OpenAL Soft vs psai
OpenAL Soft
openal-soft.orgpsai
homeofpsai.comSide by side
| Figure | OpenAL Soft | psai |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Game Audio Middleware | 7.8 (#13) | 7.9 (#10) |
| Integrations | The site says loopback devices can be used for playback to interface with other audio systems. | The site documents Unity and native C++ APIs and describes integration with Unity game projects. |
| Intended users | The site describes a reusable audio library and provides CMake build instructions for incorporating it into projects. | The maker describes psai® as a specialized tool for videogame composers and developers creating adaptive interactive soundtracks. |
| Support | The project directs users to its GitHub issue tracker for bugs and feature requests and to the #openal IRC channel for help. | The maker provides a technical-support email and links to a manual, API documentation, tutorials and a Unity forum. |
Plans
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.
psai
psai® is an interactive music engine for videogames, aimed at composers and developers creating adaptive soundtracks. Its playback logic can change intensity, recombine musical segments, pause, and respond to gameplay. The Unity edition is written in C# without native code, and the maker says it works on all Unity target platforms. The native C++ SDK is limited to Windows, with evaluation or licensing inquiries directed to the maker. The regular and Pro editions use the same Unity engine; Pro adds the standalone editor for creating projects from scratch. That editor is listed for Win/Mac and requires Music Engine Pro and Pro User Registration. Downloads include a demo soundtrack and eight free music themes. The maker says Unity use across a customer's projects has no further costs or royalties, with one copy required per company seat. However, the editor EULA limits users who have not purchased the engine through the Unity Asset Store to non-commercial editor use, including testing for future commercial use. The site also links to manuals, API documentation, tutorials, and a Unity forum.