Native Instruments

Native Instruments is a Berlin-based music technology company whose products combine software instruments, effects, sample libraries, DJ applications, controllers, and other music-production hardware. Its best-known product families include Kontakt, Reaktor, Guitar Rig, Maschine, Komplete, Traktor, and Kontrol. The company serves music producers, composers, sound designers, performers, guitarists, DJs, and educational or professional studio users. The business originated from the work of Stephan Schmitt and Volker Hinz, who began using the Native Instruments name in 1996 while developing Generator, a modular software synthesizer. Generator later provided the conceptual and technical foundation for Reaktor, a modular environment in which users can build and operate software instruments and effects. Native Instruments was formally founded in Berlin in 1999, expanded its staff, and moved into premises in the Kreuzberg district. Early personnel included Bernd Roggendorf, who later co-founded Ableton, and Daniel Haver, who subsequently became a senior leader and chief executive of Native Instruments. The company broadened beyond synthesis during the early 2000s. It entered digital DJing with Traktor in 2000 and introduced software-sampling products including Kontakt and Battery in 2002. Kontakt became an important platform for third-party and in-house sampled instruments, while Komplete assembled many of the company’s instruments, effects, and sound libraries into a broader software collection. Guitar Rig, launched in 2004, extended the portfolio into software emulation of guitar amplifiers and effects pedals. In the same period, the company developed relationships with Stanton Magnetics and Beatport, connecting its DJ software and hardware activities with established participants in the DJ ecosystem. Native Instruments has generally pursued an integrated hardware-and-software model. Maschine combines pad-based hardware with production software for beat-making and arrangement. Kontrol products provide MIDI, audio, and DJ-control hardware designed to work with Native Instruments instruments and applications. The Native Kontrol Standard, or NKS, supports deeper browsing, mapping, and control between compatible software instruments and Native Instruments hardware. This integration has helped the company position itself as a platform provider rather than only a plug-in or instrument developer. The company reorganized its activities into instruments, DJ, and guitar divisions in 2006. It later expanded through acquisition, including the 2017 purchase of MetaPop, a startup focused on remix licensing. A Berlin works council was elected in 2020. In 2021, Francisco Partners acquired a majority stake. In 2022, Native Instruments became part of Soundwide, a Francisco Partners- and EMH Partners-backed parent structure that also grouped other music-technology interests. Soundwide announced workforce reductions in 2023, attributing them to difficult market conditions, and later retired the Soundwide name in favor of Native Instruments branding. Native Instruments maintains its main corporate and development presence in Berlin and has additional offices in Los Angeles, Tokyo, London, Paris, Shenzhen, and elsewhere in Germany.

Native Instruments traces its origins to the collaboration of Stephan Schmitt and Volker Hinz in Berlin. In 1996 they began using the Native Instruments name while developing Generator, a modular software synthesizer based on interconnected modules. Generator established the company’s interest in software-based sound creation and later formed the foundation for Reaktor, which became one of its defining products. The company was formally established in 1999. During its early expansion, its team included Bernd Roggendorf, who later became a co-founder of Ableton, and Daniel Haver, who later served as Native Instruments’ chief executive. In 1999, the company expanded its staff and moved into its Berlin Kreuzberg premises. Berlin remained its corporate headquarters and principal development center, while the business subsequently established offices in other international markets. Native Instruments entered DJ technology in 2000 with the first version of Traktor. This move expanded the company from electronic-instrument software into performance and digital-DJ workflows. In 2002 it added software samplers, including Kontakt and Battery. Kontakt developed into a broad sampling platform that supported programmable virtual instruments and an ecosystem of sampled libraries. Battery focused on electronic drums and percussion production. In 2004 the company released Guitar Rig, software designed to reproduce the functions of guitar amplifiers and effects pedals. That year it also began a partnership with Stanton Magnetics and Beatport. Native Instruments reorganized in 2006 into instruments, DJ, and guitar divisions, reflecting the breadth of its portfolio and customer base. The company’s product strategy increasingly connected software with dedicated hardware. Maschine paired a hardware performance controller with production software for beat-making. Kontrol products offered MIDI controllers, audio interfaces, and DJ-oriented controllers designed to provide direct access to compatible software instruments and effects. The Native Kontrol Standard helped define the integration layer between compatible plug-ins and Native Instruments hardware, supporting standardized browsing and parameter control. Native Instruments also expanded its catalogue through proprietary software and sound-content development. Reaktor provided a modular environment for constructing instruments and effects, while products such as Massive, Absynth, and FM8 represented different synthesis approaches. Guitar Rig, Kontakt, and Reaktor were complemented by effects, sample libraries, virtual instruments, and the Komplete software bundle. In 2017 Native Instruments acquired MetaPop, a remix-licensing startup. In 2020, employees at the Berlin office elected a works council. In 2021, Francisco Partners acquired a majority stake in the company. In April 2022, Native Instruments became a subsidiary brand of Soundwide, a parent company formed with backing from Francisco Partners and EMH Partners. Soundwide announced workforce reductions in January 2023, citing difficult market conditions. Later in 2023, the Soundwide name was retired and Native Instruments branding was restored. The company’s international footprint includes offices in Los Angeles, Tokyo, London, Paris, and Shenzhen, in addition to German locations including Berlin and Langenfeld.

