Steinberg Announces New Open-Source ASIO License and Partnership with OBS

Steinberg has announced a significant shift in the licensing for its ASIO (Audio Stream Input/Output) technology. The long-standing standard for low-latency audio on Windows now moves to a dual licensing model, which includes both its traditional proprietary license and a new open-source option. Developed by Steinberg, ASIO technology addresses the needs of professional audio recording by supporting variable bit depths and sample rates, multi-channel operation, and synchronization, resulting in stable, high-performance audio with minimal delay. The decision to now offer a GPLv3 license alongside its commercial one combines the reliability of a commercial model with the reach and trust of open source. What Does Open-Source ASIO Mean for OBS Users? This change has directly enabled a new partnership, with Steinberg becoming a technical sponsor for OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) Studio. OBS Studio is a free, open-source project widely used for streaming and content creation, developed by a global community. The collaboration means native ASIO support will be coming to the software, a feature frequently requested by its users. With this move, Steinberg extends its expertise from music and audio creators into the world of live streaming. Taylor Giampaolo, Product Lead for the OBS Project, commented on the news: We are happy to welcome Steinberg as a diamond-tier sponsor. The OBS community has been asking for ASIO support for a long time, and with this collaboration, we're excited to empower creators with the incredible functionality and flexibility that ASIO provides. Stefan Schreiber, Head of Strategic Business Development at Steinberg, added: Steinberg's decision to move to a dual licensing model for ASIO has paved the way for shared opportunities, and we are very pleased to be onboard with the OBS community. For more information, visit the Steinberg website. Read More