Massive X 1.6.1 update (September 2025)!

[EvilDragon]

Did I read somewhere that Absynth was given back to the original developer or something along those lines?

Well, considering the Absynth code contains a lot of proprietary NI code, it cannot simply be given back to Brian, that won't fly.

But there are other sorts of deals that could be cut...

[_leras]

which Reaktor synths will be ported to native.

Monark and Razor are the most popular, it is likely those will happen first...

Hmmmm. They tried this with Super 8 and the VST got discontinued.

Is there anything to suggest a different approach this time?

[zvenx]

Indeed.
I quite like Super 8.
Haven't used it since it went back to solely Reaktor ensemble (i am mostly on apple silicon)
rsp

[Teksonik]

With Absynth,there is always the challenge of overcoming the rigor mortis

Did I read somewhere that Absynth was given back to the original developer or something along those lines?

I don't think it was given back to him. From what I've read in a few places, it simply appears NI has abandoned it, without giving the original developer a chance to take it over again. And he didn't seem too pleased about it.
Steve

Okay as usual my memory was fuzzy. I found this video from Brian:

[Teksonik]

Did I read somewhere that Absynth was given back to the original developer or something along those lines?

Well, considering the Absynth code contains a lot of proprietary NI code, it cannot simply be given back to Brian, that won't fly.
But there are other sorts of deals that could be cut...

According to the video from Brian, N.I. simply decided to drop Absynth which as you are aware they have been known to do in the past.

Personally I hope Absynth is not the synth NI said they're " working on a big update to a much-loved synth product".

I bought the boxed version early on and it remains one of my most regretted purchases.

[EvilDragon]

which Reaktor synths will be ported to native.

Monark and Razor are the most popular, it is likely those will happen first...

Hmmmm. They tried this with Super 8 and the VST got discontinued.

Is there anything to suggest a different approach this time?

Yes, they are doing it in a completely different way, way more manageable. The initial Super 8 plugin was basically a prototype of a framework that didn't quite work out maintainability-wise.

[_leras]

Yes, they are doing it in a completely different way, way more manageable. The initial Super 8 plugin was basically a prototype of a framework that didn't quite work out maintainability-wise.

Well fingers crossed it goes better this time. It's probably quite a bit of effort to do this.

I've always wished Reaktor could export VSTs, and just require the underlying Reaktor product and libraries to be installed for them to work.

It would be fantastic if this work would enable that sort of thing.

[EvilDragon]

You may be onto something there...

[aMUSEd]

Did I read somewhere that Absynth was given back to the original developer or something along those lines?

Well, considering the Absynth code contains a lot of proprietary NI code, it cannot simply be given back to Brian, that won't fly.
But there are other sorts of deals that could be cut...

According to the video from Brian, N.I. simply decided to drop Absynth which as you are aware they have been known to do in the past.

Personally I hope Absynth is not the synth NI said they're " working on a big update to a much-loved synth product".

I bought the boxed version early on and it remains one of my most regretted purchases.

I’m hopeful that it is - it was a big mistake to drop it

[mabian]

Yes, they are doing it in a completely different way, way more manageable. The initial Super 8 plugin was basically a prototype of a framework that didn't quite work out maintainability-wise.

Well fingers crossed it goes better this time. It's probably quite a bit of effort to do this.

I've always wished Reaktor could export VSTs, and just require the underlying Reaktor product and libraries to be installed for them to work.

It would be fantastic if this work would enable that sort of thing.

Actually, it would be great if Reaktor could be used to export full fledged VSTs/CLAPs - something like SynthEdit - that DO NOT need Reaktor runtime nor player to be available...

- Mario

[jules99]

What if they remade KORE?

[Nug Wrangler]

Isn't Super 8 very popular aswell?

You'd think that, but it's not nearly as much as the other two.

Ah i see

[Nug Wrangler]

which Reaktor synths will be ported to native.

Monark and Razor are the most popular, it is likely those will happen first...

Isn't Super 8 very popular aswell?

I think it probably is, but was given away for free a couple times so that’s probably part of it. It’s a bit basic, but (imo) it sounds pretty good.

Yes it does sound very good imo.

[Teksonik]

I’m hopeful that it is - it was a big mistake to drop it (Absynth)

In Brian's video he says that if at any point in the past NI would have wanted to update Absynth he would have "dropped everything and dedicated himself to that" so it would seem that the opportunity was there.

Google's A.I. says: "Native Instruments discontinued sales and development of Absynth in 2022, citing challenges in keeping it up-to-date with modern standards". I don't know how accurate that is but it would seem like three years later that challenge would be as great or greater.

I ran across a video on Absynth 5 from 14 years ago so it would have a long way to go to catch up.

But who knows, maybe it is the "much loved" synth NI claims to be working on now. I sold my license on probably a decade ago and any update would have to be substantial and at a near no-brainer price to draw me back in as a customer.

FM8 is the only NI synth I'd care to see updated. Just modern GUI sizes would be welcome here. Of course there are a ton of FM alternatives so it's not a big deal either way.

In the mean time there is always Rhizomatic Plasmonic from Brian Clevinger if one is looking for a synth that shares some DNA with Absynth.

We'll see what the future holds......

[seangm]

del