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OpenAL Soft
What it is
OpenAL Soft is a free, LGPL-licensed implementation of the OpenAL 3D audio API for playing sound in virtual 3D environments. It handles spatial behavior such as distance attenuation, Doppler shift, and directional emitters. Its EFX extension includes air absorption, occlusion, and environmental reverb. The library supports streaming audio, multichannel buffers, and audio capture, with output options including mono, stereo, 4-channel, 5.1, 7.1, HRTF, UHJ, and B-Format. Implemented backends include PipeWire, PulseAudio, ALSA, WASAPI, CoreAudio, JACK, SDL2, and SDL3. Loopback devices can connect playback with other audio systems. Developers can incorporate the library into projects; building requires CMake 3.13 or newer and a compiler supporting C++20, while Autotools is not supported. The site identifies version 1.25.2 as the latest release, available as source and Win32 and Win64 binaries. The project directs bug reports and feature requests to its GitHub issue tracker and offers help through the #openal IRC channel.
For and against
For
- Handles distance, Doppler, and directional audio.
- EFX includes occlusion and environmental reverb.
- Supports streaming, multichannel buffers, and capture.
- Loopback devices connect playback to other audio systems.
Against
- Building requires CMake 3.13 or newer.
- Build compilers should support C++20.
- Autotools is not supported.
- Binaries listed are for Win32 and Win64.
The verdict
OpenAL Soft provides spatial audio features, effects, and a range of backends and output formats. Developers should account for its stated build requirements and LGPL license.
Who it suits
It suits developers incorporating 3D audio into projects, particularly those needing spatial effects, streaming, or multiple output formats.
Plans and prices
OpenAL Soft
LGPL-licensed software implementation of the OpenAL 3D audio API
Read 3 Oct 2026 · openal-soft.org
On the record
- Audio backends
- Implemented backends include PipeWire, PulseAudio, ALSA, WASAPI, CoreAudio, JACK, SDL2, SDL3, and others.openal-soft.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Audio capabilities
- It supports streaming audio, multichannel buffers, and audio capture.openal-soft.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Build requirements
- Building requires CMake 3.13 or newer and should work with most compilers supporting C++20; Autotools is not supported.openal-soft.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Effects
- Its EFX extension provides effects including air absorption, occlusion, and environmental reverb.openal-soft.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The site says loopback devices can be used for playback to interface with other audio systems.openal-soft.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The site describes a reusable audio library and provides CMake build instructions for incorporating it into projects.openal-soft.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Latest release
- The site identifies version 1.25.2 as the latest release and provides it in source form and as Win32 and Win64 binaries.openal-soft.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- License
- OpenAL Soft is LGPL-licensed.openal-soft.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Output formats
- Supported output includes mono, stereo, 4-channel, 5.1, 7.1, HRTF, UHJ, and B-Format.openal-soft.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- OpenAL Soft is a software implementation of the OpenAL 3D audio API for playing audio in a virtual 3D environment.openal-soft.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Security
- The opened official page does not state security certifications or compliance claims.openal-soft.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Spatial audio
- The API handles distance attenuation, Doppler shift, and directional sound emitters.openal-soft.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its GitHub issue tracker for bugs and feature requests and to the #openal IRC channel for help.openal-soft.org · read 3 Oct 2026
