Java Sound

The Java Sound API enables Java programs to capture, process, and play audio and Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) data. These new capabilities enable developers to create new types of applications, including:

• Communication frameworks, including conferencing and telephony applications.

• End-user content delivery systems. These systems range from simple desktop media players to streamed music delivery systems or broadcast audio applications for live events.

• Interactive applications, such as games and web sites, that generate sound dynamically in response to user interaction.

• Tools and toolkits for creating and editing original audio or musical content.

The Java Sound API is supported by an efficient sound engine that guarantees high-quality audio mixing and MIDI synthesis capabilities for the platform. More specifically, the implementation that is included with J2SE 1.3.0 supports the following features:

• Audio file formats: AIFF, AU and WAV

• Music file formats: MIDI type 0 and type 1 and Rich Music Format

• Audio codecs: u-law and a-law

• Audio data formats: 8- and 16-bit audio samples, in mono and stereo, with sample rates from 8 kHz to 48 kHz

• MIDI wavetable synthesis and sequencing in software, and access to hardware MIDI devices

• An all-software mixer that can mix and render up to 64 total channels of digital audio and synthesized MIDI music.

Additionally, the API defines a set of service provider interfaces that developers can use to extend the capabilities of the current implementation. Users can install modules that provide support for additional file formats, codecs, and devices. The API includes methods for querying and accessing the resources currently available on the system.