| DirectX SDK |
DirectMusic is the musical component of the Microsoft® DirectX® API. Unlike the Microsoft® DirectSound® API, which is for the capture and playback of digital sound samples, DirectMusic works with message-based musical data, which is converted into wave samples, either in hardware or in a software synthesizer. The default software implementation uses the Microsoft® Software Synthesizer to create wave samples that are then streamed to DirectSound. Instrument voices are synthesized from samples according to the downloadable sounds (DLS) standard.
As well as supporting input in Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) format, DirectMusic can compose music at run time. This music is not algorithmically generated, but is based on elements authored by a human composer. (The authoring tool, Microsoft® DirectMusic® Producer, is documented separately.) The music is performed with variations and can respond dynamically to program events.
Like other components of DirectX, DirectMusic is based on the Component Object Model (COM).
DirectMusic delivers full functionality on Microsoft® Windows® 95, Microsoft® Windows® 98, and Microsoft® Windows® 2000. However, hardware acceleration is available only on Windows 2000 and Windows 98 Second Edition.