Skip to main content

OpenAL

Go Search
Home
ALchemy
Beta - Audigy [CLOSED]
Beta - Linux
Beta - Windows
Developer
E-MU
MarCom
OpenAL
Open Source
PR
  
Creative Labs: Connect > OpenAL > Wishlist  

Wishlist

Modify settings and columns
This is a list of suggestions which have been brought up on the discussion forums or elsewhere which will be considered for a future version of OpenAL.  These suggestions may or may not ever be incorporated into OpenAL. The intent of creating this list is to have a starting point for discussion when work on the next specification begins.

Users are encouraged to post their suggestions here to share with the community.
Items are subject to review by Creative staff, and will not appear until approved.
NewUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
View: 
Sort by AttachmentsUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
DescriptionFilter
alEnable/alDisableUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Stephen Baker
Using the 'convention' of an argument of zero turns something off is ugly for large applications because you can't globally enable or disable something without touching a bazillion lines of code. OpenGL had this right.
Pending
alPushAttrib/alPopAttribUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Stephen Baker
Again, large programs need to be able to save current state - do something weird for a while - then restore the old state with absolute certainty. You might argue that you can do this in the application - but that's nasty to maintain in the presence of extensions to the underlying API...you can't manually save and restore state if new state items appear in extensions.
Pending
Matrix OperationsUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Stephen Baker
alPushMatrix/alPopMatrix/alLoadMatrix, etc...and a way to position sources using said matrices. This would make integration with OpenGL applications *MUCH* simpler.
Pending
Deduced VelocitiesUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Stephen Baker
I'd like to see an option to have source velocities be deduced automatically from consecutive source positions - given a global 'time step' specified by the application. I can see how not every application would want this - but for those that do, this would be a huge simplification.
Approved
New alBufferData typesUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Stephen Baker
# A wider range of alBufferData types...signed and unsigned, char, short, int, float.
Approved
Wider Type SupportUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Stephen Baker
Ability to use all data types for all data setting operations - sending buffer frequencies in 'float' for example.
Approved
Tightening of LimitsUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Stephen Baker
A general tightening up of error handling, limit getting, stuff like that. (eg The AL_PITCH attribute is described as having implementation dependent limits - but there is no alGet to let me find out what those limits are and no guarantee of at least *some* range of pitch variation that every implementation supports!!
Approved
Retrieval of Buffer DataUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Stephen Baker and others
Ability to retrieve audio buffer data after it has been attatched via alBufferData().
Approved
Disconnect Notification and HandlingUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Ryan Gordon
The ability to detect and respond when the active audio output device has been disconnected from the system.
Approved
Generic EffectsUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Creative
OpenAL could have a generic mechanism for enumerating and making use of the effects capabilities of the active audio device.
Approved
System CODEC UsageUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Bob Aron
OpenAL could have a mechanism for discovering and making use of CODECs available on the host system, independent of any built-in support within OpenAL.
Approved
Really Good Demonstration ProgramUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Stephen Baker
Something that an end-user can run which really shows off what OpenAL can do - without distracting him with graphics and other stuff. (Hunt the Wumpus, with reverb and filtering?)
Pending
alHintUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Ryan Gordon
# Ryan wants alHint back, for future use...
Approved
Non-Realtime RenderingUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Scott Harper
Non-realtime rendering/mixing of 3D scenes.
Approved
Specifying Big/Little Endian FormatUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Erik Hoffman
# There should be a way to specify if incoming PCM data is big/little endian. Stephen Baker adds that there should be more formats period (floating point, two's complement, byte-wide, etc.).
Approved
EnvelopesUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Stephen Baker
The idea is that an envelope (in OpenAL terms) would be a short, and typically very low frequency (1Hz to 5Hz maybe) alBuffer. An envelope could be attached to an alSource to modulate one of it's properties. The most obvious being it's pitch and volume. So you'd add just one extra call to the alSource API -- alSourceEnvelope (ALuint source, ALenum envelope_type, ALuint envelopeBuffer). Envelope_type would be either AL_ENVELOPE_PITCH or AL_ENVELOPE_GAIN. The idea is basically simple - as the main alBuffer is replayed, so are any envelope buffers - with the result of them modifying the alSource's parameters on-the-fly.
Pending
Multi-channel sourcesUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Creative
Approved
2D Panning/speaker level supportUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Creative
Pending
Memory functionsUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Creative
Allocation callbacks, usage reporting
Approved
Better Buffer ManagementUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Creative
eliminate unnecessary copying and memory usage
Approved
Loop Point SupportUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Creative
Approved
Play/Stop CallbacksUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Creative
Approved
Capture callsUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Sven Panne
alCaptureOpenDevice and alCaptureSamples should use 'number of bytes' instead of 'number of samples'.
Approved
AL/ALC TypesUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Sven Panne
Throw away the distinction between AL and ALC types.
Pending
Per-source speed of sound, and a listener SoSUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Carlo Vogelsang
More realism...
Pending
AL_GAIN should be restricted to non-negative valuesUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Creative
negative values cause confusion
Approved
New alBufferData types, 24bit data support, Play/Stop callbacksUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Eugene Stets
That is highly awaited features for most of developers. It's very important point to take everything from the hardware acceleration and to show it's advantages like extremely low latency for example. X-RAM is the best idea i seen so far but it's incomplete without Play/Stop callbacks. We need the swiss knife API so in long term the community can make any "ALchemy" with ease.
Pending
Virtual extensions of sound sources limitUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
OpenAL library implementation could compensate for low count of sources implemented in hardware, by "swapping" the sources into inactive list, swapping out sources most distant from the listener, to compensate for limit of simultaneous active sources.
The sources would still advance current position, playback, queve new buffers, etc.. but would not output any samples (null output) until they come back into the listener active range or number of sources decreases under the maximum limit.
 
