About Steinberg: Our Vision and Values

2016

In late 2016, Steinberg unveils the second iteration of the Cubasis mobile music production app, boasting a myriad of powerful features. The excitement endures with further large-scale events: Dorico is launched to great acclaim in both London and Vienna. It is the next-generation music notation software conceived and designed to provide easy, efficient workflows for print publication-quality scores.

2019

SpectraLayers is added to the vast product portfolio of Steinberg, offering an innovative way of visualizing and editing sound in the spectral domain.

2022

For many years Steinberg products used the eLicenser system, with its combination of the USB-eLicenser hardware key and the Soft-eLicenser software key. But times change and, in 2022, Steinberg migrates to a new ID-based licensing system. Steinberg Licensing provides customers with easy access and download of purchased software, bringing extra freedom and flexibility to our shared world of audio creativity.

1983

The MIDI standard was still new and computer technology was still in its infancy when Manfred Rürup and Karl “Charlie” Steinberg meet each other at a recording session for a German rock band. Rürup, a professional keyboard player, and Steinberg, an audio engineer, quickly realize that they have a common interest: the possibilities of computers in music production. Both see a huge potential for the then emerging technologies and begin developing the concept for a revolutionary piece of software: the first “MIDI Multitrack Sequencer”.

1984

The two founders start to turn their dream into a reality, spurred on by their passion and idealism. Armed with a Commodore 64 and a self-built MIDI interface, Charlie Steinberg develops a multitrack sequencer. Meanwhile, Manfred Rürup begins using the new program and starts to win over ever more musicians to the possibilities of this emerging new technology. In the same year, Rürup and Steinberg found Steinberg Research GmbH and release Pro-16, the first software product to carry the Steinberg name.

1986

With the advent of the Atari ST, a home computer becomes available that offers both a graphical user interface and a built-in MIDI interface. Using this new computer as a basis, a new software product is born: the Pro-24. The new software offers a range of, for the time, staggering new features: 24 MIDI tracks, professional scoring, quantization (automatic timing correction for “loosely” played notes) and editing for MIDI parameters like Velocity.

1987

The company is re-christened Steinberg Soft- und Hardware GmbH, a name that is to become synonymous with innovation and creativity over the coming years.

1989

Following on from several years of intense research and development, a new product arrives that will define a musical generation. Cubase 1.0 is significantly more powerful than its predecessors, with new technologies allowing a drastically improved graphical display for musical information and a much-simplified, intuitive new way of using the exciting possibilities of the software.

1991

Cubase Audio represents a new milestone in the development of computer-based music production. Audio data can now be recorded directly into the computer. With this development, computers become a real alternative to analog tape machines.

1995

Steinberg releases WaveLab. This powerful and intuitive audio editor for PC quickly becomes the standard application for many audio editing and mastering professionals.

1996

This year sees a development that can only be described as revolutionary. Virtual Studio Technology (VST) is incorporated into Cubase, with Cubase VST becoming the first native software to incorporate this real-time studio environment including EQs, effects, mixing and automation. Using an Apple Macintosh, 24 audio tracks can be played simultaneously with an unlimited number of MIDI tracks.

2000

Steinberg’s Nuendo digital audio workstation enriches the pro audio market by introducing a new paradigm. Using completely native technologies, scalability and flexibility are united with peerless audio and surround features within one application, and Steinberg Soft- und Hardware GmbH is renamed Steinberg Media Technologies AG.

2001

Steinberg presents HALion, the first integrated virtual sampler, at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. Steinberg also releases the Houston remote controller. In December, The Grand is released, a virtual concert grand piano incorporating an intelligent VST-based audio engine; the new product sets standards in sound quality and playability.

2002

Steinberg presents a pioneering new technology: VST System Link. The new technology allows the intelligent networking and sample-accurate synchronization of audio computer systems, and restates Steinberg’s technological lead in professional audio applications. Cubase SX and Cubase SL, the new versions of Steinberg’s leading music production application are presented in the spring of this year.

2005

Although already announced at the end of 2004, Yamaha closes the acquisition of Steinberg in January 2005. From January 21, Steinberg is an independent company within the Yamaha group, and a new phase of co-operation and co-development between Yamaha and Steinberg begins.

2008

In early 2008 Steinberg releases the VST 3 software development kit (SDK). The third generation of the popular plug-in standard offers exciting new possibilities for developers of host applications, audio plug-ins and virtual instruments. Another outcome of the close cooperation between Steinberg and Yamaha is the release of new hardware products.

2012

November, Steinberg establishes an R&D center in London to focus on developing software for the music notation and education markets.

2016

In late 2016, Steinberg unveils the second iteration of the Cubasis mobile music production app, boasting a myriad of powerful features. The excitement endures with further large-scale events: Dorico is launched to great acclaim in both London and Vienna. It is the next-generation music notation software conceived and designed to provide easy, efficient workflows for print publication-quality scores.

