OpenAL is a Windows component that helps users develop applications with audio support. There are tools for specifying the objects and operations to produce high-quality sound output.

Main purpose

This utility is used in software development for integrating audio functionality. The main design principles are similar to the OpenGL API. You can write code for all major platforms such as Windows and MacOS. Several Linux distributions are supported as well.

Basic operations

Users are able to render audio into an output buffer and collect data from an input interface. The MIDI format is not supported.

There are three fundamental object types: buffers, sources and a single listener. Every module can be modified separately without affecting other components. All commands are sent in the form of procedure calls.

Sources store directions, locations and other 3D space parameters. Any program can control sound playback through a source object. Buffers are utilized for compressed audio data. Additional settings for the software listener module are provided.

Extensive instruction manuals with detailed descriptions for every possible function are available online.

Features

free to download and use;
contains system components for software development;
lets users configure audio parameters;
compressed data transfers are supported;
it is possible to manage sound buffers and sources;
compatible with all modern versions of Windows.