Pending
hardware timerUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
OpenAL should have an api to retrieve the precise hardware timer data, this would improve precision of timing simulation in audio system related events and for other related usage.
 
Pending
Buffer management should look like the OpenGL VBO/PBO systemUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Michael Heilmann
The VBO/PBO system of OpenGL separates the buffer data from its interpretation and offers a very flexible system of manipulating the data in the buffers. OpenAL should employ a similar concept.
Pending
DSP Plug-in EffectsUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Patrick Dugan
OpenAL should allow for callbacks to perform CPU processing of audio buffers. The ability to add in your own effects into the signal path is common in many other audio engines (XAudio2, FMOD, Wwise, etc). I believe this would provide alot of value for developers using OpenAL.
Pending
X-Fi Titanium Fatality ProUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Raks
Can you please add 6.1ch support to the next driver update for vista 64, we all would appreciate if this could be done since most of us still use 6.1ch speaker + amp systems.

We would be grateful if you could add 6.1ch support to the driver and console manager and any other relating pieces of software for games, music and apps, much appreciated
Pending
X-FI OpenAL (with EAX5 extensions) library for LinuxUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Zbigniew L.
Please provide hardware accelerated OpenAL (with EAX5 extensions) library for Linux. For example OpenAL for X-FI on Linux could be good reference start point for porting Windows games to Linux and creating fast sound processing applications. In Linux good OpenAL library could be used for sound scientific applications in a very same way as OpenGL is used now.
Pending
WAVETRACING WHEN?Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Pending
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 4Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Pending
alcGetIntegerv ALC_CAPTURE_SAMPLES_RESET_BYTEUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
stormfornever
Must be a reset for byte counter of ALC_CAPTURE_SAMPLES
Pending
source state callbacksUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
JernejL
There is very large need for callbacks, such as when the AL_SOURCE_STATE changes, using this i can perform various custom real-time buffer "stitching", for example in some cases i don't want to queue buffers early, but queue them manually when they are needed, this is important for example where you have a source which consists of several buffers and only one of them is looping.
 
