Thesycon Software Solutions

What Thesycon Software Solutions does

Thesycon Software Solutions GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held German system-level software company founded in June 1998 in Ilmenau, Thuringia, by Udo Eberhardt. The company specializes in USB technology with a primary focus on USB audio device drivers for Windows, serving professional USB audio hardware manufacturers, audiophile HiFi device makers, and Windows application developers requiring virtual audio routing. Its core product portfolio includes TUSBAudio, a USB Audio 2.0/1.0 class-compliant Windows driver supporting ASIO 2.3.1, low-latency isochronous streaming, bit-perfect playback, and DSD formats up to DSD1024; TVirtAudio, a virtual audio driver SDK with configurable mixer and ASIO support; TL-USBAPI, a cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux) USB communication library; and TL-USBDFU, a USB Device Firmware Upgrade solution. Thesycon discontinued its USBIO Universal USB Development Kit in June 2024 and plans to discontinue TL-USBCOM and TL-USBNet by June 2025, narrowing focus toward higher-value audio IP.

The company operates a B2B OEM/embedded licensing model: device driver licenses are sold directly to hardware and software manufacturers who embed them into shipping products, with each license customized with a unique VID/PID, custom file naming, and Microsoft Attestation signing. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is provided via demo request forms; free evaluation versions (60-90 days) precede paid perpetual or annual maintenance agreements. Optional add-on SDKs (Mixer SDK, Control Panel SDK, DFU source code) are licensed separately. In July 2024, Thesycon divested its custom software development business for industrial and medical applications to Konzept Informationssysteme GmbH, concentrating the remaining entity on its audio driver business. The company is led by Managing Director Ute Eberhardt and founder Udo Eberhardt, employs 51-100 people, and distributes globally through direct OEM engagement with no retail or consumer channels.

Name

Thesycon Software Solutions

Legal name

Thesycon Software Solutions GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://thesycon.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Thesycon Software Solutions is a German firm that develops and licenses proprietary USB audio device drivers and USB communication software to professional audio hardware manufacturers and Windows application developers on a direct OEM licensing basis.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

USB Device Driver Software

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)

SIC

Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

Pro Audio Equipment (Mics, Interfaces, Mixers, Studio Monitors) (MPAIAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Audio Plugins & Virtual Instruments (VST/AU/AAX) (MPAIAIAB)

Keywords

• USB audio drivers
• Device driver development
• USB firmware solutions
• Audio class drivers
• Embedded USB software

Headquarters

HQ city

Ilmenau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Device Driver Licensing: Thesycon licenses proprietary USB audio drivers, USB communication APIs, and DFU firmware upgrade solutions to hardware manufacturers. Licenses are sold as one-time perpetual licenses or annual maintenance agreements. The company discontinued USBIO development by June 2024 and will discontinue TL-USBCOM and TL-USBNet by June 2025.
2. Driver Customization Services: Customization services included with license agreements, including VID/PID assignment, file naming, text strings, and Microsoft Attestation signing for driver packages.
3. WHQL Certification Services: Windows Hardware Certification testing and submission services offered as add-on to driver licensing for customers requiring Windows Logo certification.
4. Optional SDK Add-ons: Optional Software Development Kit add-ons for TUSBAudio including Mixer SDK, Control Panel SDK, and DFU Application source code available under separate license agreements.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Thesycon develops and licenses proprietary USB audio class drivers, virtual audio drivers, cross-platform USB communication APIs, and USB device firmware upgrade (DFU) solutions to hardware and software manufacturers. Its core products TUSBAudio and TVirtAudio are embedded into professional USB audio devices manufactured by OEMs, with customization services including VID/PID assignment and Microsoft Attestation signing included with each license.

