> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/yakushabb/mirror-ryujinx/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Audio System

> Learn about Ryujinx's audio backends and output capabilities

Ryujinx features full audio output support through multiple backends, providing high-quality sound reproduction for Nintendo Switch games.

<Note>
  Audio output is fully supported. Audio input (microphone) is currently not supported.
</Note>

## Audio Backends

Ryujinx uses C# wrappers for industry-standard audio libraries, with automatic fallback between backends:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="OpenAL" icon="headphones" iconType="duotone">
    **Primary** - Cross-platform 3D audio library with excellent compatibility
  </Card>

  <Card title="SDL3" icon="gamepad" iconType="duotone">
    **Fallback** - Simple DirectMedia Layer 3 for broad hardware support
  </Card>

  <Card title="libsoundio" icon="wave-square" iconType="duotone">
    **Fallback** - Low-latency cross-platform audio I/O library
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## OpenAL Backend

The primary audio backend uses **OpenAL Soft**, an open-source 3D audio API:

### Features

* **Cross-platform**: Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS
* **3D Positioning**: Spatial audio support for immersive games
* **HRTF Support**: Head-Related Transfer Function for binaural audio
* **Multiple Output Devices**: Easy device selection and switching
* **Low Latency**: Minimal audio delay for responsive gameplay

### Implementation Details

```csharp theme={null}
// From OpenALHardwareDeviceDriver.cs
public OpenALHardwareDeviceDriver()
{
    _device = ALC.OpenDevice(string.Empty);
    _context = ALC.CreateContext(_device, new ALContextAttributes());
    // Session management and buffer handling...
}
```

The OpenAL backend:

* Opens the default audio device automatically
* Creates a dedicated update thread for audio processing
* Manages multiple concurrent audio sessions
* Supports volume control per session

<Info>
  OpenAL is automatically selected if available on your system. It provides the best audio quality and performance.
</Info>

## SDL3 Backend

The SDL3 backend provides fallback audio support:

### Advantages

* **Bundled**: Comes with SDL3, no extra dependencies
* **Reliable**: Battle-tested in countless games
* **Simple**: Straightforward audio output
* **Compatible**: Works on systems where OpenAL may have issues

<Note>
  SDL3 is the latest version of Simple DirectMedia Layer, completely rewritten for modern systems.
</Note>

## libsoundio Backend

The libsoundio backend offers low-latency audio:

### Features

* **Ultra-low Latency**: Optimized for minimal delay
* **Backend Flexibility**: Uses WASAPI (Windows), ALSA/PulseAudio (Linux), CoreAudio (macOS)
* **Sample Rate Conversion**: High-quality resampling
* **Channel Layout Support**: Flexible speaker configurations

## Audio Architecture

Ryujinx's audio system consists of several layers:

### Audio Renderer

The audio renderer emulates the Switch's audio processing:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Voice Processing" icon="microphone-lines">
    Handles individual audio voices (sound sources) with mixing and effects
  </Card>

  <Card title="Effect Processing" icon="sliders">
    Applies audio effects like reverb, delay, and filters
  </Card>

  <Card title="Mix Buffers" icon="layer-group">
    Manages audio mixing for multiple channels and sources
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sink Output" icon="volume-high">
    Final output to hardware through selected backend
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Audio Effects Supported

| Effect Type          | Description                                     |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **Reverb**           | 3D reverb for spatial audio environments        |
| **Delay**            | Echo and delay effects                          |
| **Biquad Filter**    | Frequency filtering (low-pass, high-pass, etc.) |
| **Limiter**          | Dynamic range compression                       |
| **Auxiliary Buffer** | Additional effect processing chains             |
| **Compressor**       | Audio dynamics compression                      |

```csharp theme={null}
// Audio effects are implemented in:
// src/Ryujinx.Audio/Renderer/Server/Effect/
```

## Sample Format Support

Ryujinx supports multiple audio sample formats:

* **PCM16**: 16-bit signed integer (most common)
* **PCM Float**: 32-bit floating-point for high precision
* **Multiple Sample Rates**: Automatic resampling to match your hardware