Pending
EFX documentation linuxUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
DrIDK
Pending
alvCreate, alvDestroy, alvGetFloat, alvSetFloat, alvGetBoolean, alvGetErrorUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
It would be good to have control over system volume using some kind of generic OpenAL interface.
Pending
Make one standard implementation which works across all platforms.Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Make one standard implementation which works across all platforms.
(Preferably without having to change code of my program in order to get it work)
Pending
WavetracingUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
.
Aureal had it and you took their assets. How about a re-implimentation.
Pending
native 64-bit Openl al driver (ct_oal).Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
myself
There should be a 64-version of the driver for the library. Otherwise it beats the purpose of using it under 64-bit Vista/7.
Pending
Buffer Processed CallbackUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Dan O.
This would be great to have in conjunction with Play/Stop Callbacks. It would let you rest easy until OpenAL requests more data which you could send during the callback. this would make streaming in a complex application much cleaner to implement. And would remove the need for silly extra threads just to watch a handful of alSources.
Pending
3D support for Stereo soundUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
emacinnes
Being able to automatically handle stereo (and quad) sound in 3D space, via multiple positions.

The GL equivalent here is multi-texturing, by allowing position indexes, with index 1 as being the "default" to represent where each part of the channel should go.

Real world implementation here would be to simulate a character walking into a bar or a disco nightclub setting with surround sound, being able to position the speakers independently.

If the multi-positioning isn't enabled, to just flatten the audio into mono before playback, if 3D positioning is enabled for non-mono audio.
Pending
SP/DIF multichannel outputUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Nils
Though OpenAL can play multichannel sound data, it only allows to output them to analogue outputs of a soundcard, digital outputs will only get a stereo downmix because a multichannel digital output would require AC-3 encoding.

A realtime AC-3 encoder would be a nice addition to be able to have 5.1 sound sent to a A/V receiver for any program that makes use of OpenAL.
Pending
support for jackaudioUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
In order to support low-latency audio in/out and cross-application sound-routing this should support JACK Audio. (visit: http://jackaudio.org/ )
Pending
ALC_CAPTURE_DEVICE_SPECIFIER/ALC_ALL_DEVICES_SPECIFIERUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
serj
ALC_CAPTURE_DEVICE_SPECIFIER and ALC_ALL_DEVICES_SPECIFIER are not allow to receive all devices. I have two similar device "Sound Blaster Audigy", and get this list for each specifier:

ALC_CAPTURE_DEVICE_SPECIFIER:
"Sound Blaster Audigy (2)"
"Sound Blaster Audigy"

ALC_ALL_DEVICES_SPECIFIER:
"Generic Hardware on Sound Blaster Audigy"
"Generic Software on Sound Blaster Audigy"

