OpenAL

OpenAL is a cross-platform 3D audio API appropriate for use with gaming applications and many other types of audio applications.

OpenAL, the Open Audio Library, is a joint effort to create an open, vendor-neutral, cross-platform API for interactive, primarily spatialized audio. Its primary audience is made up of application developers and desktop users that rely on portable standards like OpenGL for games and other multimedia applications.

The library models a collection of audio sources moving in a 3D space that are heard by a single listener somewhere in that space. The basic OpenAL objects are a Listener, a Source, and a Buffer. There can be a large number of Buffers, which contain audio data. Each buffer can be attached to one or more Sources, which represent points in 3D space which are emitting audio. There is always one Listener object (per audio context), which represents the position where the sources are heard -- rendering is done from the perspective of the Listener.

From Creative Labs:

OpenAL is a cross-platform 3D audio API appropriate for use with gaming applications and many other types of audio applications.

OpenAL, the Open Audio Library, is a joint effort to create an open, vendor-neutral, cross-platform API...

OpenAL 2.1 is licensed as Freeware for the Windows operating system / platform without restrictions. OpenAL is available to all software users as a free download (Freeware).

OpenAL Virus and Malware Tests:

For security reasons, you should also check out the OpenAL virus and malware test that has been uploaded; additional OpenAL screenshots may be available, too.