Steinberg Moves VST 3 SDK to MIT Open Source License, ASIO Now GPLv3

Steinberg has announced the release of VST 3.8, an important update to its proprietary Virtual Studio Technology plug-in framework. The most impactful change isn't a new user feature, but a foundational shift in how the technology is governed: the VST 3 SDK is now available under the MIT Open Source License. The Virtual Studio Technology (VST) format, introduced in the mid-1990s, completely changed how third-party instruments, effects, and processors could integrate into digital audio workstations (DAWs). This move to an open-source model in VST's third generation is a direct response to many requests from third-party developers who wanted a more flexible and open framework. It's a simplifying move that should make life easier for a wide range of developers. Why the MIT License is a Big Deal The adoption of the MIT License is intended to reduce hurdles to integration, simplify development workflows, and encourage more collaboration across the entire audio technology community. The MIT License is a highly permissive license, essentially allowing the free use, modification, and distribution of the software, even in commercial applications, as long as the original copyright and license text are kept intact. For developers, this clears away much of the old complexity associated with the former dual-licensing model. VST 3.8 has been a long time coming. With the introduction of a new licensing model, we aim to simplify access and encourage broader adoption of VST audio plug-ins across platforms and applications. Yvan Gabit, Technical Lead at Steinberg. Further Updates in VST 3.8 Beyond the licensing change, the VST 3.8 SDK also includes a few important technical updates: MIDI 2.0 Support: Interface changes have been implemented to improve overall support for the upcoming MIDI 2.0 specification. VSTGUI Update: The VSTGUI framework, which developers use to create the graphical interfaces for their VST plug-ins, has also received an update. ASIO Licensing Aligns with Open Approach Earlier this month, Steinberg also announced a comparable licensing change for its ASIO (Audio Stream Input/Output) technology. The ASIO SDK is now available under GPLv3 licensing. This is another move toward a more open and developer-friendly approach, allowing developers to offer both proprietary and open-source licensing options simultaneously. This two-pronged approach for both VST and ASIO clearly signals Steinberg's intention to foster broader adoption of its core technologies. Read More