Native Instruments has entered preliminary insolvency proceedings in Germany, raising major questions about the future of its music products and creative talent.
The iconic Berlin-based music software and hardware developer Native Instruments has entered preliminary insolvency proceedings, according to official documents and industry reports.
Under German law, preliminary insolvency is an initial process that places a company under court supervision while its financial situation is evaluated and options such as restructuring, asset sales or finding new investors are explored. A preliminary insolvency administrator has been appointed to oversee this phase, which restricts regular management control and signals financial distress.
The news has sent ripples through the music tech community because Native Instruments is behind some of the most widely used tools in modern music production, including Maschine, Kontakt, Traktor and Massive, and has been deeply embedded in music studios and DL setups worldwide for decades.
Reports also indicate that the company’s assets may be sold or restructured as part of proceedings, but the exact outcome is still unclear. Native Instruments has been majority owned by private equity firm Francisco Partners and previously formed the Soundwide group with brands like iZotope, Plugin Alliance and Brainworx before returning focus to the core Native Instruments brand.
Currently, the existing products and licenses are expected to continue functioning, but the long-term future of product development, support, and the company’s workforce remains uncertain as the restructuring process continues.
