The Different Types of Audio Devices

The audio functions support seven types of audio devices:

• Auxiliary audio devices which get mixed with MIDI and waveform audio in a multimedia computer.
• Waveform input devices to convert analog audio signals into digital information.
• Waveform output devices to convert digital audio information into analog audio signals.
• MIDI input ports to receive MIDI information from external MIDI devices.
• MIDI output ports to send MIDI information to external MIDI devices like keyboards and drum machines.
• Internal MIDI synthesizers to synthesize music from MIDI information sent by applications.
• Mixer devices to control multiple audio sources.

Internal MIDI synthesizer devices and MIDI output ports are both MIDI output devices. They use the same entry-point function and receive the same messages. However, instead of sending MIDI data to an output port, an internal synthesizer device converts the MIDI data into music or sound.