In Audacity, "Windows DirectSound", "MME", and "Windows WASAPI" are different audio interfaces or drivers used to handle audio input and output. Each option works differently, and here’s a brief introduction to each:
MME (Microsoft Multimedia Extensions)
MME is an older audio driver interface on Windows systems. It is designed to support most audio hardware devices with broad compatibility, but it is relatively outdated and may have higher latency and lower performance.
- It is suitable for general audio playback and recording tasks, but does not meet the requirements for low-latency or high-precision audio recording.
Windows DirectSound
DirectSound is a Microsoft audio interface that provides lower latency and generally better performance compared to MME.
- It utilizes Windows' DirectX technology to accelerate audio hardware and is typically used in gaming, video, and other real-time audio applications.
- While DirectSound offers better performance, it may have compatibility issues with some high-end audio hardware.
Windows WASAPI (Windows Audio Session API)
WASAPI is a newer audio interface that is more modern than both MME and DirectSound, offering lower latency and higher audio quality.
- It supports "Exclusive Mode" and "Shared Mode." In Exclusive Mode, WASAPI has direct control over the audio device, resulting in almost zero latency, which is very useful for real-time audio processing and high-precision recording.
- WASAPI is typically used in professional audio work, suitable for scenarios that require high-fidelity sound and low latency.
Summary
- MME: Broad compatibility but higher latency and lower performance.
- DirectSound: Offers lower latency and better performance, suitable for most general audio applications.
- WASAPI: Provides the best performance and lowest latency, ideal for professional audio work.
If you are sensitive to latency or require high-quality audio recording, WASAPI is likely the best option. For simpler audio editing tasks, MME or DirectSound can meet most needs.