# Native Instruments

Native Instruments is an Asset Manager based in Berlin, Germany.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Asset Manager
- **Headquarters:** Berlin, Germany
- **Region:** Europe
- **Address:** Berlin, Germany
- **Founded:** 1996
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** native-instruments.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/native-instruments

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Native Instruments develops software and hardware for audio production and DJing. Its products integrate hardware and software for musicians, producers, engineers, and DJs. Founded in 1996, the company is based in Berlin, Germany.

## Sectors

- Media & Entertainment
- Enterprise Software

## Questions

### Who owns Native Instruments now?

Native Instruments is currently owned by Francisco Partners, a private equity firm, which acquired a majority stake in 2021. In April 2022, Francisco Partners consolidated Native Instruments with iZotope, Plugin Alliance, and Brainworx under a new parent entity called Soundwide (per MusicTech, April 2022).

### How does Native Instruments make money?

The company generates revenue through three primary channels: direct sales of software instruments and effects through its Komplete bundles; hardware sales including Maschine controllers, Traktor DJ equipment, and Komplete Kontrol keyboards; and licensing fees from third-party developers who build instruments for the Kontakt platform. Around the time of the Soundwide formation, combined group revenues were reported at roughly $150 million (per Music Business Worldwide, April 2022).

### Is Native Instruments a hardware or a software company?

Native Instruments is fundamentally a software company with tightly integrated hardware. Its core intellectual property resides in synthesis engines, sampling platforms, and audio processing algorithms. Hardware products like Maschine and Traktor serve as purpose-built controllers that are locked to NI's software ecosystem, capturing margin and increasing user retention.

### Does Native Instruments face significant competitive pressure?

Yes, across multiple fronts. In DJ software, it competes with Pioneer DJ's Rekordbox and Serato. In music production software, Ableton Live dominates live performance, while Apple's Logic Pro and Avid's Pro Tools hold large installed bases in studios. The firm's response has been consolidation through Soundwide and aggressive Komplete bundle pricing.

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

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