This assumes there is an OS-managed software mixer sitting in the middle of all ... | Hacker News

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kbolino on July 9, 2024 | parent | context | favorite | on: Ask HN: How do browsers isolate internal audio fro...

This assumes there is an OS-managed software mixer sitting in the middle of all audio streams between programs and devices. Historically, that wasn't the case, because it would introduce a lot of latency and jitter in the audio. I believe it is still possible for a program to get exclusive access to an audio output device on Windows (WASAPI) and Linux (ALSA).

dahauns on July 10, 2024 [–]

Historically, true, but nowadays it's pretty much standard for all the big OS.

Being able to get exclusive access/bypass the system via certain means (ASIO would be another) doesn't make it go away.

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