Processing Mode

Sound buffers have three processing modes: normal, head-relative, and disabled.

In normal mode, the sound source is positioned and oriented absolutely in world space. This is the default mode.

In head-relative mode, the buffer is automatically repositioned in world space as the listener moves and turns. Values set and retrieved through methods such as IDirectSound3DBuffer8::SetPosition, IDirectSound3DBuffer8::SetVelocity, and IDirectSound3DBuffer8::GetConeOrientation are all relative to the current position, velocity, and orientation of the listener.

In disabled mode, 3-D sound processing is disabled and the sound seems to originate from the center of the listener's head.

An application sets the mode for a 3-D sound buffer by using the IDirectSound3DBuffer8::SetMode method.