Steinberg has announced that its hardware products are to be re-branded as Yamaha, as part of a restructuring of both companies’ product development systems.

The first hardware products jointly developed by Yamaha and Steinberg were launched in 2008 – notably the MR816 audio interfaces and CC121 Cubase controller – and as a result, a range of Steinberg-branded audio interfaces and controllers have since been manufactured by Yamaha. Now, with this hardware product re-brand, the companies aim to provide users with a “refined, integrated product experience” that brings software and hardware under one roof.

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In recent years, Steinberg’s UR, UR-C and UR-RT series have provided audio interfaces that range from compact versions aimed at mobile production, to multi-channel studio versions with digital I/O. With the launch of the IXO series in 2024, Steinberg-branded hardware took ultra-portable audio interfaces to a new level, marking a suitable milestone from which Yamaha can take the development and sales of hardware products forward.

With that said, Steinberg will now be focusing exclusively on software development and sales. The new structure will allow both companies to focus on their respective expertise, while continuing to work closely together as group businesses, according to a press release shared with MusicTech.

As part of the transition, the Steinberg-branded IXO12, IXO22, UR22C, and UR44C audio interfaces will be reintroduced under the Yamaha brand as the UR12MK3, UR22MK3, URX22C, and URX44C respectively. Other Steinberg-branded audio interfaces will gradually be phased out.

“This transition is a very positive evolution for the product line. By moving our range of audio interfaces to Yamaha, we are ensuring that they receive a dedicated focus and allow both companies to play to their core strengths,” says Clyde Sendke, managing director at Steinberg.

“It will also ensure there is greater clarity for both our customers and the industry, regarding the respective product lines. Steinberg’s reputation for groundbreaking audio software is second to none and it makes absolute sense for this to be given our exclusive attention.”

Yamaha and Steinberg will both continue to provide product support for the foreseeable future. Find out more about Steinberg and Yamaha via their respective websites.

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