Product overview

Thesycon Software Solutions offers a portfolio of USB audio drivers and USB software solutions for licensing to hardware manufacturers. The core products are TUSBAudio (USB Audio 2.0/1.0 Class Driver for Windows) and TVirtAudio (Virtual Audio Driver SDK), complemented by USB communication tools including TL-USBAPI (cross-platform USB API), TL-USBDFU (firmware upgrade solution), and legacy USB drivers TL-USBCOM and TL-USBNet. The company also provides free support utilities (Thesycon System Info, USB Descriptor Dumper) and sells the USB OABR Stick hardware product. Custom software development services were acquired by Konzept Informationssysteme GmbH in July 2024.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TUSBAudio USB Audio 2.0 and 1.0 Class Driver for Windows 10 and 11, targeting professional USB audio devices and high-end HIFI devices compliant with the USB Audio Device Class specification. Supports ASIO 2.3.1, WDM/DirectX, low-latency bit-perfect playback/recording, and DSD formats (DSD64 through DSD1024). Licensed to hardware manufacturers with optional SDK add-ons (Mixer SDK, Control Panel SDK, DFU Application source code).
• TVirtAudio Virtual Audio Driver SDK for Windows 10 and 11 enabling application developers to capture, process, and provide audio between applications via virtual sound devices and a configurable mixer controlled through a private API. Designed for audio routing, VST host applications, DAW integration, and sound processing software.
• TL-USBAPI Host-side, cross-platform, generic C-style library for vendor-specific USB device communication on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Supports SETUP requests, bulk and interrupt data endpoints, and private firmware commands, enabling parallel access to vendor-specific USB interfaces alongside audio class drivers.
• TL-USBDFU Cross-platform software solution implementing USB Device Firmware Upgrade (DFU) v1.1 for Windows and macOS. Provides a GUI utility and C-style API for firmware upgrade of multiple device families in a single package.
• USB OABR Stick Compact USB interface for OABR (OPEN Alliance BroadR-Reach) automotive Ethernet networks using NXP TJA1101 BroadR-Reach PHY. Functions as a standard network adapter on Windows and Linux, with a private API for PHY register access and raw packet operations. Distributed in partnership with FibreCode.
• Thesycon System Info (TSI) Free downloadable Windows utility that displays USB bus driver stack version information and system details (including CPUID info, DPI monitoring) in plain text format for use in customer support requests and developer diagnostics.
• Thesycon USB Descriptor Dumper (TDD) Free downloadable Windows utility that displays the USB descriptors of any connected USB device in plain text format, intended for developers and technical support personnel.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Konzept Informationssysteme GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Konzept IS acquired Thesycon's custom software development business for industrial and medical applications in July 2024. The acquisition includes firmware development for microcontrollers, USB technology consulting, USB device compatibility testing, problem analysis services, Windows driver signing consulting, and WHQL certification services. Konzept IS continues to offer these engineering services from Meersburg, Germany with offices in Germany and Switzerland.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• XMOS: XMOS develops USB audio silicon and reference firmware designs that hardware manufacturers integrate into their products. Like Thesycon, XMOS sells B2B technology (firmware/IP) to audio equipment OEMs, making it a directly comparable peer in the USB audio technology supply chain.

Broad incumbents

• Steinberg (Yamaha): Steinberg owns the ASIO audio driver standard that Thesycon's TUSBAudio implements. While Steinberg is a much larger music software company (now owned by Yamaha), its ownership of ASIO makes it the dominant force in the audio driver ecosystem in which Thesycon competes, and its licensing decisions directly affect Thesycon's product strategy.
• Audinate: Audinate licenses Dante audio networking technology to professional audio equipment manufacturers — a similar B2B technology-licensing business model serving the same OEM customer base as Thesycon. While focused on networked audio rather than USB drivers, Audinate is a directly comparable technology licensor in the professional audio supply chain.
• Universal Audio: Universal Audio (UA) is a major professional audio interface manufacturer whose Apollo and Volt product lines compete in the same pro audio segment as Thesycon's OEM customers. UA develops proprietary drivers in-house, making it a potential competitor or customer depending on its Windows driver strategy.
• Focusrite: Focusrite is one of the largest manufacturers of professional USB audio interfaces (Scarlett, Clarett series) and a representative major OEM in Thesycon's target customer base. As a market leader, Focusrite's driver sourcing decisions (proprietary vs. licensed) set precedents that affect Thesycon's market opportunity.
• PreSonus: PreSonus manufactures professional USB audio interfaces and digital mixers that require Windows drivers, putting it in the same OEM customer pool as Thesycon. Like Focusrite, PreSonus is both a potential customer for Thesycon's TUSBAudio and a competitor via its own driver development capabilities.

Emerging players

• RME Audio: RME manufactures professional USB audio interfaces with proprietary low-latency drivers — competing in the same end market as Thesycon's OEM customers. RME is one of several manufacturers that might either license Thesycon's drivers or develop in-house alternatives, making it a meaningful peer in the audio interface space.
• MOTU (Mark of the Unicorn): MOTU produces professional USB and Thunderbolt audio interfaces with proprietary low-latency drivers for the same professional recording/broadcasting market. As a smaller, specialized competitor, MOTU represents the kind of OEM that may choose to develop drivers in-house or license from a supplier like Thesycon.
• iConnectivity: iConnectivity manufactures USB and network-based MIDI/audio interfaces that require cross-platform Windows/macOS drivers. Its relatively smaller scale and focus on niche audio/MIDI use cases make it comparable to the smaller OEMs in Thesycon's customer base and to other specialty driver technology providers.
• Merging Technologies: Merging Technologies is a Swiss manufacturer of high-end professional audio interfaces (Horus, Hapi, Anubis) used in recording, mastering, and broadcast. Like Thesycon, Merging is a niche European specialist serving premium professional audio customers — making it comparable both as a potential customer and as a small specialized audio technology company.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Thesycon Software Solutions