The only guide to Apple's powerful Core Audio framework. Introduces the essential concepts of Mac and iOS audio programming. Task-based coverage explains everything from playing files to digital effects, with detailed sample code. Covers sophisticated techniques, including the creation of 3D sound output for desktop and iOS applications. Co-author Kevin Avila is one of the formeost authorities on Core Audio. Written by two of the world's leading audio programmers, this book is the definitive resource for understanding Apple's Core Audio framework. It fills an enormous gap in the marketplace, providing the practical and accessible learning materials that Core Audio developers have never had. The book begins with a complete introduction to generic digital audio concepts, written to be accessible to the vast majority of developers who've never programmed audio before. It takes high-level look at how Core Audio implements these concepts, presents common 'use cases' for Core Audio, and discusses crucial trade-offs between audio quality, performance, and file size. Next, the authors drill down to each specific task Core Audio developers are likely to perform; tasks such as recording and playing audio, controlling audio files, transcoding between formats, and adding digital effects. They thoroughly explain the relevant API, demonstrating each concept with usable sample code, and offer the insight and context needed to truly adapt that code to fit realworld projects. Building on the basics, the authors introduce several advanced audio development techniques, including programming 3D audio with OpenAL to deliver surround sound output in both Mac and iOS applications. The book also covers Core MIDI, a subset of the Core Audio framework, which can be used to control MIDI devices.