Low-level audio functions provide a device-independent interface to audio hardware in multimedia computers. These functions supply low-level audio services by letting applications communicate directly with the audio device drivers. MCI drivers and the MessageBeep and sndPlaySound functions use these low-level functions to provide high-level audio services.
Low-level audio functions are provided for applications, such as audio tools programs, that have special-purpose audio requirements. For example, a MIDI sequencer application would use low-level audio functions to record and play MIDI data. For information on using low-level audio services, see Chapter 80, “Low-Level Audio.”