InMusic will acquire Native Instruments, putting it under the same umbrella as Akai - Engadget

"The music gear super-company inMusic is purchasing Native Instruments. This is a big deal for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the acquisition puts Native Instruments under the same umbrella as long-time hardware and software rival Akai. The US-based inMusic also owns Moog, M-Audio, Denon, Numark and several other high-profile brands."

"Native Instruments owns several popular digital brands like Plugin Alliance, iZotope and Brainworx, all of which will now be run by inMusic. The acquisition also puts an end to the Native Instruments bankruptcy saga, which had left its future uncertain. The company will continue on, which is encouraging for those tied to NI's ecosystem of products. This does, however, create a massive juggernaut in the industry."

"The deal isn't exactly unsurprising. Someone had to buy Native Instruments and inMusic had already partnered up with the company to bring some of its plugins to Akai devices. The acquisition will likely lead to more NI software popping up on stuff like the Akai MPC XL. Native Instruments makes some of the most respected software in the industry, as synths like Reaktor and Massive are regularly used in music across multiple genres."

"There are some questions regarding hardware. Akai makes multiple standalone grooveboxes. We aren't sure where Native Instruments' standalone Maschine+ fits in there, if anywhere. There will also be some major product overlap in the world of MIDI controllers. Akai and Native Instruments both make popular controllers and the same goes for other inMusic-owned brands like M-Audio."

inMusic is purchasing Native Instruments, placing NI under the same ownership as Akai and other inMusic brands including Moog, M-Audio, Denon, and Numark. Native Instruments’ digital brands such as Plugin Alliance, iZotope, and Brainworx will be operated within inMusic. The acquisition ends Native Instruments’ bankruptcy uncertainty and supports continuity for users of NI products. The deal is expected to expand Native Instruments software availability on Akai hardware such as the MPC XL. Native Instruments’ respected synth software includes Reaktor and Massive. Potential challenges include hardware positioning for Maschine+ and product overlap among MIDI controllers from Akai and M-Audio. Native Instruments plans to continue operating normally as the transaction completes, while Komplete 26 has launched with Abysynth updates and expanded instrument content.

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