Native Instruments has officially announced Absynth 6, marking the highly anticipated return of one of electronic music’s most influential software synthesizers. Co-developed with the instrument’s original creator, Brian Clevinger, the new Absynth 6 brings the synth’s signature hybrid engine into the modern era while preserving the strange, living textures that made it iconic.
From immersive ambient pads and evolving soundscapes to experimental textures and cinematic atmospheres, Absynth 6 expands its legacy with AI-powered browsing, full MPE support, modern compatibility, and a suite of new artist-designed presets.
Hybrid Synthesis for Evolving Soundscapes
Absynth 6 continues to push boundaries with a hybrid semi-modular engine capable of combining:
- Subtractive synthesis
- FM synthesis
- Wavetable synthesis
- Granular and sample-based processing
This combination allows producers to design sounds that transcend traditional patches—building entire evolving soundscapes ideal for ambient, electronic, film scoring, game audio, and experimental music.
Key Features of Absynth 6
- Hybrid Synthesis Engine: Layer subtractive, FM, granular, and sample-based techniques to achieve unprecedented sonic depth.
- 68-Point Envelope Generator: Shape motion-rich textures with Absynth’s renowned envelope system, now refined for higher precision and creative control.
- Mutator 2.0: The classic Mutator returns with intelligent preset generation and adjustable randomness—perfect for instant inspiration or evolving a patch into new territory.
- MPE and Polyphonic Aftertouch: Full support for expressive controllers makes Absynth 6 ideal for nuanced, per-note performances.
- Surround Sound & Microtuning: Support for true multichannel surround and MTS-ESP global microtuning opens the door to new harmonic systems and spatial textures.
- Absynth Preset Explorer (AI-Powered): The new AI-enhanced browser organizes presets by timbre inside a visual map, letting musicians explore sounds intuitively rather than scrolling through lists.
- Creative Effects Suite: Effects like Aetherizer and Cloud Filter return with per-effect surround controls, enabling extreme spatial manipulation.
Legacy & New Artist Presets
Absynth 6 includes:
- Vintage patches from Absynth 1
- Compatibility with user presets from Absynth 4 and 5
- New sound designs from Brian Eno, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, and Richard Devine
A New Creative Visual Identity: Weird by Design
Absynth 6 launches with a new visual campaign created with digital artists Weirdcore, known for collaborations with Aphex Twin, Radiohead, Oneohtrix Point Never, and Charli XCX, and avant-garde designer Swarmm.
Inspired by the AI-driven preset matrix and Absynth’s reputation for world-building, the visual campaign imagines surreal, liminal spaces filled with shifting glyphs and dreamlike atmospheres.
A series of rolling visualizer artworks will accompany new Absynth 6 compositions from a variety of DJs and producers, starting with a piece written by Australian polymath HAAi.
Continuing a Legacy of Sonic Exploration
Absynth 6 carries forward the legacy of one of electronic music’s most beloved synths—one responsible for shaping the sound of ambient, IDM, cinematic scores, game soundtracks, and experimental electronic music for over two decades.
With modern expressive features, an advanced hybrid engine, AI-powered browsing, and contributions from iconic sound designers, Absynth 6 opens the door to a new era of sonic exploration.
Whether you’re crafting ethereal pads, designing alien environments, or building intricate soundscapes, Absynth 6 is designed to inspire the next frontier of electronic sound design.
Absynth 6 is available for $199 and is upgradable from Absynth 2-5 for $99. Check out Native Instruments for more.
MAJORHIFI may receive commissions from retail offers.