i.e. I cant play sounds on "Sound Blaster Audigy (2)"
Pending
dasl;dkaUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
dlkfsldkf
lfdkglskdglsfg
Pending
alEnable/alDisableUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Stephen Baker
Using the 'convention' of an argument of zero turns something off is ugly for large applications because you can't globally enable or disable something without touching a bazillion lines of code. OpenGL had this right.
Pending
User data in buffersUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Victor G.
When playing video, it's necessary to synchronize video and audio streams. This involves keeping a timestamp of an audio buffer being played until just before or just after it's been played. Since audio streams typically come in packets of unpredictable length, it's not possible to know the exact timestamp of an unqueued buffer by pushing decoded buffers and popping played buffers from a fixed-sized queue. The only possible solution involves pushing longer, fixed-sized buffers into a short (2 or 3 buffers) queue, which is far more complex and not even possible if the decoded buffers have variable sample rates or channel counts.
The ability to add arbitrary user data to a buffer would greatly simplify the design of client applications in these situations.
Pending
FreeALUT x64Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
myself
There should be a alut.lib with 64-bit support.
Pending
More documentation and sample in sdkUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Mümin Güler
In particular, Embedded systems, multi-source and single-buffer and  Manipulation of the buffer and the source location. Best regards...
Pending
alSourcef(uiSource,AL_GAIN,_Volume);Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
LR
The alSourcef AL_GAIN don't let to use a Volume factor >1 even when changing the min/max range values of the output factor. So, it is important for porting Direct3D applications to have the possibility to use a volume >1. Some sounds are recorded very slowly and it is not possible to re-sample all files whereas OpenAL can easily allow Volume range >1.
Pending
Port OpenAL on D programming languageUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Pending
no one is reading thisUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
no one is reading this wishlist. openal is abandoned unfortunately.
Pending
<a href="http://www.karendresses.com/herve-leger-dresses-c-2.html">Herve Leger dresses</a> is unique and beautiful. Now there are many fans of Herve Leger bare color dresses.<br> Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
<a href="http://www.nfljerseysonshop.com"><strong>NFL Jerseys</strong></a><br>
You also ought to determine this jersey all more than the backs of Eagles fans purchase <a href="http://www.nfljerseysonshop.com">NFL Jerseys On Sale</a> nowadays. Many different shapes and styles will fit you. <a href="http://www.nfljerseysonshop.com">NFL Customized Jerseys</a> are good designs and provide you a happy sport moment.<br>
<a href="http://www.coachoutletline.com"><strong>Coach outlet</strong></a><br>
<a href="http://www.coachoutletline.com">Coach factory</a>. We are international trade that specializes in <a href="http://www.coachoutletline.com">Coach outlet</a>.In our store we offer the famous classic brand for Coach.<br>
<a href="http://www.karendresses.com"><strong>Karen Millen Dresses</strong></a><br>
Now it is the time for bare color dress. As the famous brand of dress, <a href="http://www.karendresses.com">Herve leger</a>, has launched out many bare dresses.The design of <a href="http://www.karendresses.com/herve-leger-dresses-c-2.html">Herve Leger dresses</a> is unique and beautiful. Now there are many fans of Herve Leger bare color dresses.<br>
<a href="http://www.thedowncoat.com"><strong>Moncler outlet</strong></a><br>
If anybody desires to are supported by the required exposure to the space of the house and property, <a href="http://www.thedowncoat.com">Moncler Scarf</a>, your money a few other facilities could possibly understand off the local agents. <a href="http://www.thedowncoat.com">Moncler jackets for women</a>.
=========
Pending
fsdgerergUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Keeping that in mind, <a href="http://www.discountjersey4shop.com">women nfl jerseys</a>  has organized products, especially NFL Children Tops, which meet their desire.Kids never get frequent permitting or any wallet cash so that they can buy their own nj. The focus on in that situation will clearly be their mother and father to help them in purchasing the unique NFL Children Tops of the group or gamer they appreciate. Actual <a href="http://www.discountjersey4shop.com">football jerseys cheap</a> would always be more expensive Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys be it of any group. It is not possible for all family members to pay for it, but they would not like to ignore their child's need. Actual <a href="http://www.discountjersey4shop.com">customize basketball jerseys</a> owed to any team would be quite large scaled and would not be possible to be fit for any kid. In this situation you need to visit different shops of NFL where you can look for a looking and relaxed nj for your kid.<a href="http://www.discountjersey4shop.com/nfl-jerseys-c-3.html">nfl discount jerseys</a>  It is possible to discover little fit tops in such shops. The NFL Children Tops are created of with additional care and style, which are appropriate to deal with. The little tops are free from too much detail and deigns so that those can be relaxed for your child <a href="http://www.discountjersey4shop.com">custom football jerseys</a> . Besides offering so much convenience, the fantastic function of these jerseys is their reasonable value. These <a href="http://www.discountjersey4shop.com">design baseball jerseys</a> are far more low cost than the unique ones. Many a times, if the content used is not appropriate to deal with, <a href="http://www.discountjersey4shop.com/custom-mlb-jerseys-c-237.html">design baseball jerseys</a>  it may cause sensitivity or skin rashes on the skin of your kids. So, you must make sure whether the content is anti-allergic and smooth before purchasing it.There are many websites for market of such offerings which can be tried for unique <a href="http://www.discountjersey4shop.com">basketball custom jerseys</a> .
Pending
sweUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
sdffdsf
Mulberry handbags happen to be one of the most preferred travelling bag simply by girls forever. Mulberry purses are one
http://www.pandorajewelrycharm.uk.com
http://www.mulberryoutletsbag.uk.com
http://www.mulberrybagoutlet.uk.com
http://www.sacmulberryalexas.eu
 of the most valuable baggage that you can buy. There are plenty of styles and designs which will unquestionably turn you into need more then one.

