Absynth 6

[joradn]

Let's also not forget that developers need your support. Without it, R&D can't move forward. I agree with the criticism, but the improvements we're asking for won't magically happen without funding. I purchased Absynth 6 in good faith that these changes will eventually happen. The ball rolls faster the harder we push it.

Totally agree, if we're talking about independent developers and small teams, but this is private equity owned Native Instruments. In this case vote with your wallet, I say. And email them to let them know what you'd like to see, feedback is invaluable to developers.

[j wazza]

You should never purchase software on the hope that they'll upgrade it in future in my opinion. It usually won't happen. And I wouldn't bet on native instruments upgrading absynth again soon when it has been so long since the last one and they've only redone the gui and added mpe and charged $99. They'll be more likely to add meaningful upgrades if you don't buy the nothing upgrades

[Dalle]

Never was the biggest fan of Absynth but the new UI is definitely an improvement and makes me want to give it another go. Finally makes the next version of Komplete worth an upgrade for me, very happy to see NI moving in a positive direction and hope they keep going.

[j wazza]

Never was the biggest fan of Absynth but the new UI is definitely an improvement and makes me want to give it another go. Finally makes the next version of Komplete worth an upgrade for me, very happy to see NI moving in a positive direction and hope they keep going.

If you don't like absynth why would upgrading the ui for a synth you don't like make it worth getting the new komplete?

I do personally like absynth a lot and it's a nice ui but the old ui was fine for me, it's good that they're upgrading stuff but it's quite a small upgrade after 16 years

[DrFolder]

I'm really happy Absynth is back. However I can't figure out how to import library waves like in 5? I have Architecture Waveforms and Absynth 6 doesn't seem to recognise the waves when I place them in the folders? Has anyone figured if this is possible or not?

[aMUSEd]

I'm really happy Absynth is back. However I can't figure out how to import library waves like in 5? I have Architecture Waveforms and Absynth 6 doesn't seem to recognise the waves when I place them in the folders? Has anyone figured if this is possible or not?

I have brought this up too, I hope and think they are planning to implement this as the installer does install the libraries it ships with but the load and save template dialogues for each module are missing. The fact that the factory libraries are being installed makes me hopeful this is just a work in progress rather than something that has been removed as many experienced Absynth users make extensive use of those libraries- I also have the Architecture ones and many others

[DrFolder]

I'm really happy Absynth is back. However I can't figure out how to import library waves like in 5? I have Architecture Waveforms and Absynth 6 doesn't seem to recognise the waves when I place them in the folders? Has anyone figured if this is possible or not?

I have brought this up too, I hope and think they are planning to implement this as the installer does install the libraries it ships with but the load and save template dialogues for each module are missing. The fact that the factory libraries are being installed makes me hopeful this is just a work in progress rather than something that has been removed as many experienced Absynth users make extensive use of those libraries- I also have the Architecture ones and many others

This is a big feature for me and puzzling it isn't included. It expanded the palette of customizable sounds and also lots of fun.

[foosnark]

I wouldn't want some sort of Massive X rewrite

Exactly.

...

One hitch I've found with the modulation system: if you change the name of a macro knob after already assigning something to it in Bitwig, that automation slot is simply not going to work anymore. Turning the macro knob in the UI works but automation doesn't. If I remember right, removing the modulation assignment and turning "active" off and back on in the Bitwig device got it working again.

[jules99]

I have to say, importing third party preset packs is a mess.

1. Absynth all but freezes to a halt if the pack includes 100 or more sounds. After 10-15 minutes, it starts working again.

2. No audition. Auditioning presets seems to be reserved for the factory ones.

3. No AI preset cloud. External presets do not appear in the color cloud either. You only see them when you switch to the old column view.

So, this could be improved upon.

[zerocrossing]

I have to say that my initial thoughts are... not great. I sort of feel like it sounds like the old Absynth,

Eh? it is Absynth. We're on opposite ends of the spectrum here. I wouldn't want some sort of Massive X rewrite, I just don't think upgrades are always a great thing. Sometimes it's some dickhead marking the code like a dog to tell the next chump that hires him he "made a difference". I'm perfectly happy with QOL upgrades like MPE, GUI, Sample editing, etc.

I appreciate the QOL stuff too... but imagine it had a stereo spread for the oscillator unison and granular. A gain effect in the ladder filter models... which should take their algorithm from Monark, instead of whatever it is. An effect chain with 2-3 slots, including options for bread and butter effects as well as the experimental stuff. These are all pretty standard fair, these days, and don't really change the basic personality of the synthesizer.

the clicks and pops I found were/are due to gain staging issues, and as mentioned above some patches like Additive Piano pop because they mistakenly (or on purpose) used the mono settings on the Ring Mod and Effects. Likely the designer was playing single notes slowly etc.

Ah, thanks for that.

[Rivanni]

I have to say, importing third party preset packs is a mess.

1. Absynth all but freezes to a halt if the pack includes 100 or more sounds. After 10-15 minutes, it starts working again.

2. No audition. Auditioning presets seems to be reserved for the factory ones.

3. No AI preset cloud. External presets do not appear in the color cloud either. You only see them when you switch to the old column view.

So, this could be improved upon.

I experienced the same issues.
I was concerned about the freezing because I had added many folders, and the Demo Mode window only lasted 30 minutes. It finished just in time. Absynth 5 finishes in a minute, if not faster.
I thought it all took a long time because presets were analyzed for the preset cloud, but none appear. So, either they were analyzed but something went wrong afterward, or there's an issue with the import process.

[Echoes in the Attic]

Would be really nice if there was a "Generate Previews" function for non-factory patches (on a single preset or library).

I'm glad they kept the overall sound the same for backwards compatibility, and nice to have some higher quality filters. But I'd like to see a little more flexibility in routing, so that for example multiple oscs could go through the same waveshaper or filter. The ones on the bottom row are not per voice so those don't count. Or inter-osc fm, ring mod etc. Would leave the original sound the same but open up routing enhancements. Also would be cool to have allowed multiple effects.

The new UI is cool, especially the new controls are much better. But I do wish they would keep an "Original color" skin. Kind of like a light and dark modes except the OG wasn't exactly all light. But come on the green was cool!

Screenshot 2025-12-10 at 8.42.39 AM.png

[Echoes in the Attic]

And can we start a petition to bring back their old cool app icons?

Screenshot 2025-12-10 at 8.46.02 AM.png

[Touch The Universe]

Can't you modify that yourself, find the icon and replace

[zerocrossing]

I wouldn't want some sort of Massive X rewrite

Exactly.

Adding more effects slots, filter options, stereo spread, etc, isn't a Massive X type rewrite. Developers like U-He, Arturia and Xfer Records add these types of things for free. I'm not even asking for free. The one new filter type they added isn't very good, either.
...

One hitch I've found with the modulation system: if you change the name of a macro knob after already assigning something to it in Bitwig, that automation slot is simply not going to work anymore. Turning the macro knob in the UI works but automation doesn't. If I remember right, removing the modulation assignment and turning "active" off and back on in the Bitwig device got it working again.

I'm surprised there's no way of assigning aftertouch or mod wheel to control Macros... or am I missing something?