• 2023

  Soundwide branding retired

  [1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  The Soundwide name was discontinued and Native Instruments branding was reinstated.

• 2022

  Soundwide structure introduced

  [1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  Native Instruments became a subsidiary brand within Soundwide.

• 2021

  Francisco Partners becomes majority investor

  [1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  Francisco Partners acquired a majority stake in Native Instruments.

• 2020

  Berlin works council elected

  [1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  Employees at the Berlin office elected a works council.

• 2017

  MetaPop acquisition

  [1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  Native Instruments acquired remix-licensing startup MetaPop.

• 2006

  Business reorganized into three divisions

  [1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  Native Instruments reorganized around instruments, DJ, and guitar activities.

• 2004

  Guitar Rig and industry partnerships

  [1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  Guitar Rig extended the company into guitar amplifier and effects emulation, while the company formed relationships with Stanton Magnetics and Beatport.

• 2002

  Kontakt and Battery expand the software portfolio

  [1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  Native Instruments entered software sampling with products including Kontakt and Battery.

• 2000

  Traktor launches

  [1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  The company entered the DJ-software market with the first version of Traktor.

• 1999

  Company formally founded in Berlin

  [1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  Native Instruments was established as a Berlin music-software company and expanded its staff and premises in Kreuzberg.

• 1996

  Native Instruments name begins to be used

  [1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  Stephan Schmitt and Volker Hinz used the Native Instruments name while developing Generator, a modular software synthesizer that later informed Reaktor.

A platform-oriented music technology brand combining virtual instruments, sample libraries, effects, DJ software, controllers, and integrated workflows for production, performance, sound design, and DJing.

• Modular music software

  REAKTOR

  REAKTOR is a modular software environment for building, modifying, and operating synthesizers, samplers, effects, and other electronic instruments. Its architecture descends from Generator, the early modular system developed by Native Instruments’ founders. In addition to factory instruments, the platform has supported a user-created library of ensembles and sound tools.

• Software sampler and virtual-instrument platform · 2002

  KONTAKT

  KONTAKT is a software sampler that allows users and sound developers to create and play sampled instruments. It serves as the platform for a wide range of Native Instruments and third-party libraries, covering orchestral, acoustic, electronic, cinematic, and experimental sounds.

• Guitar effects and amplifier software · 2004

  Guitar Rig

  Guitar Rig is a modular software effects processor focused on emulating guitar amplifiers, cabinets, pedals, and studio effects. It gives guitarists and producers a software-based signal chain for recording, practice, sound design, and live use.

• DJ software · 2000

  Traktor

  Traktor is Native Instruments’ digital-DJ software family. It supports computer-based DJ performance and vinyl-emulation workflows and is designed to work with compatible controllers and DJ hardware.

