On May 26, 2025, the international audio community lost one of its most dedicated representatives with the passing of Gerhard Steinke. He was one of the most prominent figures in audio development in the German-speaking world and beyond. For decades, he shaped the development of recording studio technology, acoustics, electroacoustic music, and sound quality in radio and television with his intellectual curiosity, practical experience, international vision, and human warmth. He was a sound engineer, researcher, teacher, developer, consultant—and for many of us, a true role model.

His professional career began in 1947 at Landessender Dresden. There he worked with the great orchestras of his hometown, the Staatskapelle Dresden and the Dresdner Philharmonie, still in the analog age of radio production. During these influential years, he developed a profound understanding of musical and technical requirements that would have a decisive influence on his later work. After studying communications engineering at the Technical University of Dresden and spending his early career in the field, he moved to RFZ in Berlin-Adlershof, the GDR's central development institute for broadcasting technology, in 1953. There, in 1956, he founded a laboratory for “Acoustic-Musical Frontier Problems,” which dealt with room acoustics, subjective hearing tests, and experimental sound design. It was a pioneering approach to consistently combine the technical, artistic, and acoustic aspects of sound production. This led to the development of the so-called Subharchord, a subharmonic synthesizer for electroacoustic music, which was successfully used in studios and broadcasting stations. At the same time, Gerhard Steinke was involved in a leadership role in the introduction of stereophonic radio broadcasting in the GDR, as well as in the development of the directional sound reinforcement system Deltastereofonie (DSS), which was used in concert halls and open-air arenas.

In the 1960s, Gerhard increasingly focused his activities on the international stage, initially with standardization projects at the former OIRT, later at ITU-R (formerly CCIR), where, as long-standing chairman of the WP10C working group, he played a key role in the development of standards for multichannel technology, quality evaluation, and studio acoustics. Even during the GDR era, he maintained close professional contacts with West German and European broadcasting institutions such as ARD, IRT, BBC, and the EBU. His entertaining and informative lectures were highly regarded throughout Europe and always well attended. With his engaging, communicative, and cheerful manner, he was a valued discussion partner in international committees and working groups.

Despite (or perhaps because of) his work in divided Germany, Gerhard Steinke was an active bridge builder. I remember our first meeting at an ITU conference in Geneva: he was from the GDR, I was from the FRG – political barriers played no role in our collaboration. We agreed on professional matters and got along well on a personal level. We were united by the same compass: an uncompromising focus on quality, clarity, and the common goal of improving hearing and acoustic design. Our evening conversations at international conferences, which should not have been possible under the restrictive conditions of the time, were a source of mutual inspiration for both of us.

One of Gerhard's central concerns was always the practical applicability and comprehensibility of standards. He kept the benefits for producers, recipients, and technicians in mind. I would like to mention here the SSF practical recommendations he initiated for the ITU standard Rec. 775-1 for surround sound. These recommendations, supported by the VDT, bundle international standards (ITU/CCIR, EBU, OIRT, AES, DIN) in a clear and understandable form and offer practical guidelines for recording, calibration, and playback. In doing so, he created a tool that is of lasting value to sound engineers, studio planners, and architects. It was later also published as an AES Technical Document TD1001.

Gerhard Steinke was active in the AES since 1963, was named a Fellow in 1986, and took over as Vice President for Europe in 1991/92. Starting in 1990, he led a research team at Deutsche Telekom on digital transmission systems (DAB, MPEG, multichannel sound). Even after his retirement, he remained active as a consultant, sought-after speaker, and technical author. He published numerous conference papers, technical articles, and technical reports. Two of his books are still worth reading today: Mit den Ohren sehen – mit den Augen hören (Seeing with the ears – hearing with the eyes) and Der Raum ist das Kleid der Musik (Space is the dress of music).

Various honors have recognized his life's work: the OIRT Medal of Honor, the Béla von Békésy Medal from the Hungarian Acoustical Society, the AES's highest award, the Gold Medal, and the VDT Medal of Honor. On his 90th birthday, the VDT honored him with the memorable Steinke Seminar, which was attended by around 70 of his colleagues. In 2023, he once again appeared as a speaker at a VDT seminar on the topic of 100 years of broadcasting , which was a matter close to his heart.

But more than medals and offices, we are left with memories of a man who worked with extraordinary energy, expertise, precision, and passion, almost until the end of his long life. For many of us, he was not only a professional role model, a brilliant developer, and a great communicator. His wide-ranging knowledge, combined with the eloquence of his critical, always respectful but precise language, and his wit made him a popular colleague in all circles where audio technology was discussed. And he was never too good to offer advice and practical help when practical questions arose. He knew the technology, the production process – and the people. His name will remain closely associated with the idea of good sound – not only in a technical sense, but also in a human sense.

With his passing, our community has lost an important voice. His work lives on – in standards, in publications, and in the minds and hearts of those who knew him.

Dear Gerhard, on behalf of many colleagues: We thank you. You have given us so much. Günther Theile

P.S.: Here you can see Gerhard at his last VDT seminar in a video recording.