Native Instruments was founded in Berlin in 1996 by Stephan Schmitt and Volker Hinz. Their first product was Generator, a software-based modular synth, the foundations of which would go on to become Reaktor. Their employee roster soon included future Ableton founder Bernd Roggendorf, and current CEO Daniel Haver.
The year 2000 saw the company begin making products targeted at DJs with its Traktor DJ software. A partnership with Stanton Magnetics yielded Traktor Final Scratch, a software solution that used Stanton's Final Scratch digital vinyl system, where timecode-stamped vinyl records sit on real decks and control MP3s. This allowed DJs to keep the feel of spinning records without the hassle of lugging them to the club.
These days Native Instruments have a range of all-in-one Kontrol DJ controllers, which take the affordability and ease-of-use of their Traktor software system to a new level. Their Komplete production suite is a digital audio workstation (DAW) that sports the company's popular software instruments such as Massive, Absynth, and Kontakt, as well as the company's extensive back catalogue of studio-quality samples and effects. Native Instruments make software music production an inspiring and seamless process.
Photo credit: Ricardo Abreu