jarikomppa/soloud
FreeFree, easy, portable audio engine for games
FreeFree tier
About jarikomppa/soloud
SoLoud is an easy-to-use, free, portable C/C++ audio engine designed specifically for games. It supports a wide range of audio formats including MP3, OGG, FLAC, and WAV, and also includes built-in speech synthesis and sound synthesizer capabilities. Licensed under the permissive Zlib/LibPng license, SoLoud is open-source and cross-platform, with bindings available for multiple programming languages such as Ruby, Python, C, C++, GameMaker, and BlitzMax. The official website (soloud-audio.com) provides further documentation and examples. Although the last release was in February 2020, it remains a popular choice for indie game developers and hobbyists seeking a lightweight audio solution.
Key Features
Supports MP3, OGG, FLAC, and WAV audio formats
Built-in speech synthesis and sound synthesizer
Portable across multiple platforms (Windows, Linux, macOS, mobile via OpenSL ES, etc.)
Multiple language bindings including Ruby, Python, C, C++, GameMaker, and BlitzMax
Zlib/LibPng open-source license for free use in commercial projects
Designed specifically for game audio
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free and open-source with a permissive license
- Easy to integrate and use
- Portable across multiple operating systems and platforms
- Supports multiple audio formats and synthesis out-of-the-box
- Language bindings allow usage in various programming environments
Cons
- Limited documentation compared to commercial engines
- Last release was in 2020, indicating potentially slow updates or maintenance
- Not as feature-rich as some dedicated commercial audio middleware
Best For
Game audio engine for sound effects and background musicSpeech synthesis in games or applicationsCross-platform audio playback in indie gamesRapid prototyping of audio features with minimal setup
FAQ
What is SoLoud?
SoLoud is an easy-to-use, free, portable C/C++ audio engine for games.
What license is SoLoud under?
SoLoud is licensed under the Zlib/LibPng license, a permissive free software license that allows use in commercial projects.
What platforms does SoLoud support?
SoLoud is designed to be portable and supports platforms such as Windows, Linux, macOS, and mobile platforms via backends like OpenSL ES.
What audio formats does SoLoud support?
SoLoud supports MP3, OGG, FLAC, WAV, and also includes speech synthesis and sound synthesis capabilities.