Lost in the heart of Hamburg stands Stein-Berg. It is a name synonymous with innovation in music technology. Have you ever wondered how a small company born in a Hamburg apartment could revolutionize the music industry?
Let’s step back to 1984. Karl Steinberg and Manfred Rürup started Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. It began in Rürup’s apartment. They were driven by a passion for music and technology. Rürup was playing with Inga Rumpf at the time.
The newly released MIDI specification in 1982 fascinated them. Rürup worked part-time in a keyboard shop. That is where they encountered this groundbreaking technology.
Steinberg’s first product was the MIDI Multitrack Sequencer. They designed their own MIDI interface for the Commodore 64. Around 50 packages were sold.
In 1985, they created Pro-16. This was another MIDI sequencing application for the Commodore 64. Karl Steinberg wrote the programs. The CARD 32 interface was developed. It featured MIDI in and out. Pro-16 mimicked a 16-channel tape recorder.
Werner Kracht joined Steinberg in 1985. He developed Pro-24 for the Atari ST platform. The program mimicked a 24-channel tape recorder. The built-in MIDI ports of the ST helped to increase interest.
1989 marked a turning point. Steinberg released Cubase for Atari. Versions for Mac and Windows followed. Wolfgang Kundrus visualized Cubase. Werner Kracht, Stefan Scheffler, and Michael Michaelis implemented it. Karl Steinberg contributed the run-time system M-ROS. Cubase became a popular MIDI sequencer.
Steinberg’s revenue reached 25 million DM in 1999. The company had 180 employees in 2000. However, a planned entry on the Neuer Markt failed.
In 2003, Pinnacle Systems acquired Steinberg. Yamaha acquired them shortly after in 2004. With Yamaha, Steinberg expanded its hardware design and production. They created the UR, MR816, CC, and CI series.
In 2012, Steinberg launched Cubasis. This was their first iOS sequencer. A London satellite office was opened.
Steinberg has received industry awards. Cubasis and CMC controllers have won accolades.
Steinberg acquired the Sibelius team in 2012. They began developing Dorico, a scoring software. It was released in 2016.
Cubase was initially a MIDI sequencer. Digital audio recording came in 1992. VST support followed in 1996. This allowed third-party developers to create virtual instruments.
WaveLab was released in 1995. The VST and ASIO protocols were released in 1997.
In 2000, Nuendo was released. HALion, a software sampler, followed in 2001. Cubase was rewritten in 2002. It used the audio engine from Nuendo.
Steinberg developed apps for iOS. These include Cubasis, Nanologue synth, and LoopMash.
Steinberg defined the VST interface in 1996. It simulates a studio environment. VST has become a quasi-standard.
The latest version is VST 3. ASIO ensures minimal delay.
Steinberg’s innovations have shaped music production. From its humble beginnings to its current status. Steinberg continues to drive innovation. It empowers musicians and producers worldwide. As you stand here, remember the legacy of Stein-Berg. Think about its impact on the music we enjoy today.