VEB Deutsche Schallplatten Berlin was the only official record company in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) 1955 to 1990. After the demise of the GDR it developed into the Deutsche Schallplatten GmbH best known as Deutsche Schallplatten Berlin.
VEB means Volkseigener Betrieb = state-owned enterprise).
Also referred to as:
- Tonstudio der V.E.B. Deutsche Schallplatten, Berlin-Ost
- VEB Deutsche Schallplatten

History:
- It all started with "LIED DER ZEIT" - in August 1946 Ernst Busch got a soviet licence to press records. Two months later the Soviets decided to hand him over the record business exclusively.
- First company was founded (legally compliant) as "Lied Der Zeit Schallplatten GmbH" (Lied Der Zeit GmbH) on March 18th, 1947 by Ernst Busch and two of his shareholders.
- In 1953/1954 the "Lied Der Zeit Schallplatten GmbH" became public property (was nationalised and put under state control).
- In the year 1954 record company and music publisher were separated.
(1) The record company was temporarily renamed to VEB Lied Der Zeit and in the same year finally redefined to "VEB Deutsche Schallplatten Berlin".
(2) The music publishing company operated separately under the name "VEB Lied der Zeit Musikverlag", which spun off on April 1, 1954.
- In 1990 it became "Deutsche Schallplatten GmbH Berlin".
- Sold to BMG National Berlin in 1993/94.

Common spelling on cover is:
VEB DEUTSCHE SCHALLPLATTEN BERLIN DDR or
VEB DEUTSCHE SCHALLPLATTEN BERLIN • DDR

Common spelling on label is:
VEB DEUTSCHE SCHALLPLATTEN

Pressing plants:

VEB Deutsche Schallplatten Berlin (including predecessor and successor companies) owned 2 pressing plants. One in Ehrenfriedersdorf (1947 - 1958) and one in Potsdam-Babelsberg (1947 - 1991).
VEB Deutsche Schallplatten Potsdam-Babelsberg was the only vinyl pressing plant in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). All vinyl releases pressed in the GDR were produced in this plant.