About
Soundwide was a music software group founded in 2022 that brought together four leading audio technology brands: iZotope, Native Instruments, Plugin Alliance, and Brainworx. The collective was formed to streamline the experience for musicians, producers, and audio engineers who rely on products across these brands. By joining forces, Soundwide aimed to unify account management, software installation (via Native Access), customer support, and shopping into a single cohesive ecosystem. iZotope is known for its AI-powered mixing, mastering, and audio repair tools. Native Instruments develops industry-standard instruments, samplers, synthesizers, and DJ software such as Komplete, Kontakt, Maschine, and Traktor. Brainworx specializes in high-end studio and mixing plugins, while Plugin Alliance operates as a third-party plugin marketplace. In June 2023, iZotope, Brainworx, and Plugin Alliance were formally integrated into Native Instruments, effectively sunsetting the Soundwide brand. The move was designed to offer users one unified login, a single installation hub, consolidated customer care, and tighter cross-brand product integrations and bundles. This consolidation represents a significant step toward a unified platform for professional music production software.
Key Features
- Unified Account & Login: Single sign-on across iZotope, Native Instruments, and Brainworx accounts, eliminating the need for multiple credentials.
- Native Access Integration: Centralized software installation and authentication for products across all member brands via Native Instruments' Native Access platform.
- Cross-Brand Product Bundles: Exclusive bundle offers and loyalty upgrades combining products from iZotope, Native Instruments, and Brainworx in one place.
- Plugin Alliance Marketplace: Access to a vast third-party plugin marketplace with coordinated sales and special pricing campaigns alongside member brands.
- Consolidated Customer Support: One unified customer care center handling support requests across all product lines and brands within the group.
Use Cases
- Music producers seeking a unified platform to manage licenses and installations for iZotope, Native Instruments, and Brainworx products.
- Audio engineers using AI-powered tools from iZotope for mixing, mastering, and audio repair within an integrated ecosystem.
- DJs and beatmakers leveraging Native Instruments' Traktor and Maschine alongside iZotope effects under a single subscription or bundle.
- Studio professionals looking for cross-brand bundle deals that combine synthesis, sampling, and plugin tools at a reduced price.
- Home studio owners wanting consolidated customer support and a single account for all their professional audio software needs.
Pros
- Streamlined Ecosystem: Combining top-tier brands reduces friction for users who rely on tools from multiple companies, offering a more seamless workflow.
- Industry-Leading Tools: Brings together best-in-class products for mixing, mastering, synthesis, sampling, DJing, and audio repair under one roof.
- Unified Shopping & Loyalty Offers: Cross-brand discounts, upgrade paths, and bundle deals provide excellent value for existing and new customers.
Cons
- Brand Has Been Discontinued: Soundwide as a brand no longer exists — it was absorbed into Native Instruments in 2023, which may cause confusion for users.
- Transition Complexity: Merging multiple account systems and install tools into one platform can introduce temporary friction and compatibility issues during the transition.
- Plugin Alliance Remains Separate: Plugin Alliance maintains a distinct customer experience, so full unification across all brands is not yet complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Soundwide?
Soundwide was a music technology group formed in 2022 that united iZotope, Native Instruments, Plugin Alliance, and Brainworx under a single corporate umbrella to provide a more integrated experience for music creators.
Is Soundwide still active?
No. In June 2023, iZotope, Brainworx, and Plugin Alliance were officially integrated into Native Instruments, effectively dissolving the Soundwide brand.
What products were part of Soundwide?
Soundwide encompassed iZotope's audio repair and mixing tools, Native Instruments' Komplete, Kontakt, Maschine, and Traktor products, Brainworx's studio plugins, and the Plugin Alliance marketplace.
What happened to my accounts across these brands?
As part of the consolidation into Native Instruments, the goal was to unify logins and move product installation to Native Access, so users would need only one account across all brands.
Where can I find the products that were under Soundwide?
All products are now accessible through Native Instruments' website and Native Access platform. Plugin Alliance continues to operate as a separate marketplace with coordinated pricing.
