Is DirectSound the best audio abstraction layer for Windows?

Question

Is DirectSound the best audio abstraction layer for Windows? Switching my app from a very bad sound implementation, built to a specific chipset, to an abstration layer.

App is native Winform, .net 3.5. DirectX/DirectSound is the likely choice, but a little concerned about the overhead. Any other options? Or is it silly to even THINK about anything else?

Answer 1

DirectSound is not getting the same love from Microsoft today as it got in the past. As far as DirectX is concerned, you may try XAudio2 or XACT instead. Some people love those, others hate them. XAudio2 is more low-level, while XACT is rather high-level. Both are accessible from Microsoft XNA, which is like Managed DirectX, but is actively developed.

But you are not restricted to using what DirectX comes with. Try FMod if you want something great. They still have their Shareware/Hobbyist license model and a Freeware license model, in case you don't want to pay some big bucks.

Your choice depends on what exactly you want to do with sound.