Native Instruments Komplete 26 Is Here, and Absynth Is Finally Back

Native Instruments Komplete 26 Is Here, and Absynth Is Finally Back

Quick Reads

• Native Instruments Komplete 26 launches at Superbooth 2026 as the brand’s biggest bundle.
• Fan-favourite Absynth 6 returns as a semi-modular synth for evolving textures.
• Over 190 instruments and 180,000+ sounds are packed across four paid tiers.
• iZotope and Brainworx mixing tools now make Komplete 26 a full production suite.
• Pricing runs from $99 (Select) to $1,949 (Collector’s Edition), with update discounts available.

Native Instruments Komplete 26 is officially here, and producers everywhere are paying close attention. The company dropped this major release at Superbooth 2026, and it is already turning heads. Native Instruments has also switched from incremental numbering to the year as the model identifier, signaling a more regular update cadence going forward.

The biggest story is the return of Absynth. Absynth 6, the semi-modular synthesizer known for evolving textures and complex pads, is back in the Komplete lineup for the first time in years. For longtime users, that is a big deal. The synth was long absent, and its reappearance finally fills a gap many producers noticed.

Beyond Absynth, Native Instruments Komplete 26 is stacked across every tier. The bundle now brings together over 190 instruments and effects with more than 180,000 sounds, including professional mixing tools from iZotope and Brainworx. Additionally, new sampled instruments include Claire, a grand piano recorded at Galaxy Studios on a Fazioli F308, and Noire, a second grand piano addition.

Furthermore, the mixing tools are no longer an afterthought. Ozone 12 Elements handles mastering, Nectar 4 Elements covers vocals, and bx_console AMEK 200 provides console emulation inside the bundle. That turns Komplete 26 into a genuine end-to-end production environment.

The Collector’s Edition is where things get extravagant. It tops out at over 340 products and more than 180,000 sounds, growing by 69 new instruments, effects, and expansions in this version alone. Meanwhile, the Collector’s Edition update price sits at $399 for existing Komplete 15 users.

For producers who work with NKS-compatible hardware controllers, there is even more to appreciate. Komplete 26 works with Kontrol keyboards and Maschine hardware, and supports controllers from Arturia, Akai Professional, Novation, Korg, Nektar, and M-Audio. Native Instruments Komplete 26 is available in four versions: Select ($99), Standard ($549), Ultimate ($1,249), and Collector’s Edition ($1,949). Additionally, a Komplete Now subscription starts at just $9.99 per month for those who prefer cloud access.