Software:Miles Sound System

From HandWiki
Miles Sound System
Original author(s)John Miles
Developer(s)Epic Games Tools
Initial release1991; 35 years ago (1991)
Stable release
10.0.62.0 / March 4, 2022; 3 years ago (2022-03-04)[1]
Operating systemDOS, Windows, Linux, Classic Mac OS, macOS, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, Wii, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone[1]
TypeApplication programming interface (API)
Websitewww.radgametools.com/miles.htm

Miles Sound System (MSS), formerly known as Audio Interface Library (AIL), is a sound software system primarily for video games and used mostly as an alternative for low-end audio chipsets. It uses little CPU time while providing adequate audio output. It was originally a middleware driver library for soundcards to use in DOS applications when no viable alternative was available. Epic Games Tools (formerly RAD Game Tools) acquired the technology from Miles Design in 1995.

The 1992 AIL version 2 for DOS has been released by John Miles as open-source (public domain without restrictions) in 2000.[2][3] The package can be found on his personal site (KE5FX.com) and contains source code for both real-mode and protected-mode programs.

Reception

The Miles Sound System was used in its history by over 7,000 video games across 18 platforms, with customers including Sony, Capcom, Epic, and Microsoft.[4][5] Computer Gaming World stated in 1994 that "Many of the game publishers have decided to support only those sound cards which are supported by the Miles drivers", especially the Sound Blaster.[6]

References

Further reading

  • Boyd, Andrew (September 1998). "Dueling Audio Engines". Game Developer 5 (9): 51–56. ProQuest 219068639. https://www.proquest.com/docview/219068639/. 
  • Brandon, Alexander (August 2012). "Miles Sound System 9". Game Developer 19 (8). ProQuest 1033308503. https://www.proquest.com/docview/1033308503/. 
  • Marks, Aaron (2017). Aaron Marks' Complete Guide to Game Audio: For Composers, Sound Designers, Musicians, and Game Developers. CRC Press. p. 449. ISBN 9781317636199. https://books.google.com/books?id=VbVdDgAAQBAJ.