OpenAL is a powerful audio library that provides advanced spatialization and environmental effects for an enhanced sound experience.
OpenAL, crafted by Creative Labs, stands out as a robust, versatile, and open-source audio library tailored for software developers aiming to integrate high-fidelity sound and immersive audio effects into their applications and games. Its design emphasizes cross-platform support, making it an ideal choice for creating consistent audio experiences across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android devices.
The library's flexible API simplifies the implementation of complex audio algorithms, enabling developers to focus on crafting rich auditory environments without delving into low-level sound engineering. Its support for multi-channel output enhances the realism of virtual environments by providing depth perception and accurate sound localization. OpenAL's adaptability across platforms minimizes development overhead while maximizing reach and accessibility for end-users.
OpenAL remains a top-tier choice for developers seeking a powerful , flexible, and easy-to-integrate open-source audio library. Its emphasis on spatial rendering, environmental effects, and cross-platform support makes it essential for modern multimedia projects aiming to deliver high-quality, immersive sound experiences to users globally.
OpenAL is a Shareware software in the category Games & Entertainment developed byCreative Labs.
The users of our client applicationUpdateStar have checked OpenAL for updates 33,709 times during the last month.
The latest version of OpenAL is 2.2.0.0, released on 05/04/2025. It was initially added to our database on 10/30/2007. The most prevalent version is 2.0.7.0, which is used by 82% of all installations.
OpenAL runs on the following operating systems: Windows. The download file has a size of 0.8MB.
Users of OpenAL gave it a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.
OpenAL is a cross-platform 3D audio API designed for use in games and other interactive media. It provides a simple interface for playing and positioning sounds in 3D space.
OpenAL was developed by Creative Labs, the same company that created the popular SoundBlaster sound card. It has since been adopted as an open standard by other companies as well.
OpenAL supports Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, and iOS, as well as some other less common platforms.
OpenAL can be used with a variety of programming languages, including C, C++, Java, Python, and more.
Yes, OpenAL is distributed under the LGPL (Lesser General Public License), which means it is free to use and distribute.
Examples of games that use OpenAL include Minecraft, Portal 2, Starcraft II, and many others.
Yes, OpenAL supports 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 surround sound setups.
Yes, OpenAL can be used for any application that requires 3D audio, such as virtual reality experiences and other interactive media.
OpenAL was specifically designed with game developers in mind, and provides advanced features like 3D positioning and spatialization of sounds that are not available in other audio APIs like DirectSound and CoreAudio.
I am an editor at UpdateStar. I started as a support engineer, and am now specialized in writing about general software topics from a usability and performance angle among others. I telecommute from UpdateStar’s Berlin office, when I am not working remote as a digital nomad for UpdateStar. When I'm not analyzing the latest software updates, you can find me exploring new cities, immersing myself in local cultures, and discovering innovative tech trends across the globe.
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