<Info>
  The target sample rate is **48000 Hz** (48 kHz), which matches the Nintendo Switch's native audio output.
</Info>

## Channel Configuration

Flexible audio channel support:

| Configuration    | Description                        |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| **Mono**         | Single channel                     |
| **Stereo**       | Standard left/right (most common)  |
| **5.1 Surround** | Six channels for home theater      |
| **7.1 Surround** | Eight channels for advanced setups |

<Note>
  If a game requests an unsupported channel count, Ryujinx automatically downmixes to stereo.
</Note>

## Device Session Management

The audio system manages multiple simultaneous audio sessions:

### Session Features

* **Independent Volume Control**: Each session can have its own volume level
* **Sample Rate Conversion**: Automatic resampling when needed
* **Buffer Management**: Circular buffer for smooth audio playback
* **Thread Safety**: Lock-free audio updates where possible

```csharp theme={null}
// From OpenALHardwareDeviceDriver.cs
public IHardwareDeviceSession OpenDeviceSession(
    Direction direction,
    IVirtualMemoryManager memoryManager,
    SampleFormat sampleFormat,
    uint sampleRate,
    uint channelCount)
{
    if (channelCount == 0)
        channelCount = 2; // Default to stereo
    
    if (sampleRate == 0)
        sampleRate = Constants.TargetSampleRate; // 48000 Hz
}
```

## Audio Buffer Management

Efficient buffer management ensures smooth playback:

* **Ring Buffers**: Circular buffers prevent audio underruns
* **Automatic Queueing**: Buffers are queued ahead of playback
* **Buffer Recycling**: Memory-efficient buffer reuse
* **Dynamic Adjustment**: Adapts to system load

## Volume Control

Granular volume management:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Master Volume" icon="sliders">
    Global volume control affects all audio output
  </Card>

  <Card title="Per-Session Volume" icon="gauge-high">
    Individual volume levels for different audio streams
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Performance Optimization

The audio system is optimized for minimal CPU usage:

* **Dedicated Audio Thread**: Separate thread prevents audio glitches
* **Lock-Free Updates**: Concurrent data structures reduce contention
* **Efficient Mixing**: Optimized audio mixing algorithms
* **Hardware Acceleration**: Uses audio hardware features when available

## Audio Output Latency

Ryujinx aims for low audio latency:

| Backend        | Typical Latency |
| -------------- | --------------- |
| **OpenAL**     | 20-40ms         |
| **SDL3**       | 30-50ms         |
| **libsoundio** | 10-30ms         |

<Info>
  Actual latency depends on your audio driver, hardware, and system configuration. Lower latency provides better audio-visual synchronization.
</Info>

## Current Limitations

<Warning>
  **Audio Input Not Supported**: Microphone input and voice chat features in games will not work.
</Warning>

Games that require microphone input may:

* Skip microphone-related features
* Display warnings or errors
* Work with degraded functionality

## Technical Details

Key source directories:

* **Audio Core**: `src/Ryujinx.Audio/`
* **OpenAL Backend**: `src/Ryujinx.Audio.Backends.OpenAL/`
* **SDL3 Backend**: `src/Ryujinx.Audio.Backends.SDL3/`
* **libsoundio Backend**: `src/Ryujinx.Audio.Backends.SoundIo/`
* **Audio Renderer**: `src/Ryujinx.Audio/Renderer/`

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="No audio output">
    * Check your system audio settings
    * Verify audio device is not muted
    * Try switching audio backends if available
    * Check Ryujinx volume settings
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Audio crackling or stuttering">
    * Increase audio buffer size if possible
    * Close background applications
    * Check CPU usage (high load can cause audio issues)
    * Update audio drivers
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Audio out of sync with video">
    * This may indicate performance issues
    * Enable VSync to stabilize frame timing
    * Try different audio backends
    * Check if the game is running at full speed
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Game crashes on audio initialization">
    * Try disabling audio temporarily
    * Update audio backend libraries
    * Check system audio device compatibility
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Note>
  The audio system is continuously improved with each Ryujinx release, with better compatibility and lower latency.
</Note>