Pending
seweUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
sdffdsf
Mulberry handbags happen to be one of the most preferred travelling bag simply by girls forever. Mulberry purses are one
http://www.pandorajewelrycharm.uk.com
http://www.mulberryoutletsbag.uk.com
http://www.mulberrybagoutlet.uk.com
http://www.sacmulberryalexas.eu
of the most valuable baggage that you can buy. There are plenty of styles and designs which will unquestionably turn you into need more then one.

Pending
OpenAlUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Bina yikim

Really i am impressed from this post. <a href="http://www.eforlaptopservisi.com">laptop servisi</a> . The person who created this post is a genius and knows how to keep the readers connected. <a href="http://yikimsitar.com">bina yıkım</a>
Thank you for sharing this with us.  <a href="http://sitarzeminforekazik.com">fore kazık</a>
I found it informative and interesting.    <a href="http://www.everestreklamajans.com">reklam ajans</a> Looking forward for more updates.


Pending
Mulberry Roxanne BagsUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Mulberry Roxanne Bags
Luxury British label Mulberry was founded in 1971 and has long been recognized for its highly crafted fine leather goods. The company's strength lies in its instant-classic <a href="http://www.mulberryproshop.com">Mulberry Bags</a> - such as the <a href="http://www.mulberryproshop.com/alexa-bags-c-10_19.html">Mulberry Alexa Bags</a>, <a href="http://www.mulberryproshop.com/bayswater-bags-c-10_15.html">Mulberry Bayswater Bags</a>, <a href="http://www.mulberryproshop.com/daria-bags-c-10_11.html">Mulberry Daria Bags</a>, <a href="http://www.mulberryproshop.com/mitzy-bags-c-10_16.html">Mulberry Mitzy Bags</a>, <a href="http://www.mulberryproshop.com/roxanne-bags-c-10_22.html">Mulberry Roxanne Bags</a>  - as well as its growing selection of super chic casualwear and jewelry. Expect sleek denim and playful accessories with a signature Brit-girl vibe.
http://www.mulberryproshop.com
Pending
Mulberry Clutch Bags Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
<a href="http://www.mulberryoutletyork2012.co.uk">http://www.mulberryoutletyork2012.co.uk</a> is a really cute purse. If I was designing it, I would probably only add some tiny little feets. It is a very light color, which looks fantastic with the copper color, but will likely get a little dirty quickly.I got <a href="http://www.mulberryoutletyork2012.co.uk/Mulberry-Messenger-Bags-online-sale">Mulberry Messenger Bags  </a> for my wife and she loves it. The handbag is decent and it looks good. It's pretty spacey on the inside with a lot of room for all your girl stuff. I really love how its light and doesn't feel heavy even when its loaded with non heavy things of course. <a href="http://www.mulberryoutletyork2012.co.uk">mulberry outlet</a> is very fashionable and i love using it to school. i get lots of compliments asking where i got it. i just love it.
Pending