db audioware

db audioware is an audio technology company based in Glasgow, Scotland.  The company specialises in professional audio software, particularly the design and build of high performance audio engines and audio plug-ins.

db audioware software is used by musicians, sound engineers, broadcasters and educators; it works around the clock in thousands of studios and radio stations worldwide.

Quality And Value For Money

Since 1997, when founder Dave Brown released the world's first free VST plug-ins, db audioware products have set the highest standards in sound quality and usability.

Early days in the shareware business also established the importance of always providing value for money.

To sustain these principles, db audioware takes advantage of Internet technology at all levels of its business.  From distributed product development to website sales and electronic delivery where possible, online systems help the company's small core team focus on world class audio software while keeping costs and prices low.

The same flexible approach allows db audioware to tackle audio engine projects beyond the capabilities of many larger organisations, and its audio technology has been licensed to several other software manufacturers.

Beyond Audio Software

While still concentrating on audio software, db audioware has expanded the scope of its operations into the related areas of educational software, audio/visual cable manufacture and lighting control software.  These ventures not only provide opportunities for growth, they frequently offer fresh perspectives and exciting new ideas for the business as a whole.

History

1997

In 1997, Steinberg revolutionised the music world with the first release of Cubase VST and the publication of VST (Virtual Studio Technology) as an open standard.  Shortly after this, Dave Brown - db audioware's managing director and technical architect - published the world's first freeware VST effects: TempoDelay, SweepDelay and a simple Tremolo.  Uploaded to a hastily written homepage (imaginatively titled "Dave's VST Plugins") and announced through a short message on alt.steinberg.cubase, the initial reaction was overwhelming.  Overnight, hundreds of downloads took place, and word started to spread over the Web.  Steinberg placed a link to Dave's site on www.steinberg.net, and thousands of downloads followed.

1998

Following a few more free plug-in releases, Dave stepped into the shareware business with his first two commercial products - ProDelay (a tempo sync delay with analog filters) and ProComp (a compressor).  By late 1998 it was clear that this business had a future, and the name "db audioware" was born.

2000

The shareware plug-in market was buzzing with dozens of new developers, prompting the creation of a library of proprietary audio algorithms which were unmistakably "professional" and would make db audioware plug-ins stand out from the crowd.  This library was at the heart of the dB plug-in pack, now known as the DirectX Mastering Suite.  Since their launch in early 2000, dB-D Dynamics Processor, dB-L Mastering Limiter, dB-M Multiband Limiter and dB-S De-Esser have become classic mastering tools, used by thousands of musicians and studios around the world.

2001

In 2001 db audioware limited was incorporated.  2001 also saw the launch of db audioware's first broadcast-specific products, two Broadcast Processor plug-ins for the DRS 2006 Radio Automation System.

2003

The next big thing at db audioware was Quantum FX modular effects system, first released in summer 2003.  Originally conceived as a "bumper bundle of effects", Dave had the bright idea of including the programming environment used to create them.  This turned out to be a hugely significant decision: it opened up the db audioware audio algorithm library to a worldwide community of effect developers and it was the first db audioware standalone application - up till then the company only built plug-ins.

2004

Following the success of Quantum FX, db audioware embarked on a major audio engine project for Sven Bornemark, resulting in Broomstick Bass, a comprehensive virtual bass instrument.

2005

Although earlier plug-ins had run on both PC and Mac, Quantum FX was PC-only, so it was decided that Quantum FX 2 would add Mac support along with a whole range of other features, including Universal Sidechains and MIDI control.  Since then, all new db audioware products have been cross platform, supporting VST and Audio Units as a minimum standard.

Quantum FX had also been making friends in a new area - education - where it had been discovered that the Quantum FX Workbench was an ideal way to teach many of the principles of sound engineering and audio processing.  This in turn led to a long term project to develop dedicated educational software, and the unveiling of the Sounds Active! technology concept at the SAME conference in September 2005.

2006

Dissatisfaction with the quality of audio cables bought for in-house projects leads to the creation of db cables, with a mission to manufacture professional quality audio and video cables at realistic prices.

2007

In its tenth year, db audioware had its busiest new product programme to date.  First out was Quantum FX 2.5.  Next came the launch of Sidechain Compressor and Sidechain Gate, two new plug-ins featuring Universal Sidechains.  Shortly afterwards, Steinberg shipped Groove Agent 3, another major product with a db audioware audio engine under the hood.

The final product release of the year was Flying Haggis, a "rare breed" of virtual guitar amp.

There was product innovation in a new direction, too, with the first DMXIS Lighting Control software package announced and undergoing beta test.  And, in a step beyond software technology, the company produced two online tutorial videos, a new venture designed to help customers get the best from their db audioware products.

Legal Stuff

db audioware limited is a UK limited company, registered in Scotland - Company Registration Number: SC216136.

Contact Address db audioware limited PO Box 10012 Uddingston Glasgow G71 5XA Scotland United Kingdom

Registered Address db audioware limited 91 Alexander Street Airdrie ML6 0BD Scotland United Kingdom

info@db-audioware.com
www.db-audioware.com

db audioware, Quantum FX, Flying Haggis, Universal Sidechains, DMXIS and Sounds Active! are trademarks of db audioware limited.

Apple, the Apple logo and Mac are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.  The Audio Units logo and the Audio Units symbol are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.  Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.  VST and ASIO are trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.  All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.