Nuendo vs OpenAL Soft
Nuendo
steinberg.netOpenAL Soft
openal-soft.orgSide by side
| Figure | Nuendo | OpenAL Soft |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Audio Middleware | 8.3 (#8) | 7.8 (#13) |
| Purpose | Steinberg describes Nuendo as an audio post-production solution for film, TV, game audio, and immersive sound professionals. | OpenAL Soft is a software implementation of the OpenAL 3D audio API for playing audio in a virtual 3D environment. |
| Support | Nuendo 15 is available through Steinberg's downloads page, which provides general information and installation utilities. | The project directs users to its GitHub issue tracker for bugs and feature requests and to the #openal IRC channel for help. |
Plans
Nuendo
- Nuendo 15 Full VersionPriced on request
- Nuendo 15 CrossgradePriced on request
- Nuendo 15 Crossgrade$799.99, paid once
- Nuendo 15 Full version$999.99, paid once
In their own words
OpenAL Soft
OpenAL Soft is a free, LGPL-licensed software implementation of the OpenAL 3D audio API for playing sound in virtual 3D environments. It handles distance attenuation, Doppler shift, and directional emitters. The EFX extension adds effects such as air absorption, occlusion, and environmental reverb. The library supports streaming audio, multichannel buffers, and audio capture, with output options including mono, stereo, 4-channel, 5.1, 7.1, HRTF, UHJ, and B-Format. Implemented audio backends include PipeWire, PulseAudio, ALSA, WASAPI, CoreAudio, JACK, SDL2, and SDL3. Developers can use loopback devices to connect playback with other audio systems and incorporate the library into projects. The latest release identified on the site is version 1.25.2, available as source and Win32 and Win64 binaries. Building requires CMake 3.13 or newer and a compiler supporting C++20; Autotools is not supported. Runtime platforms listed are Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. The project directs bug reports and feature requests to its GitHub issue tracker and points users to the #openal IRC channel for help.