Native Instruments, iZotope, Plugin Alliance, Brainworx form new parent company, SoundWide

Native Instruments and iZotope have formed a new umbrella company called Soundwide. The new company has also acquired long-running plugin developers Brainworx and their plugin storefront platform Plugin Alliance. All four companies will now operate under the Soundwide banner. The group has also created a new company called SoundStacks that will focus on research and development around plugins, music-making and creator tools and technology. 

Soundwide is also forming a new Artist Board that includes Alicia Keys, rapper and producer El-P, Noah “40” Shebib, Young Guru, composer Ludwig Göransson, production duo Take a Day Trip and more. SoundWide will look to the board to “provide insight, guidance and new ways of working to foster an inclusive community that welcomes all creators.” 

Soundwide’s new CEO Mark Cattini said of the new venture: “Going forward, we’re asking ourselves: ‘What do our community members need to tap into their ultimate creative workflow and how can we help get them there?.’ By first uncovering and understanding our community’s needs, we can map out our goals and move one step closer to the future of sound. Soundwide’s Artist Board provides a unique opportunity to offer up more seats at the table and collaborate with board members to bring new voices into the conversation.”

iZotope and Native Instruments announced their merger last year when they formed an ‘audio creator group’. By adding new plugin and music tools brands like Brainworx and Plugin Alliance, as well as starting a new company for the development of music-making tech, Soundwide casts a pretty wide net when it comes to market share. Expect to see new bundles and subscription models pop up in the near future – in fact, NI recently launched its own. 

Find out more about Soundwide here.

To celebrate the news, NI is giving away a host of free plugins including Ethereal Earth and Neutron Elements. Download them here.