Steinberg

About Steinberg

Steinberg is a German music technology company founded in 1984 and based in Hamburg. Known for its music software and hardware, Steinberg develops tools for writing, recording, arranging, editing, mixing, and mastering audio. Its catalogue includes Cubase, Nuendo, WaveLab, and Dorico, covering everything from everyday music production to professional post-production and notation. Steinberg’s influence can also be found throughout modern music production, with the company responsible for creating the widely adopted VST (Virtual Studio Technology) and ASIO (Audio Stream Input/Output) standards.

At the heart of Steinberg’s range is Cubase, its flagship digital audio workstation. First released in 1989 as a MIDI sequencer for the Atari ST, Cubase later added digital audio recording and, in 1996, VST support. This allowed third-party developers to integrate effects and, later, virtual instruments into the software. Today, Cubase provides a comprehensive environment for recording, editing, arranging, mixing, mastering, and scoring.

But Steinberg’s software reaches well beyond Cubase. Steinberg’s range covers more specialised areas of audio production, too. Nuendo is designed for professional post-production, including film sound, ADR, and game audio workflows, while Wavelab provides detailed audio editing, mastering, and loudness metering tools. For composers, arrangers, and music publishers, Dorico offers a dedicated platform for music notation and scoring.

With decades of experience behind its software, Steinberg continues to develop practical tools for music production, composition, and professional audio. So, if you’re putting together a recording setup, working with sound for picture, mastering audio, or writing scores, there’s plenty in the Steinberg range to help shape your workflow.

FAQs

Who owns Steinberg Music?

Steinberg Music is owned by Yamaha Corporation. Yamaha acquired Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH in January 2005. Since the acquisition, Steinberg has operated as a wholly owned Yamaha subsidiary while developing its audio software and hardware.

Is there a free version of Cubase?

There is no permanent free version of Cubase available. Steinberg provides time-limited Cubase trials through their website, while also offering Cubase AI and LE. These compact editions come included at no additional cost with selected Steinberg, Yamaha and third-party hardware.

What is Steinberg known for?

Steinberg is known for Cubase, Nuendo, VST and ASIO technology. Its software is widely used for recording, music production, mixing and post-production. Steinberg also created the influential VST plug-in standard and low-latency ASIO audio protocol.