2019

SpectraLayers is added to the vast product portfolio of Steinberg, offering an innovative way of visualizing and editing sound in the spectral domain.

2022

For many years Steinberg products used the eLicenser system, with its combination of the USB-eLicenser hardware key and the Soft-eLicenser software key. But times change and, in 2022, Steinberg migrates to a new ID-based licensing system. Steinberg Licensing provides customers with easy access and download of purchased software, bringing extra freedom and flexibility to our shared world of audio creativity.

1983

The MIDI standard was still new and computer technology was still in its infancy when Manfred Rürup and Karl “Charlie” Steinberg meet each other at a recording session for a German rock band. Rürup, a professional keyboard player, and Steinberg, an audio engineer, quickly realize that they have a common interest: the possibilities of computers in music production. Both see a huge potential for the then emerging technologies and begin developing the concept for a revolutionary piece of software: the first “MIDI Multitrack Sequencer”.

1984

The two founders start to turn their dream into a reality, spurred on by their passion and idealism. Armed with a Commodore 64 and a self-built MIDI interface, Charlie Steinberg develops a multitrack sequencer. Meanwhile, Manfred Rürup begins using the new program and starts to win over ever more musicians to the possibilities of this emerging new technology. In the same year, Rürup and Steinberg found Steinberg Research GmbH and release Pro-16, the first software product to carry the Steinberg name.

1986

With the advent of the Atari ST, a home computer becomes available that offers both a graphical user interface and a built-in MIDI interface. Using this new computer as a basis, a new software product is born: the Pro-24. The new software offers a range of, for the time, staggering new features: 24 MIDI tracks, professional scoring, quantization (automatic timing correction for “loosely” played notes) and editing for MIDI parameters like Velocity.

1987

The company is re-christened Steinberg Soft- und Hardware GmbH, a name that is to become synonymous with innovation and creativity over the coming years.

1989

Following on from several years of intense research and development, a new product arrives that will define a musical generation. Cubase 1.0 is significantly more powerful than its predecessors, with new technologies allowing a drastically improved graphical display for musical information and a much-simplified, intuitive new way of using the exciting possibilities of the software.

1991

Cubase Audio represents a new milestone in the development of computer-based music production. Audio data can now be recorded directly into the computer. With this development, computers become a real alternative to analog tape machines.

1995

Steinberg releases WaveLab. This powerful and intuitive audio editor for PC quickly becomes the standard application for many audio editing and mastering professionals.

1996

This year sees a development that can only be described as revolutionary. Virtual Studio Technology (VST) is incorporated into Cubase, with Cubase VST becoming the first native software to incorporate this real-time studio environment including EQs, effects, mixing and automation. Using an Apple Macintosh, 24 audio tracks can be played simultaneously with an unlimited number of MIDI tracks.

2000

Steinberg’s Nuendo digital audio workstation enriches the pro audio market by introducing a new paradigm. Using completely native technologies, scalability and flexibility are united with peerless audio and surround features within one application, and Steinberg Soft- und Hardware GmbH is renamed Steinberg Media Technologies AG.

2001

Steinberg presents HALion, the first integrated virtual sampler, at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. Steinberg also releases the Houston remote controller. In December, The Grand is released, a virtual concert grand piano incorporating an intelligent VST-based audio engine; the new product sets standards in sound quality and playability.

2002

Steinberg presents a pioneering new technology: VST System Link. The new technology allows the intelligent networking and sample-accurate synchronization of audio computer systems, and restates Steinberg’s technological lead in professional audio applications. Cubase SX and Cubase SL, the new versions of Steinberg’s leading music production application are presented in the spring of this year.

2005

Although already announced at the end of 2004, Yamaha closes the acquisition of Steinberg in January 2005. From January 21, Steinberg is an independent company within the Yamaha group, and a new phase of co-operation and co-development between Yamaha and Steinberg begins.

2008

In early 2008 Steinberg releases the VST 3 software development kit (SDK). The third generation of the popular plug-in standard offers exciting new possibilities for developers of host applications, audio plug-ins and virtual instruments. Another outcome of the close cooperation between Steinberg and Yamaha is the release of new hardware products.

2012

November, Steinberg establishes an R&D center in London to focus on developing software for the music notation and education markets.

2016

In late 2016, Steinberg unveils the second iteration of the Cubasis mobile music production app, boasting a myriad of powerful features. The excitement endures with further large-scale events: Dorico is launched to great acclaim in both London and Vienna. It is the next-generation music notation software conceived and designed to provide easy, efficient workflows for print publication-quality scores.

2019

SpectraLayers is added to the vast product portfolio of Steinberg, offering an innovative way of visualizing and editing sound in the spectral domain.

Welcome To Steinberg

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Our Vision and Values

Milestones in Steinberg's History

2022

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