of Brian Clevinger, who described the development as “maximum crunch, constant panic,” lends the project serious credibility. It signals that NI is listening to creators rather than just pushing sample packs.
3. Community Validation Reddit and forums like VI-Control are buzzing. Users are calling it “Epic af” and “The return of a legend.” The sheer relief that legacy projects (some 15 years old) will now open correctly on modern Macs cannot be overstated.
Is It Worth It?
The Price Tag: $199 new, or $99 for an upgrade.
The Verdict: If you are a sound designer, film composer, or someone who creates ambient/IDM music, Absynth 6 is essential. The $99 upgrade fee is a steal to future-proof your library and gain access to the new granular engine.
However, there is a catch. If you recently bought Komplete 15 Collectors Edition, you might be annoyed to find Absynth 6 is not included. NI has confirmed it won’t be in the bundle until Komplete 16 drops in late 2026.
Cons:
- No VST3 Support for Phase Plant Users: While it has great innovative features, it doesn’t offer the “build-your-own-synth” modular sandbox depth of Phase Plant.
- Niche Appeal: If you just need a supersaw for a pop track, stick to Serum. Absynth is for deep explorers, not preset tourists.
Bottom Line: Native Instruments has successfully resurrected a ghost. Absynth 6 isn’t just a nostalgia play; it’s a legitimate powerhouse for 2025 that proves some algorithms are too good to die.
- https://cdm.link/absynth-creator-brian-clevinger-on-weird-ass-ideas/ ↩︎
- https://blog.native-instruments.com/introducing-absynth-6/ ↩︎
- https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/its-been-a-real-emotional-thing-bringing-this-back-native-instruments-absynth-returns-heres-the-inside-story-with-developer-brian-clevinger ↩︎
* generate randomized username
- $199? seriously? i remember when this thing was practically abandonware. "Ground-up resurrection" sounds nice, but is it *really* worth that much in today's market? or is this just NI capitalizing on nostalgia? The fog better be REALLY dense for that price.
- >>Acid_Burn then dont buy it
- #1 Lord_Nikon [12]
- #2 Void_Reaper [10]
- #3 Cereal_Killer [10]
- #4 Dark_Pulse [9]
- #5 Void_Strike [8]
- #6 Phantom_Phreak [7]
- #7 Data_Drifter [7]
- #8 Zero_Cool [7]