• Music-production hardware and software

  Maschine

  Maschine combines dedicated pad-based hardware with production software for beat-making, sequencing, sampling, arrangement, and live performance. Its workflow is oriented toward hands-on control of drums, patterns, instruments, and effects.

• Controllers and audio hardware

  Kontrol

  Kontrol is a family of Native Instruments hardware products that includes MIDI controllers, audio interfaces, and DJ-related controllers. The range is designed to provide direct physical access to compatible instruments, effects, and production or performance software.

• Software bundle

  Komplete

  Komplete is a bundled collection of Native Instruments software instruments, effects, and sound libraries. It packages multiple parts of the company’s catalogue for producers, composers, sound designers, and studios seeking a broad software toolkit.

• Software-hardware integration standard

  Native Kontrol Standard

  Native Kontrol Standard, commonly abbreviated NKS, is an integration framework connecting compatible plug-ins and sound libraries with Native Instruments hardware and software. It supports standardized instrument browsing, metadata, mappings, and hands-on parameter control.

• 2023

  Return to Native Instruments brandingStrategy

  Background

  Soundwide determined that Native Instruments had stronger familiarity among customers and the wider market.

  Action taken

  The Soundwide name was discontinued in favor of Native Instruments branding.

  Aftermath

  The group continued using Native Instruments as its principal market-facing identity.

  Source

• 2022

  Adoption of the Soundwide parent structureStrategy

  Background

  A new parent company was created with backing from Francisco Partners and EMH Partners to organize music-technology businesses.

  Action taken

  Native Instruments became a subsidiary brand of Soundwide.

  Aftermath

  The Soundwide name was later retired and Native Instruments branding was restored in 2023.

  Source

• 2021

  Majority investment by Francisco PartnersM&A

  Background

  Native Instruments sought private investment as an established but privately held music-technology company.

  Action taken

  Francisco Partners acquired a majority stake in Native Instruments.

  Aftermath

  Native Instruments subsequently operated within the Soundwide parent structure.

  Source

• 2017

  Acquisition of MetaPopM&A

  Background

  MetaPop operated in remix licensing, an area related to the circulation and rights management of remix content.

  Action taken

  Native Instruments acquired MetaPop.

  Aftermath

  The transaction expanded Native Instruments’ interests beyond instruments and applications into remix licensing.

  Source

• 2006

  Reorganization into instruments, DJ, and guitar divisionsStrategy

  Background

  The company had expanded from modular instruments into DJ software, sampling, and guitar processing.

  Action taken

  Native Instruments reorganized its operations into three divisions focused on instruments, DJ products, and guitar products.

  Aftermath

  The structure reflected the company’s broadened product portfolio and customer segments.

  Source

• 2023

  Soundwide announces workforce reductions[1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change · Other

  Soundwide announced layoffs affecting 8% of its workforce and cited challenging market conditions.

• 2023

  Soundwide name is retired in favor of Native Instruments branding[1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The Soundwide corporate branding was retired, with the group returning to Native Instruments branding because of greater familiarity with the latter name.

• 2022

  Native Instruments becomes part of Soundwide[1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Other

  Native Instruments temporarily operated as a subsidiary brand within Soundwide, a music-technology parent structure backed by Francisco Partners and EMH Partners.

• 2021

  Francisco Partners acquires a majority stake in Native Instruments[1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Private-equity firm Francisco Partners acquired a majority interest in Native Instruments.

• 2020

  Native Instruments Berlin employees elect a works council[1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Employees at the Berlin office elected a works council to represent the workforce.

• 2017

  Native Instruments acquires MetaPop[1]Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Native Instruments acquired MetaPop, a startup associated with remix licensing and rights management.

1. 1Native Instrumentsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Native Instruments official websitenative-instruments.com
3. 3Komplete Now is Native Instruments' subscription plan for producers on a budget - Engadgetengadget.com
4. 4Native Instruments launches Komplete Now subscription servicedjmag.com