The Steinberg Story

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 the 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. This first version established Cubase as the often copied but never equaled standard for user-friendliness.

1990

Cubase becomes available for the highly popular Apple Macintosh, establishing a Steinberg ethos of cross-platform compatibility that remains to this day.

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.

1992

Cubase for Windows completes the Steinberg product family, and Cubase becomes the first sequencer to be available on all three of the important computer platforms simultaneously.

1994

With the aid of special DSP cards, it becomes possible to compute digital audio effects on a standard computer. Steinberg founds the Spectral Design GmbH company to develop plug-in effects.

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.

1997

Cubase VST is introduced for PC. VST and ASIO are released as open standards that allow third-party manufacturers to develop plug-ins and audio hardware, marking the beginning of a long-term commitment by Steinberg to open platforms and technologies.

1999

As a market leader in the development of professional music software, Steinberg enters the consumer market. The new product “creative tools” line allows just about anyone to enjoy music in a creative way. Version 2.0 of the VST standard marks the second phase of the VST revolution with the advent of virtual instrument plug-ins for the VST environment. ASIO 2.0 and remote control allow even better integration of hardware and software.

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: Nuendo. Steinberg Soft- und Hardware GmbH is renamed Steinberg Media Technologies AG.

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. Other new products in 2002 include Warp VST, a virtual guitar amp plug-in and a new 4.0 version of WaveLab.

2003

Steinberg announces its acquisition by Pinnacle Systems in January 2003. Steinberg continues to develop professional solutions for audio and music production as an independent business unit, “The Audio Group of Pinnacle Systems”. New products are announced at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, including the innovative new Xphraze phrase synthesizer, HALion 2.0 as well as the Groove Agent virtual drummer. Cubase SX2 and Nuendo 2.0 mark two new milestones in the development of these award-winning products.

2004

Steinberg launches the Steinberg Media Solutions product line with the introduction of Cubase System|4 at the beginning of 2004, which is extended by the release of Cubase System|2 in the spring of the same year. Steinberg celebrates its 20th anniversary at the Frankfurt Musikmesse; at the prestigious mipa awards hosted at Musikmesse, Steinberg receives a record six awards. WaveLab 5, HALion 3, Cubase SX3, Nuendo 3 and the Nuendo DTS Encoder are all released in 2004.

2005

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

2006

Steinberg publishes a new generation of Cubase. Cubase 4 and Cubase Studio 4 offer exciting new technologies, and represent the first products worldwide to offer the latest VST3 technology.

2007

Steinberg presents a new member of the family at Frankfurt Musikmesse 2007: Sequel. The new entry-level software provides easy-to-use Steinberg audio technology to new customers who have no experience of music production using a computer. Cubase 4 wins two important awards at Musikmesse 2007.

2008

The Software Development Kit (SDK) for VST3, the latest generation of the VST audio software interface standard, is launched at the beginning of the year, offering new capabilities to developers of host applications, audio plug-ins and virtual instruments. Over the summer months Steinberg releases Sequel 2, the second version of the easy-to-use music studio, featuring exciting new features for music production and live performance. Showered with accolades after only a couple of months of being on the market, the new MR816 X and MR816 CSX FireWire interfaces and the CC121 USB controller pique the interest of Steinberg users and prospects alike. Featuring the Advanced Integration technology, the innovative hardware combines with Cubase 4.5 to provide an all-around system solution.

2009

Steinberg celebrates its 25th anniversary and unveils the fifth version of its flagship Cubase at the NAMM Show in January, getting the year off to a good start.